They were originally formed in 1952, as the Four Dots, but they took their long lasting name from the Tam O'Shanter style hat that the group choose to wear on stage. Although such an early origin suggests longevity, it was not until 1960 that the group finally emerged with a single on Swan Records. "Untie Me", a Joe South composition, became a Top 20 U.S. R&B hit, but follow-up releases failed until 1963, when "What Kind Of Fool (Do You Think I Am)", reached the U.S. Top 10.
Whilst never a major recording force, their longevity was due to persistence, and the occasional surprising success. For example, "Hey Girl Don't Bother Me" was a modest Stateside hit in 1964. The Tams had only one further U.S. hit in 1968 with "Be Young, Be Foolish, Be Happy", which peaked on the Billboard R&B chart at 26, and made the UK Top 40 in 1970.
However, the group stunned many (including themselves), by flying to the Number One slot in the UK singles chart in September 1971, thanks to its initial support from the then thriving northern soul scene.
They were destined to not chart again until sixteen years later. Then, their association with The Shag, a dance craze and subsequent 80s film, secured a further lifeline to this remarkable group, giving The Tams another UK Top 30 hit, with "There Ain't Nothing Like Shaggin'".
Anna
The Tams Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You come and ask me, girl,
To set you free, girl,
You say he loves you more than me,
So I will set you free,
Go with him.
Go with him.
Anna,
Girl, before you go now,
I want you to know, now,
That I still love you so,
But if he loves you mo',
Go with him.
All of my life,
I've been searchin' for a girl
To love me like I love you.
Oh, now, but every girl I've ever had,
Breaks my heart and leaves me sad.
What am I, what am I supposed to do.
Anna,
Just one more thing, girl.
You give back your ring to me, and I will set you free,
Go with him.
[Chorus]
All of my life,
I've been searchin' for a girl
To love me like I love you.
Oh, now, but every girl I've ever had,
Breaks my heart and leaves me sad.
What am I, what am I supposed to do.
The song "Anna" by The Tams is a heartfelt plea from the perspective of a person named Anna's lover who is struggling to let her go. Anna approaches the singer, asking to be set free because she believes that her new partner loves her more. In response, the singer agrees to set her free, encouraging her to go and be with this other person who supposedly loves her more. The chorus emphasizes the singer's enduring love for Anna and their willingness to let her choose the person she thinks loves her more.
Throughout his life, the singer has been searching for a girl who can love him as deeply as he loves Anna. However, he expresses his frustration that every girl he has been with has only broken his heart, leaving him sad and confused about what he should do. In the final plea, the singer asks Anna to return the ring, symbolizing the end of their relationship, in exchange for her freedom to be with the one she believes loves her more.
The lyrics of "Anna" capture the feelings of love, sacrifice, and heartbreak. The singer's selflessness in allowing Anna to pursue what she believes is a greater love demonstrates the complexities of relationships and the difficulties of letting go.
Line by Line Meaning
Anna
Addressing a person named Anna
You come and ask me, girl,
You approach me and request, girl,
To set you free, girl,
To release you from our relationship, girl,
You say he loves you more than me,
You claim that his love for you surpasses mine,
So I will set you free,
Therefore, I will grant you the freedom,
Go with him.
Choose to be with him.
Go with him.
Go ahead and be with him.
Girl, before you go now,
Before you depart, girl,
I want you to know, now,
I need you to understand, now,
That I still love you so,
That my love for you remains strong,
But if he loves you mo',
However, if he loves you more,
Go with him.
Choose to be with him.
All of my life,
Throughout my entire existence,
I've been searchin' for a girl
I have been seeking a girl
To love me like I love you.
Who can love me with the same intensity as I love you.
Oh, now, but every girl I've ever had,
However, every girl I have ever been with
Breaks my heart and leaves me sad.
Causes me heartbreak and leaves me feeling sorrowful.
What am I, what am I supposed to do.
What am I, what actions should I take.
Just one more thing, girl.
Just one additional request, girl.
You give back your ring to me, and I will set you free,
Return the ring to me, and I will grant you liberation,
Go with him.
Choose to be with him.
All of my life,
Throughout my entire existence,
I've been searchin' for a girl
I have been seeking a girl
To love me like I love you.
Who can love me with the same intensity as I love you.
Oh, now, but every girl I've ever had,
However, every girl I have ever been with
Breaks my heart and leaves me sad.
Causes me heartbreak and leaves me feeling sorrowful.
What am I, what am I supposed to do.
What am I, what actions should I take.
Lyrics © RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Arthur Alexander
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Paul O
The unmistakeable sound of the Tams and Arthur ALexander's memorable Anna i Fabulous Music thanks for sharing. We love the Tams Paul O and Linda Rue.
Mike Mangan
Shades of ARTHUR ALEXANDER and his classic,Great version!The only other cover I have heard was THE BEATLES versiion from 1964
ALAIN DEWAELE
superbe versiopn aldo te remercie de se partage !!!!!!!
ruby leuty
Where can I get a CD of the Tams. I have loved there sound since I was 14 yrs old. I am 68 now.
Ron Sager
ebay
Susan Lain
Another one I L-O-V-E!!!!
feee feee
oh for you to know how much you mean to me :(
Taco Gillespie
Who is singing lead on this song. It is either Charles Pope or Horace Key. Anybody know?
Gannon Roberts
Horace Key.
Jane O Naylor
Horace Key