Conley was born in McIntosh County, Georgia and grew up in Atlanta. He first recorded in 1959 as the lead singer of Arthur & the Corvets. With this group he released three singles from 1963 through 1964 (Poor Girl, I Believe, and Flossie Mae) on the Atlanta-based label National Recording Company.
In 1964 he moved to a new label (Ru-Jac Records) and released I'm a Lonely Stranger. When Otis Redding heard it he asked Conley to record a new version, which became the second release on Redding's own fledgling label Jotis Records.
Conley met Otis Redding in 1967. After this meeting Redding took Conley under his care and taught him the fine points of the music business. Together they rewrote the Sam Cooke song Yeah Man into Sweet Soul Music, which at Redding's insistence was released on the Atco-distributed label Fame Records. It proved a massive hit and went to the number two position on the U.S. charts and the Top Ten across much of Europe. It is said that Conley never accepted Otis Redding's death of December 1967.
After several years of lackluster singles in the early 1970s he relocated to England in 1975 and then spent several years in Belgium before settling in the Dutch village of Ruurlo and the cultural centre of Ganzenhoef (an extension southeast of Amsterdam) in 1980. He legally changed his name to Lee Roberts (his middle name and his mother's maiden name). He occupied himself with promoting new music by means of his Art-Con Productions company and was also active as a designer of specialized tapestries and furniture.
A live performance on January 8, 1980 featuring Lee Roberts & the Sweaters was released as an album titled Soulin' in 1988.
He died after a long battle with intestinal cancer in Ruurlo, Netherlands at age 57.
Stuff You Gotta Watch
Arthur Conley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Na na na na na baby
Stuff you gotta watch
Would you believe that
For every action there's an reaction
For every do there's a don't
A woman cries no satifaction
As I was saying she's was keep
Ain't no use than hopeing
Close one eye when you go to sleep
You better keep the other one open
Stuff you gotta watch
Na na na na na baby
Stuff you gotta watch
Na na na na na na
Now you chasing his old lady
Being so discreate
Somebody taking care of your business
Like a dog out on the street
You so busy caring on
Having fun all day
Your old lady just beat you in
By the back door way
Stuff you gotta watch
Na na na na na na
Stuff you gotta watch
Na na na na na na
Don't trust your friend they'll do you in
The one that's smiling in your face
You may think you got a chance to win
They'll have to lose the race
Better have a look out
While you having your fun
You'll get caught with your shoes off
Tatoo's that's the one
Stuff you gotta watch
Na na na na na baby
Stuff you gotta watch
Na na na na na na baby
Stuff you gotta watch
Na na na na na baby
Stuff you gotta watch
Na na na na na baby
Stuff you gotta watch
Na na na na na baby
Stuff you gotta watch
Na na na na na baby
Stuff you gotta watch
The song "Stuff You Gotta Watch" by Arthur Conley is a cautionary tale about the dangers of complacency and the consequences of disregarding the warnings of those who have come before us. The chorus itself serves as a recurring reminder and warning of the perils that await us if we're not careful: "Stuff you gotta watch, na na na na na baby, stuff you gotta watch". Conley emphasizes the importance of paying attention to the actions and reactions of the people around us and being mindful of our own behavior.
The first verse talks about the cause and effect nature of life and how every action has a corresponding reaction. It also reveals the difficulties of finding a woman who won't end up causing heartache and dissatisfaction. The second verse warns against being too preoccupied with having fun, to the point that you neglect your responsibilities and end up being taken advantage of by others. The final verse warns against trusting the wrong people, including even your closest friends, and emphasizes the importance of being vigilant and aware of your surroundings.
The song's lyrics suggest that life is full of dangers and pitfalls, and it's up to each individual to be aware of their surroundings, pay attention to others' behavior, and make responsible choices. The song serves as a reminder that we need to be aware of the stuff we gotta watch out for.
Line by Line Meaning
Stuff you gotta watch
Be careful and aware of what is happening around you.
Na na na na na baby
N/A
Would you believe that
An expression to emphasize the following message.
For every action there's a reaction
Every action has consequences.
For every do there's a don't
In every situation, there are things you should or shouldn't do.
A woman cries no satisfaction
A woman can never be completely satisfied.
You can't find one that won't
It's impossible to find a woman who is always satisfied.
As I was saying she's was keep
Continuing a previous thought about a woman.
Ain't no use than hoping
It's pointless to hope for a woman's satisfaction.
Close one eye when you go to sleep
Be cautious of your surroundings even when asleep.
You better keep the other one open
Stay alert and aware of potential dangers.
Now you chasing his old lady
Pursuing another man's woman.
Being so discrete
Trying to keep it a secret.
Somebody taking care of your business
Someone else is interfering with your personal affairs.
Like a dog out on the street
Being treated like an animal, disrespected and neglected.
You so busy carrying on
Too caught up in your own affairs.
Having fun all day
Enjoying yourself without being responsible.
Your old lady just beat you in
Your partner has cheated on you.
By the back door way
Secretly and without your knowledge.
Don't trust your friend they'll do you in
Be wary of your so-called friends, as they could harm you.
The one that's smiling in your face
Friends who appear to be supportive may be hiding ulterior motives.
You may think you got a chance to win
You may think you're in control of the situation.
They'll have to lose the race
Your friends will try to sabotage you to gain the upper hand.
Better have a look out
Be vigilant and cautious.
While you having your fun
While you're enjoying yourself.
You'll get caught with your shoes off
You'll be caught off guard and unprepared.
Tattoos that's the one
Tattoos can be used as evidence and incriminate you.
Stuff you gotta watch
Be careful and aware of what is happening around you.
Na na na na na baby
N/A
Stuff you gotta watch
Be careful and aware of what is happening around you.
Na na na na na na
N/A
Stuff you gotta watch
Be careful and aware of what is happening around you.
Na na na na na baby
N/A
Stuff you gotta watch
Be careful and aware of what is happening around you.
Na na na na na baby
N/A
Stuff you gotta watch
Be careful and aware of what is happening around you.
Na na na na na baby
N/A
Stuff you gotta watch
Be careful and aware of what is happening around you.
Contributed by Savannah F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Mykhal
on God Bless
I ... was passing by the bedroom door when I heard little Johnny pray.... It brought a smile to my lips, ...
tears to my eyes when I heard him say. ...God Bless the ... Easter Bunny Santa
Claus, the good tooth fairy, the dirty dog, Yogi Bear, donald Duck, ... Huckleberry Hunt,and Elmer
fud. Sweetie Pie, ... Mother Goose,
and if there's not too many, Bless my mama and my daddy too.... Say, ... a universal
prayer, ... ... prayed by little boys and
girls.... For this is the way that they
all pray ... throughout the whole wide world. God Bless the Easter Bunny, Santa
Claus, the good tooth fairy, the dirty dog,
... Yogi Bear, ... Donald Duck,
... ... Huckleberry Hunt, and Elmer fud . Sweetie Pie, ... Mother Goose,
and if there's not too many, Bless my mama and my daddy too. ..Wouldn't it be wonderful ...
... if we all could feel this way?
... ... We could live in peace and in harmony ...
... and make the world abetter place to stay. And all
we will have to worry about will be... God Bless the Easter bunny Santa...
Claus,the good tooth fairy, the dirty
dog, ... Yogi Bear. ...... ...