In 1970, Tony Orlando was a retired cover singer. He had two Top 40 hits in 1961 and another in the later half of the decade as the lead singer for the studio group Wind, but he had not had any further success for the rest of the decade. He stopped singing entirely, publishing music for Columbia Records instead.
Orlando discovered a song, "Candida," which he decided to pass on recording. After an insistence that he dub his voice over the male vocals in the original track, he had the single released on Bell Records as performed by "Dawn", so if the record did not succeed, he would not be known as the lead vocalist. The background singers were Sharon Greane, Jay Siegel, and Toni Wine, who co-wrote the song. After single hit #3 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, Orlando decided to change career tracks.
While "Candida" climbed the record charts, Orlando discovered that there were six touring groups that called themselves "Dawn". As he assembled his new group, the name "Dawn featuring Tony Orlando" was chosen to be their new name.
He chose singers Telma Hopkins and Joyce Vincent Wilson to sing with him after he recorded "Knock Three Times" which hit #1 in early 1971. The group waited until 1973 for their next #1 single, "Tie a Yellow Ribbon 'Round the Ole Oak Tree." In terms of sales, this single was the most successful in the group's career.
The group's next single,"Say Has Anybody Seen My Sweet Gypsy Rose" (from their concept album Dawn's New Ragtime Follies) went to #3 on the Billboard Hot 100. CBS gave the group a television variety show in the summer of 1974, after The Sonny and Cher Comedy Hour ended its run. The show was in the same vein as its predecessor, and became a Top 20 hit. It ran until December 1976.
With a new name ("Tony Orlando and Dawn") and a new record label (Elektra), the group continued their string of hit singles during the show's run hitting the Top 10 on the Hot 100 and/or Adult Contemporary Charts including "He Don't Love You (Like I Love You)" (a reworking of Jerry Butler's "He Will Break Your Heart") which went to #1. A remake of the Sam Cooke song "Cupid", was the group's last Top 40 single on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1976. "Sing" reached #7 on the Adult Contemporary Chart in 1977 and was the last Tony Orlando & Dawn single until 1991's "With Ev'ry Yellow Ribbon (That's Why We Tie 'Em)".
Orlando is still a popular appearance performer. Hopkins made a very successful acting career for herself in series like "Gimme a Break", "Family Matters", and "Half and Half". A DVD compilation from the variety series was released in 2005 along with the group's catalog of albums on CD. Tony Orlando & Dawn released "A Christmas Reunion" that same year.
You're A Lady
Tony Orlando & Dawn Lyrics
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And I've had my last dance with you
Unto the empty streets we go
And this might be my last chance with you
So I might as well get it over
'Cause the things I've got to say won't wait until another day
I'm a man
You're supposed to understand
How these things are often planned to be
You're romantic
I'm a fool
You're the teacher
I've come to school
Here I sit
And hope that you'll love me
You're all magic
Unlock my chain
Nothing ventured, nothing gained
So I say with no restrain
Be mine, oh be mine
Hard to answer, yes, I agree
But then I've got to know
I'm not asking you to marry me
Just a little love to show
Oh I know I could make you happy
So the things I have to say
won't wait until another day
You're a lady
I'm a man
You're supposed to understand
How these things are often planned to be
You're romantic
I'm a fool
You're the teacher
I've come to school
Here I sit
And hope that you'll love me
You're all magic
Unlock my chain
Nothing ventured, nothing gained
So I say with no restrain
Be mine, oh be mine
The lyrics to Tony Orlando & Dawn's song You're A Lady describe the end of a year and the end of a relationship. The singer has had his last dance with the woman and knows that they will likely never have another chance together. He decides to take this opportunity to express his feelings before it is too late. He acknowledges the differences between them - she is a lady, while he is just a man. She is romantic and wise, while he is foolish and still has much to learn.
He tells her that he hopes she will love him in return, recognizing that it may be hard to answer yes to his request, but he still wants her to know how he feels. He believes he can make her happy and doesn't want to wait until it's too late to express this to her. The singer calls the woman "magic" and hopes that she can unlock his chains and show him what love truly is.
The song portrays a sense of urgency and desperateness, with the singer realizing that timing is everything in matters of the heart. He doesn't want to waste any more time, and hopes that the woman will reciprocate his feelings.
Line by Line Meaning
Now the year has come to a close
The year is ending and I am reflecting on our time together
And I've had my last dance with you
I have ended our romantic relationship after our last dance
Unto the empty streets we go
We part ways alone into the deserted streets
And this might be my last chance with you
This could be the end of our love story
So I might as well get it over
I don't want to waste any more time and should communicate my feelings now
'Cause the things I've got to say won't wait until another day
My words need to be expressed without delay
You're a lady
You are an elegant woman
I'm a man
I am a masculine man
You're supposed to understand
It is expected that you will be empathetic
How these things are often planned to be
We follow societal norms regarding gender roles in romance
You're romantic
You are filled with emotion and passion
I'm a fool
I am foolishly in love with you
You're the teacher
You are my guide in love
I've come to school
I am learning from you in matters of romance
Here I sit
I am waiting patiently
And hope that you'll love me
I hope you will reciprocate my feelings
You're all magic
You possess a captivating and enchanting quality
Unlock my chain
Release me from my emotional bondage
Nothing ventured, nothing gained
You must take risks to reap rewards
So I say with no restrain
I express my true feelings without holding back
Be mine, oh be mine
Surrender your heart to me and be my partner in love
Hard to answer, yes, I agree
I recognize that my request is not an easy one
But then I've got to know
I need to hear your response either way
I'm not asking you to marry me
I am not seeking a proposal, just a commitment to love
Just a little love to show
All I am asking for is a small token of your affection
Oh I know I could make you happy
I believe that if you gave us a chance, you would be satisfied in love
So the things I have to say
My words must be spoken now
won't wait until another day
I cannot delay my emotions any longer
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: PETER SKELLERN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind