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.
Steal Away
Clarence Carter Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
What would I give just to have you near?
Tell me you will try to slip away somehow
Oh, I need you, darling, I want to see you right now
Can you slip away? Slip away, slip away
Oh, I need you so
When you steal it, darling
Let me tell you somethin'
Now how sweet it is
Now I know it's wrong
The things I ask you to do
But please believe me, darling
I don't mean to hurt you
But could you just slip away
Without him knowing you're gone
Then we could meet somewhere
Somewhere where we're both are not known
And can you slip away? Slip away, slip away
I need you so
Oh, can you slip away, baby
I'd like to see you right now, darling
Can you slip away now, baby
'Cause I got to, I got to see you
I feel a deep burning inside
Oh, I wish you could slip away
The song "Steal Away" by Clarence Carter is a soulful ballad about a man who yearns to be with a woman who is already in a relationship with someone else. The lyrics speak to the desperate desire to be with someone you love, even if it means going against societal norms and morals.
The song begins with the line "What would I give for just a few moments? What would I give just to have you near?" suggesting the intensity of the man's feelings for the woman. He then pleads with her to "slip away somehow" so that he can see her, expressing his need to be in her company. He acknowledges that what he is asking is wrong, but his love is so strong that he is willing to risk it all just for a chance to be with her.
The chorus of the song repeats the line "Can you slip away?" three times, which reinforces the idea that the man is willing to do whatever it takes to be with his love. He describes love as being "sweet" when it's stolen, and while he acknowledges that it's wrong, he still seems to feel that the ends justify the means. The song ends with the haunting line, "I feel a deep burning inside, oh, I wish you could slip away," conveying the intense longing that the man has for the woman.
Overall, "Steal Away" is a beautifully written and passionately performed love song that explores the complexities of illicit love and the lengths to which one will go for the object of their affection.
Line by Line Meaning
What would I give for just a few moments?
The singer expresses his craving to spend few moments with his beloved.
What would I give just to have you near?
The singer reveals his desire to have his beloved near him.
Tell me you will try to slip away somehow
The singer asks his beloved to escape secretly and meet him.
Oh, I need you, darling, I want to see you right now
The artist confesses his urgent need to meet his beloved.
Can you slip away? Slip away, slip away
The artist repeatedly urges his beloved to secretly leave and meet him.
Oh, I need you so
The singer reiterates his strong desire to be with his beloved.
Love, oh, love, how sweet it is
The singer praises the beauty and sweetness of love.
When you steal it, darling
The artist suggests that love can be stolen from someone else's possession.
Let me tell you somethin'
The artist is about to convey some message to his beloved.
Now how sweet it is
The artist reiterates the sweetness of the love he desires to have with his beloved.
Now I know it's wrong
The singer acknowledges that his desire to be with his beloved is morally wrong.
The things I ask you to do
The artist admits that he is requesting his beloved to do something questionable.
But please believe me, darling
The singer assures his beloved that he means no harm.
I don't mean to hurt you
The singer expresses that he does not intend to cause any harm to his beloved.
But could you just slip away
The singer requests his beloved to secretly leave and join him.
Without him knowing you're gone
The artist urges his beloved to escape without being noticed by her partner.
Then we could meet somewhere
The artist suggests meeting his beloved at an unknown location.
Somewhere where we're both are not known
The singer desires to meet his beloved at a location where neither of them is recognized.
And can you slip away? Slip away, slip away
The singer continues to plead with his beloved to secretly leave and meet him.
I need you so
The artist reiterates his strong desire to be with his beloved.
Oh, can you slip away, baby
The artist addresses his beloved in an endearing manner and urges her to secretly leave and meet him.
I'd like to see you right now, darling
The artist desires to meet his beloved urgently.
Cause I got to, I got to see you
The singer explains his compulsive desire to meet his beloved.
I feel a deep burning inside
The artist acknowledges his intense feeling of love and desire for his beloved.
Oh, I wish you could slip away
The singer expresses his wish for his beloved to secretly leave and meet him.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: ANN HUGHES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@adaweston9660
I am in my 80's and I still remember this kind of music. It's wonderful.
@grantsmythe8625
Yes it is. Brings back good memories.
@MsCatslady
I wish all these songs were back again. Love them Remember dancing to them. in different places. Can remember all of them. Those were the days.
@user-bd4qy5lq2h
I'm in my 70s and I'm right next to you 😅
@mic982
Well, I should hope so, how could (or would) anyone forget it? It's wonderful that you still have your memories, I'm only 70s and I hope I keep mine as long as you!
@jessiecrawford6836
@@user-bd4qy5lq2hyvoaq
@steelmank4771
I'll be 70 yrs of age soon, but this song has never lost it's appeal to me, nor failed to resonate - taking me back to my teen years. My best friend Gene and I tore up the roads of SW Wisconsin, playing this tune on the radio and 8 track. Gene has gone home now, having surrendered to dementia in Nov 2019. RIP Gene, and thank you for your friendship. You were genuine. Blessings on you.
@richardpetrey1400
I am turning 70 and I love this song!!!!!!!!!!!💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖
@lisamartin2210
Hellyea
@colewho8913
LONG LIVE GENE