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.
Hold Your Horses
First Choice Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Out there on the scene
In this neighbourhood I'm the queen
If you stroll along here
I'll pick you up, won't let you down
Pushing to fulfill your dream
Everybody knows me down here on the scene
How do their eyes all watch me
So hurry up another time
Listen babe and you'll see
Come my love into the night
Follow me till morning light
Come with me we'll do it right
Close your eyes and melt away
Travel to another time
All these places you will find
Everybody knows us
Rulers of the game
They all come to watch how we play
Dancing when you're fragile (?)
We'll take up, won't let you down
Make a guess and you will see
Come my love into the night
Follow me till morning light
Come with me we'll do it right
Close your eyes and melt away
Travel to another time
All these places you will find
But I'm the queen of the night
Yes I'm the queen of the night
But I'm the king of the night
Yes I'm the king of the night
The lyrics to First Choice's song "Hold Your Horses" depict a character who is very well-known and revered in their neighborhood. This character is referred to as the "queen of the night" or the "king of the night," and they have a certain reputation that precedes them. They appear to be highly confident and assertive, with a keen sense of their own importance within the scene they inhabit. The song evokes a sense of excitement and enticement, as the character invites their listener to join them on a journey into the night.
As the lyrics progress, it becomes clear that the character is offering a kind of escape from the mundane or the ordinary. They are offering a chance to "travel to another time" and explore new places. There is a sense of adventure and possibility in their words, and they seem to be inviting the listener to embrace these feelings and join them on this journey.
Overall, the lyrics to "Hold Your Horses" offer a vivid depiction of a charismatic and confident character, who is offering an escape from the ordinary and a chance to explore new possibilities. The song captures the excitement and allure of the night, emphasizing the sense of adventure and possibility that it represents.
Line by Line Meaning
Everybody knows me
I'm a well-known person in this community
Out there on the scene
My fame extends beyond this neighborhood
In this neighborhood I'm the queen
I'm the most popular and respected person in this area
If you stroll along here
If you walk around here
I'll pick you up, won't let you down
I'll be there for you and help you achieve your goals
Pushing to fulfill your dream
Encouraging and motivating you to achieve your goals
Come my love into the night
Let's enjoy the night together
Follow me till morning light
Let's spend the whole night together
Come with me we'll do it right
Let's enjoy ourselves without any worries
Close your eyes and melt away
Relax and let go of all your worries
Travel to another time
Let's escape reality and go on a journey
All these places you will find
We'll discover new and exciting places together
Everybody knows us
We are both well-known and respected individuals in this area
Rulers of the game
We are the top players in our environment
They all come to watch how we play
People come to see us perform because we are skilled and entertaining
Dancing when you're fragile (?)
We will be there for you when you are vulnerable
We'll take up, won't let you down
We'll be there for you and support you through difficult times
Make a guess and you will see
Take a chance and you will experience the excitement of the unknown
But I'm the queen of the night
I dominate and own the night
Yes I'm the queen of the night
I'm proud and confident of my status
But I'm the king of the night
I am also powerful and respected
Yes I'm the king of the night
I'm proud and confident of my status too
Writer(s): Peter Gosling, Les Hurdle, Kathleen Poppy
Contributed by Matthew A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@antoniofrustace8829
Che anni ragazzi.....la gente quando camminava ballava😂😂😂😂......e nelle discoteche era BALLO e non sballo come oggi😢.......ogni tanto mi capita di mettermi i pantaloni a zampa cn le scarpe a ounta e le magliette con il collo a dolcevita o le camice a quadri.....e il giubbino d pelle.....e quando magari vado in gieo mi guardano come se fossi un alieno😂😂😂😂ma ke ne sanno ke ne sanno cos erano quegli anni la.....musica moda e benessere❤
@MrLARodger
Love this song!!! :) I'd go back to 1979 today if I could!!!
@Akeba-r2w
This song was FABULOUSLY FANTASTIC even though I was too young to understand what the lyrics were about.
@andrespaladines4804
Lindas canciones
@stewartrussell1951
My all-time favorite disco song ever! None better!!!
@foxcrane9486
This song is the epitome of great disco.
@lucianavolpato1502
Ricordi, ricordi, ricordi anni indimenticabili 🕺💓💃
@caravagio2012
La bailo hasta ahora
@fabiobertolinicarrara9762
Bella bella bella
@RBS_
....fun, kicky track from The Choice; at the time, they caught some heat for going 'Eurodisco', when the Paradise Garage-Heads wanted more 'funk' from them....."Love Thang", took care of THAT! ....HA-HAA!! ...Loved the Richard Bernstein artwork on the cover, and I'm the PROUD owner of the ONLY BILLBOARD Magazine ad, promoting the LP, in 1979, framed in my Home Office!! ....Hold 'Yo Horses, I'm NOT selling it!! ...ha-HAAA!!