As performers, their best-known song is "Solid" (1984 US and 1985 UK), although they have had many other hits, mostly on the R&B charts. Many of their songs have been recorded in hit versions by artists as diverse as Diana Ross, Chaka Khan, Whitney Houston, Gladys Knight & the Pips, Ray Charles, Marvin Gaye, Aretha Franklin and so many, many others.
Ashford and Simpson met at Harlem's White Rock Baptist Church in 1963. After having recorded unsuccessfully as a duo, they joined aspiring solo artist and former member of the Ikettes, Josie Jo Armstead, at the Scepter/Wand label where their compositions were recorded by Ronnie Milsap ("Never Had It So Good"), Maxine Brown ("One Step At A Time"), as well as the Shirelles and Chuck Jackson. Another of the trio's songs "Let's Go Get Stoned" gave Ray Charles a number one U.S. R&B hit in 1966. That same year Ashford & Simpson joined Motown where their best-known songs included "Ain't No Mountain High Enough", "You're All I Need To Get By", "Ain't Nothing Like the Real Thing", and "Reach Out and Touch (Somebody's Hand)".
The duo was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2002.
Solid
Ashford & Simpson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ah, you forgave
And soon both of us learned to trust
Not run away, it was no time to play
We build it up and build it up and build it up
And now it's solid
Solid as a rock
That's what we've got, oh
Solid, solid as a rock
And nothing's changed it
The thrill is still hot, hot, hot, hot, hot, hot, hot, hot
Oh, you didn't turn away
When the sky went gray
Somehow we managed
We had to stick together (oh, oh)
You didn't bat an eye
When I made you cry
We knew down the line
We would make it better (oh, oh)
And for love's sake, each mistake
Ah, you forgave
And soon both of us learned to trust
Not run away, it was no time to play
We build it up and build it up and build it up
And now it's solid
Solid as a rock
That's what this love is (oh, oh)
That's what we've got (oh)
Yes, it is
Solid, solid as a rock
And nothing's changed it
The thrill is still hot, hot, hot, hot, hot, hot, hot, hot
Oh, gone with the wind
Another friend
Got in between
Tried to separate us (oh, oh)
Oh, knock-knock on wood
You understood
Love was so new
We did what we had to (ooh, ooh)
And with that feeling
We were willing to take a chance
So against all odds, we made a start
We got serious, this wouldn't turn to dust
We build it up and build it up and build it up
And now it's solid
Solid as a rock
That's what this love is, oh
That's what we've got, oh
Solid (yes, it is)
Solid as a rock
And nothing's changed it
The thrill is still hot, hot, hot, hot, hot, hot, hot , hot
Solid, solid as a rock (you know it, well, you know it, baby)
Solid, solid as a rock (lovin' me, lovin' me, oh)
Solid (don't leave me, baby)
Solid as a rock (well, well, well, well)
Solid, solid as a rock (every day it gets sweeter, now)
Solid, solid as a rock (good, good, well, it's good, good, good)
Solid
The lyrics of Ashford & Simpson's song "Solid" articulate a firm and resolute commitment to love. The song is an ode to the strength and stability of a successful relationship built on trust, forgiveness, and mutual support. The lyrics refer to the challenges and obstacles that can threaten such a relationship, but also the resilience and determination required to overcome them.
The song's opening lines highlight the importance of forgiveness in a relationship. The singer acknowledges the mistakes they made in the past and how their partner always forgave them, leading to a stronger bond between them. The lines "And for love's sake, each mistake, ah you forgave" reveal how forgiveness is a vital component of a healthy relationship. The verse then alludes to the trust that was built between the two individuals. The line "And soon both of us learned to trust, not run away, it was no time to play" suggests that through forgiveness, a bond of trust was formed that enabled the couple to build a solid foundation for their love.
The chorus repeatedly emphasizes the solidity of the relationship, with the refrain "Solid as a rock" emphasizing that point. The line "And nothing's changed it, the thrill is still hot" further supports the idea that despite the ups and downs of life, the couple's love remains unchanged and exhilarating.
Overall, "Solid" is a song of devoted love and steadfast dedication to each other for a lifetime.
Line by Line Meaning
And for love's sake, each mistake
Ah, you forgave
Despite our mistakes, you forgave me out of love.
And soon both of us learned to trust
Not run away, it was no time to play
We build it up and build it up and build it up
We learned to trust each other instead of running away, and we worked hard to build our relationship.
And now it's solid
Solid as a rock
That's what this love is
That's what we've got, oh
Our love is now strong and reliable, like a rock.
And nothing's changed it
The thrill is still hot, hot, hot, hot, hot, hot, hot, hot
Even though things have tried to come between us, our love still burns strong and passionate.
Somehow we managed
We had to stick together (oh, oh)
Despite the difficulties, we managed to stick together and work through our problems.
We knew down the line
We would make it better (oh, oh)
We knew that in the end, we would make our relationship better and stronger.
Gone with the wind
Another friend
Got in between
Tried to separate us (oh, oh)
Other people have tried to come between us and end our relationship, but we didn't let them succeed.
We did what we had to (ooh, ooh)
And with that feeling
We were willing to take a chance
So against all odds, we made a start
We were willing to do whatever it took to make our relationship work, and despite the odds, we took a chance and started building our love.
Solid, solid as a rock
And nothing's changed it
The thrill is still hot, hot, hot, hot, hot, hot, hot, hot
Our love is still rock-solid and unshakeable, and the excitement and passion are still there.
Solid (yes, it is)
Solid as a rock
And nothing's changed it
The thrill is still hot, hot, hot, hot, hot, hot, hot , hot
Once again, our love is unbreakable and the fire is still burning strong.
Solid, solid as a rock (you know it, well, you know it, baby)
Solid, solid as a rock (lovin' me, lovin' me, oh)
Solid (don't leave me, baby)
Solid as a rock (well, well, well, well)
Solid, solid as a rock (every day it gets sweeter, now)
Solid, solid as a rock (good, good, well, it's good, good, good)
Solid
Our love is solid and unbreakable, and we will stay together through thick and thin, and every day it gets sweeter.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Nickolas Ashford, Valerie Simpson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind