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.
Street Corner
Ashford & Simpson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Bad guys
On any street, any street corner
On any street
(Woo)
Any street corner
(Oh, oh, oh)
They try to pick me up and take me for a ride
I tell 'em, "No, the girl is satisfied?
They say I've got the stuff that really turns you on
I tell 'em, "No, this little girls is grown?"
They say, fi fi
And I say, "No, no, not me
I'm not the kind of girl
You're gonna see"
On any street
(Woo)
Any street corner
(Ah, you know it, girl)
On any street
(Street)
Any street corner
(Ooh, ooh, ooh)
They say, I've got a dime, I've got a nickel bag
Oh, it's the best stuff you've, you ever had
I've got your pleasure right here in my hand
It'll make you feel just, just like a real big man
But when I stop
To think about the cost
I know that I just might get lost
On any street
(Ooh, oh baby)
Any street corner
(Oh, yeah, oh yeah)
On any street
(Oh, yeah, sugar, sugar)
Any street corner
(Oh baby, oh baby, oh)
Oh
(Oh)
On any street
(Anywhere, anywhere)
(Ooh, ooh, ooh)
Any street corner
(They'll find ya, they'll find ya)
On any street
(On the avenue)
(They'll be waitin')
Any street corner
(They'll be waitin?)
(On the avenue waitin' for you)
You want it
(You got it)
That's why
(Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah)
They'll be lookin', lookin', lookin' all around
(Everywhere)
Oh, that's why, that's why
I've got to leave you girl, yeah, yeah, yeah
But you won't find my love
You won't find it
On any street, any street
Any corner of the world
The song "Street Corner" by Ashford & Simpson portrays the realities of life on the streets, where bad guys and roughnecks roam around every street corner. The song tells the story of a woman who is being pursued by these men but refuses to succumb to their advances. The woman is confident in herself and asserts that she is satisfied with her life and does not need anyone to complete her.
The men on the street try to impress the woman by offering her drugs and other things that they think will entice her. However, she is not tempted by their offers and does not want to take part in their world. The woman knows that she might get lost if she starts to indulge in this lifestyle, and so she decides to stay away from it altogether.
The song "Street Corner" is a reminder that life on the streets is not easy, and that one has to be strong to resist the temptations that come with it. It shows that it is possible to stand up for oneself and resist the negative influences that surround us every day.
Line by Line Meaning
Street life, rough necks
Life in the streets is rough and involves danger and violence.
On any street, any street corner
Street life can be found anywhere, at any corner of any street.
They try to pick me up and take me for a ride
Dangerous people try to lure me into risky situations.
I tell 'em, "No, the girl is satisfied?
I refuse their advances and assert that I am content with what I have.
They say I've got the stuff that really turns you on
They claim to have something that will excite and satisfy me.
I tell 'em, "No, this little girls is grown?
I reject their assumptions that I am naive and immature and assert that I am capable of making my own decisions.
They say, fi fi
They use slang to further persuade me, but I am not convinced.
And I say, "No, no, not me
I continue to assert my boundaries and refuse their advances.
I'm not the kind of girl
I am not the type of person who would fall for their tactics.
You're gonna see
They won't be successful in making me their victim.
They say, I've got a dime, I've got a nickel bag
They attempt to sell me drugs.
Oh, it's the best stuff you've, you ever had
They advertise the quality of their product to draw me in.
I've got your pleasure right here in my hand
They try to tempt me with the promise of pleasure and satisfaction.
It'll make you feel just, just like a real big man
They appeal to the desire for power and dominance to entice me.
But when I stop
When I take a moment to think about the consequences,
To think about the cost
The potential price I would pay for falling into their trap,
I know that I just might get lost
I become aware of the very real danger present in the situation and realize that I could become lost forever.
On any street
This danger is not limited to one location or street corner but is ever-present in any street corner of the world.
They'll find ya, they'll find ya
Dangerous people will always be looking for their next victim.
On the avenue waitin' for you
They may be waiting on the avenue for someone to come along and fall into their trap.
You won't find my love
I refuse to participate in dangerous activities to find love.
You won't find it
Love cannot be found in unsafe and risky situations.
On any street, any street
Love is not limited to any one place or street corner.
Any corner of the world
Love can be found anywhere, but it won't be found in dangerous places.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: NICKOLAS ASHFORD, VALERIE SIMPSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
alim3611
This song brings back a lot of good childhood memories ...
just had to chuckle when i decided to really look at the lyrics and realize that i made up the words as i went along ..( i was only 6-7 yrs old )
On any street , ( me) any street in the world ! lol
on any street , ( me ) any street called LOVE lol
ha ha ha ha
Carmen Sandiego
When the news broke of Nick Ashford's death, people were singing this song at work and I wanted to join in. I didn't know anyone but I felt a similar loss. Loss of someone that seemed like a relative or close friend. My heart truly goes out to Valerie and their family. Even though no one (ET,Inside Edition & People Magazine) has taken the time to acknowledgement his passing, we remember and we will never forget. RIP Nick
Martin Platt
The backing on most 80s soul/funk tracks was just superb. Many jazz musicians contributed to the sound. A fabulous singing pair. RIP to Nick Ashford.
Martine Cannon
And Valerie Simpson
Martine Cannon
And Valerie Simpson
Barbara House
@Martine Cannon a
Buzz Davis
One of their best without a doubt. The 80's hit hard, I'm here to testify!
Martin Platt
Right on the spot Buzz
Sancheaz Solomon
YES!😊🙌
J Williams
The hardest!
Charlene Young
I feel honored to have been a part of the greatness that was the 70's and 80's. The Holy Spirit was them, and us. Imitated but never duplicated. They don't even come close. I wish they would stop trying.