In 1950, McPhatter joined Billy Ward & the Dominoes, and was present for the recording of "Sixty Minute Man", which was a huge hit in 1951, and was one of the earliest rock and roll records. After several more hits, McPhatter quit the group in 1953 because he made little money and gained virtually no fame, in spite of his voice being the lead on most of the group's songs. McPhatter then signed to Atlantic Records after forming a group, The Drifters. "Money Honey", "Such a Night", "Honey Love", "White Christmas" and "Whatcha Gonna Do" became huge hits.
In 1954, McPhatter was drafted but was assigned in the U.S., allowing him to continue recording. He soon left The Drifters and launched a solo career. His first solo hit occurred just after being discharged - "Love Has Joined Us Together" (with Ruth Brown). He released several R&B hits in the next few years, but only made one serious dent in the pop charts with the Brook Benton penned song "A Lovers Question", which made it to #6 in 1958. White groups usually covered his best compositions and achieved more widespread mainstream success. In spite of this, McPhatter became one of the most popular black musicians among white listeners. His 1956 recording of "Treasure of Love" saw him enjoy just one week in the UK singles chart. The lack of any subsequent entry gave him the unenviable tag there of being a one hit wonder
McPhatter soon signed to MGM Records, and released several more hits. "I Told Myself a Lie" and "Think Me a Kiss" (1960) became minor pop hits, as was "Ta Ta", his first single for Mercury Records. "I Never Knew" and "Lover Please" (1962) became even bigger pop hits, but his career started suffering due to his alcoholism. Other black artists were following McPhatter's blueprint into pop audiences, including Rudy Lewis, Johnny Moore, Sam Cooke and an all new line-up of The Drifters. McPhatter's unreliability kept him from maintaining his career in the face of this competition. As the 1960s wore on, McPhatter's career kept falling in spite of a few minor hits.
In the early 1970s, McPhatter spent some time living in England, where he still had a significant audience, but this was short-lived. Back again in America, Clyde McPhatter died of a heart attack in 1972, at the age of 39.
In 1987, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. His pioneering contribution to the genre has been recognized by the Rockabilly Hall of Fame.
I Can't Stand up Alone
Clyde McPhatter Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I will take a vacation
By a quiet and peaceful shore
Cool my feet
In that crystal water
And I won't have to worry anymore
My burdens are gettin' so heavy
I can't stand up alone
I wanna lay my head on one strong shoulder
I can't stand up alone
Well I can't stand up all by myself
I can't stand up alone
I need the touch of a mighty hand
I can't stand up alone
A voice came down like thunder
A light around me shone
He said, 'Child get up, take hold of my hand'
'You don't have to stand alone'
Well I can't stand up all by myself
I can't stand up alone
I need the touch of a mighty hand
I can't stand up alone
Well trouble I seen trouble
All around my door
Now go and leave me Old Man Trouble
I don't want trouble no more
Well I can't stand up all by myself
I can't stand up alone
I need the touch of a mighty hand
I can't stand up alone
One of these days
I will take a vacation
By a quiet and peaceful shore
Cool my feet
In that crystal water
And I won't have to worry anymore
I can't stand up all by myself
I can't stand up alone
I can't stand up all by myself
I can't stand up alone
In Clyde McPhatter's song, "I Can't Stand up Alone," the singer tells of his troubles and burdens that have become too heavy for him to bear alone. He longs for a quiet vacation by a peaceful shore where he can cool his feet in the crystal water and not have to worry anymore. The song then introduces a voice that comes down like thunder and shines a light around the singer, urging him to take hold of its hand. The voice offers him the support and strength he needs to face his troubles and overcome them.
The lyrics paint a picture of a person struggling to deal with the challenges of life and feeling like they cannot make it on their own. They yearn for a respite from their worries and need someone or something to lean on. The voice that offers them support is like a divine presence that brings hope and encouragement, inspiring the singer to keep going and not give up.
The song's message is one of hope and resilience, reminding the listener that even though life can be tough, they do not have to face it alone. It highlights the importance of seeking help and support when needed and encourages people to hold onto hope and never give up.
Line by Line Meaning
One of these days
At some point in the future
I will take a vacation
I will seek rest and relaxation
By a quiet and peaceful shore
In a place that is tranquil and serene
Cool my feet
Dip my toes in
In that crystal water
In water that is clear and pure
And I won't have to worry anymore
And I will be free from anxiety
My burdens are gettin' so heavy
The weight of my problems is becoming unbearable
I can't stand up alone
I cannot cope by myself
I wanna lay my head on one strong shoulder
I desire the support of someone strong and dependable
Well I can't stand up all by myself
I am unable to manage without assistance
I need the touch of a mighty hand
I require divine intervention
A voice came down like thunder
I experienced a powerful communication
A light around me shone
I was surrounded by illumination
He said, 'Child get up, take hold of my hand'
A higher power commanded me to act
'You don't have to stand alone'
You are not alone
Well trouble I seen trouble
I have witnessed many problems
All around my door
That have impacted my life significantly
Now go and leave me Old Man Trouble
Now I want these problems to disappear
I don't want trouble no more
I no longer wish to deal with difficulties
I can't stand up all by myself
I cannot manage alone
I can't stand up alone
I need help
One of these days
At some point in the future
I will take a vacation
I will seek rest and relaxation
By a quiet and peaceful shore
In a place that is tranquil and serene
Cool my feet
Dip my toes in
In that crystal water
In water that is clear and pure
And I won't have to worry anymore
And I will be free from anxiety
I can't stand up all by myself
I cannot manage alone
I can't stand up alone
I require assistance
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Carson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind