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.
Double Cross
First Choice Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
That you pulled the rug from under my feet
All those hopes that you made in bed
I think you forgot really what you said but you failed right asleep
I haven't seen you since one night of love
When I unlocked the door and gave it up!
By double dealing, double wheeling
Looks like I'm the one who lost)
(I've been double crossed
By double dealing double wheeling
Looks like I'm the one who lost)
He didn't apologize for putting these tears in my eyes
Made a fool out of me
I think you knew right from the start
How you were going to win my heart by using trickery
I'll never put my trust in love again
The same thing might happen in the end
(I've been double crossed
By double dealing double wheeling
Looks like I'm the one who lost) (Looks like I'm the one who lost)
(I've been double crossed) Hey!
(By double dealing double wheeling
Looks like I'm the one who lost)
(Ooohooohooohooo)
Never put my trust in love again
The same thing might happen in the end!
I've been double crossed
By double dealing double wheeling
(Looks like I'm the one who lost) Hey!
(I've been double crossed
By double dealing) Double wheeling
(Looks like I'm the one who lost) I lost it
(I, I, I, I've been double crossed
I, I, I, I've been double crossed)
(I, I, I, I've been double crossed) Hey, yeah!
(I, I, I, I've been double crossed)
Love stealing, double dealing, two timing lowdown son of a gun
(I, I, I, I've been double crossed)
Love stealing, double dealing, two timing lowdown son of a gun
(I, I, I, I've been double crossed)
(Love stealing, double dealing, two timing lowdown son of a gun)
That's what you are to me!
(Love stealing, double dealing, two timing lowdown son of a gun)
Son of a gun, son of a gun, son of a gun
(Love stealing, double dealing, two timing lowdown son of a gun)
You stole my love, you stole my love, you stole my love, you stole my love
(Love stealing, double dealing, two timing lowdown son of a gun)
Ohohohoho!
You loved me, you stole my love from me
Love me, love me (I, I, I, I've been double crossed
I) I (I), I (I) (I've been double crossed)
I've been double crossed, double crossed, double crossed
(I, I, I, I've been double crossed)
You took my love, you took my love, you took my love, you took my love
If you had played your cards right
You could have my love every night
You love stealing, double dealing, two timing low down son of a gun
(I, I, I, I've been double crossed) That's what you are to me
I, I, I, I've been double crossed
Double crossed, double crossed, double crossed, double crossed
(I, I, I, I've been double crossed) Hey, hey!
Love stealing, double dealing, two timing lowdown son of a gun
(I, I, I, I've been double crossed)
Double Cross by First Choice is a song about betrayal in a romantic relationship. The lyrics suggest that the singer had put their trust in someone who ended up being a double-dealer, a two-timing cheat. The first verse begins with the line “I’ve been victimized by a devil in disguise” which suggests that the singer did not see the betrayal coming, and they were caught off guard. The second line “That you pulled the rug from under my feet” suggests that the singer was left feeling disoriented and unstable when the betrayal occurred. The third line “All those hopes that you made in bed” implies that the relationship may have been intimate, but even in the most vulnerable moments, the double-dealer was untrustworthy.
The second verse continues with the theme of betrayal, with lines such as “He didn’t apologize for putting these tears in my eyes” indicating a lack of remorse for causing pain. The chorus repeats the phrase “I’ve been double-crossed” emphasizing the feeling of being deceived or tricked twice as much as one would expect. The repetition of the phrase “double-dealing, double-wheeling” implies that the betrayal was elaborate, and the double-dealer went to great lengths to deceive the singer.
Line by Line Meaning
I've been victimized by a devil in disguise
Someone I trusted deeply turned out to be a deceptive person.
That you pulled the rug from under my feet
You deceived me by suddenly changing something I was relying on.
All those hopes that you made in bed
You made promises to me of a better life, but only in the comfort of your bed.
I think you forgot really what you said but you failed right asleep
You promised me a better life, but did not follow through, as you fell asleep.
I haven't seen you since one night of love
When I unlocked the door and gave it up!
The last time I saw you, we made love and I believed in your promises.
(I've been double crossed) Hey!
By double dealing, double wheeling
Looks like I'm the one who lost)
I have been tricked twice by your dishonesty and lost love due to your actions.
He didn't apologize for putting these tears in my eyes
Made a fool out of me
You betrayed my trust without remorse and made me appear foolish.
I think you knew right from the start
How you were going to win my heart by using trickery
You had a devious plan from the start to gain my love through dishonesty.
I'll never put my trust in love again
The same thing might happen in the end
I have lost faith in love because of your treachery and fear the same thing will happen again.
(Ooohooohooohooo)
Musical Interlude
Love stealing, double dealing, two timing lowdown son of a gun
You stole my love, you stole my love, you stole my love, you stole my love
You are an untrustworthy, dishonest person who has ruined my love for you.
If you had played your cards right
You could have my love every night
If you had been honest and trustworthy, you could have had my love forever.
Writer(s): Norman Harris, Ron Tyson
Contributed by Samantha H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@oldsmobile6
First Choice
♪ I've been victimized by a devil in disguise
That you pulled the rug from under my feet
All those hopes that you made in bed
I think you forgot really what you said but you failed right asleep
I haven't seen you since one night of love
When I unlocked the door and gave it up!
(I've been double crossed) Hey!
By double dealing, double wheeling
Looks like I'm the one who lost)
(I've been double crossed
By double dealing double wheeling
Looks like I'm the one who lost)
He didn't apologize for putting these tears in my eyes
Made a fool out of me
I think you knew right from the start
How you were going to win my heart by using trickery
I'll never put my trust in love again
The same thing might happen in the end
(I've been double crossed
By double dealing double wheeling
Looks like I'm the one who lost) (Looks like I'm the one who lost)
(I've been double crossed) Hey!
(By double dealing double wheeling
Looks like I'm the one who lost)
(Ooohooohooohooo)
Never put my trust in love again
The same thing might happen in the end!
I've been double crossed
By double dealing double wheeling
(Looks like I'm the one who lost) Hey!
(I've been double crossed
By double dealing) Double wheeling
(Looks like I'm the one who lost) I lost it
(I, I, I, I've been double crossed
I, I, I, I've been double crossed)
(I, I, I, I've been double crossed) Hey, yeah!
(I, I, I, I've been double crossed)
Love stealing, double dealing, two timing lowdown son of a gun
(I, I, I, I've been double crossed)
Love stealing, double dealing, two timing lowdown son of a gun
(I, I, I, I've been double crossed)
(Love stealing, double dealing, two timing lowdown son of a gun)
That's what you are to me!
(Love stealing, double dealing, two timing lowdown son of a gun)
Son of a gun, son of a gun, son of a gun
(Love stealing, double dealing, two timing lowdown son of a gun)
You stole my love, you stole my love, you stole my love, you stole my love
(Love stealing, double dealing, two timing lowdown son of a gun)
Ohohohoho!
You loved me, you stole my love from me
Love me, love me (I, I, I, I've been double crossed
I) I (I), I (I) (I've been double crossed)
I've been double crossed, double crossed, double crossed
(I, I, I, I've been double crossed)
You took my love, you took my love, you took my love, you took my love
If you had played your cards right
You could have my love every night
You love stealing, double dealing, two timing low down son of a gun
(I, I, I, I've been double crossed) That's what you are to me
I, I, I, I've been double crossed
Double crossed, double crossed, double crossed, double crossed
(I, I, I, I've been double crossed) Hey, hey!
Love stealing, double dealing, two timing lowdown son of a gun
(I, I, I, I've been double crossed)
Songwriters: Norman Harris, Ron Tyson ©
@elleanderson563
This is the jammmmm!!!!First Choice is always the Best Choice!!!!!
I’m so grateful for them as they haven given me so much dancing pleasure in my life. Thank you Ladies!🤩And God has blessed me even more today to STILL be jammin 45 years later!
#ayeeeeeeee💃🏾💃🏾💃🏾💃🏾💃🏾
@sherriearrington6830
I remember growing up as a kid in NYC attending the block parties when the DJ played this song The Hustle was the popular dance. WOW so much fun. We had a BLAST. All movement and no standing around. No worries and no cops. Such a beautiful era to grow up. Miss those days. The Jones Girls and The Three Degrees were 🔥These ladies and others were the TRUTH 💎
@enoswilliams1552
Me too. I danced to this at Paradise Garage and I loved girls through and through.
@coneyislandboo9048
You're so right. No worries no cops. Hanging out in Coney Island music blasting from the rides.
@BryantJohnsonsimbalion45
Ha! Classic!!! I been doublecrossed, Heyyyyyy! I grew up with the best Music in NYC during the 70's
@richardwillams7086
Wow 😊this just bring back some of the good old days when I live in New Jersey and we had great music to listen to
@JellyBean2144
Whoever was on bass walked out that studio session with their head held high! They wore that bass out!! Straight funky!!
@LydgiaOfHarlem
Nothing much to add to what has already been shared other than First Choice remains a go to for getting a party started! Singing along in 2023 - word for word! A CLASSIC'S CLASSIC!
@kennethrobinson6738
Sirius XM Studio 54 Radio brought me here. I have not heard this groove since the late 70s early 80s!! This song, like many in that era, was funky and a treasure. The musicianship and the vocals are off the charts!!
@sherriearrington6830
No doubt. ❤️my Studio 54😉