The Compulsive Gamblers were formed in Memphis, TN, in 1990 by Greg Cartwright and Jack Yarber, two friends who had played in a number of rough and ready punk bands in the deep south.
Originally calling themselves the Painkillers, by 1991 guitar maulers Cartwright and Yarber were joined by Philip "Flipper" Tubb on keyboards, drummer Rod "Bushrod" Thomas, and fiddler Greg Easterly, and the new handle the Compulsive Gamblers was adopted.
Hitting the Memphis club circuit, the band recorded a four-song EP, Joker, in someone's kitchen in late 1991; released a year later, the record helped to win them a local following, and two more discs, Church Goin' and Goodtime, followed in 1994.
However, while the singles did reasonably well and the band began developing a powerful reputation on the road as a first-class live act, after Thomas and Easterly relocated to New Orleans, it became difficult for the band to hold together, and in 1995 the band broke up, with their recordings compiled on a CD released by Sympathy for the Record Industry, Gamblin' Days Are Over.
Cartwright and Yarber almost immediately re-emerged with a new group, the Oblivians (in which they renamed themselves Greg Oblivian and Jack Oblivian), but after the Oblivians folded in 1997, Greg and Jack opted to give the Compulsive Gamblers another try, this time as a three-piece with Thomas back behind the drums. The new Compulsive Gamblers trio released an album, Bluff City, in 1999, and added bassist Jeff Meier for a European tour later that year. Brendan Lee Spengler signed on as keyboardist in time to record the Crystal Gazing Luck Amazing album, and a live set followed in 2003. The Compulsive Gamblers also had the honor of backing up R&B legend Andre Williams on several cuts on his album The Black Godfather.
Stop & Think It Over
Compulsive Gamblers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But little girl just put your hand in mine
You'll see, what a good good man I'd be
And all your friends, well they say I'm bad
I ain't no different than any other guy you've had
before, except I need you more
You better stop and think it over again
think it over again
Though times won't always be as hard as these
Little girl I'm begging on bending knee
Please stay, you're too old to run away
And if you stay right by my side
You know I'll love you 'til the very day I die,
It's true, I love only you
You better stop and think it over girl
You better stop and think it over again
think it over again
I know your folks give you a hard time
Little girl just put your hand in mine
You'll see, what a good good man I'd be
And all your friends, well they say I'm bad
I ain't no different than any other guy you've had
before, except I need you more
You better
Stop, and think it over girl
You better
Stop, and think it over girl
You better
Stop, and think it over
Stop, and think it over
Stop, and think it over
Stop, and think it over
uh huh
Think it over, girl
You've got a big decision
The Compulsive Gamblers' song "Stop & Think It Over" is a plea from a man to a woman who he deeply loves. He acknowledges the difficulties she faces with her family's disapproval and her friend's criticisms, but he urges her to put her trust in him and to see the kind of man he is. He believes that his love for her is true and he will cherish her until he dies. Despite the hardships they may face, he is willing to do whatever it takes to keep her by his side. The song conveys the message that even though the woman may be uncertain and hesitant, she should weigh her options carefully and make the right decision.
The song has a nostalgic and heartwarming tone, with a touch of melancholy. The lead singer's voice is soulful and raw, adding to the emotional depth of the lyrics. The use of traditional blues guitar chords and the repetitive structure of the song further emphasize the message of persistence and unwavering commitment.
Line by Line Meaning
I know your folks give you a hard time
I understand that your family is not in favor of us being together
But little girl just put your hand in mine
But if you take my hand, I will take care of you
You'll see, what a good good man I'd be
I will prove to you that I am a good man and can provide for you
And all your friends, well they say I'm bad
I know your friends do not approve of us being together
I ain't no different than any other guy you've had
But I am not different from any other guy you've been with
before, except I need you more
The only difference is that I need you more than anyone else
You better stop and think it over girl
You should take some time and consider the impact of our relationship
You better stop and think it over again
You should reconsider your decision
think it over again
Reflect and rethink about our relationship
Though times won't always be as hard as these
Although times are tough right now, things will get better
Little girl I'm begging on bending knee
I am asking you to stay with me on my knees
Please stay, you're too old to run away
Please stay with me, you are too old to keep running away from relationships
And if you stay right by my side
If you stay with me, I will be there for you always
You know I'll love you 'til the very day I die,
I will love you forever
It's true, I love only you
My love is reserved for only you
Stop, and think it over girl
Please take some time to think about our relationship
Think it over, girl
Reflect and think about our relationship
You've got a big decision
You have to make an important decision about our relationship
Contributed by Christian C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Bunch Of Tacos
Lyrics:
I know your folks give you a hard time
But little girl just put your hand in mine
You'll see, what a good good man I'd be
And all your friends, well they say I'm bad
I ain't no different than any other guy you've had
before, except I need you more
You better stop and think it over girl
You better stop and think it over again
think it over again
Though times won't always be as hard as these
Little girl I'm begging on bending knee
Please stay, you're too old to run away
And if you stay right by my side
You know I'll love you 'til the very day I die,
It's true, I love only you
You better stop and think it over girl
You better stop and think it over again
think it over again
I know your folks give you a hard time
Little girl just put your hand in mine
You'll see, what a good good man I'd be
And all your friends, well they say I'm bad
I ain't no different than any other guy you've had
before, except I need you more
You better
Stop, and think it over girl
You better
Stop, and think it over girl
You better
Stop, and think it over
Stop, and think it over
Stop, and think it over
Stop, and think it over
uh huh
Think it over, girl
You've got a big decision
James Cole
This band can die knowing they made one of the greatest rock and roll records ever recorded.
Hayden Courtney
Amen
Mark Dempsey
Yes!
Rico Caraco
Yes mate
Craig Champagne
This is a composition totally faithful to the great legacy of the "Merseybeat" genre of rock music that gave us The Beatles, Freddie and the Dreamers, The Dave Clark Five, Gerry and the Pacemakers, and bands like that. It is a great song.
Spectrescup
Craig Champagne I used to be embarrassed that the first band I saw play live, performing in a pantomime when I was about 11, were Freddie and the Dreamers.
VanielDeeform
But also very much like The Ramones as well.
Gang
What?
This sounds like a Springsteen song.
Keith Carpenter
"I 'aint no different than any other guy you've had...before...except I need you more." Greg is a genius.
joking sun
This song just releases so much positive vibes its amazing