Originally signed to Philly Groove Records via a production contract with Norman Harris, the group came with Harris when he signed onboard the newly formed Salsoul. Most of Harris' work would be issued on the Gold Mind subsidiary of Salsoul - First Choice were no exception. The bulk of the group's offerings came from the stable of Baker/Harris/Young, but other producers and mixers would feature prominently, such as Tee Scott and Tom Moulton (whose mix of "Dr. Love" is the all-time favorite of Salsoul Label head Ken Cayre). "Let No Man Put Asunder" would not reach it's penultimate destination in every urban DJ's front crate until Shep Pettibone re-worked it inthe early 1980's. The group had recorded a Southern Soul styled version of Al Green's "Love and Happiness" for their sole Philly Groove album, where it sat alongside the major hit "Armed and Extremely Dangerous" and the minor hit "Smarty Pants". Salsould would eventually re-mix and re-issue all three tracks in various incarnations, leading to the misconception that they were vintage Salsoul cuts. In fact, they were vintage Baker/Harris/Young productions that preceded Salsoul and were acquire by the label after the fact.
Lead vocalist Rochelle Fleming enjoys a reputation as one of the legendary disco divas, and still lends vocals to the occassional one-off house track, such as Tom De Novy's "Summer Love".
First Choice was an American girl group vocal music trio from Philadelphia. The group produced the disco hits "Armed and Extremely Dangerous", "The Player", "Love Thang", "Let No Man Put Asunder" and "Dr. Love".
Career
Fleming was the main vocalist. The group was originally known as the Debronettes.
Philadelphia DJ Georgie Woods introduced the trio to Norman Harris, guitarist with MFSB, to produce their debut single, "This Is The House Where Love Died". Although it sold poorly, the record led to a recording contract with the Philly Groove record label, and the release of Armed and Extremely Dangerous. Also produced by Harris, the song was a hit first in the UK, where it reached the Top 20 in the UK Singles Chart on Bell Records.
U.S. success followed and the later singles, "Smarty Pants" and "The Player," sold equally well.[citation needed] While producer Harris was associated with numerous hits during the disco boom of the late 1970s, the only later chart entry for First Choice was "Dr. Love," and, in 1984, the group split up.
In 1983, however, the group's 1977 album cut "Let No Man Put Asunder" was remixed by Shep Pettibone and Frankie Knuckles for club play, and became a staple for urban DJs and a classic for listeners. The centerpiece vocals and bass riff of the song were among the most sampled expressions of the emerging Chicago house music scene in the 1980s. Steve "Silk" Hurley used this bass line in his 1987 song "Jack Your Body," which went on to become the first house record to top the UK charts.
In 1987, Fleming re-formed the group with her cousin Laconya Fleming, and Lawrence Cottel, to record Love Itch (Prelude Records). In the same year, a reissue of "Let No Man Put Asunder" was a dancefloor hit in the UK.[citation needed]
Over the years, the group has seen some new success, as many of their songs have been remixed and re-released. Larry Levan remixed its "Double Cross" (Gold Mind, 1979) track, plus Tee Scott's first studio mix was "Love Thang" (1979)). It was also remixed by Tony Humphries in 1993 for the Salsoul remix project, two albums released on Double J Records. First Choice benefitted somewhat when Rhino Records put its Armed and Extremely Dangerous into the Soul Hits of the 70s: Didn't It Blow Your Mind series, and also when the Salsoul catalog was digitally remastered and released in the 1990s.
Fleming has also provided guest vocals for the occasional house music release over the years.
Chances Go Around
First Choice Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And I was the one who picked you up off the ground
Then I found
All that you wanted to do was play around
You left, walked out on me
Oh, but now you pay the price (Now you pay the price)
You turned what used to beA warm heart into ice
Oh, but you won't hurt me twice
('Cause, baby, you're up, somebody else is down
You know that chances go around) Yeah
(Baby, you're up, somebody else is down
You know that chances go around) Yeah
(Chances go around!)
Took some time
But now I'm back on my feet and doin' fine
You will see
What goes up must come down eventually
I can't view an approach
I'm in love on yourself
But don't blame anyone else
Let's start showing some respect
With the next girl that you get!
(Baby, you're up, somebody else is down
You know that chances go around)
Round and around and around
(Baby, you're up, somebody else is down
(Chances go around!)
You left, walked out on me
Oh, but now you pay the price (Now you pay the price)
You turned what used to be
A warm heart into ice
Oh, but you won't hurt me twice
('Cause, baby, you're up, somebody else is down
You know that chances go around)
Around and around and around
(Baby, you're up, somebody else is down)
Hear what I'm sayin'?
(You know that chances go around)
(Chances go around!)
(Chances!) Oooh, yeah
(Chances go around) Baby, baby
(Chances!) Oooh, chances
(Chances go around) Baby
You're gonna get what's coming to you
I don't want you to put me through (Chances go around)
Hey, while you were around in the street
I was home helplessly, ain't no use, baby (Chances go around)
Hey, dear, you gotta believe, gotta believe
(Chances go around) Mmm
(Chances) Around and around and around
What goes up must come down, yeah (Chances go around)
While you were out, having fun
I was home having none (Chances go around)
Hey, baby (Chances), around and around and around
(Chances go around) What goes up must come down!
(Chances)
(I got chances, I got chances
I got chances go around
I got chances, I got chances
I got chances go around)
(I got chances, I got chances
I got chances go around) Oooh!
(I got chances, I got chances
I got chances go around) I feel, I hear you
(I got chances, I got chances) One time, baby
(I got chances go around) Baby, baby, baby, baby
(I got chances, I got chances) Oooh, yeah
(I got chances go around) Oooh, yeah
(Chances) Hey, yeah
(Chances go around) Baby!
(Chances) What's coming to you, I don't want you to put me through
(Chances go around)
(Chances) Hey, baby, remember when I was at home helplessly
(Chances go around) There ain't no use, baby
(Chances) When you're gonna meet someone, you better believe
(Chances go around) You better believe, you better believe, yeah
(Chances) While you were around in the street I was home helplessly
(Chances go around)
The lyrics of First Choice's song 'Chances Go Around' are about a woman who has been hurt by her partner who left her for someone else. She had picked him up when he was down but he only wanted to have fun and play around. However, after some time, she has moved on and is doing well. The song emphasizes that what goes around comes around and suggests that the man who hurt her will get what is coming to him.
The lyrics convey a sense of empowerment and self-respect. The woman is no longer willing to put up with someone who does not respect her, and she is urging her former partner to treat the next person with respect. She does not want to be hurt again and is warning him that he won't get a chance to hurt her twice.
The song's upbeat and lively tone, with its strong beat and horn section, adds to the overall message of resilience and moving on. The lyrics serve as an empowerment anthem for anyone who has been hurt and is ready to move forward.
Line by Line Meaning
You went down
You hit rock bottom
And I was the one who picked you up off the ground
I helped you out of your difficult situation
Then I found
I discovered
All that you wanted to do was play around
You were only interested in having fun and not committed to our relationship
You left, walked out on me
You abandoned me
Oh, but now you pay the price (Now you pay the price)
You now face the consequences of your actions
You turned what used to be
You changed something that previously was
A warm heart into ice
My loving heart became cold because of your actions
Oh, but you won't hurt me twice
I won't let you hurt me again
('Cause, baby, you're up, somebody else is down
You may be on top now, but the tables can quickly turn
You know that chances go around) Yeah
Opportunities come and go, and what goes up must come down
(Baby, you're up, somebody else is down
You're currently in a good position while someone else isn't as fortunate
Took some time
I needed some time
But now I'm back on my feet and doin' fine
I've recovered from your betrayal and am doing well
You will see
You'll understand
What goes up must come down eventually
Nothing stays the same forever, and every action has consequences
I can't view an approach
I can't accept your behavior
I'm in love on yourself
You only care about yourself and not others
But don't blame anyone else
Don't try to shift the blame on others for your actions
Let's start showing some respect
We need to show respect towards each other
With the next girl that you get!
You should treat your future partner better than you treated me
(Chances!
Opportunities
Oooh, yeah
Expressing excitement
(Chances go around) Baby, baby
Opportunities come and go, and what goes around comes around
(Chances) Oooh, chances
Opportunities are always present
(Chances go around) Baby
The cycle of opportunities continues
You're gonna get what's coming to you
You'll face the consequences of your actions
I don't want you to put me through (Chances go around)
I don't want to go through another bad experience with you
Hey, while you were around in the street
While you were busy living your life
I was home helplessly, ain't no use, baby
I was left alone feeling helpless
Hey, dear, you gotta believe, gotta believe
You need to have faith in yourself and your abilities
(Chances go around) Mmm
Opportunities come and go
What goes up must come down, yeah (Chances go around)
Everything has its peak, and eventually, it will fall
While you were out, having fun
While you were enjoying yourself
I was home having none (Chances go around)
I was missing out on life
Hey, baby (Chances), around and around and around
Life is a never-ending cycle of ups and downs
(Chances go around) What goes up must come down!
Everything has its peak, and eventually, it will fall
(I got chances, I got chances
I have opportunities
I got chances go around
Opportunities are ever-present
) Oooh!
Expressing excitement
(I feel, I hear you
I understand your point of view
(I got chances) One time, baby
I have one chance right now
(I got chances go around) Oooh, yeah
Opportunities are always present
(Chances) Hey, yeah
Referring to opportunities
(Chances go around) Baby!
The cycle of opportunities continues
(Chances) What's coming to you, I don't want you to put me through
I don't want to repeat the same mistakes with you
(Chances go around) Hey, baby, remember when I was at home helplessly
Remember when you left me feeling helpless at home
There ain't no use, baby
There was no point in feeling that way
(Chances) When you're gonna meet someone, you better believe
When you meet someone new, have faith in them
(Chances go around) You better believe, you better believe, yeah
Believe in the potential of new opportunities
(Chances) While you were around in the street I was home helplessly
While you were out having fun, I was at home feeling helpless
(Chances go around)
Opportunities come and go
Contributed by Jake D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.