In 1962 she began a string of successful Billboard Hot 100 Top 10 hits: "Slow Twistin'" (with Chubby Checker) (#3), "Mashed Potato Time" (#2), "Gravy (For My Mashed Potatoes)" (#9), "Ride" (#5) and "Do the Bird" (#10). Both "Mashed Potato Time" and "Ride" each sold over one million copies, and were awarded gold discs. "Do the Bird" provided her only entry in the UK Singles Chart, where it peaked at #46 in April 1963. In 1967, she married record producer Kenny Gamble and has since recorded under the name Dee Dee Sharp-Gamble.
She had a brief career resurgence during the disco era and hit the charts again with her version of 10 CC's "I'm Not In Love." She also joined Lou Rawls, Billy Paul, Teddy Pendergrass, The O'Jays and Archie Bell) as a member of the Philadelphia International All Stars, who had a minor hit with "Let's Clean Up the Ghetto." During this time she was married to Philadelphia International co-founder Kenny Gamble, and was known professionally as Dee Dee Sharp Gamble. The couple later divorced.
In 1981 she spent four weeks at number one on the Hot Dance Club Play chart with "Breaking and Entering" / "Easy Money," from her album Dee Dee.
More recent appearances included a performance at Pontins in the UK for the Northern Soul Show, and at the 2008 Detroit Jazz Festival. In May 2009, she appeared in Belgium at the Salle De L'Hotel de Ville.
Sharp and her husband Bill Witherspoon have been residents of Medford, New Jersey.
A Hundred Pounds Of Clay
Dee Dee Sharp Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Every night I say a prayer
For the boy who gave me my start, Chubby Checker
And I say my thanks to someone up above
Who did a wonderful job
He took two hundred pounds of clay
I'm gonna fix this world today
Because it needs some twistin'"
And he rolled his big sleeves up
And a brand new world began
He created Chubby and a...
Lots of twistin' for romance
Yes, he did, mm-hmm
With just two hundred pounds of clay
He made my life worth living
And I will thank him every day
For every twist, you're giving
And I'll thank him for the night
For the arms that are holding me tight
And he did it all with...
Just two hundred pounds of clay
Yes he did, woah, yes he did... Mm-hmm
Now, can't you see him walking around n' 'round
Picking up-a clay from a-off the ground
Doing just-a what he should do
To make a twistin' dream like you
Then he rolled his big sleeves up
And a brand new world began
He created Chubby and a...
Lots of twistin' for romance
Yes, he did, just two hundred pounds of clay
Mmmm, people let me tell you what he did
With just two hundred pounds of clay
People let me tell you what he did
With just two hundred pounds of clay
The lyrics to Dee Dee Sharp's song "A Hundred Pounds of Clay" are about the power of creativity and the ability for one person to make a substantial impact in the world. Sharp begins by saying that every night she says a prayer for the boy who gave her her start, Chubby Checker, and thanks a higher power for doing a wonderful job. She then goes on to describe how this higher power "took two hundred pounds of clay" and said "I'm gonna fix this world today, because it needs some twistin'". With just two hundred pounds of clay, he created Chubby Checker and a brand new world of twistin' for romance. Sharp expresses her gratitude for this creator, saying that he made her life worth living by giving her every twist, and she'll thank him every day for the arms that are holding her tight. The lyrics end by repeating the idea that this creator did it all with just two hundred pounds of clay, emphasizing the power of creativity.
Line by Line Meaning
Every night I say a prayer
At the end of each day, I show my gratitude towards the forces that shape my life
For the boy who gave me my start, Chubby Checker
I express my thankfulness for Chubby Checker, who gave me the opportunity to begin my music career
And I say my thanks to someone up above
I offer my appreciation to a higher power, who has granted me blessings beyond my control
Who did a wonderful job
Their superb work has made my life better in many ways
He took two hundred pounds of clay
This creator used a small amount of basic materials to achieve great things
And then he said, 'Hey, listen, I'm gonna fix this world today Because it needs some twistin'
This divine sculptor realized the world was lacking a crucial aspect, and set out to bring joy and fun to the masses
And he rolled his big sleeves up
He got to work with great passion and enthusiasm
And a brand new world began
The world was transformed into a more exciting and dynamic place
He created Chubby and a... Lots of twistin' for romance
The artist crafted something amazing and unique, which revolutionized the music scene and led to new styles and forms of expression
Yes, he did, mm-hmm With just two hundred pounds of clay
His incredible feats were achieved using only basic materials, which goes to show that great things can come from humble beginnings
He made my life worth living
Through his work, he gave me a purpose and a reason to enjoy life
And I will thank him every day
I am committed to showing my appreciation for this magnificent creator on a daily basis
For every twist, you're giving
I am grateful for the creativity and imagination that has gone into every aspect of this artist's work
And I'll thank him for the night
I am thankful for the many wonderful moments and memories created by this divine artist
For the arms that are holding me tight
I cherish the intimacy and love that comes from my relationships, which have been fostered and enhanced by the work of this creator
And he did it all with... Just two hundred pounds of clay
Despite the limitations of resources, this brilliant artist was able to make a huge impact on the world and in my life
Now, can't you see him walking around n' 'round Picking up-a clay from a-off the ground
Imagining this creator in action inspires me to believe that anything is possible with hard work and determination, regardless of the starting point
Doing just-a what he should do To make a twistin' dream like you
This master artist recognized his divine purpose and worked tirelessly to bring joy and meaning to the lives of others
Then he rolled his big sleeves up
He was not afraid to roll up his sleeves and get dirty in pursuit of his goals
And a brand new world began
The impact of this creator's work was so groundbreaking that it fundamentally changed the nature of the world around him
People let me tell you what he did
I want to share the astounding achievements of this creator with everyone, so they too can be inspired and uplifted
Writer(s): Luther Dixon, Kay Rogers, Bob Elgin
Contributed by Tyler O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.