General Norman Johnson (23 May 1943, Norfolk, VA – 13 Oct 2010, Atlanta, GA), had a hit as the lead singer of The Showmen, in the early '60s, with the New Orleans rock'n'roll anthem It Will Stand.
When Holland-Dozier-Holland left Motown, in 1967, to establish their own Invictus/Hot Wax group of labels, they teamed-up Johnson with Eddie Custis, Danny Woods &, Canadian born, Harrison Kennedy - as the new company's flagship act - under the appropriate name 'Chairmen of the Board'. Dozier explained, according to Songfacts: "We called them that because of their extraordinary talents. They each played several instruments, sang and wrote songs as well." Custis left the group after their second album.
Though they all had a turn at lead vocals, it was General Johnson's quirky hiccup-laden style and his songwriting which became increasingly showcased, wit hthe group selling a million plus copies of "Give Me Just A Little More Time". Chairmen of the Board also scored with "You've Got Me Dangling On A String", "Pay To the Piper", "Everything's Tuesday", "Working On A Building Of Love", "Elmo James", "Finders Keepers", and the original version of "Patches", a memorable ballad later covered with great success by Clarence Carter.
Kennedy, Woods and Johnson all went on to cut solo albums of varying quality, whilst Johnson wrote and produced (with Greg Perry) for other Invictus/Hot Wax acts, notably Honey Cone. Harrison having left, Johnson and Woods toured the UK in 1976 with six musicians as "Chairmen of the Board", but were not as successful as before. The act was broken up immediately afterwards, Johnson having signed for Arista Records as a solo artist.
In 1978, Johnson reformed the Chairmen of the Board. In 1980, the new Chairmen founded Surfside Records, for which the group records for to this day.
The Chairmen of the Board (General Johnson, Danny Woods and Ken Knox) were inducted into the North Carolina Music Hall of Fame in 1999.
General Johnson continued to perform with Woods and Knox as the "Chairmen of the Board" until his death from lung cancer in 2010.
In 2012, Chairmen of the Board released a single, "You", which was written and produced by Knox.
In 2013, former member Harrison Kennedy was nominated for a Blues Music Award in the "Acoustic Artist" category.
Danny Woods died in January 2018.
Chairman Of The Board
Chairmen Of The Board Lyrics
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Chairman of the board
I'm the chairman
Chairman of my baby's board
When it comes to loving
I'm a businessman
I wheel and I deal
Cause I'm the chairman
Chairman of the board
I'm the chairman
Chairman of my baby's board
I'm the chairman
Chairman of the board
I'm the man to see
A loving educator
I'm known the world over
A smooth operator
When my baby needs me
Anytime of the day
She's just has to call me
And I'm on my way
Cause I'm the chairman
Chairman of the board
Said I'm the chairman
Chairman of my baby's board
Feel like I wanna
Think I wanna blow
I take pride
In the way I please
Satisfaction guaranteed
When it comes to loving
I'm there on the case
When it comes to loving
I ain't never lost a race
I'm I'm the chairman
Chairman of the board
I'm the chairman
Chairman of my baby's board
My baby loves my warm embrace
And I love to see
The joy upon her face
Cause I'm the chairman
Chairman of the board
I'm the chairman
Chairman of my baby's board
I wheels and deals
With sex appeal
I'm second to none
Number one
Think I wanna blow
One time now, yeah
I'm the chairman
Chairman of the board
I'm the chairman
Chairman of my baby's board
I'm the chairman
Chairman of the board
I'm the chairman
Chairman of my baby's board
The lyrics to "Chairman of the Board" talk about the singer's confidence in his ability to provide for his lover. He declares himself the chairman of his "baby's board," suggesting that he is in charge of their relationship and responsible for meeting her needs. He sees himself as a "businessman" when it comes to love and is proud of his ability to please his partner. The song's repeated refrain emphasizes this sentiment, with the singer insisting that he is the chairman of the board.
Throughout the rest of the song, the singer highlights his skills as a lover. He describes himself as a "loving educator" and a "smooth operator," suggesting that he is experienced and confident in his abilities. He promises that his partner's satisfaction is guaranteed and boasts that he has never lost a race when it comes to love. Ultimately, he declares himself "number one," reinforcing his sense of pride and confidence.
Overall, this song celebrates the confidence and self-assurance of the singer. He sees himself as a successful and skilled lover, and the repetition of the "chairman of the board" refrain underscores his sense of control and authority in his relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm the chairman
I am the head honcho
Chairman of the board
I am the leader of the group
I'm the chairman
I am the head honcho
Chairman of my baby's board
I am the master of my significant other's heart
When it comes to loving
As far as romance goes
I'm a businessman
I run love like a job
I wheel and I deal
I make things happen in the love game
Wherever I can
I seize opportunities when they arise
Cause I'm the chairman
Because I am the head honcho
Chairman of the board
Leader of the group
I'm the chairman
I am the head honcho
Chairman of my baby's board
I am the master of my significant other's heart
I'm the man to see
I am the go-to guy
A loving educator
I educate in the ways of love
I'm known the world over
I am famous worldwide
A smooth operator
I am slick in my tactics
When my baby needs me
When my significant other requires assistance
Anytime of the day
Regardless of the hour
She's just has to call me
All she has to do is contact me
And I'm on my way
I will be there immediately
Cause I'm the chairman
Because I am the head honcho
Chairman of the board
Leader of the group
Said I'm the chairman
I am telling you, I am the head honcho
Chairman of my baby's board
I am the master of my significant other's heart
Feel like I wanna
I am feeling a desire to
Think I wanna blow
I am thinking about letting loose
I take pride
I am proud
In the way I please
In my ability to satisfy
Satisfaction guaranteed
I will make sure that my partner is happy
When it comes to loving
As far as romance goes
I'm there on the case
I am on the situation
I ain't never lost a race
I have never lost in the realm of love
I'm I'm the chairman
I am the head honcho
Chairman of the board
Leader of the group
I'm the chairman
I am the head honcho
Chairman of my baby's board
I am the master of my significant other's heart
My baby loves my warm embrace
My significant other enjoys being held by me
And I love to see
I am happy to witness
The joy upon her face
The happiness displayed on my partner's face
Cause I'm the chairman
Because I am the head honcho
Chairman of the board
Leader of the group
I'm the chairman
I am the head honcho
Chairman of my baby's board
I am the master of my significant other's heart
I wheels and deals
I make moves in the game of love
With sex appeal
With a certain attractiveness
I'm second to none
I am the best of the best
Number one
On top, superior
Think I wanna blow
I have a desire to let loose
One time now, yeah
Just once, right now, yes
I'm the chairman
I am the head honcho
Chairman of the board
Leader of the group
I'm the chairman
I am the head honcho
Chairman of my baby's board
I am the master of my significant other's heart
Contributed by Landon W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.