The Exciters He's Got The Power

[@laurenstich1049]

Brenda Reid, the lead singer of The Exciters, had a voice that underscore the name of her group! One of the most powerful, dynamic "street" sounds you will ever hear, rivaling both Darlene Love and Martha Reeves of that great 1960s era. And this song, "You've Got the Power", while it never became a hit, was one of a handful of very memorable 45's that Ellie Greenwich wrote with Tony Powers, which also included two Phil Spector productions -- "Why Do Lover's Break Each Other's Hearts" (Bobb E Soxx & the Blue Jeans, prominently featuring Darlene Love) in 1962 and the very successful "Today I Met the Boy I'm Gonna Marry" (one of Love's biggest hits). Thank you, Tony Power -- you and Ellie Greenwich were magic together, and having your songs sung by Brenda Reid and Darlene Love....well, it's magical and will endure forever.

[@22tonypowers]

Lauren, on behalf of Ellie i thank you for this lovely tribute. peace, tp

[@laurenstich1049]

@@22tonypowers Thank YOU! I miss Ellie every day....and hoping you are well.

[@22tonypowers]

@@laurenstich1049 i am sweetheart. you stay well too. tp

[@paulthomson4960]

@@22tonypowers great song, Mr Powers I can never understand why your and Ellie's collaboration " This is it " for Jay and the Americans was never a hit. So underrated........

[@22tonypowers]

,@@paulthomson4960 Who knows eh Paul, who knows? Thanks, peace, t

[@AmunDonniRa]

This group should have been more famous, Brenda Reid is one-of-a-kind!!! 👑

[@michaelhughes432]

@Amun Donni Ra. You're right! A year after 1963, along came 1964 and The Beatles and the "British Invasion," and Motown. I wonder if these two things affected their future career?

[@SniffMyDeadwax]

Well said

[@nicocava7505]

Never Rarely Sometimes Always

[@michellelekas211]

Yes

[@mikelewenson1818]

@@michellelekas211 Takes on a different meaning when the protagonist of the film sings it at the school assembly. The film sorta explains what is happening in this country ie. the divide between rural vs urban.

[@michellelekas211]

@@mikelewenson1818 Yes...also what "he's got the power" means in a larger social sense...

[@tony-bi1hj]

Here we are September 2024 lm 69 yo and only stumbled on this group by accident at the Op shop's DVD section. I love this song and OMG what beautiful woman singing it. Definitely love at first sight. This was music at it's best. Thank you KZbin for bringing back these memories.

[@drummerc1795]

The beautiful woman is Brenda Reid. Unfortunately, she is the only one from the group who is still alive. She had one of the best voices of the era. I believe she currently lives with her son who is a very successful music producer and writer.

[@surfinwax58]

They did open, in 1964, for The Beatles, a real career highlight!

[@Jocelyn_Jade]

The energy of this song is so exciting! It hits with intense waves of intensity, power, and nostalgia.

[@SniffMyDeadwax]

couldnt have put it better myself

[@bringbackgoodmusic60s]

Litteraly one of the most underrated groups

[@johnsmusicbox]

Awesome, absolutely love Brenda Reid's voice!

[@kitclock]

So catchy!

[@grantalbrecht4402]

She's got spunk!

[@latteliz1944]

Her voice is everything 😍

[@bringbackgoodmusic60s]

I LOVE THIS SO MUCH. BRENDAS VOCALS ARE AMAZING

[@dpohunter]

Absolutely great! Classy, sassy, fantastic voices, terrific song. It's all here. How rare this was to have been made back in '63. Funny to think that MTV was still a good two decades away!

[@baldrottweiler]

I showed this video to my mother and some of her contemporaries who were of age when this song came out. They were amazed that the singer was an African American up to that time they thought she was white. I explained to my mother the whole premise of girl group singers from the sixties and the whole pop phenomon which was in case of the African-American performers; especially female, that very few had the opportunity to exploit the medium of television. Many were heard but not seen. It would not be until the mid to late sixties would this be a reality for some such as Diana Ross and the Supremes and Dionne Warwick who success would take them to the next two decades. This video that was shot by a French production company showed how far away Americans were from giving performers their due. Had Brenda have been given that opportunity, she could have probably developed a strong enough following to have the Brill Building team write more material for her and her group to perform to perhaps achieve greater fame and not fade into obscurity.

[@VFella]

baldrottweiler Hmmm, I don't see any person that looks African, just a random american guy and three very cute ladies of obviously American ascend.

[@drummerc1795]

I had the good fortune to see the EXCITERS two times in the 60' s. I must say that they were better than most groups as they sounded incredible and had really cool moves. Although I never saw them in a show where there were other acts as well, I would imagine that the other acts would not be happy going on after them. In Brenda, they had one of the greatest lead singers of all time. I believe that they just did not get the support from their record companies that other groups like the Shirelles got. They put out some singles that should have been huge hits like " A Little Bit of Soap".

[@zuditaka]

@baldrottweiler I was a kid, in the early 60's, when this came out. Yes, without regular television exposure, we had no idea, necessarily, what a singer on the radio looked like.

[@Lightharvest-dd2bf]

@@zuditaka But often we assumed they were black, because we knew that black singers seemed to have more richness, more texture in their voice. Sometimes we Whities tried to copy that.

[@tdirtyatl]

Man, what the hell???

[@22tonypowers]

thanks guys I wrote this with Ellie Greenwich. peace, tony powers

[@fossie32]

Wow really? Good on you, brilliant song.

[@22tonypowers]

thanks Fossie...it's much appreciated. peace, tony

[@Chanson60svinyl]

Wow! Great work Eliie, rest in peace, also I'm the grandson of gladys horton lead of the marvelettes

[@ShroudedObserver]

Great job, I'm actually the son of the brother of hirohiko araki's great grandmother's cousin.

[@margaretstix1217]

Did you hear that the lead in a just-released movie - "Never Rarely Sometimes Always" sings the song in a scene? It was mentioned in the review in the New Yorker this week.

[@Vincent50]

I have to say that both the Exciters videos, Tell Him and He's Got the Power are pure classics. Their videos outshine any of the early videos made back in the day that were mostly black and white. This is COLOR and this was by far tops, even Motown or Phil Spector didn't capture what was captured with these two videos. I love watching them for this group was Tops and with their look, harmony, and Brenda's soulful delivery, plus they were good on the eyes. Herb was sharp too!

[@elamite66]

When I was 13 in the Bronx I bought both "Tell Him" and its follow up "He's Got The Power" I thought they were both amazing!!! I'm surprised they didn't become bigger I still have the original 45s on U.A. thanks for the videos

[@brucev6642]

I never would have heard of them if not surfing one night through KZbin's offerings!! They are awesome.

[@wareidav]

Oh this is so special..... Absolutely love it...Great posting. Thank you.

[@bertsongs]

I remember seeing this video on a Scopitone visual jukebox in 1964 when I was on holiday in Goodrington Devon. Played it to death!!

[@Johnnycdrums]

My girlfriend had this on a cassette of Oldies compilation, didn't think I'd hear it again not realizing it was the Exciters as such. Thanks for the uploading.

[@dvo1919]

Great song, sounds just like it should, and the video is fantastic! Thanks for the upload!

[@Rodin99]

what a terrific performance...and I like the odd video too.

[@mariahceleste93]

Wow this video is amazing love the color ! The singer is so pretty

[@richardfisher671]

My teen years. What a MAGNIFICENT song. Brings back a ton of memories.

[@michaelhughes432]

I read in the book, The Girl Groups: The Story of a Sound, this song wasn't a hit, but was very popular at Sock Hops. They also had a hit in 1964, with a remake of an old Frankie Lymon song, "I Want You to Be My Boyfriend." Also, check out a CD that came out in the 1980's which was a reissue of many of their old songs called, "Tell Him." It has many good songs on it!

[@christymearna3912]

I can't stop 💯❣️

[@michaelneel4828]

LOL . Just played this for the second time & my cocker spaniel even came running to dance & hear it !!!

[@vandywilliam]

When they were coming off their huge hit (No. 4 on the Billboard Top 100), this quartet from Jamaica, N.Y.,, had this great follow-up in early 1963, but for some reason, it topped out at No. 57. I always enjoyed playing this one while a young DJ on WKDA in Nashville, Tenn.

[@MODEL_CITIZEN]

It's got a great hook and quick rhythm that makes me want to get up and dance. I'm surprised it didn't do better than #57.

[@daisyjane1070]

They were fantastic. Don't know why they weren't more successful. Injustice!

[@drummerc1795]

Daisy Jane I agree. I saw them live a few times back in the sixties and between their cool moves and great sound, they were better in person than most of the groups of that period that had lots of hit records. And Brenda Reid is one of the greatest lead singers ever in my opinion

[@TheLucasViews]

Amazing for the early 60s. Thanks, Tony!

[@22tonypowers]

my pleasure J. peace, t.

[@22tonypowers]

ur quite welcome Jennie. peace, tp

[@elamite66]

loved this follow up to "Tell Him" back in the day in the Bronx when I was 13 still sounds great!

[@22tonypowers]

i'm a fellow Bronx guy. Thanks, peace... tony powers

[@paulridley-thomas1371]

this always makes me smile when i watch it..i love the bounce of it...

[@mymonaro2008]

Fantastic!

[@TALIANA1960]

She’s got The power- Wow Brenda and The Exciters.

[@wackneyhick7129]

Perfect pop song. Thanks for posting.

[@_beary_and_friends]

This is such a mood

[@C7007]

I love this song, the french version by Gam's is pretty cool too

[@rickfisher1661]

Love this song.

[@balinchicha]

Amazing song!!!, thanks for to share!

[@michoelhool1734]

Dame this is gold

[@michaelneel4828]

This is way before my time but this is music to say the least !!!

[@Bernedhot]

Thank you Shazam for helping me find this song.

[@raizuable]

Und du wirst stärker und stärker.🤗

[@yobytterb3690]

This is just the best ever

[@christinevicker9017]

Great old classic

[@jerrycaropolo8002]

If you like this group give a listen to"Hard Way To Go". Raw emotion

[@tevamorea9285]

wonderful

[@TabithaReminiec3399]

I started singing girl groups materialwhen I heard this song !the exciters is my favorite girl group

[@drummerc1795]

Andreia Reminiec me too. Best lead singer ever. They also knew how to move in person

[@brahmburgers]

Man, if I get reincarnated, I want to be that guy singing with those 3 knock-out chicks. They've got a great sock-it-to-'em sound. GREAT!

[@Oliver9402]

I believe she (lead vocalist) was married to the guy in the band.

[@drummerc1795]

KZbinDebateChampion2017 she was and I think they split up in the seventies after they released an album under the name Brenda and Herb. The album was not successful. I think he is deceased and she lives on Long Island. Their son Cory Rooney is a very successful song writer and producer

[@rowley1950]

Not so fast Ken, that bloke is gay :)

[@drummerc1795]

steve FromEngland and what are you basing that stupid remark on?

[@rowley1950]

Don't think I was replying to a comment of yours was I?

[@CanadaAstro]

A great song! never heard it before. Thank you for posting!

[@michaelhughes432]

Brenda Reid had a great voice and they had great harmony together. You don't hear this kind of music anymore! And Brenda and her two backup singers were very pretty, and Herb Rooney was handsome.

[@drummerc1795]

Brenda is the only one left now from the group as Lillian Walker Moss passed away in February. They were a great group for sure.

[@13towerofpower]

HE´S GOT THE POWER druhý hit skupiny THE EXCITERS, ktorý bol v rebríčku Billboardu osem týždňov od 2. marca 1963 a obsadil 57.m. Skupinu pôvodom z Jamaiky pôsobiacu v New Yorku tvorili Herb Rooney, jeho manželka Brenda Reid solový spev a Lillian Walker a Carol Johnson.Jediný album TELL HIM z roku 1963 sa neumiestnil v rebríčku v USA.

[@doowopper1951]

@srercrcr Actually, music videos go way, way back. The Ink Spots had a music video (for China Doll, I think) back in the 40s. In 63 Jay and the Americans had a video for "Only in America"

[@adrinathegreat3095]

Never new they made this scopitone, was familiar with tell him being released as a scopictone as it appeared on the Web a couple of years before KZbin along with many of the others

[@michaelhughes432]

And people thought when MTV and Music Videos came along in the 1970's they were something new? Ha!

[@lugie69]

ive listened to this song every day for the last 2 weeks and it makes me freak out and start breaking shit i start hallucinating these people in my regular day just dancing around, i broke my fucking hand in my car and guess what they gave me some painkillers im not even gonna take them cause this song fucks too good

[@fossie32]

Magic

[@christymearna3912]

💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯❣️

[@michaelhughes8424]

That guy's lucky sing those three women. And he's married to one of them. Some guys have all the luck!

[@grantalbrecht4402]

the gloves

[@djdaddym]

I think I read somewhere that Brenda is the mom of LA Reid.

[@jduff59]

Please don't get butthurt about the lyrics - they're from a different time and FFS just enjoy this!

[@heitorsouza2954]

Que mundo eu vivia sem conhecer vocês? Não era vida de verdade

[@PaulDePace]

@latefor ....Brenda Reid? ....agree on ALL counts.... WAY WAY under-rated and under-appreciated. Paul Texas

[@jeanlicama7712]

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@pinktaco646]

Beautiful girls

[@srercrcr]

Where does this come from? We didn't have "videos" in '63 and if a film from some reason I would think it would be B& W.

[@fossie32]

They did colour recordings back then, it was just that colour tv only came in later [in Australia anyway]

[@Lightharvest-dd2bf]

Some Replies said there was a group in France, unlike in America, who were pleased to be able to video black groups.

[@skaf9587]

One of the great songs of the early sixties! How ‘Tell Him’ and this one weren’t both #1’s I’ll never know. At least ‘Tell Him’ made US #5. But this one went nowhere at US #57. Shame on you record buying public in 1963! Hell you can’t even blame The Beatles, they didn’t hit the States until 1964!

[@drummerc1795]

And the Exciters opened for them in one of their shows.

[@jerrycaropolo8002]

A Hard Way To Go is their best song. B side to Tell Him

[@enriccoll3908]

21 people got no power.

[@philipclock]

Wish "rappers" dressed like this.

[@Tuning_Spork]

What, no jazz hands gloves for the guy? Bummer!

[@cacoca79]

half to admit it is a good song, no aerobic dancing in the video just subtle movement

[@coyotesong]

I only vaguely recall this catchy tune with these super cuties (and the guy). And as another commenter pointed out, to the degree i thought about it, I thought this was a white group.

[@latefor]

Its scopitone format i.e juke box with with a screen on top early 60s

[@epikmusic]

Appreciate you for "scopitone format" info. Something I did not know. Thumbs up!

[@michaelneel4828]

That man is ashy as hell !!!

[@recordman64]

No disrespect intended , but I think that sax solo sounds like Benny Hill music!

[@michelrobba4686]

reprise par les G.A.M.S en France

[@maccagrabme]

That was a low cost video.

[@fossie32]

Proves you don't need to spend lots to make a great video

[@jackjules7552]

I like this song better than Tell Him. But yet it charted much lower.

[@Lightharvest-dd2bf]

Tell Him has a really unique melody, and a more exciting one. A girl could turn her life around with Tell Him.

[@zuditaka]

So why is this generally considered an "all girl group" when, in fact, they have a male member? (Pardon the pun!)

[@TiffanyRayneOfficial]

It was an all girl group at first, but the lead singer Brenda Reid had her husband join them.

[@rascal211]

You can't even hear the guy.

[@nachoherrera5678]

Shame about the lyrics, this is as catchy and infectious as it gets.

[@kamelothman2447]

production؟؟؟؟؟؟؟؟؟؟؟؟؟؟lol

[@Lanocheselvatica]

These lyrics are so disturbing.

[@zuditaka]

lol When I was an impressionable young (gay) kid, at the time of these hits, and their non-ideologically pure, non-feminist lyrics, I thought that when I grew up I should have a boyfriend that should boss me around and tell me what to do! lol :/

[@FrederickFIintstone]

ah shut up

[@juliereminiec4937]

Natya, He Hit Me ( and It felt like a kiss) has lyrics that are more frightening than He's got the Power

[@22tonypowers]

i think u r right. i'd never write this today. stay well. t.

[@Lightharvest-dd2bf]

A guy commented that this song is better than "Tell Him." But, "Tell Him" is about women going for what they want, from the very beginning!

[@engine-5419]

Get mad NOW!!

[@TomasCorvidea]

Is this who Rihanna was in a past life?