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.
Wrong Too Long
Clarence Carter Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And I sent a special prayer, up to heaven
That you´ll return to me before I fall apart
While the choir sings hallelujah
I was singing with all my heart
Darling please come back and never leave me again
And this will be (this will be) the answer to my prayer
And I´ll wait, here for the answer
That you´ll come back, come back I pray
For if you stayed, away another hour
Well I don´t think I could last another day
While the choir sings hallaluyah
I was singing with all my heart
Darling please, come back and never leave me again
And this will be an answer to my prayer
FADES-
Umm, umm, umm, um-hm
Umm, umm, umm, um-hm
Umm, umm, umm, um-hm
Clarence Carter's song "Wrong Too Long" is a song about a man who is pleading with his lover to come back to him. The song is an emotional ballad that is filled with religious symbolism and metaphors. The song starts with the singer singing along to the choir's rendition of Ave Marie. He is singing with all his heart and sending a special prayer to the heavens, hoping that his lover will return to him before he falls apart. The singer then tells his lover that he will wait for her, and all he wants is for her to come back to him and never leave him again. He pleads with her to come back and never leave him again. The song ends with the singer repeating the chorus, hoping that his prayer will be answered.
The lyrics of "Wrong Too Long" are filled with religious symbolism and metaphors, reflecting Carter's upbringing in the Deep South. The song's chorus is lifted from the song, "Search Me Lord," a gospel tune that Carter had heard in church when he was younger. The song is a perfect example of the southern soul genre, known for its emotional songs and passionate performances. The song has since become a classic, and has been covered by many artists over the years.
Line by Line Meaning
While the choir sang, Ave Marie I was singing with all my heart
While others were praising God, I was filled with love for you
And I sent a special prayer, up to heaven
I prayed that you would return to me
That you´ll return to me before I fall apart
I need you back, or else I'll be lost without you
While the choir sings hallelujah
Others are rejoicing in the Lord
Darling please come back and never leave me again
I can't bear being separated from you. Please stay with me forever
And this will be (this will be) the answer to my prayer
Reuniting with you is the only thing that can make my prayers come true
And I´ll wait, here for the answer
I'll remain hopeful that we'll be together again
That you´ll come back, come back I pray
Please come back to me. I'm begging you
For if you stayed, away another hour
I can't handle any more time apart from you
Well I don´t think I could last another day
I'm so lost without you that I couldn't go on for another day
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Royalty Network
Written by: Jerry Butler, Otis Redding
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@davidlyons1654
I really enjoy all of Carter's songs, I am transported back to a time of before I was even born, and I love it.
@antwinegraves9181
this old school song..... f*** I love it!!! This song is about life the grass is not always greener on the other side...
@Juan05021985
Been looking for this for 20 years...thx
@i-a-g-r-e-e-----f-----jo--b
Thanks for posting, looking at the title I thought, before I heard it, maybe it was a phallic reference, lol.
@cassandramitch8793
What a wonderful but true song. love Clarence Carter!
@everwonderful
So soothing
@arnoldhinton9483
Turning back time is a bitch! It just can"t be done.
@sibusisodlamini9097
It's funny how easily we get blinded by love especially when we're stealing it, hoping that we'll apologize and get away with it" Wrong too long,heh"
@ann-marieclarke1191
Sibusiso Dlamini this singer is blind in real life.
@JomoDaMusicMan
@@ann-marieclarke1191 WHO N THE HELL DIDN'T KNOW CLARENCE CARTER WAS BLIND IN REAL LIFE