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
Whisperin
The Whispers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When the sunlight's beginning to pale
I ride through the slumbering shadows
Along the Navajo Trail
When it's night and crickets are callin'
And coyotes are makin' a wail
I dream by a smoldering fire
I love to lie and listen to the music
When the wind is strummin' a sagebrush guitar
When over yonder hill the moon is climbin'
It always finds me wishin' on a star
Well whatta ya know, it's mornin' already
There's the dawnin', so silver and pale
It's time to climb into my saddle
And ride the Navajo Trail
I love to lie and listen to the music
When the wind is strummin' a sagebrush guitar
When over yonder hill the moon is climbin'
It always finds me wishin' on a star
Well whatta ya know, it's mornin' already
There's the dawnin', so silver and pale (like a silvery veil)
It's time to climb into my saddle
And ride the Navajo Trail
Ride the Navajo Trail
Ride the Navajo Trail
The Whispers's song "Whisperin'" tells the story of a cowboy who travels along the Navajo Trail. The lyrics beautifully narrate his daily routine of riding through the shadows in the evening when the sun starts to set, dreaming by a smoldering fire when it's night and the crickets are calling, and wishing on a star when the moon climbs over yonder hill. The cowboy's love for music is evident when he listens to the wind strumming a sagebrush guitar.
The song paints a picturesque image of a cowboy's life on the Navajo Trail, where he spends his day riding through the shadows, night dreaming by the fire, and enjoying the music of wind and crickets. The cowboy's journey through the trail is a metaphor for life's journey, where one has to navigate through different phases and cherish the beautiful moments along the way.
Overall, "Whisperin'" is a beautiful song that tells a powerful story through its lyrics. It not only explores the life of a cowboy but also celebrates the beauty of nature and the small joys of life.
Line by Line Meaning
Every day, along about evening
Each day, typically during the early evening hours
When the sunlight's beginning to pale
When the sun is gradually setting, and daylight is fading
I ride through the slumbering shadows
I travel through the quiet, dark areas where people and animals are sleeping
Along the Navajo Trail
Down a specific path commonly referred to as the Navajo Trail
When it's night and crickets are callin'
During the nighttime, when crickets are making their distinctive sounds
And coyotes are makin' a wail
While coyotes are howling in the distance
I dream by a smoldering fire
I sit and contemplate my thoughts while staring at a fire that is slowly burning out
Along the Navajo Trail
In the same location along the Navajo Trail
I love to lie and listen to the music
I enjoy lying down and listening to the natural sounds and all the music around me
When the wind is strummin' a sagebrush guitar
When the wind is blowing through the sagebrush, creating a musical sound similar to that of a guitar
When over yonder hill the moon is climbin'
When the moon is rising up over a specific hill in the distance
It always finds me wishin' on a star
I always find myself gazing up at the stars and wishing for something
Well whatta ya know, it's mornin' already
Wow, it's already morning
There's the dawnin', so silver and pale
The sunrise is happening, and the light is slowly filling the sky with a pale, silver color
It's time to climb into my saddle
It's time for me to get on my horse and start riding
And ride the Navajo Trail
To continue on my journey down the Navajo Trail
Ride the Navajo Trail
To continue my journey down the Navajo Trail
Ride the Navajo Trail
To continue my journey down the Navajo Trail
Contributed by Molly N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.