Jersey City loses two musical icons, original members of 'The Manhattans' - nj.com

About the Song

1. The Manhattans’ Soulful Legacy:

Originating from New Jersey, The Manhattans carved a niche for themselves in the R&B and soul music scene. “Wish That You Were Mine” stands as a testament to their ability to evoke deep emotions through their music.

2. The Birth of a Classic:

Released in 1983 as part of their album “Forever by Your Side,” “Wish That You Were Mine” quickly became a classic in the soul and R&B genres. Its emotional depth and soul-stirring composition resonated with audiences around the world.

3. Charting Success:

The Manhattans’ heartfelt rendition climbed the charts, reaching the hearts of many. “Wish That You Were Mine” not only touched the emotional chords of listeners but also secured its place on the Billboard R&B Singles chart, showcasing the widespread appeal of the song.

4. A Love Story in Melody:

The lyrical prowess of “Wish That You Were Mine” narrates a poignant love story, exploring themes of yearning and desire. The harmonious blend of vocals and musical arrangement creates an atmosphere of pure, unfiltered emotion.

5. Enduring Impact:

Decades after its release, “Wish That You Were Mine” remains an anthem for lovers and a classic in The Manhattans’ repertoire. Its enduring impact is a testament to the timeless nature of soulful ballads that transcend generations.The Manhattans | Spotify

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Lyrics: Wish That You Were Mine

Waiter, could we have the same table we had yesterday?

Here we are again
Sipping our drinks just like friends
I wonder if they see the sparkle in your eyes
I wonder if they know that I’m not your guy, mm-hm

I wonder if they see
That you don’t belong to me

Wish that you could be mine
Mine
All mine

It’ll be hard for him to understand
I am his friend and he is your man
I wonder what my lady would say
If she knew I met you everyday, mm-hm

Sooner or later
Don’t you know, they’re gonna find out and they’ll hate us

Oh, I wish that you could be mine
Mine
All mine

It’s 2 a.m., the place is gonna close
The bartender looks as though he knows
Everybody’s, everybody’s made it home
Here we sit again all alone

Mm-hm, I’ve got to get up at 8
Don’t you know, I’ve got to explain why I’m so late

Mm, I wish I didn’t have to go home
Whoa-oh-oh-oh-ooh, whoa-oh-oh-oh, go home
I wish that you were mine, baby
Oh, I’d give you the world
And every little thing your little heart desires

My, my, my, yeah

It’ll be hard
So hard for him to understand
I am his friend and don’t you know, he is your man?
I wonder what, I wonder what my lady would say
If she knew I met you everyday
Oh-oh-oh

You Missed

MINNIE PEARL WALKED ONSTAGE AT THE GRAND OLE OPRY FOR 50 YEARS WITH A $1.98 PRICE TAG ON HER HAT — AND THEN ONE NIGHT, SHE JUST COULDN’T ANYMORE. Here’s something most people don’t think about with Minnie Pearl. That price tag hanging off her straw hat? It wasn’t random. Sarah Cannon — that was her real name — created it as a joke about a country girl too proud of her new hat to take the tag off. And audiences loved it so much that it became the most recognizable prop in country music history. For over fifty years, that tag meant Minnie was here, and everything was going to be fun. So imagine what it felt like when she couldn’t put the hat on anymore. In June 1991, Sarah had a massive stroke. She was 79. And just like that, the woman who hadn’t missed an Opry show in decades was gone from the stage. But here’s what gets me. She didn’t die in 1991. She lived another five years after that stroke, mostly out of the public eye, unable to perform, unable to be “Minnie” the way she’d always been. Her husband Henry Cannon took care of her at their Nashville home. Friends visited, but they said it was hard. The woman who made millions of people laugh couldn’t get through a full conversation some days. Roy Acuff, her old friend from the Opry, kept her dressing room exactly the way she left it. Nobody used it. The hat sat there. She passed on March 4, 1996. And what most people remember is the comedy. The “HOW-DEEE” catchphrase. The big goofy grin. What they don’t remember is that Sarah Cannon was also a serious fundraiser for cancer research. Centennial Medical Center in Nashville named their cancer center after her — not after Minnie, after Sarah. She raised millions and rarely talked about it publicly. There’s a story about the very last time Sarah tried to put on the hat at home, months after the stroke, and what her husband said to her in that moment — it’s the kind of detail that makes you see fifty years of comedy completely differently. Roy Acuff kept Minnie Pearl’s dressing room untouched for years after she left — was that loyalty to a friend, or was he holding a door open for someone he knew was never coming back?