This R&B vocal group was formed in 1959 in Chicago, Illinois, USA. The Shep… Read Full Bio ↴This R&B vocal group was formed in 1959 in Chicago, Illinois, USA. The Sheppards created a marvellous transitional style of R&B during the early 60s, drawing much of its character from earlier doo-wop, yet incorporating instrumentation and vocal stylings that in later years would inform soul music. They were named after their producer Bill ‘Bunky’ Sheppard. The members were lead and bass Millard Edwards, lead and top tenor Murrie Eskridge, baritone Jimmy Allen, bass and fifth tenor James Dennis Isaac, second tenor O.C. Perkins and guitarist Kermit Chandler. The group’s most famous song was the doo-wop ballad ‘Island Of Love’ (1959), but later tracks included ‘The Glitter In Your Eyes’ (1961) and ‘Tragic’ (1962). All the members had been veterans of the R&B scene for several years before joining together as the Sheppards. Eskridge and Perkins were members of the Palms on United in 1957, and Edwards, Allen and Isaac were members of the Bel Aires on Decca Records in 1958. Edwards left the group in 1967 to join the Esquires, another Sheppard-produced group. The Sheppards broke up in 1969. Jimmy Allen died in 1980, and Kermit Chandler in 1981.

Island of Love
The Sheppards Lyrics

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I have heard of an island
Where young lovers often go
They say it′s wonderful
Woh-whoa, so (marvelous)
I wanna go (go, go)
I wanna go (go, go)
Because I've read about it
Heard about it

Talked so very much about it
That′s where we belong

They say, on moonlit nights
When the stars are, oh, so bright
You can hear the seashells at night
Singing love songs
Woh-whoa, beautiful (love songs)
I wanna go (go, go)
I wanna go (go, go)
Because I've read about it
Heard about it
Talked so very much about it
That's where we belong

All of my life (all of my life)
I have loved (I have loved)
But never, no, not like this before
All of my life (all of my life)
I, I have waited (I have waited)
For someone like you to adore
All through the night
I dream I hold you tight
On an island, yes, an island of love

Woh-ho-oha, of love
(Of love)

Overall Meaning

The Sheppards in their song Island Of Love, have depicted a utopian island, where young lovers often go. The island is a place where love prevails and even the seashells sing love songs on moonlit nights. The singer says that he wants to visit this island, as he has heard so much about it and believes that is where he belongs. Throughout his life, he has loved, but never like he does now, waiting for someone like the person he addresses in the song to adore. This island appears to be a haven, where love is the only currency, and the singer dreams of holding his lover tight through the night.

The song's lyrics are mystical, whimsical, romantic, and idyllic. The Sheppards seem to have created a world that is far from reality, where love is celebrated extravagantly. The island that they sing of is a metaphor for a place where love blooms, and it is not a physical place, but an emotional one. The seashells singing love songs is symbolic of nature's inclination towards fostering love. The song's theme talks about having found true love, which is incomparable to anything they have felt before.

Line by Line Meaning

I have heard of an island
I have come across a mythical place that couples often visit

Where young lovers often go
It's a place that is popular among young couples

They say it's wonderful, woh-whoa, so (marvelous)
According to rumors, it's an extraordinary place

I wanna go (go, go)
I yearn to visit this place

Because I've read about it Heard about it Talked so very much about it That's where we belong
I have been immensely fascinated by the place, and I believe we ought to see it

They say, on moonlit nights When the stars are, oh, so bright
Apparently, the island is at its best on nights with bright moonlight and stars

You can hear the seashells at night Singing love songs Woh-whoa, beautiful (love songs)
At night, the seashells produce enchanting sounds that sound like love songs

All of my life (all of my life) I have loved (I have loved) But never, no, not like this before
I've been in love before, but this love feels more significant than anything I've experienced prior

All of my life (all of my life) I, I have waited (I have waited) For someone like you to adore
I've yearned for true love, and now I have found it in you

All through the night I dream I hold you tight
I often dream of holding you closely at night

On an island, yes, an island of love Woh-ho-oha, of love (Of love)
I dream of us being on this island, experiencing the love we share in such a perfect place

Writer(s): Sid Tepper, Roy C. Bennett

Contributed by Leo G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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