A professional singer since she was fifteen, Brooks' début, a cover of Etta James's "Something's Got A Hold On Me", was released on Decca in 1964. Later she became the vocalist with a British 12-piece Stax-influenced, jazz-rock fusion band called Dada that released one, eponymous, album in 1970.
Brooks, along with guitarist Pete Gage, singer Robert Palmer and bassist Steve York formed Vinegar Joe in 1971, adding keyboard player Dave Thompson. The band was without a drummer; Conrad Isidore and Rob Tait drummed on the first album, released in 1972.
In 1974, after three albums Vinegar Joe split and Brooks went solo. After a time in the US as backing singer with the American southern boogie band Wet Willie, she returned to England. Her first solo album on A&M records was Rich Man's Woman (1975).
Break the Chain
Elkie Brooks Lyrics
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(Break the chain now, come and break the chain now)
I been waitin' boy to to do some talkin'
To lay it on the line, talk love or start walkin'
There'd be no better love if only you would free it
To start the fire, love this is how I see it
(We could break it down)
We could keep the tide at bay, babe
(We could turn it round)
I can't do it on my own now
Don't you know that it takes two
While we stand face to face
I'll tell you what we got to do
What we got to do
Let's break the chain
Let's break the chain
Don't fall in love to fall out again
Why do you lead me in this crazy dance
Just give it up and give our love a chance
All the heartache will be worth the pain
Say there'll be no more fighting
No more lovin' in vain
Come on baby
Break the chain
(Breaking, break the chain)
Why do we fall in love only to break up
And if that ain't enough, we fight and then we make up
And boy if you don't give what you expect to take out
We got a chance to fly but first we got to break out
And if there's a fire all around us
(Love put out the flame)
I will show that love has found us
(Just you call my name)
You come out and say it, be loved or be free
Come on and stay and take this love from me
If we can find the key
Let's break the chain
Let's break the chain
Don't fall in love to fall out again
Why do you lead me in this crazy dance
Just give it up and give our love a chance
All the heartache will be worth the pain
Say there'll be no more fighting
No more lovin' in vain
Come on baby
Break the chain
(Breaking, break the chain)
(Breaking, break the chain)
(Break the chain now, come and break the chain now)
(Break the chain now, come and break the chain now)
Let's break the chain
Let's break the chain
Don't fall in love to fall out again
Why do you lead me in this crazy dance
Just give it up and give our love a chance
All the heartache will be worth the pain
Say there'll be no more fighting
No more lovin' in vain
Come on baby
Break the chain
(Breaking, break the chain)
(Break the chain now, come and break the chain now)
(Break the chain now, come and break the chain now)
(Break the chain now, come and break the chain now)
Elkie Brooks' song "Break the Chain" is about breaking free from the cycle of falling in love, fighting, and breaking up. She addresses her partner and tells him that they need to communicate and decide whether they want to be together or not. She suggests that they can break any obstacles in their way and turn their relationship around, but only if they work together. She expresses her frustration with the constant cycle of heartache and fights and implies that they will have to take a risk and break away from the chain to make it work.
The song is uplifting and empowering, with a strong beat and catchy chorus. The lyrics are filled with metaphors indicating that love is a tangled web that needs to be undone or a burden that needs to be lifted. The repeated line "break the chain now" is a call to action, urging the listener to take control of their situation.
Overall, "Break the Chain" is a message of hope and encouragement, reminding us that with the right mindset and effort, we can break free from negative patterns in our lives and create a better future.
Line by Line Meaning
I been waitin' boy to to do some talkin'
I have been waiting for the right opportunity to have a serious conversation with you.
To lay it on the line, talk love or start walkin'
To speak honestly about our feelings and intentions in this relationship, or to end it.
There'd be no better love if only you would free it
The love between us could be amazing, but only if you allow it to develop without constraints and limitations.
To start the fire, love this is how I see it
To spark the passion and intensity of our love, this is what I believe needs to happen.
If there's a mountain in our way, babe
If there are obstacles or challenges in our relationship.
(We could break it down)
We have the ability to overcome these challenges and barriers.
We could keep the tide at bay, babe
We could prevent the ebb and flow of difficulties from overwhelming our relationship.
(We could turn it round)
We have the power to turn our relationship around for the better.
I can't do it on my own now
I need your help and commitment to make this work.
Don't you know that it takes two
You need to understand that a successful relationship requires effort and involvement from both parties.
While we stand face to face
As we confront each other with our feelings and expectations.
I'll tell you what we got to do
I will communicate what actions we need to take for our relationship to succeed.
Let's break the chain
Let's break free from the negative patterns and behaviors that have been holding our relationship back.
Don't fall in love to fall out again
Let's not waste our time and energy in a love that is destined to fail.
Why do you lead me in this crazy dance
Why do you continue to engage in dysfunctional behavior that damages our relationship?
Just give it up and give our love a chance
Let's abandon these harmful patterns and give our relationship a real opportunity to flourish.
All the heartache will be worth the pain
All of the difficulties and struggles we have faced will be worthwhile if we can make our relationship work.
Say there'll be no more fighting
Let's make a commitment to each other to end the senseless arguing and conflicts that have caused so much damage.
No more lovin' in vain
No more wasted efforts and energy on a relationship that is not fruitful.
Come on baby
Let's do this together.
Breaking, break the chain
Breaking free from the negative patterns that have been holding us back and damaging our relationship.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BALLARD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@helenmullane3547
Great song, great singer!!!
@151023034
Thank you :) Elkie deserves far more hits than this !
@johnharper5584
So talented ps no your uncal Brian
@Jimmie16
My Favourite song is her version of Only Women Bleed She's fantastic
@zinesilol88
Great
@TishaHayes
A very neat song.
@zinesilol88
Great !!
@johngalvin3124
It almost feels she's singing through a saxophone...dynamite
@MrSalaver
thats it
@Pedgerow
This seems like as good a place as any to ask: Is there a full version of the song We Love You, by Elkie Brooks, which was used as the theme tune to the TV series A Very Peculiar Practice? I love that song, but you can't find it anywhere. I had to stream an episode of the series just now, and just listen to the opening and end credits. Does anybody know if it was ever released on an album or anything?