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.
Love And Happiness
First Choice Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
something that can make you do wrong, make you do right...
Love...
Love and happiness
Wait a minute...
something's going wrong
someone's on the phone
talkin' about how she can make it right
well,
happiness is when you really feel good with somebody
nothing wrong with being in one with someone
oh, baby, love and happiness
love and happiness...
love and happiness...
Love and happiness
You be good to me
I'll be good to you
we'll be together
we'll see each other
walk away with victory
oh baby,
love and happiness...
love and happiness...
Make you do right... love'll make you do wrong...
make you come home early...
make you stay out all night long...
the power of love...
wait a minute,
let me tell you...
the power of love...
make you do right... love'll make you do wrong...
make you want to dance...
love and happiness...
love and happiness...
love is... wait a minute... love is...
walkin' together...
talkin' together...
say it again...
say it together...
Mmmm....
The song "Love And Happiness" by First Choice is about the power of love and how it can bring both happiness and challenges in a relationship. The lyrics suggest that love can make you do the right thing or sometimes the wrong thing, but it's worth it because it brings happiness. The song starts with the couple singing about how love and happiness can make you do right or wrong, and how love is the key to a happy relationship. However, there is a sudden interruption from someone who is calling at 3 in the morning, possibly causing suspicion and doubt in the relationship. Despite this, the couple still believes that love and happiness can overcome any challenges and that being in a relationship is a good thing.
The repeated lines of "love and happiness" suggest that these two elements are essential for a successful relationship. The lyrics also focus on the idea of reciprocating love and goodness. The couple makes a promise to be good to each other, and as a result, they will walk away with a victory. The song talks about how love can make you do right, and how it can make you want to dance. It emphasizes that love is something that should be shared, and that walking and talking together are crucial aspects of a successful relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
Love and happiness...
The feeling of being in love and happiness that comes with it.
something that can make you do wrong, make you do right...
Love and happiness can both have the power to influence your actions, leading you to do things that you might not normally do, both good and bad.
Love...
The focus returns to the power of love.
Love and happiness...
Love and happiness still hold the same significance.
Wait a minute...
The artist is interrupting their thoughts to focus on something that doesn't feel right.
something's going wrong
The singer senses that there's a problem.
someone's on the phone
A phone call interrupts the singer’s thoughts.
three o'clock in the morning
It's a late hour which is often associated with anxiety or discomfort, so the call seems more unsettling.
talkin' about how she can make it right
The subject of the conversation is the other person’s intentions to fix it.
well,
A filler word that doesn't add much to the meaning of the song.
happiness is when you really feel good with somebody
Happiness is defined as being content and happy with somebody.
nothing wrong with being in one with someone
There's nothing wrong with being in a relationship with someone, which is often a source of happiness.
oh, baby, love and happiness
The singer is exclaiming how love and happiness are great.
You be good to me
The singer sets expectations for their partner.
I'll be good to you
The singer promises to be fair and kind to their partner.
we'll be together
The artist wants to stick together no matter what.
we'll see each other
Both parties in the relationship will meet each other’s expectations.
walk away with victory
The singer expects their relationship to end well.
Make you do right... love'll make you do wrong...
Love can have a polarizing effect on you where you might do the right or wrong thing.
make you come home early... make you stay out all night long...
Love can make you do things you wouldn't normally do, like leave early or stay out late.
the power of love...
The artist is praising the power of love.
wait a minute,
The artist is interrupting their thoughts again.
let me tell you...
The singer is about to give a piece of their thoughts.
make you want to dance...
Love and happiness might make you feel so happy that you want to dance.
love is... wait a minute... love is...
The song shifts focus from happiness back to the power of love.
walkin' together... talkin' together...
Love is being together all the time.
say it again...
The singer is emphasizing the point.
say it together...
The artist emphasizes how love should be shared.
Mmmm....
A vocalization that doesn't add much to the meaning of the song.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ALLEN GEORGIO
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Larryshereable
I was 25 when I first heard this. I was sitting on the couch in my girlfriend's apartment in
Astoria NY. I looked at Linda and screamed OMG, who is this?! "First Choice" she said. We went out and bought the album that afternoon. BTW: i'm a youthful 75 now, and still shakin' it!
@Larryshereable
@@divinetiming1005 It was hard to keep up with all the new dance clubs opening all over the city: Infinity, 12 West, Sanctuary, NY NY, Machine, Inferno...I can't remember even half of them.
@maggynewtown3500
Norman Harris arrangement, with members of MFSB.
The ladies eventually signed with Baker, Harris and Young.
Then did such tunes as Doctor Love and Let No Man Put Asunder.
@DJRobbieTroncoRemix
@@Larryshereable love your comments did you ever get recordings of the dj from the dj at Sanctuary Francis Grasso would love to talk to you about it Thanks
@sharrielee911
Pandora commercial brought me here 🔥 for 2023... amazing song indeed 😎🔥😎
@kimberlyleahs
One of my favorite songs of all time! Al Green is king but these are queens! Stunning.
@Larryshereable
Yes, the best!
@boyjoey66
In my opinion, this version/ remake of this song is the best ever. The soul! I FEEL IT!
@robertminkler4696
First Choice was such a great group! Loved their music throughout the 70's!
@debrafleming6024
This is so awesome first choice