Charlie Drew (High … Read Full Bio ↴The Swans was an American 1950's doo-wop group with:
Charlie Drew (High Tenor)
Ray Roberts (Baritone)
Donald Sledge (First Tenor)
James Bradham (Second Tenor/Baritone)
Discography :
1953 - My True Love / No More (Rainbow 233)
1956 - Believe In Me / In The Morning (Steamboat 101)
The group formed around 1951 and was from Greenburg, New York, which is, located about one mile from White Plains. The members at various times included James Brabham, Charlie Drew, Donald Sledge, Charlie Sharrock, Clifford James and Ray Roberts. Sledge was in the service when the record was made. They were just kids hanging around her neighborhood in Greenburg, NY listening to groups like the Orioles, Cardinals and Clovers. They tried to sound like them and after awhile , they needed a name so we came up with a ‘bird name’, the Swans. By 1953, they were playing some clubs in New York City and met Lover Patterson. Patterson was a “jack-of-all-trades” in the New York music scene. He was connected to Eddie Heller’s Rainbow Record Company where he helped the Swans obtain a contract. Brabham stated that he wrote “My True Love” along with Ray Roberts and also collaborated on the flip side “(Ain’t Like That) No More”. He also divulged that Ray Roberts was the lead singer on “My True Love” and that there was some unfinished material at Rainbow Records.
“My True Love” was released on Rainbow number 233 in Dec. 1953. The record went nowhere evidenced by no information about the group or the record in Billboard Magazine’s 1953 or 1954 clippings. Doc Robinson from the Master-Tones , Charlie Drew, and James Bradham joined a resurrected Swans group, along with Charlie Sherock and Ray Roberts. They spent their time rehearsing a couple of songs ("Believe In Me" and "In The Morning").
#2 The Swans "The Boy With The Beatle Hair", reached #85.
Credited to Gamble-Ross-Renzetti-Jackson, it runs to 2 minutes 28 seconds and was released on the Cameo label backed by "Please Hurry Home." with Jean and Tina Thomas. They also were the girls who sang backup on all of Bobby Rydell records.
You're probably thinking of M.Gira and Jarboe's band, SWANS.
Also a reggae artist, featured on a few comps, such as "For A Few Dollars More".
Believe In Me
The Swans Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And when you smiled at me,
In my heart I felt a thrill you see,
That it was love at sight and
I was right to love you as I do.
Still I never dreamed that you could love me too.
Your eyes of blue, your kisses too,
I can't believe that you're in love with me.
You're telling ev'ry one I know
I'm on your mind each place we go
They can't believe that you're in love with me.
I have always placed you far above me.
I just can't imagine that you love me.
And after all is said and done,
To think that I'm the lucky one.
I can't believe that you're in love with me.
Skies are gray. I'm blue each day
When you are not around.
Ev'ry thing goes wrong, my dear I've found
But when you're by my side I fill with pride
For I'm so proud of you
It all seems too good to me to all be true
Your eyes of blue, your kisses too,
I never knew what they could do.
I can't believe that you're in love with me.
You're telling ev'ry one I know
I'm on your mind each place we go
They can't believe that you're in love with me.
I have always placed you far above me.
I just can't imagine that you love me.
And after all is said and done,
To think that I'm the lucky one.
I can't believe that you're in love with me.
The lyrics of The Swans's song "Believe In Me" beautifully capture the feelings of disbelief and astonishment that come with being loved by someone you hold in high regard. The singer recounts the moment they first met the person who would later become their love interest, emphasizing the instant connection and thrill they felt when that person smiled at them. This encounter marked the beginning of a journey where the singer fell deeply in love, never imagining that the object of their affection could feel the same way about them.
The song delves into the singer's inner thoughts, highlighting their astonishment at being loved by someone who they have always admired and placed on a pedestal. The lyrics express a sense of unworthiness and disbelief that this person could truly have feelings for them, leading to a heightened sense of gratitude and appreciation for the unexpected love that has come their way. The repeated refrain of "I can't believe that you're in love with me" underscores the singer's incredulity and amazement at the depth of emotion being expressed towards them.
The verses continue to paint a picture of the singer's emotional landscape, describing how their world seems brighter and more joyful when the object of their affection is present. The contrast between the gray skies and blue days when apart from their loved one, and the pride and happiness that fills them when together, further highlights the transformative power of love in the singer's life. The lyrics evoke a sense of vulnerability and raw honesty as the singer grapples with the overwhelming sensations of being loved unconditionally.
As the song reaches its conclusion, the theme of disbelief in the reciprocity of love is reiterated, with the singer acknowledging their fortune and luck in being loved by this special person. The contrast between the initial self-doubt and the eventual realization that they are indeed the "lucky one" underscores the journey of self-discovery and acceptance that occurs when love unexpectedly enters one's life. Ultimately, "Believe In Me" captures the universal experience of feeling unworthy yet grateful for the love that has taken root in the singer's heart, offering a poignant reflection on the transformative power of love and the joy it brings.
Line by Line Meaning
Yesterday you came my way,
When you entered my life yesterday,
And when you smiled at me,
And when you showed me your happiness,
In my heart I felt a thrill you see,
I felt a rush of excitement in my heart,
That it was love at sight and
Realizing it was love at first sight and
I was right to love you as I do.
It was justified to love you the way I do.
Still I never dreamed that you could love me too.
But I never imagined you could love me in return.
Your eyes of blue, your kisses too,
Your blue eyes and kisses,
I never knew what they could do.
I never realized their impact on me.
I can't believe that you're in love with me.
I find it hard to believe that you love me.
You're telling ev'ry one I know
You're telling everyone we know
I'm on your mind each place we go
That I'm always on your mind wherever we go,
They can't believe that you're in love with me.
Others find it hard to believe that you love me.
I have always placed you far above me.
I have always seen you as better than me.
I just can't imagine that you love me.
I struggle to believe that you have feelings for me.
And after all is said and done,
After everything that has happened,
To think that I'm the lucky one.
I consider myself fortunate.
Skies are gray. I'm blue each day
Every day feels dreary and sad for me
When you're not around.
When you're not here with me.
Everything goes wrong, my dear I've found
Everything seems to go awry, I've noticed
But when you're by my side I fill with pride
But when you're with me, I feel proud
For I'm so proud of you.
Because I am proud of you.
It all seems too good to me to all be true
It all feels too perfect to be real for me
Lyrics © Kanjian Music, BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Word Collections Publishing, Royalty Network, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Capitol CMG Publishing, Spirit Music Group, Songtrust Ave, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: CLARENCE GASKILL, JIMMY MC HUGH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind