Starting singing gospel with the family group, the Echoes of Joy, Wright began switching to R&B music in 1965 when she was only 11. In 1968, she released her first album, My First Time Around, at the age of 15, and scored her first hit, "Girls Can't Do What Guys Can Do".
It was not until the end of 1971 that Wright's most successful phase of her career took place. The song, "Clean Up Woman", became a Top 5 pop and R&B hit, and would later influence a remix of Mary J. Blige's "Real Love" single with the sample of its guitar riffs; R&B girl group trio SWV's "I'm So Into You" also featured a sample from "Clean Up Woman", as did Afrika Bambaataa's song "Zulu War Chant". In 1974, Wright scored big with the songs "Tonight is the Night" (about a real-life love affair that happened with Wright when she was a teenager) and "Where is the Love" (which won her a Grammy for Best R&B Song).
After experiencing a brief slump in the early 1980s, she rebounded founding her own record label, Ms. B Records, and in 1988 made music history by being the first woman to have a gold record on her own label, with the release of Mother Wit, which featured two of her biggest hits in years, "No Pain (No Gain)" and the "After The Pain". On both songs, Wright displays her powerful upper register capabilities and five-octave range. In 1989, Wright released 4u2njoy which features the hit songs "From Pain To Joy", "Quiet Storm" and "Keep Love New". Her subsequent albums Passion and Compassion, B-Attitudes and Fit For A King kept her fanbase satisfied.
By 2001, a compilation album, The Very Best of Betty Wright, was released. In 2007, Wright scored her most successful single in over a decade with "Baby", a duet with fellow Soul singer, Angie Stone. The song peaked at #22 on the R&B chart and #2 on the Hot Dance Club Songs chart.
Wright mentored several young singers, and did vocal production for the likes of Gloria Estefan, Jennifer Lopez and Joss Stone.
In December 2010, Wright was given another Grammy Award nomination for the song, "Go", for the Best Traditional R&B Vocal Performance.
In January 2011, Wright released her first album in ten years, Betty Wright: The Movie, and was credited to Betty Wright & The Roots .
On May 10, 2020, Wright sadly passed away due to cancer at age 66.
Shoo-Rah! Shoo-Rah!
Betty Wright Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You gotta stay up, all night long
You still won't catch up, 'cause I've gotta want it
I've got a feeling you wanna do me wrong
Like a ball of lightning and a ball of heat
You wanna lock me right of my feet
But I recognize through the eyes of a fool
Shoorah Shoorah
Heey, I can see you coming
Shoorah Shoorah
But you won't catch me
Shoorah Shoorah
Heey, I can hear you humming
Shoorah Shoorah
But you won't catch me
I can see you moving, moving all around me
I know you're trying to get me upset
I can hear you grooving, thinking you have found me
But I'm here to tell ya you ain't got me yet
Shoorah Shoorah
Heey, I can see you coming
Shoorah Shoorah
But you won't catch me
Shoorah Shoorah
Heey, I can hear you humming
Shoorah Shoorah
But you won't catch me
I checked you out from the corner of my eye
You and the devil walking side by side
You ain't changed, let's be real about it
I can't change how I feel about it
Shoorah Shoorah
Heey, I can see you coming
Shoorah Shoorah
But you won't get me
Shoorah Shoorah
Heey, I can hear you humming
Shoorah Shoorah
But you won't get me
Shoorah Shoorah
Heey, I can see you coming
Shoorah Shoorah
But you won't get me
Shoorah Shoorah
Heey, I can hear you humming
Shoorah Shoorah
But you won't get me
Shoorah Shoorah
Heey, I can see you coming
Shoorah Shoorah
But you won't get me, no, no
Shoorah Shoorah
Heey, I can hear you humming
Shoorah Shoorah
But you won't get me
The song "Shoo-Rah! Shoo-Rah!" by Betty Wright is a funky, uptempo tune that seems to be about a person who is trying to tempt the singer into doing something they don't want to do. The lyrics suggest that this person is using their charm and charisma to try to get the singer to give in to their desires, but the singer is determined not to be swayed. The chorus repeats the phrase "Shoo-Rah! Shoo-Rah!" which seems to be a dismissive way of saying "Get lost!" or "Leave me alone!"
The first verse sets the scene by describing the persistent nature of the person trying to lure the singer: they wake up early, stay up late, and still can't catch up with the singer's resolve. The second verse suggests that this person is trying to manipulate the singer's emotions by "moving all around" them and trying to make them upset. The third verse implies that this person has a shady side, as they are "walking side by side" with the devil. However, the singer seems to have made up their mind not to give in, no matter what tactics this person tries.
Overall, "Shoo-Rah! Shoo-Rah!" is a fun and funky tune that encourages listeners to stand their ground and not be swayed by those who try to manipulate them.
Line by Line Meaning
You gotta wake up, early in the morning
You have to be on your toes and alert from the very beginning
You gotta stay up, all night long
You can't afford to rest or let your guard down even for a moment
You still won't catch up, 'cause I've gotta want it
No matter how hard you try, unless I want it myself, you won't be able to get me
I've got a feeling you wanna do me wrong
I sense that you have malicious intentions towards me
Like a ball of lightning and a ball of heat
You come at me with fierce intensity and energy
You wanna lock me right of my feet
You want to overpower me and leave me helpless
But I recognize through the eyes of a fool
Even though I may be naive, I can still see what you're trying to do
That you've got the power to make your own rules
You have the ability to control the situation and bend the rules to your advantage
Heey, I can see you coming
I am aware of your presence and your intentions towards me
But you won't catch me
You won't be able to succeed in your efforts to harm me
Heey, I can hear you humming
I am aware of your subtle attempts to manipulate and deceive me
I know you're trying to get me upset
You are intentionally trying to provoke me and make me lose my cool
But I'm here to tell ya you ain't got me yet
Your attempts to harm me have not yet succeeded, and I won't let them
I checked you out from the corner of my eye
I have been observing you closely and analyzing your every move
You and the devil walking side by side
You are evil and malicious, just like the devil
You ain't changed, let's be real about it
You're the same as you've always been, and I'm not fooled by any pretense of change
I can't change how I feel about it
My feelings towards you are fixed and unchanging
But you won't get me
Your attempts at harming me will not succeed
Heey, I can hear you humming
I am aware of your attempts to deceive me, even if they are subtle
But you won't get me, no, no
No matter what you do or how hard you try, you won't be able to succeed in harming me
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ALLEN TOUSSAINT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Donna Kay
You got to wake up early in the morning
You got to stay up all night long
You still won't catch up 'cause I got the warnin'
I got the feelin' you wanna do me wrong
Like a ball of lightning and a ball of heat
You wanna knock me right off my feet
But I recognise through the eyes of a fool
That you got the power to make your own rules
Shoorah, Shoorah
Hey, I can see you comin'
Shoorah, Shoorah
But you won't catch me
Shoorah, Shoorah
Hey, I can hear you hummin'
Shoorah, Shoorah
But you won't catch me
I can see you movin', movin' all around me
I know you're trying to get me upset
I can hear you groovin', thinkin' you done found me
But I'm here to tell you, you ain't got me yet, no, no
Shoorah, Shoorah
Hey, I can see you comin'
Shoorah, Shoorah
But you won't catch me
Shoorah, Shoorah
Hey, I can hear you hummin'
Shoorah, Shoorah
But you won't catch me
I checked you out from the corner of my eye
You and the devil walkin' side by side
And you ain't changed, let's be real about it
And I can't change how I feel about it
Shoorah, Shoorah
Hey, I can see you comin'
Shoorah, Shoorah
But you won't catch me
Shoorah, Shoorah
Hey, I can hear you hummin'
Shoorah, Shoorah
But you won't catch me
Shoorah, Shoorah
Hey, I can see you comin'
Shoorah, Shoorah
But you won't catch me
Shoorah, Shoorah
Hey, I can hear you hummin'
Shoorah, Shoorah
But you won't catch me
Carlos Ortiz
You got to wake up early in the morning
You got to stay up all night long
You still won't catch up 'cause I got the warnin'
I got the feelin' you wanna do me wrong
Like a bolt of lightning and a ball of heat
You wanna knock me right off my feet
But I recognize through the eyes of a fool
You got the power to make your own rules
[Chorus]
Shoorah, Shoorah
Hey, I can see you comin'
Shoorah, Shoorah
But you won't catch me
Shoorah, Shoorah
Hey, I can hear you hummin'
Shoorah, Shoorah
But you won't catch meI can see you movin', movin' all around me
I know you're trying to get me upset
I can hear you groovin', thinkin' you done found me
But I'm here to tell you, you ain't got me yet, no, no
Shoorah, Shoorah
Hey, I can see you comin'
Shoorah, Shoorah
But you won't catch me
Shoorah, Shoorah
Hey, I can hear you hummin'
Shoorah, Shoorah
But you won't catch me
[Verse 3]
I checked you out from the corner of my eye
You and the devil walkin' side by side
And you ain't changed, let's be real about it
And I can't change how I feel about it
Shoorah, Shoorah
Hey, I can see you comin'
Shoorah, Shoorah
But you won't catch me
Shoorah, Shoorah
Hey, I can hear you hummin'
Shoorah, Shoorah
But you won't catch me
Shoorah, Shoorah
Said I can see you comin'
Shoorah, Shoorah
But you won't catch me
Shoorah, Shoorah
Hey, I can hear you hummin'
Shoorah, Shoorah
But you won't catch me
Shoorah, Shoorah
Hey, I can see you comin'Shoorah, Shoorah
But you won't catch me, no, no
Shoorah, Shoorah
Hey, I can hear you hummin'
Shoorah, Shoorah
But you won't catch me, no
Mark Abbott
RIP Betty. This was one of my all-time favorite 70s tunes. Still gets me moving!
Ethan Miller
Love you Betty! Your music will live forever! Thank you for everything!
CaptainPeacock
Bought this as a teenager in the 70s,great record still love it in 2021.R.I.P. Betty.x
Caleb Lee
I love this song so goddamn much. This is about defiance-- be it in the face of depression or an unhealthy, malevolent person.
Chris Keilthy
She's been with me since I was 15 and I'm 64 next week.Love her tunes and this one is my favourite. Respect.
TheCadBane
She's not gone, she's funkin' & rockin' heaven ❤✌🙏
Tilly
Thank you for the music Betty❤️
Fiona Archibald
RIP Betty Wright, loved this song back in the day xx
Paul N
One of life's finest tunes! Ain't no denying Betty be getty u up & movin 🕺💃
Donna Kay
You got to wake up early in the morning
You got to stay up all night long
You still won't catch up 'cause I got the warnin'
I got the feelin' you wanna do me wrong
Like a ball of lightning and a ball of heat
You wanna knock me right off my feet
But I recognise through the eyes of a fool
That you got the power to make your own rules
Shoorah, Shoorah
Hey, I can see you comin'
Shoorah, Shoorah
But you won't catch me
Shoorah, Shoorah
Hey, I can hear you hummin'
Shoorah, Shoorah
But you won't catch me
I can see you movin', movin' all around me
I know you're trying to get me upset
I can hear you groovin', thinkin' you done found me
But I'm here to tell you, you ain't got me yet, no, no
Shoorah, Shoorah
Hey, I can see you comin'
Shoorah, Shoorah
But you won't catch me
Shoorah, Shoorah
Hey, I can hear you hummin'
Shoorah, Shoorah
But you won't catch me
I checked you out from the corner of my eye
You and the devil walkin' side by side
And you ain't changed, let's be real about it
And I can't change how I feel about it
Shoorah, Shoorah
Hey, I can see you comin'
Shoorah, Shoorah
But you won't catch me
Shoorah, Shoorah
Hey, I can hear you hummin'
Shoorah, Shoorah
But you won't catch me
Shoorah, Shoorah
Hey, I can see you comin'
Shoorah, Shoorah
But you won't catch me
Shoorah, Shoorah
Hey, I can hear you hummin'
Shoorah, Shoorah
But you won't catch me