Carter's earliest releases were as half of the duo Clarence And Calvin. Also known as the "C And C Boys", the blind duo made seven singles, the last of which was recorded at Fame's Muscle Shoals studio. When his partner, Calvin Thomas (aka Scott), suffered serious injuries in a car accident in 1966, Carter became a solo act (Calvin himself later reappeared as a solo act to record two Dave Crawford-produced Atco Records singles in 1969/70 and a Clarence Paul-produced 1971 album for Stax Records, I'm Not Blind ... I Just Can't See, from which two singles were also taken). "Tell Daddy", released in January 1967, began a fruitful spell of Fame-produced hits by Carter, released on the Atlantic Records label. Noteworthy were "Thread The Needle", "Looking For A Fox" and "Slip Away", where the singer combined his outstanding voice with his skill as an arranger and musician.
"Patches", first recorded by Chairmen Of The Board, was a UK number 2 and a US number 4 in 1970, but despite further strong offerings, Clarence was unable to sustain the momentum. He remained with Fame until 1973, where he also helped guide Candi Staton, who was now his wife, before moving to ABC Records the subsequent year.
Further recordings on Venture and Big C took Carter's career into the 1980s and later the artist found a sympathetic outlet with the Ichiban Records label. Despite being blinded as a child, he developed a distinctive guitar style that complemented his earthy delivery, and was just as comfortable on keyboards, writing songs or arranging sessions. The first two albums, This Is Clarence Carter and The Dynamic Clarence Carter show off his versatile talent to good effect.
Clarence returned in the late Eighties with the album Dr. CC, which spawned the bawdy, comedic single "Strokin'", which has evolved into a favorite at clubs and weddings. He later followed it up with a sequel, "Still Strokin'", in 1989.
Backstabbers
Clarence Carter Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(They smile in your face)
All the time they want to take your place
The back stabbers (back stabbers)
(They smile in your face)
All the time they want to take your place
The back stabbers (back stabbers)
Then it's all of you fellows who better beware, yeah yeah
Somebody's out to get your lady
A few of your buddies they sure look shady
Blades are long, clenched tight in their fist
Aimin' straight at your back
And I don't think they'll miss
(What they do!)
(They smile in your face)
All the time they want to take your place
The back stabbers (back stabbers)
I keep gettin' all these visits from my friends, yeah, what they doin' to me
They come to my house again and again and again and again, yeah
So are they there to see my woman
I don't even be home but they just keep on comin'
What can I do to get on the right track
I wish they'd take some of these knives off my back
(They smile in your face)
All the time they want to take your place
The back stabbers (back stabbers)
Low down, dirty
(What they do!)
(They smile in your face)
Smiling faces
smiling faces sometimes tell lies (Back stabbers)
(They smile in your face)
I don't need
low down, dirty bastards (Back stabbers)
Clarence Carter's "Backstabbers" is a sharp commentary on the duplicity of people who pretend to be friends but are actually trying to take advantage of you. The song begins with Carter warning the listener about these backstabbers. He describes how they will smile in your face, but then turn around and try to take your place. These backstabbers will do whatever it takes to get what they want, even if it means hurting you in the process.
The second verse of the song is addressed to all the men out there who have someone they really care for. The backstabbers are after your lady and some of your friends may be in on the plan. The knives are long and clenched tight in their fists, aimed straight at your back. Carter's description of the backstabbers is chilling.
The chorus of the song repeats the warning about the backstabbers. They smile in your face, but really they just want to take your place. Carter reveals that he keeps getting visits from his friends and wonders what they are doing to him. They keep coming to his house even though he's not there. Carter is suspicious that they might be after his woman.
The song ends with Carter's anguished cry about the knives in his back. He wishes the backstabbers would take some of them off so he could get on the right track. He doesn't need these low-down dirty bastards in his life. This song is a powerful reminder that not everyone who appears to be a friend really is one.
Line by Line Meaning
(What they do!)
This phrase is used as a rhetorical question to draw attention to the activities of these people, which may not be evident to the victims.
(They smile in your face)
These backstabbers smile at you and pretend to be friendly to hide their true feelings and intentions.
All the time they want to take your place
The backstabbers are jealous of what you have and want it for themselves. They will do whatever it takes to get it, even if it means betraying you.
The back stabbers (back stabbers)
Repeating the phrase emphasizes the treachery of the backstabbers, reminding the listener that they can't be trusted.
All you fellows who have someone and you really care, yeah, yeah
The singer is warning men in relationships that they need to be mindful of others who may try to steal their partner. He suggests that they pay attention and be cautious.
Then it's all of you fellows who better beware, yeah yeah
The singer is emphasizing that every man is at risk of being betrayed and must remain vigilant.
Somebody's out to get your lady
Someone is plotting to take your partner away from you, so you need to be on your guard and protect your relationship.
A few of your buddies they sure look shady
Some of your friends seem sketchy and cannot be trusted. They may be out to harm you or your relationship.
Blades are long, clenched tight in their fist
This line is a metaphor for the treachery of the backstabbers. They are ready to strike at any moment, and their betrayal will cut deeply.
Aimin' straight at your back
The backstabbers aren't being subtle in their intentions, they are directly targeting you and your weaknesses.
And I don't think they'll miss
The singer believes that the backstabbers will be successful in their betrayal, as they are too skilled at deception and manipulation.
(What they do!)
Same as previous.
(They smile in your face)
Same as previous.
All the time they want to take your place
Same as previous.
The back stabbers (back stabbers)
Same as previous.
I keep gettin' all these visits from my friends, yeah, what they doin' to me
The singer is receiving a lot of attention from his friends, but he doesn't know why. He is suspicious of their intentions.
They come to my house again and again and again and again, yeah
The backstabbers keep visiting him repeatedly, and he can't figure out why. He wonders if they have ulterior motives.
So are they there to see my woman
The singer is questioning whether his friends are coming to see him or his partner, which would be a sign that they are trying to steal her from him.
I don't even be home but they just keep on comin'
The singer isn't even at home, yet his friends keep showing up. This makes him more suspicious of their intentions.
What can I do to get on the right track
The singer is looking for solutions to his problem. He wants to figure out how to protect himself and his relationship from the backstabbers.
I wish they'd take some of these knives off my back
The singer is feeling betrayed and hurt, and he wishes that the backstabbers would stop causing him pain.
(They smile in your face)
Same as previous.
All the time they want to take your place
Same as previous.
The back stabbers (back stabbers)
Same as previous.
Low down, dirty
The backstabbers are described as being despicable and deceitful.
(What they do!)
Same as previous.
(They smile in your face)
Same as previous.
Smiling faces
The backstabbers wear a friendly facade to deceive their victims.
smiling faces sometimes tell lies (Back stabbers)
The singer reminds listeners that even people who seem friendly and trustworthy can't always be trusted. Some people have ulterior motives and will betray you when the opportunity arises.
(They smile in your face)
Same as previous.
I don't need
The singer declares that he doesn't need people who deceive and betray him in his life.
low down, dirty bastards (Back stabbers)
The singer refers to the backstabbers as 'bastards' and describes how low and dirty they are. He is deeply hurt and angry about their betrayal.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Peermusic Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Leon Huff, Gene McFadden, John Whitehead
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Apollo Statuary
Clarence carter has the best version of back stabbers!
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