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.
Doin' Our Thing
Clarence Carter Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Baby, please don't quit it
It won't be long
Before the real nitty gritty
Some like it hot
And some like it cold
Not too young
Get what you can
Is the name of the game
But, ooh, baby
We're doing our thing, yeah
I know it's good, you do too
And it's gonna get better
Before we're through
It's what you wanted
But not so fast
The slower you do it
The longer it's gonna last
And after while
We'll join the whole gang
Right now, right now
Ooh, baby, doing our thing
It's so nice
When you have someone
What two can do
Is a whole lotta fun
When I get started
I don't know how to quit, ha ha
And when I get tired
I don't know how to sit
Look at me, I feel no pain
Cause, ooh, baby
Doing our thing, oh, yeah
We're doing our thing
Nobody but you and me
And I like it like that
Just doing our thing
You better get
Yourself somebody, y'all
And start doing your thing
Cause I'm doing my thing
No, no, nobody
But me and my baby
We're doing our thing
And I like it like that
The song "Doin' Our Thing" by Clarence Carter, released in 1969, is a song about a couple who are enjoying their time together, doing what they like, and having fun while ignoring the world around them. The song's opening lines invite the listener to "get down with it" and implore the lover not to quit what they are doing. The song encourages the couple to be themselves, have fun, and enjoy every moment they spend together. The lyrics suggest that the two are so engrossed in each other that they are oblivious to anything else around them. The song communicates that doing their own thing is what keeps them happiest.
The song's second verse continues the theme of doing what makes them happy, emphasizing that some like it hot and some like it cold. It also suggests that they prefer someone who is not too young or too old, someone who is just the right fit for them. The chorus emphasizes the importance of making the most out of what they have, and they are content with enjoying each other's company. The song's lyrics imply that they're living in the present, and they're not looking back or worried about what the future may hold. They are confident that what they have right now is worth cherishing and that doing their own thing is the key to their happiness.
Line by Line Meaning
Aww, get down with it
Let's get started and have some fun
Baby, please don't quit it
Don't stop now or slow down
It won't be long
We won't have to wait much longer
Before the real nitty gritty
Before things get serious and intense
Some like it hot
Some prefer things to be exciting and fast-paced
And some like it cold
Others prefer things to be more relaxed and easy-going
Not too young
Not too inexperienced or immature
Certainly not too old
But also not too experienced or past their prime
Get what you can
Make the most of every opportunity
Is the name of the game
That's what it takes to succeed
But, ooh, baby
But we're not just playing a game
We're doing our thing, yeah
We're living life the way we want to
I know it's good, you do too
We both know that what we're doing is great
And it's gonna get better
It's only going to improve from here
Before we're through
Before we're finished or done
It's what you wanted
This is what you've been looking for
But not so fast
Don't rush into it too quickly
The slower you do it
Taking your time will lead to a better outcome
The longer it's gonna last
The more effort you put in, the more it will endure
And after while
Eventually
We'll join the whole gang
We'll be a part of the group again
Right now, right now
But for now, let's enjoy what we have
Ooh, baby, doing our thing
We're comfortable and happy living our own lives
It's so nice
It's great
When you have someone
When you're with someone you love
What two can do
The things that two people can accomplish together
Is a whole lotta fun
Are incredibly enjoyable
When I get started
When I begin doing something
I don't know how to quit, ha ha
I get so into it that I don't want to stop
And when I get tired
Even when I get worn out
I don't know how to sit
I keep going and don't take a break
Look at me, I feel no pain
I'm so happy that I don't feel any discomfort
Cause, ooh, baby
Because we're doing our thing and enjoying life
Doing our thing, oh, yeah
Living life the way we want to
We're doing our thing
We're living life on our own terms
Nobody but you and me
It's just the two of us, and that's all we need
And I like it like that
I'm happy with the way things are
You better get
You should make sure
Yourself somebody, y'all
Find someone to be with
And start doing your thing
And start living the way you want to
Cause I'm doing my thing
Because I'm happy living the way I want to
No, no, nobody
No one else
But me and my baby
Just me and my partner
We're doing our thing
Living our own lives
And I like it like that
And we're perfectly happy doing so
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: CLARENCE GEORGE CARTER, ALLYN LEE, CLIMMIE MC CANTS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Gail Waterbury
on Strokin
I remember the first time hearing this from my friend 20 years ago. Me being me fell in love with not only this but many other nasty songs. He'll I raised my kids on this s*** . Alongwith David Allen coe Even played this for my Grandma who almost died of laughter