1. America… Read Full Bio ↴There are at least 2 musicians by the name Carl Carlton.
1. American R&B, soul, and funk singer and songwriter from Detroit, Michigan, USA
2. German rock guitarist and songwriter from Irhove, Leer, Germany.
1. Carl Carlton (b. 1953) is an American R&B, soul, and funk singer and songwriter best known for his hits "Everlasting Love" and "She's a Bad Mama Jama (She's Built, She's Stacked)".
Carlton, born in Detroit, Michigan, first began recording in the late 1960's as "Little Carl" Carlton, a likely marketing ploy to capitalize on some vocal similarities to established hitmaker Stevie Wonder, who also hails from Detroit and had recorded under the name "Little Stevie" Wonder in the early 60's. After scoring some minor local hits, Carlton was signed by Don D. Robey and moved to Houston, Texas, the home of his new record label, Back Beat Records. Carlton saw some success with the new label including his first major hit, a disco-tinged remake of Robert Knight's "Everlasting Love" that went to #6 on the U.S. pop music charts.
Robey sold his labels to ABC Records in 1972, and in 1976 Carlton became embroiled in a royalty dispute with the new ownership that caused him to stop recording for some time. He then signed with Mercury Records in 1977, but only released one single on that label. Carlton was unable to land a new record deal for several years until Leon Haywood helped him get a singles deal with 20th Century Records. A Haywood-penned single, "She's a Bad Mama Jama", became a major hit, peaking at #2 on the pop charts and earning Carlton a Grammy Award nomination for Best R&B Vocal Performance, Male. Carlton's subsequent album, Carl Carlton, went gold in 1981. "She's a Bad Mama Jama" has since become a staple of compilation albums and soundtracks and is often sampled in rap music.
Carlton released several more albums in the 80's but had only a few minor R&B hits, and eventually fell out of favor with record companies and out of the public eye. After 1985's Private Property, he did not release another album until 1994's Main Event, which failed to chart.
In late 2002, Carlton appeared with many R&B superstars on the "Rhythm, Love, and Soul" edition of the PBS series American Soundtrack. His performance of "Everlasting Love" was included on the accompanying live album that was released in 2004.
2. His most active band project is called Carl Carlton and the Songdogs.
After 3 Albums with the Songdogs, Carl released "Lights out in Wonderland" under his solo name and went on tour with fellow musicians and friends like Klaus Voormann. This tour brought up the live 2CD "Woodstock & Wonderland (Live)"
Competition Ain't Nothin'
Carl Carlton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Tried to steal my girl away
I used to toss and turn
All through the night
The thought of it kept me awake
Every time she walked by him
She was all in his eye
I had to be her only guy
That's why I said
Competition ain't nothing, y'all
If you got a love that's true
Competition ain't nothing, boy
They just keep on loving you
Oh, yeah, hey, hey, baby
Crying out loud makes?
Caused by jealousy
Stop your crying
Hang your head up high
Some things aren't meant to be
Listen here, baby
And if you cry cause you feel
Someone's beating your time
Dry your eyes and listen here
Just to give you peace of mind, yeah
Competition ain't nothing, boy
If you got a love that's true
Competition ain't nothing, y'all
They just keep on loving you
Oh, yeah, hear my heart beat, baby
Competition ain't nothing, y'all
If you got a love that's true
Competition ain't nothing, boy
They just keep on loving you
Keep on loving you, baby
Baby, keep on loving me
Oh, baby, oh, baby
I'm trying my best to love you, baby
Oh, yeah, I'm-a loving you
The Carl Carlton song "Competition Ain't Nothin'" discusses the topic of jealousy and competition in relationships. The singer of the song is worried because he thinks a rival guy is trying to steal his love away. He is unable to sleep at night, worrying about the possibility of losing his girl. However, the girl reassures him that he is the only one for her and he is the one she loves. The chorus of the song states that competition doesn't mean anything when you have a love that's true. If someone really loves you, they will continue to love you, no matter who else is around.
The song presents a message of trust and confidence in oneself and one's relationship. Jealousy is a normal human emotion, but it can also cause unnecessary pain and anxiety if it is not checked. The song suggests that if you have a strong love for someone, there is no need to worry about competition, as their feelings for you will be solid and unwavering. The song's upbeat rhythm and catchy chorus make it a fun and energetic song that can help lift one's spirits when feeling insecure in love.
Line by Line Meaning
I used to worry cause another fella
I was scared that my girlfriend might leave me for another guy
Tried to steal my girl away
He was trying to take my girlfriend away from me
I used to toss and turn
I couldn't sleep
All through the night
I couldn't sleep at night
The thought of it kept me awake
I was worried about losing my girlfriend and it kept me up all night
Every time she walked by him
Whenever she was around him
She was all in his eye
He was looking at her with interest
She set him straight, she told him
She made it clear to him
I had to be her only guy
That I was the only guy for her
That's why I said
That's why I believe
Competition ain't nothing, y'all
Competition isn't a problem
If you got a love that's true
If you have a love that's real
Competition ain't nothing, boy
Competition isn't a problem
They just keep on loving you
They will continue to love you
Crying out loud makes?
Crying out loud doesn't solve anything
Caused by jealousy
It's because of jealousy
Stop your crying
Don't cry
Hang your head up high
Be proud
Some things aren't meant to be
Some things just aren't meant to happen
Listen here, baby
Pay attention
And if you cry cause you feel
And if you cry because you think
Someone's beating your time
Someone is taking away your time or attention
Dry your eyes and listen here
Stop crying and listen to me
Just to give you peace of mind, yeah
So you can be at peace
Keep on loving you, baby
I will continue to love you, baby
Baby, keep on loving me
Baby, keep loving me too
Oh, baby, oh, baby
Oh, baby, oh, baby
I'm trying my best to love you, baby
I'm doing my best to love you, baby
Oh, yeah, I'm-a loving you
Oh yeah, I am definitely loving you
Contributed by Camilla G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
captainchaos74
I never get bored of this song. A fave for life for sure....
Anna Werner
Nothing makes my mood rise as much as Northern does! Thanx for this amazing tune!! Brings back sweet, sweet memories!
pgh45rpms
Yes, this was released in late summer 1968 by Little Carl Carlton -- sort of sounds like Stevie Wonder's "Uptight". His voice changed by 1974 when he dropped the "Little" in his name and had an even bigger hit with "Everlasting Love".
ONLY BOSS LION 🦁☀️
I just love this song! To the point ! Oldie but a goodie! ♥️
ONLY BOSS LION 🦁☀️
One of my favorites! Pure Gold! It might be one of a kind but it is FACT! Just a feel Good song!!
ONLY BOSS LION 🦁☀️
He has great songs! 👍
desertbootguy
I've been into 60's music for ever, mainly 60's garage -punk and British r'n'b/British invasion but lately i'm getting into Soul and this is the type of song that got me into it ! Absolutly great. Thank you so much.
Dee Rich
I remember this, I was 14 years old and my sister was 17, we loved this song. Also, we went to Murray-Wright High School, Detroit, MI with Carl.
blacsouljah
Wow.
SoulsurferUK08
Little Carl at his best I reckon, many thanks again.