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.
Good Morning Midnight
First Choice Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We dance for stars of you
Good morning midnight
We'll dance the morning through
Music keep on playing till our chest drop
Music keep them step up faster high
Wanna dance until it's early morning
Everybody
Who's somebody's gathered
Here tonight
They're gonna dance in two in ecstasy
Putting their emotions
To a secret paying motion
Standing of their minds and bodies free
Good morning midnight
We dance for stars of you
Good morning midnight
We dance like yesterday
Good morning midnight
We'll dance into today
Melodies are floating in the darkness
Voices rising high above the rest
Hear them sing protection in an ambush
The music hits you faster than a flash
Everybody
Who's somebody's gathered
Here tonight
They're gonna dance in two in ecstasy
Putting their emotions
To a secret paying motion
Standing of their minds and bodies free
Now it's getting hotter than a sauna
The pressure's almost reached the very top
The atmosphere has gone up to a fever
And there's no sign that it will ever stop
Everybody
Who's somebody's gathered
Here tonight
They're gonna dance in two in ecstasy
Putting their emotions
To a secret paying motion
Standing of their minds and bodies free
Good morning midnight
We dance for stars of you
Good morning midnight
We'll dance the morning through
Good morning midnight
We dance and dance again
Good morning midnight
We dance into today
Good morning midnight
We dance for stars of you
Good morning midnight
We'll dance the morning through.
The song "Good Morning Midnight" by First Choice portrays a festive and lively atmosphere where the people gathered are dancing the night away, and the music keeps them energized and enthusiastic. The lyrics "Good morning midnight, we dance for stars of you, we'll dance the morning through," suggests that the party-goers are determined to dance until the dawn breaks, and they celebrate the night sky while dancing under its starry gaze.
The song's rhythm and beat represent a particular time in the disco era when people used to gather at clubs and dance to the groove of disco music. The lyrics describe how the music keeps on playing, and the people are stepping up faster and higher with each beat. The words, "Melodies are floating in the darkness, Voices rising high above the rest," suggest a sense of joyousness and carefreeness as people let their guard down and express themselves through dancing.
The song also highlights the significance of dancing as a liberating and cathartic experience. The lyrics emphasize the sense of freedom that dancing brings; "Standing of their minds and bodies free." As the song progresses, the atmosphere becomes hotter and more intense, reaching a fever pitch of excitement that lasts until the early hours of the morning.
Overall, "Good Morning Midnight" is an upbeat and lively song that celebrates the joy of dancing and the disco era's spirit of fun and freedom.
Line by Line Meaning
Good morning midnight
We greet the darkness of the night with joy and excitement, ready to dance and celebrate.
We dance for stars of you
Our dancing is a tribute to the beauty of the night sky and the stars that shine above us.
We'll dance the morning through
Our love for dancing and celebration is so strong that we'll keep going until sunrise.
Music keep on playing till our chest drop
The rhythm and energy of the music is so intoxicating that we'll dance until we're completely exhausted.
Music keep them step up faster high
The music drives us to move faster, pushing us to dance with wild abandon.
Wanna dance until it's early morning
Our desire to dance and celebrate is so strong that we don't want the night to end until the sun comes up.
Gotta keep the feeling that I got
We want to hold onto the excitement and joy of the moment and keep it alive through our dancing.
Everybody
Who's somebody's gathered
Here tonight
People from all walks of life are present, gathered together to dance and celebrate as one.
They're gonna dance in two in ecstasy
Everyone is caught up in the excitement and passion of the moment, dancing with pure joy and abandon.
Putting their emotions
To a secret paying motion
Standing of their minds and bodies free
Through the act of dancing, people are able to tap into and express their deepest emotions and feelings, freeing themselves from any inhibitions.
Melodies are floating in the darkness
The music is like a beacon in the night, filling the darkness with beautiful and uplifting sounds.
Voices rising high above the rest
The singers are pouring their heart and soul into the music, rising above the rest and taking the listeners with them.
Hear them sing protection in an ambush
The music and singing provide a safe haven and protection for those who are lucky enough to be caught up in the moment.
The music hits you faster than a flash
The energy and power of the music is overwhelming, taking hold of your body and soul before you even know what's happening.
Now it's getting hotter than a sauna
The energy and excitement of the moment is building to a fever pitch, matching the heat of a sauna.
The pressure's almost reached the very top
The intensity and pressure of the moment is nearing its peak as everyone continues to dance and celebrate together.
The atmosphere has gone up to a fever
The energy and passion of the moment has reached a fever pitch, filling the air with electric excitement.
And there's no sign that it will ever stop
The celebration and dancing will continue on and on, with no end in sight.
We dance and dance again
Our love for dancing and celebration is so strong that we will gladly dance again and again, with no end in sight.
We dance into today
We will continue to dance and celebrate into the new day, bringing the joy and excitement of the night with us as we move forward.
Contributed by Chase I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.