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
My Funny Valentine
The Whispers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You make me smile with my heart
Your looks are laughable, unphotographable
Yet you're my favorite work of art
Is your figure less than Greek?
Is your mouth a little weak
When you open it to speak?
Don't change a hair for me
Not if you care for me
Stay, little valentine, stay
Each day is Valentine's Day
Don't change a hair for me
Not if you care for me
Stay, little valentine, stay
Each day is Valentine's Day
The Whispers' version of "My Funny Valentine" is a love song that celebrates the imperfections of one's partner. The phrase "My funny Valentine" is used as an endearment rather than as sarcasm or mockery. The singer finds joy in the quirky nature of their beloved, and even suggests that their looks are so charming that no photograph could ever capture their essence.
The lyrics explore insecurities in one's appearance, questioning whether they live up to traditional ideas of beauty. However, the singer reassures their "funny Valentine" that their imperfections only make them more lovable. The romantic connection between the two people is based on character, personality, and individual traits rather than strictly physical attributes. The song advocates for staying true to oneself, not changing anything to conform to societal standards of beauty, and being appreciated for who you are.
Line by Line Meaning
My funny valentine, sweet comic valentine
You, my amusing and affectionate partner, make my heart happy and fill my day with joy.
You make me smile with my heart
You bring happiness to my heart in a way that I cannot put into words.
Your looks are laughable, unphotographable
Your appearance is unique and cannot be captured in a photo but it adds to your charm and makes me love you even more.
Yet you're my favorite work of art
To me, you are more beautiful than any painting or sculpture in any gallery. You are my masterpiece.
Is your figure less than Greek?
Although you may not have perceived perfect physical attributes, it does not matter to me because I love you just the way you are.
Is your mouth a little weak when you open it to speak?
You may not possess the most confident voice or the most eloquent way of articulating your thoughts, but your words and your unique voice add to your overall charm.
Are you smart?
Your level of intelligence is not a factor that I consider when I value you because my opinion of you is based on the qualities inside you that make you a beautiful person.
Don't change a hair for me
I love and accept every aspect of you and I do not want you to feel like you have to change anything about you to make me happy.
Not if you care for me
If you really care about me, you will not worry about changing your appearance or personality to please me because I love you for who you are.
Stay, little valentine, stay
I want you to stay by my side because you bring joy and happiness to my life every day.
Each day is Valentine's Day
I feel love and appreciation towards you every day and not just on Valentine's Day because you are an important part of my life.
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Lorenz Hart, Richard Rodgers
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind