She was born as Doris Elaine Higginsen, in The Bronx, the daughter of a Barbadian Pentecostal minister. She later took her grandmother's name and grew up as Doris Payne. Her parents disapproved of "subversive" forms of music like rhythm & blues, so she cut her teeth singing in her father's choir. She was working as an usherette at the Apollo where she was discovered by James Brown.
Troy worked with Solomon Burke, The Drifters, Cissy Houston, and Dionne Warwick, before she co-wrote and recorded "Just One Look", which hit #10 in the US Billboard Hot 100 in 1963. The song has been covered by The Hollies, Linda Ronstadt, Bryan Ferry, Anne Murray, Klaus Nomi, and Harry Nilsson. Her only foray into the UK Singles Chart, "Whatcha Gonna Do About It", peaked at #37 in December 1964.
As her solo career peaked, she sang back-up for the Rolling Stones, Humble Pie, Kevin Ayers, Pink Floyd (on their album The Dark Side of the Moon), George Harrison, Johnny Hallyday, Vivian Stanshall, Dusty Springfield, Nick Drake, Junior Campbell and Carly Simon.
She was signed by The Beatles to their Apple Records label in 1969, and released the Doris Troy album the following year, co-produced by Troy and George Harrison. Troy worked in the UK throughout the 1970s, appearing at Ronnie Scott's Club and recording a live album, The Rainbow Testament. Her People Records album, Stretching Out, was not a big seller.
Mama, I Want To Sing is a stage musical based on her life, and was co-written with her sister, Vy, a popular New York radio personality. It ran for 1,500 performances at the Heckscher Theatre in Harlem. Troy played her own mother, Geraldine. Chaka Khan played her aunt in the London production, as did Deniece Williams. The musical has been reinterpreted as an upcoming motion picture, starring Ciara, Patti Labelle and Hill Harper.
Troy died from emphysema at her home in Las Vegas, Nevada, aged 67.
What'cha Gonna Do About It
Doris Troy Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
They tell me that you're not at home
But last night when I called you
Before I said hello
I could hear you (hear you)
Saying in the background
(Saying in the background)
Oh, yeah (tell him I'm not home)
If, by chance, you found somebody new
And you don't know what to say or do
I'd feel better when I called you
If you asked me not to phone
Instead of saying (hear you)
Saying in the background
(Saying in the background)
Oh, yeah (tell him I'm not home)
(Not home) not home
(Not home) not home (not home)
Don't't lie, don't lie
Baby, don't lie
If you don't want to talk to me, baby
Please tell me why
The next time I call you on the phone
Don't let them tell me
That you're not at home
I'd feel better if you told me
That I am on my own
Instead of saying (hear you)
Saying in the background
(Saying in the background)
Oh, yeah (tell him I'm not home)
(Not home) not home
(Not home) not home
(Not home) not home (not home)
Every time I call you, baby
Somebody tells me that you're not home
And I getting sick and tired
Of the way you...
The song "What'cha Gonna Do About It" by Doris Troy is a classic soulful plea from a lover who is not getting the attention they deserve. The lyrics suggest that every time the singer calls their lover, they are told that they are not home. However, one night while calling, they hear the lover in the background telling someone to say that they are not there. This makes the singer feel even more neglected and unwanted. They ask their lover to be honest with them and not to lie. They want to know if their lover has found someone new and if so, to be straightforward with them. The singer asks their lover not to be afraid to say that they are not interested anymore, rather than avoiding their calls and leaving them in confusion.
The song's lyrics are about the frustration one can feel when they are not receiving the love and attention they need from someone. The singer wants honest communication and clarity in their relationship, but their lover is avoiding the topic. This song could resonate with anyone who has been in a similar situation where they feel neglected or unimportant to the person they care about.
Line by Line Meaning
Every time I call you on the phone
Whenever I try to call you, you are never available to answer.
They tell me that you're not at home
The person who answers the phone tells me that you are not there.
But last night when I called you
On the last occasion that I called you,
Before I said hello
Before I had a chance to greet you,
I could hear you (hear you)
I was able to listen in on your conversation,
Saying in the background
Talking quietly so that I couldn't hear,
(Saying in the background)
(Making comments without realizing I could hear them),
Oh, yeah (tell him I'm not home)
Oh yeah, (confirming my assumption that you were pretending not to be there).
You're never home
You are never available to take my calls.
If, by chance, you found somebody new
If you happened to meet someone else,
And you don't know what to say or do
And you're not sure how to explain our relationship,
I'd feel better when I called you
I would be happier if you were honest with me
If you asked me not to phone
If you requested that I not call you,
Instead of saying (hear you)
Rather than talking about me behind my back,
Saying in the background
Whispering so that I can't hear,
(Saying in the background)
(Making up excuses for not being available),
Oh, yeah (tell him I'm not home)
Oh yeah, (confirming my assumption that you were avoiding me).
(Not home) not home
(Pretending not to be there),
(Not home) not home (not home)
(Avoiding my calls completely).
Don't't lie, don't lie
Please don't tell a falsehood,
Baby, don't lie
Don't deceive me, darling.
If you don't want to talk to me, baby
If you don't want to speak with me,
Please tell me why
Please give me a reason or explanation,
The next time I call you on the phone
The subsequent time that I try to phone you,
Don't let them tell me
Don't allow the person who answers the phone to deceive me,
That you're not at home
That you are not present and available to answer my call.
I'd feel better if you told me
It would put my mind at ease if you were straightforward with me,
That I am on my own
And I am free to move on without you.
Contributed by Annabelle V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.