Shalamar

Released: July 11, 1983

Songwriter: Marquis “Hami” Dair Leon Sylvers III Joey Gallo

Producer: Leon Sylvers III

[Verse]
How long you gonna carry on
This one on one charade?
Let's don't and then say we did
That's the game you like to play
Ooh, we've been through this so many times
The end result's always the same
I always end up complaining
When I've got myself to blame

[Chorus]
You're just a dead giveaway, yeah
You'd think I'd learn to handle this by now
You're just a dead giveaway (dead giveaway)
Girl, you can't deny it (Even though you try), oh oh
You keep trying to hide it (Baby, we know why)

I get a call about 2 a.m
Saying you don't wanna be alone
I'm tired and half asleep
But emotions are just a little too strong
Oo, I figured that I'd call your bluff
'Cause you want me to come on by
Girl, you know it's your love I've always wanted
But this time I won't be denied

[Chorus]
'Cause you're a dead giveaway, hey
You want me like I want you
You're just a dead giveaway (dead giveaway)
You're scared but you won't admit it (Even though you try), ooh yeah
But tonight you're committed (baby, we know why)
'Cause you're just a dead giveaway

A dead giveaway

You're not that naïve, girl (I'm finding out), ooh ooh
Is playing deceiver (what you're all about?)

Dead giveaway
Dead giveaway

Girl, you can't deny it (even though you try), ooh ooh, baby
You keep trying to hide it (baby, we know why)

Well, now that you're serious
It's time to take off that disguise
You want more that mental stimulation
I can see it in your eyes
Oo, for years I've been your analyst
I've been as patient as I've been kind
For years you've played off believing
That I loved you for only your mind

[Pre-Chorus]
You're just a dead giveaway
Girl, you want me like I want you
Dead giveaway

[Chorus]
Dead giveaway
You've been holding back for too long
You're a dead giveaway (dead giveaway)
You're scared but you won't admit it (even though you try), oo oh
But tonight you are committed (baby, we know why)

'Cause you're a dead giveaway
I can tell by the look in your eyes
A dead giveaway (dead giveaway)

I'm finding out

What you're all about?

You're just a dead giveaway

Shalamar is an American R&B and soul music vocal group, active in the mid-1970s and throughout the 1980s. Their original lineup consisted of Jeffrey Daniel, Jody Watley, and Gary Mumford. The group went through various lineup changes throughout the years, with Mumford replaced by Gerald Brown, and again by Howard Hewett. The lineup of Daniel, Hewett, and Watley was the most successful, selling two Platinum albums (Three For Love, Friends) and one Gold album (Big Fun).

Despite more lineup changes in the ‘80s, the group still churned out hits such as “Dancing in the Sheets” and “Don’t Get Stopped in Beverly Hills”, which won them a Grammy.

Daniel, Hewett, and Watley eventually reunited several times in the ‘90s and as recently as 2015, playing in the UK where they’ve had the most success.

more tracks from the album

The Look

From the album

The Look (1983)

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Dead GiveawayShalamar

Shalamar

The Look