The group's sound was marked by Scotty Scott's fluid, melodic voice which featured on virtually all of their hits. Scotty's sound was so distinctive and likeable that, in his heyday, he was as recognizable as such noted R&B lead singers as Ronald Isley of The Isley Brothers.[citation needed]
In 1987, they enjoyed a career resurgence when "Rock Steady" hit #1 on the R&B charts, and it became their first Top 10 success on the Hot 100, reaching #7. The Whispers also founded the Black Tie record label.
In the 1990s, The Whispers joined the Capitol Records family releasing more favorites. Expanding their creative horizons, brothers Walter and Scotty cut “My Brothers Keeper”, a critically-acclaimed duet album in 1993, scoring another R&B hit with a cover of the Intruders' "I Wanna Know Your Name." The 1995 release “Toast to the Ladies” featured a collection of love songs dedicated to women all over the world. In 1997, the group moved to Interscope Records where they featured the works of Baby face once again with their album, "Songbook, Vol. 1: The Songs of Babyface”. Both albums charted on Billboard's top 100 albums.
Marcus stopped performing with the group in 1989 due to ill health and the Whispers vowed never to replace him when he died in 2000. In the new millennium, the group still performs around the world to thousands of loyal fans. The group has not made any personnel changes and still consists of Walter Scott, Wallace Scott, Nicholas Caldwell, and Leaveil Degree. They have taken the world by storm, selling out in various casinos and hotels, music venues, and they have a tremendous following throughout the United States, Europe, Asia, and Africa. However, they still find time for charity work with youth education, cancer organizations, 100 Black Men, and Domestic violence charities.
On September 23, 2003, The Whispers’ four decades of accomplishments were acknowledged when they were inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame. On June 12, 2005, The San Francisco Chapter of the Grammy Awards presented the Whispers with the prestigious Governors Award, the highest honor bestowed by an Academy Chapter. They were also inducted into the Bay Area Blues Society Hall of Fame in 2006. In 2007, The Black Music Academy of America selected the Whispers to receive their “Living Legends” award.
They are one of only a few “old school” groups that can boast of having over 40 years in the industry with a worldwide fan base. The Whispers waited almost a decade to produce a new CD in 2005. This independent product, the first venture of their newly formed corporation Satin Tie Entertainment is a masterpiece entitled, “For Your Ears Only”. According to Walter, “This title was a way of saying to our fans that while we want everyone’s support, we very much want the support of our fans, who have been with us for many, many years.” It made its way up the Billboard chart immediately. In 2007, they release a DVD of their live concert entitled “The Whispers Live From Las Vegas”, the first of its kind. A CD soundtrack of the same concert was also released.
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
Seven Gold Albums, Two Platinum Albums, 12 Top Twenty Singles, 40 Charted Hits Since 1970, Four Decades of Pop & R & B FavoritesAmerican Music Award Nominees, Soul Train Award Nominees, Grammy Award Nominees
2003 Vocal Group Hall of Fame Inductees, 2005 S.F. Regional Grammy Governors Award
Living Together in Sin
The Whispers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We are two sinners, they say
They don't approve of how we're livin'
But we are happy this way
They say we're living together in sin
'Cause we're not married
Living together in sin
And life is ours to choose
To each his own, we're in love
All of our friends never invite us
And they don't come around
But that's alright, we have each other
The world, they put us down
And say, we're living together in sin
'Cause we're not married
Living together in sin
But both of us are grown
And life is ours to choose
To each his own, we're in love
They say, we're living together in sin
They don't understand
You're my woman and I'm your man
You and me against the world
I'm your man and you're my girl
If loving you is a sin, I'm gonna say it again
And again and again and again
Mom and dad, can't you see?
We love each other, why can't it be?
For you, I've turned my back on family and friends
For you, I'd do it again
And again and again and again
And again and again and again and again
The Whispers's song Living Together in Sin is a romantic ballad about two people living together without being married, despite disapproval from both of their families and friends. The lyrics express the couple's contentment with their decision and their love for one another. The song highlights how societal norms and expectations can sometimes contradict what is truly best for individuals and their happiness.
The first verse conveys that the couple's families do not agree with their living arrangement and consider them sinners. The second verse explains that their social lives have been affected because they are not married, but they still have each other. The chorus suggests that their love is what truly matters, and they have the right to choose their own path in life.
The final verse expresses the couple's determination to stay together, regardless of what others may think. They believe that their love is worth turning their backs on friends and family for, and they will do it again and again. The song's message promotes the idea that love should always come first, and individual happiness should be the priority.
Line by Line Meaning
Your folks and mine want to disown us
Our families disapprove of our relationship
We are two sinners, they say
Our families label us as sinners
They don't approve of how we're livin'
Our families don't approve of us living together
But we are happy this way
But we are happy with each other
They say we're living together in sin
Our families believe we are sinning by living together
'Cause we're not married
Because we are not married
But both of us are grown
But we are both adults
And life is ours to choose
We have the right to choose how we live our lives
To each his own, we're in love
Everyone has their own path to happiness, and our path is being in love
All of our friends never invite us
Our friends exclude us from social gatherings
And they don't come around
They don't visit us
But that's alright, we have each other
But we are content with each other's company
The world, they put us down
Society condemns our relationship
And say, we're living together in sin
And say that we are living in sin
They don't understand
They don't understand our love
You're my woman and I'm your man
We are committed to each other
You and me against the world
We will face the world together
If loving you is a sin, I'm gonna say it again
If loving you is a sin, I will keep embracing it
Mom and dad, can't you see?
Parents, can't you see?
We love each other, why can't it be?
We love each other, why can't you accept it?
For you, I've turned my back on family and friends
For you, I've become estranged from my loved ones
And again and again and again
And I will keep doing it
And again and again and again and again
I will keep doing it repeatedly
Contributed by Nora L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Kim Grattie
Such AMAZING VOICES! We need this back into the music game because it was so Awesome to listen to it.
Eva Rodriguez Alequin
Yessss! Agree.
Yvonne Haggins
Kim Grattie yes i agree men should always love there women nomatter what
Virginia Grandy
A beautiful masterpiece. One of my favorites by The Whispers
Defonzo Arnett
Beautiful harmony love the whispers.
Darryl Walker
Love it to
Willie Owens
Love it, true love
Roy Sanders
This song is from their 1976 album "One for the Money" on Soul Train Records, which was in distribution with RCA Records since 1975. Soul Train Records closed its doors and absorbed into Solar Records in 1978 and had Carrie Lucas, Shalamar, The Whispers and Lakeside on the roster and for those who may or may not know who was in charge of the label, it was Dick Griffey, who went on to date Carrie Lucas and then went on to marry her and have children. Their daughter Carolyn, later became a member of Shalamar.
An Clark
I used to play this rhapsody followed by Barbara Mason's Shackin' up.
Shane Brown
Thanks for the info. I was wondering what year it came out.