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.
Let No Man Putasunder
First Choice Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Remember the good times
Don't you want some more
It's not a perfect love but I'll defend it
'Cause I believe that's what God intended
We got love too good to throw away
It's not over between you and me
It's not over, I don't want to be free
[Chorus:]
What has been joined by God, by God
Let no man put asunder
Oh, don't throw it away
Don't throw it away
I can't hear those words spoken, understood
Making bonds through love
The times are better good
I'm convinced that what is meant to be will be
Even the stars declare that you belong to me
We got love too good to throw away
It's not over between you and me
It's not over, I don't want to be free
It's not over between you and me
It's not over, I don't want to be free
{It's not over}
Said I need you and I want you
{It's not over}
It's not over, no no no
{It's not over}
{It's not over}
{It's not over}
Said I need you and I want you
I got to have you every day in my doggone life
{It's not over}
It's not over, no no no
{It's not over}
{It's not over}
Baby baby baby, oh
See one thing I know about me and you
That no matter what we go through baby
I know you will be coming back someday
Because I know deep inside you feel the same
Because it's not over
It's not over no no, between you and me
It's not over
Say ooh baby, ooh baby
Come on y'all, come on y'all
You know what I'm saying
Because it's not over
It's not over no no, between you and me
Baby baby baby
It's not over
The lyrics of First Choice's song "Let No Man Put Asunder" speak of a relationship that has hit a rough patch, with one person packing their suitcase to leave. The singer pleads with their partner to remember the good times and not throw away their love, even if it's not perfect. The singer believes that their love is meant to be and that even the stars declare that they belong together. The chorus emphasizes the strength of their love and the importance of not letting others come between them, especially not to break their bond that was joined by God. The repeated line "It's not over" drives home the message that the singer is committed to their love and does not want to let it go.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm surprised to see your suitcase at the door
I'm shocked to see your bags packed and ready to leave
Remember the good times
Think of the happy moments we shared
Don't you want some more
Don't you desire to make more memories together
It's not a perfect love but I'll defend it
Our love is not flawless but I'll fight for it nevertheless
'Cause I believe that's what God intended
I have faith that our union was planned by a higher power
We got love too good to throw away
We have a rare love that we should not discard
It's not over between you and me
Our relationship is not concluded, there is still hope for us
It's not over, I don't want to be free
It's not yet finished, and I still want to be with you
What has been joined by God, by God
Our coupling was created, authorized and blessed by God
Let no man put asunder
May no one come between us and tear us apart
Oh, don't throw it away
Oh, don't dispose of our love just like that
I can't hear those words spoken, understood
I cannot listen and grasp the meaning behind the words said
Making bonds through love
Developing strong connections through affection and fondness
The times are better good
The memories we have shared are remarkably beautiful
I'm convinced that what is meant to be will be
I firmly believe that fate will have its way with our relationship
Even the stars declare that you belong to me
Even the celestial bodies show that we are meant to be together
Said I need you and I want you
Expressing my desire and necessity to have you
I got to have you every day in my doggone life
I must have you in my life every day without fail
See one thing I know about me and you
One thing that I am confident about concerning us
That no matter what we go through baby
Regardless of the challenges we endure, darling
I know you will be coming back someday
I am aware that someday you will return to me
Because I know deep inside you feel the same
Because I believe that you share the same sentiments as I do, deep down
Say ooh baby, ooh baby
Expressing affection or attraction to a person
Come on y'all, come on y'all, you know what I'm saying
Encouraging others to understand what I'm trying to convey
Baby baby baby
Term of endearment for someone special
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: BRUCE GRAY, BRUCE HAWES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@thomasbrown3356
Idk the East Coast history with this record, but here in Chicago, it's the single most important, Disco recording in the History of House music-at it's very foundation. Not just sampling bits and pieces- the entire record. For DJs and party people , the song was a very instrumental blueprint. You had to have been there and lived thru it, to relate.
@dolphus32
This song is the anthem of “House music.”I said that back in 84. A Friday night at 1015 N. Halsted or a Saturday night at the underground in the fall of 84, was incomplete if you didn’t hear this or I can’t turn around, Melodies, or I’m looking for loving…!
@djpopcorn
@@dolphus32Love Cant turn around by Daryl Pandy or Issac Hayes?
@MissZeeZee
I dated a guy from Chicago in the 90s. Those were his exact words.
@oscarmason3252
You are so right, I remember jamming to this during those house music days, wbmx hot mix days, I just never knew the artist until recently, this is still a cut fr
@kimjackson3851
@@dolphus32 1:26
@luckytaco97
Wow. Sample galore.....so many parts have been used in both house & drum n bass.
@markoruzicic
musicgeoman so true, im surprised really... just came across this song and I cant believe it.. its like I heard it milion times before.. :)
@markoruzicic
marko mixnot even footwork/juke i think DJ Rashad sampled "everyday of my life"
@Telekineticfish
If you like garage Y U QT just put out a track sampling this. U BELONG 2 ME