Donald Randolph was born in Orangeburg, South Carolina, United States. His father a Baptist preacher died when Don was eight. Covay resettled in Washington D.C. during the early 1950s and initially sang in the Cherry Keys, his family's gospel quartet. He crossed over to secular music with the Rainbows, a formative group which also included Marvin Gaye and Billy Stewart. Covay's solo career began in 1957 as part of the Little Richard Revue.
A single "Bip Bop Bip" was released on Atlantic and produced by Little Richard, on which Covay was billed as "Pretty Boy". It also featured his backing band the Upsetters. Over the next few years Covay drifted from label to label, but a further dance-oriented track called "Popeye Waddle" was a hit in 1962. He also wrote and recorded "Pony Time" which later became a US #1 single for Chubby Checker. Covay meanwhile honed his songwriting skills by penning a hit for Solomon Burke, "I'm Hanging Up My Heart for You", while Gladys Knight & The Pips reached the US Top 20 with "Letter Full of Tears".
Covay's singing career continued to falter until 1964, when he signed to the Rosemart label. His debut single there with the Goodtimers, "Mercy Mercy" (accompanied by a young Jimi Hendrix on guitar), established his earthy bluesy style. Atlantic bought his contract, but, while several R&B hits followed, it was a year before Covay returned to the pop chart. "See Saw", co-written with Steve Cropper and recorded at Stax, paved the way for more hits.
Don Covay's songs still remain successful: Aretha Franklin won a Grammy for her performance of his composition "Chain of Fools". He is a legendary composer and singer, best known for his R&B classic compositions "Mercy Mercy", "Chain of Fools", "See Saw" and "Sookie Sookie". Covay had success as a singer as Don Covay and The Goodtimers, and his compositions have been recorded by such varied artists as Steppenwolf, Bobby Womack, The Rolling Stones, Wilson Pickett, The Small Faces, Grant Green, Peter Wolf and many more.
Don Covay had a stroke in 1992, and the following year Ronnie Wood of the Rolling Stones appeared, with Iggy Pop, Todd Rundgren and others on a Covay tribute album Back to the Streets: Celebrating the Music of Don Covay. The same year he was presented by the Rhythm and Blues Foundation with one of its Pioneer Awards.
He released an album Adlib in 2000 on the Cannonball label, his first album in 23 years. Collaborating musicians included Paul Rodgers, Wilson Pickett, Lee Konitz, Otis Clay, Kim Simmonds, Ann Peebles, Syl Johnson, Paul Shaffer, Huey Lewis, and Dan Penn. The cover art was by Ronnie Wood.
Covay died on January 30, 2015 at the age of 76.
Overtime Man
Don Covay Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Where his love stop
Mine begin, oh
I'm the overtime man
And I don't mind puttin' the hours in
All you dudes, I'm warnin' you
You better see your old lady
Stop gettin' what you want
And leavin' her uptight
Or I'll see that she get it
Her love rights
When you stumble and fall
Down on the job
I'm the one who sees
That her problem is solved, Lord!
I'm the overtime man-a
Where your love stop, mine begin
Lord, have mercy
I'm the overtime man, ya'all
And I don't mind puttin' the hours in
Listen, I'm Sheriff from sweetback
Rolled into one
Satisfaction guaranteed or get a refund
I'm a bad, bad, undercover cat
Girl, get your pencil
And make the note of that
When his motor stop a-runnin'
He pulls over to the curb
I'll be steady rollin' baby
Using my reserve
Lord, I'm an overtime man, ya'all
Where your love stop, mine begin
Lord have mercy
Overtime man, ya'all
Takes care of homework that's undone
The overtime man, yeah
Lord!
Will add your woman to his run
All you dudes
Tryin' to kill to birds with one stone
Throwin' your love in the street
And bring the leftovers home
You're invitin' me
To your residence
I'll be gettin' the joy, brother
While you're payin' the rent
While you're out in the street
Havin' yourself a ball
I'll be steady makin' my
Regular house calls, Lord!
'Cause I'm the overtime man, fellas
Where your love stop, mine begin
Listen
'Cause I'm the overtime man
Lord, I'm the long distance man
I got more love
Tender love
The moment you leave.
The song "Overtime Man" by Don Covay is a classic soul jam that has lyrics detailing the singer's prowess and interest in keeping his partner satisfied. He refers to himself as an "overtime man" who doesn't mind putting in work to bring his lady pleasure. He warns other men against leaving their partners unsatisfied and instead encourages them to see their love interests through to the end. The singer tells the listener that he is the man who will step in and solve any problems his partner may have when she is not pleased with her significant other.
The song is passionate and energetic, with Covay's smooth vocals backed by a funky beat and blues-inspired guitars. The lyrics illustrate the classic soul trope of a man who is confident in his ability to please his partner and is willing to go the extra mile to keep her happy. The song can be interpreted as a call to action for men to take responsibility for their partners' satisfaction, and for women to seek out lovers who are committed to giving them pleasure.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm the overtime man, girls
I am a reliable and hard-working man who is always willing to put in extra hours to satisfy my partner.
Where his love stop
When your partner's love and affection fail, and you don't know where to turn, I'm here for you.
Mine begin, oh
I will pick up where your partner leaves off, and you will experience a new level of love and happiness.
And I don't mind puttin' the hours in
I am committed to giving you the time and effort necessary to build a lasting and fulfilling relationship.
You better see your old lady all the way through
If you're going to start a relationship, you need to be prepared to see it through to the end, or you'll face the consequences.
Stop gettin' what you want, and leavin' her uptight
Stop treating your partner poorly, making her feel neglected and unloved. It's not fair or right.
Or I'll see that she get it her love rights
If you won't treat your partner well, I'll step in and take care of her needs, giving her the love and respect that she deserves.
I'm the one who sees that her problem is solved, Lord!
If you're having relationship troubles, I'm the one who can help you work them out and find a solution to your problems.
Satisfaction guaranteed or get a refund
I am so confident in my ability to satisfy you that I offer a money-back guarantee if I fail to do so.
When his motor stop a-runnin', he pulls over to the curb
When your partner is no longer able to satisfy you, he'll give up and leave you stranded.
I'll be steady rollin' baby using my reserve
I'll always be ready and willing to step up and provide the love and affection that you need.
The overtime man, ya'all, takes care of homework that's undone
I am capable of taking care of all the things that your partner neglects -- the small things that make a big difference in any relationship.
Will add your woman to his run
I'll make sure that I give your partner the love and affection she deserves, and I won't stop until she's completely satisfied.
While you're payin' the rent
While you're busy with your job and other responsibilities, I'll be the one putting in the effort to make your partner happy and fulfilled in the relationship.
'Cause I'm the overtime man, fellas, where your love stop, mine begin
When your partner's love fails, I'm here to pick up the slack and give you the love and affection that you need.
'Cause I'm the long distance man
I'll go the distance to make sure that you feel loved and appreciated, no matter where you are or what you need.
I got more love, tender love, the moment you leave
I have an endless supply of love and affection, and I'll be here to give it to you whenever you need it most.
Lyrics © RAWSTOCK MUSIC
Written by: DON COVAY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
cameraz99
I used to have a 45 rpm of this song in the '70s. I loved it! 👍👍👍
Atomank68
Never forget this brother. Died waaay too soon!!!
Angel Vazquez
a classic one...
Atomank68
Well, sheez mah mouth!!! I knew of the stroke that left him whellchaired-bound for many years. It great to hears that he's still with us. He should come out from under and perform for the public. Boy, do we need the original "Soul Men, Stirrers". There harldly any left!!!
Francis Pi
He is still alive..
roc x
my jam
eel nai
Groove for fucking days. Good bless
CaesarTzar
super dude #1
Anthony Harford
Have you heard "Don't step on a man when he's down" from super dude #1?
roc x
r i p brother ..2015 @ 78 years old