The band formed in Benton Harbor, Michigan as the Four Sounds. The original line-up consisted of Gene Harris (September 1, 1933 – January 16, 2000) on piano, Andrew Simpkins (April 29, 1932 – June 2, 1999) on double bass and Bill Dowdy (August 15, 1932 - May 12, 2017) on drums, along with saxophonist Lonnie `The Sound' Walker, who dropped out the following year. The group moved to Washington and then New York, where as the Three Sounds, they cut a record for Riverside Records, before signing an exclusive contract with Blue Note.
Between 1958 and 1962, the group released nine LPs for Blue Note. They toured nationally during this period, building a large following in jazz clubs across the country. Later Three Sounds recordings were also released by Limelight and Verve Records.
The Three Sounds song "Put On Train", from the 1971 Gene Harris album The 3 Sounds was featured as the prominent background sample in the hip-hop group Beastie Boys song "What Comes Around" on their 1989 album Paul's Boutique. It previously stated here that this sample came from the Three Sounds album Live at the It Club, recorded in 1970, however this was not released (on Live at the It Club Vol. 2) until 2000.
Our Love Is Here to Stay
The Three Sounds Lyrics
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Not for a year but ever and a day
The radio and the telephone and the movies that we know
May just be passing fancies and in time may go
But oh, my dear, our love is here to stay
Together we're going a long, long way
In time the Rockies may crumble, Gibraltar may tumble
But our love is here to stay
In time the Rockies may crumble, Gibraltar may tumble
They're only made of clay
But our love is here to stay
The Three Sounds's song "Our Love Is Here to Stay" expresses the unwavering strength and longevity of the love that the singer and their partner share. The opening lines are a clear indication of the depth of their commitment, with the singer proclaiming that "our love is here to stay, not for a year but ever and a day." The use of the phrase "ever and a day" emphasizes the boundless nature of their love and suggests that it will last for all eternity.
The following lines speak to the transitory nature of modern technology, describing the radio, telephone, and movies as "passing fancies." While these forms of media may come and go, the singer's love is steadfast and unchanging. This sentiment is reinforced in the final stanza, where the singer asserts that even landmarks as seemingly permanent as the Rockies and Gibraltar are "only made of clay" and may crumble with time. However, their love will endure in spite of any changes or challenges that may come their way.
Overall, the song paints a picture of a love that is unbreakable and everlasting, defying the passage of time and the whims of the world around it.
Line by Line Meaning
It's very clear, our love is here to stay
Our love is strong and everlasting.
Not for a year but ever and a day
Our love is not temporary but forever.
The radio and the telephone and the movies that we know
The fleeting forms of entertainment that we have known, such as radio, telephone, and movies, may come and go.
May just be passing fancies and in time may go
These forms of entertainment may be temporary and fade away over time.
But oh, my dear, our love is here to stay
Despite the transience of worldly things, our love is unwavering and steadfast.
Together we're going a long, long way
We will journey together and our love will endure for a great distance.
In time the Rockies may crumble, Gibraltar may tumble
Even natural wonders that seem unmovable, like the Rockies and Gibraltar, may fall or erode over time.
They're only made of clay
The Rockies and Gibraltar, though impressive, are ultimately fragile.
But our love is here to stay
Our love, in contrast, is indestructible and everlasting.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Peermusic Publishing, RALEIGH MUSIC PUBLISHING
Written by: George Gershwin, Ira Gershwin
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind