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.
I'm Not In Love
Dee Dee Sharp Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
So don't forget it
Just a silly phase I'm going through
And just because
I call you up
Don't get me wrong, don't think you've got it made
I'm not in love, oh, no, it's because
But then again
That doesn't mean you mean that much to me
So if I call you
Don't make a fuss
Don't go and tell your friends about the two of us
I'm not in love, no no, it's because
Ooh, you'll wait a long time for me
Ooh, you'll wait a long time, yeah
I keep your picture
Up on the wall
It hides a messy stain that's lying there
So don't you ask me
To give it back
I know you know it doesn't mean one thing to me
I ain't in love, no no, it's because
Ooh, you'll wait a long time for me, yeah
Ooh, you'll wait a long time
I'm not in love
I'm not in love
It's because
Ooh, you'll wait a long time for me, honey
Ooh, you'll wait a long time
Better believe it, ooh
(keep waiting, keep waiting, waiting, waiting)
I ain't in love, oh no (keep waiting, keep waiting, waiting, waiting)
I ain't in love, I ain't in love, I ain't in love, I ain't in love, oh no
I ain't in love, I ain't in love, I ain't in love, I ain't in love
(Keep waiting, keep waiting, waiting, waiting)
I ain't in love, ooh
I ain't in love, no, no, no, no, no
I ain't in love, I ain't in love, I ain't in love, I ain't in love
I'm not in love, oh no
Me, in love?
I know you're crazy...
In Dee Dee Sharp Gamble's song "I'm Not In Love," the artist sings about how she's not in love with someone, but that doesn't mean they can't have some kind of relationship. The lyrics suggest that the person she's addressing wants more from her, but she's not interested in a serious commitment. She refers to her interest in him as "just a silly phase," and even though she calls him often, she doesn't want him to think that means anything.
The lyrics "I keep your picture up on the wall, it hides a messy stain that's lying there" give insight into the singer's feelings about the relationship. She's not interested in being romantically involved, and she's not ashamed to admit it. She's keeping his picture up on the wall, but it's not because she has feelings for him, it's just hiding a stain. Furthermore, she doesn't want him to make a fuss when she does call, and she warns him not to tell his friends about their interactions.
Overall, the lyrics to "I'm Not In Love" suggest that Dee Dee Sharp Gamble isn't interested in a committed romantic relationship. Rather, she's enjoying the attention of this person and wants to maintain some level of connection without leading him on. It's a multilayered song that delicately examines the complicated feelings and social expectations that come with relationships.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm not in love
I do not have romantic feelings for you.
So don't forget it
Please remember that I am not in love with you.
Just a silly phase I'm going through
It is just a temporary feeling that I am going through.
And just because
Please do not make any assumptions.
I call you up
If I call you, it does not mean that I am in love with you.
Don't get me wrong, don't think you've got it made
Please do not misunderstand my intentions or think that this means something more.
I'd like to see you
I would like to spend time with you.
But then again
But at the same time.
That doesn't mean you mean that much to me
This does not mean that you are very important to me.
So if I call you
Therefore, if I contact you.
Don't make a fuss
Please do not overreact.
Don't go and tell your friends about the two of us
Please do not share our interactions with others.
Ooh, you'll wait a long time for me
You will have to wait a considerable amount of time for anything romantic to happen between us.
I keep your picture
I still keep your photo.
Up on the wall
It is hanging on the wall.
It hides a messy stain that's lying there
The photo is covering up a stain on the wall.
So don't you ask me
Therefore, do not request me.
To give it back
To return the picture to you.
I know you know it doesn't mean one thing to me
I am aware that you know the picture is not that important to me.
I ain't in love
I am not in love with you.
Me, in love?
As if!
I know you're crazy...
I am aware that you are acting strangely.
Lyrics © MUSIC SALES CORPORATION, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kassner Associated Publishers Ltd
Written by: Eric Stewart, Graham Gouldman
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@wilsonocasio9950
She killed this tune. It's a damn shame we no longer have this type of soulful musical expression dominating the radio airwaves.
@jaysonbiggs8979
Unfortunately, rap and hip hop killed a lot of good music.
@michaelhughes432
@@jaysonbiggs8979 You are so right! I couldn't agree with you more! The late Ray Charles and James Brown didn't consider it music. Except maybe for the rhymes, what can of "entertainment" is there in "songs" with spitting and cursing and vulgar language in them?!
@LemurMaster
My favorite version of this classic tune. Dee Dee nails it!
@InfinitySalon
Truly a unsung heroine...what a voice such strength!!
@michaelmcgarry7701
I always loved this song...Dee Dee Sharp's version is incredible! Vocals and arrangement primo...
@williehorne4925
I remember this being a staple on WHUR the original quiet storm in the early 80s. She absolutely kills this. Great cover.
@Jetsea
Quiet Storm debut on WHUR in 1976 by the late and wonderful Melvin Lindsey.
@michaelhughes432
This is just as good as the 10cc version. But I didn't know she recorded it until I heard it on Quiet Storm!
@nachobuttmug8970
One of the sadder things in life is that there is not concert footage of her singing this live. The vocal, holy cow, could you imagine hearing it live?