1) An African American do… Read Full Bio ↴There two bands with the name The Turbans.
1) An African American doo-wop group, who were formed in Philadelphia in 1953.
2) An international musical collective bringing together music from traditional near-eastern and eastern-European styles and their own compositions.
1)
The Turbans were an African American doo-wop group, who were formed in Philadelphia in 1953. The original members were: Al Banks (lead tenor), Matthew Platt (second tenor), Charlie Williams (baritone), and Andrew "Chet" Jones (bass) and they came from Downtown Philadelphia (around Bainbridge and South Street). Herman Gillespie was their first manager.
Around Christmas 1954, they won first prize in a talent contest singing their rendition of Clyde McPhatter and the Drifters’ "White Christmas". This created interest among the local record companies and in the late spring of 1955, they cut a demo record. Herman Gillespie took it to Al Silver and Jack Angel at Herald Records in New York. They signed a contract in July 1955, but gained a new manager, Allen Best, who worked for Shaw Artists Corporation.
In July 1955, The Turbans had their first Herald recording session and later that month their first record, pairing "Let Me Show You (Around My Heart)", as the “A” side with “When You Dance" as the flip side was released. Although "Let Me Show You" became a regional hit in Atlanta, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Detroit, Boston, and New Orleans, interest began to grow in "When You Dance". At first it started to break in New York, Philadelphia, D.C. and Baltimore, until finally, in November, it hit the national R&B and Pop charts. "Dance" reached #3 on R&B chart and remained there for about two months. It only rose to #33 on the Pop chart but stayed there for about five months, so it was counted as a significant hit.
In December 1955, Herald released “Sister Sooky/’I’ll Always Watch Over You” as a follow-up record, but this failed to chart. With one national hit, however, in late January 1956, they went off on a whirlwind tour, joining Irvin Feld’s "Super Attractions Tour". Then in March 1956, they joined another tour, which featured Roy Gaines, Guitar Slim, Margie Day, and Lloyd Lambert.
They then became part of the "Rhythm And Blues Show Of 1956" and in April 1956, Herald released "I’m Nobody’s"/"B-I-N-G-O", but this failed to make the national charts. By July, they were touring the Midwest with Sonny Boy Williamson’s orchestra and so in August 1956, Herald released "It Was A Nite Like This"/"All Of My Love", but again this record failed to make the national charts. Finally on 21 October, they played the Circle Theater in Cleveland, with Don Rello, the Quails and Ralph Wilson’s orchestra.
So, as 1957 dawned, with no more hit records, the Turbans were running out of work. They were back in the studio in early 1957, but two more sessions failed to produce any hit records and by July 1957, their contract with Herald expired. This lack of success led to personnel changes, some of which were temporary, some of which were permanent.
In late 1958, a now reconstructed Turbans signed with Red Top Records. Matthew Platt and Charlie Williams had been replaced by Earl Worsham (first and second tenor) and John Christian (baritone/second tenor), both of whom had both sung with the Quadrells. They released a single by called "I Promise You"/"Curfew Time". Again, both sides were led by Al Banks. This record failed to chart and so the Turbans did no further recording for about two years. Chet left the group for a while, and they continued on as a trio.
In 1960, they moved to Morris Levy’s Roulette Records. Chet returned and they recorded "Diamonds And Pearls", backed with "Bad Man". Unfortunately, it was a group called the Paradons’ who had a hit with the song. In January 1961, their second (and final) Roulette release was "Three Friends" (written by Burt Bacharach and Hal David), backed with "I’m Not Your Fool Anymore". There was, once again, no chart action.
The next stop for the Turbans was Bernie Lowe and Karl Mann’s Parkway Records. By this time, Chet Jones, one of the mainstays of the group, had departed. The group was now: Al Banks, Earl Worsham, John Christian, and newly-added bass Reggie "Tootie" Price. At Parkway, they did an updated version of "When You Dance", which was released in February 1961 to compete with the re-released original Herald version.
In the spring of 1960, the original Herald version of "When You Dance" had been included on the second volume of Art Laboe’s "Oldies But Goodies" album series. It created enough demand for Herald to re-release the original single in February 1961. It was not a big hit the second time around, but it still managed to struggle to #114 on the Pop charts.
Later in 1961, with no chart success at Parkway Records, they signed with Imperial Records. Reggie "Tootie" Price had left to be replaced by James Oscar "Cisco" Williams, (a bass/baritone/tenor), who had also been with the Quadrells. The group was now a quintet, with the fifth member being tenor Sonny Gordon, who had been the lead of the Angels in 1954.
Their first Imperial release was "Six Questions" (led by Al), backed with "The Lament Of Silver Gulch". In March 1962 there was a second Imperial release, "This Is My Story"/"Clicky Clicky Clack", both sides of which featured Al. The final Turbans’ record appeared in May 1962: "I Wonder"/"The Damage Is Done", with Sonny Gordon taking the lead on both sides. There was, as usual by now, no chart action on all three records.
After Imperial, the Turbans broke up for good. Earl went off to Billy Byrd's Ink Spots but now sings with a Coasters group based in Boca Raton. Al was with Charlie Thomas' Drifters in the early 70s, but he and John Christian are now deceased.
2)
Another group by the same name (The Turbans) began in Kathmandu, Nepal, when the violinist Darius Thompson and guitarist Oshan 'Danger' Mahony decided to cycle to India, where they met Mandolinist Chinua Ford. At the first concert in Dharamsala The Turbans was formed, and has continued as a travelling collective of multinational musicians from varying genres. Classical, Jazz, Middle-eastern, balkan folk and Celtic experience fused into something like a cloth wrapped around your head!
When You Dance
The Turbans Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When you dance you'll squeeze her, yes, with all your might
Such a thrill, oh, when she's close to you
Well, hold her tight when you dance
When you dance you'll feel the warmth of her embrace
Then you'll know this feeling, yeah, is no disgrace
Such a thrill, oh, when she's close to you
You may do a rhumba or a tango
Mambo, calypso or a strand
Lights are turned down low
You go hand and
When you dance be sure to hold her tight
When you dance you'll squeeze her, yes, with all your might
Such a thrill, oh, when she's close to you
Hold her tight
The Turbans's song "When You Dance" is a love song with a simple yet powerful message: when you dance with someone you love, hold them tightly and cherish every moment. The lyrics describe the sensations and emotions that arise when two people dance together, from the warmth of their embrace to the thrill of being close to one another. The song encourages listeners to appreciate the joy and intimacy that dance can bring, and to use it as an opportunity to express their love and affection for their partner.
The repetition of the phrase "hold her tight when you dance" throughout the song emphasizes the importance of physical touch and connection in relationships. The lyrics suggest that dancing is not just a form of entertainment or a way to pass the time, but a meaningful and sensual experience that can strengthen the bonds between two people. Whether they are doing a rhumba, a tango, a mambo, or a calypso, the song tells us that when we dance with someone we care about, we should hold them close and revel in the magic of the moment.
Overall, "When You Dance" is a timeless classic that celebrates the power of dance to bring people closer together. Its timeless message continues to resonate with listeners all over the world, making it a beloved song that has stood the test of time.
Line by Line Meaning
When you dance be sure to hold her, hold her tight
Make sure to hold her tightly while dancing
When you dance you'll squeeze her, yes, with all your might
You will want to hold her close and tight as you dance
Such a thrill, oh, when she's close to you
It's an exhilarating feeling to dance with her in your arms
Well, hold her tight when you dance
Keep holding her tightly as you dance
When you dance you'll feel the warmth of her embrace
Her embrace will make you feel warm and close
Then you'll know this feeling, yeah, is no disgrace
Feeling this way is not shameful or embarrassing
You may do a rhumba or a tango
You can dance any style, like rhumba or tango
Mambo, calypso or a strand
Or other styles like mambo, calypso, or strand
Lights are turned down low
The lights are dimmed to create a romantic atmosphere
You go hand and
You and your partner move together as a unit
Hold her tight when you dance
Again, remember to hold her tightly as you dance
Lyrics © Kanjian Music, BMG Rights Management, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: Andrew Jones
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Abalone Kid
Masters give us beautiful music, like this classic.
But just think about what God has given us - eternal life
Believe by faith.
-
Isaiah chapter 7: verse 14;
Therefore, the Lord himself will give you a sign; Now, a virgin will conceive and give birth to a son and call him by the name of Emmanuel.
(Hebrew means: God מָּנוּאֵל, "God with us," in human flesh, like a man, but without sin)
-
John 3:
16 For God loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life.
17 God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world; but the world through Him can be saved.
-
“All have sinned and lack the glory of God.” Romans chapter 3: verse 23
-
"The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans chapter 6: verse 23
-
“I am the way, the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father as soon as through Me. ” John 14: 6
-
“Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures, and he was buried, and on the third day he was resurrected according to the scriptures” 1 Cor. 15: 3-4
-
“In which we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace”; Ephesians. 1: 7
-
Romans 10:
9 that if you confess through the mouth of the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.
10 For you believe in righteousness with your heart, and with your mouth confession is made for salvation.
13 For whoever calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.
-
"Therefore, since we were justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." Romans 5: 1
-
“Salvation, the forgiveness of sins, is available to everyone who will trust Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. Those who reject the free gift of salvation (see John 3: 16-17 above) according to the gospel of Jesus Christ will be punished for their sins and forever separated from God and the Family of God on earth and in heaven forever.
-
Revelation 21: “8 But frightened and unbelievers, and disgusting, and murderers, and whore traders, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars will have their part in the lake, which burns with fire and brimstone: the second death”
Abalone Kid
Masters give us beautiful music, like this classic.
But just think about what God has given us - eternal life
Believe by faith.
-
Isaiah chapter 7: verse 14;
Therefore, the Lord himself will give you a sign; Now, a virgin will conceive and give birth to a son and call him by the name of Emmanuel.
(Hebrew means: God מָּנוּאֵל, "God with us," in human flesh, like a man, but without sin)
-
John 3:
16 For God loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life.
17 God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world; but the world through Him can be saved.
-
“All have sinned and lack the glory of God.” Romans chapter 3: verse 23
-
"The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans chapter 6: verse 23
-
“I am the way, the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father as soon as through Me. ” John 14: 6
-
“Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures, and he was buried, and on the third day he was resurrected according to the scriptures” 1 Cor. 15: 3-4
-
“In which we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace”; Ephesians. 1: 7
-
Romans 10:
9 that if you confess through the mouth of the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.
10 For you believe in righteousness with your heart, and with your mouth confession is made for salvation.
13 For whoever calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.
-
"Therefore, since we were justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." Romans 5: 1
-
“Salvation, the forgiveness of sins, is available to everyone who will trust Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. Those who reject the free gift of salvation (see John 3: 16-17 above) according to the gospel of Jesus Christ will be punished for their sins and forever separated from God and the Family of God on earth and in heaven forever.
-
Revelation 21: “8 But frightened and unbelievers, and disgusting, and murderers, and whore traders, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars will have their part in the lake, which burns with fire and brimstone: the second death”
Buzza Wuzza
I love how the beat changes during the sax solo.
Sergio O
I absolutely LOVE this song. Well sung all around. Great Bass man ! This should have WAAAAY more views ! Thank's for the upload !
Katherine Gates
💖😊💖 Remembering this song from way back as a young teenager. Fun times and the greatest music.😉 Doo Wop ....Forever.🥰
David Weiner
A classic you never get tired of listening to
Lee Presley
a Goodie 4sure ! -:-Chris
Renee Victor
When I hear the introduction to this song before they even start singing my whole body starts moving I'm on auto and I can't stop. Good Music
Bonnie Barber
I just grabbed my husband and we danced to this.Pure magic!! Thank you, Turbans - and for whoever posted this link. LOVE this real music and loving lyrics.
Joseph Kane
Just timeless classic single from 1955 and it did sell over 1 Million Copies during the Rock and Roll Era a great tune to dance back then
nicky0016dd
Love this song!
Love doo wop!🎼🎵🎶
Loving that sax!
vodkamarie
Sang this great song a thousand times around 1959-1960.. Did this at a rock 'n roll show in Newark many years ago. The star of the show was Danny and The Juniors. When we sang this song we blew them away . Great memories.