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 Having You Around
First Choice Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Baby, baby, baby, mama, mama, mama, baby, baby, baby,
Listen Baby, Every day I want to fly my kite,
Every day I want to fly my kite,
An' every day I want to get on my camel an' ride. Oo yea
Every day I want to shake your hand, yea, yea, yea,
An' every day I want to get on my camel an' ride
(On my camel ride, on my camel) Oo Baby
And when the day is through,
Nothin' to do, sit around groovin' with you,
And I say it 'cause I love having you around,
And I say it 'cause I love having you around. Yea
Everyday I want to be your friend, (be your friend)
'Cause you have stuck with me through thick and thin
An' every day I want a smile in your lovely brown eyes,
(Smile at your lovely brown eyes) Oh yea
Every day I'm gonna give my share,
'Cause I know your gonna take me there, (hey, hey)
An' every day I want to get on my camel an' ride, Oo
And when the day is done,
Nothin' to do, spend all my time just loving you, (oh, yea)
An' I say it 'cause I love having you around, mm Baby
And I say it 'cause I love Oo having you around
Yea, yea, yea, yea, yea
An' in the end I know you'll be with me,
'Cause you made my soul so free, (so everyday)
An' every day I wanna get on my camel an' ride, yea
And when the day is through,
Nothin' to do, spend all my time just lovin' you
An' I say it 'cause I love yea having you around.
And I say it 'cause I love having you around yea, yea, yea
An' I say it 'cause I love having you around (having you around baby)
And I say it 'cause I love (can't you hear me people?)
Having you around (can't you hear me people?)
And I say it 'cause I love having you around
(Repeat)
(Baby you're starting gabling, baby nobody)
Mm Baby, Mmm
Mmm
(Spoken: The preceding has been put here on tape, to let
You all know that I say it to her because I love her,
Can you dig it? Can you get to that?
Even when she's messin' around
He likes having her around even when she's messing around,
Which is very of"t"en, that' what she's doing, the motion
... when she's messing around)
The song Love Having You Around by First Choice is a declaration of love and appreciation for a significant other. Throughout the song, the singer expresses their desire to spend every day with their partner, fly kites together, ride camels, and just sit around grooving with them. They acknowledge the support and love their partner gives them, saying that it makes them a better person, and they want to return that love by being a good friend, giving their share, and loving them always. The repetition of the lyrics "And I say it 'cause I love having you around" reinforces their feelings and commitment to their relationship.
The use of flying kites and riding camels create an image of adventure and freedom, suggesting that the singer finds joy and liberation in spending time with their partner. The description of their partner's "lovely brown eyes" and the promise to "spend all my time just loving you" further emphasize the depth of their love for their partner.
Overall, Love Having You Around is a sweet love song that idealizes a relationship built on love, trust, and support.
Line by Line Meaning
Please, mama, mama, mama, mama, mama, baby, Baby, baby, baby, mama, mama, mama, baby, baby, baby,
Describing his affection and admiration for his partner using terms of endearment
Every day I want to fly my kite,
He wants to experience the feeling of freedom and happiness every day
An' every day I want to get on my camel an' ride. Oo yea
He wants to explore new places and have exciting adventures every day
Every day I want to shake your hand, yea, yea, yea, For in the world makin' me a better man,
He wants to appreciate his partner for her support and inspiration that makes him a better man
And when the day is through, Nothin' to do, sit around groovin' with you, And I say it 'cause I love having you around, And I say it 'cause I love having you around. Yea
He loves spending time with his partner, even when there is nothing to do or the day is over
Everyday I want to be your friend, (be your friend) 'Cause you have stuck with me through thick and thin
He values his partner's friendship and loyalty, and is grateful for it
An' every day I want a smile in your lovely brown eyes, (Smile at your lovely brown eyes) Oh yea
He wants to see his partner happy every day
Every day I'm gonna give my share, 'Cause I know your gonna take me there, (hey, hey) An' every day I want to get on my camel an' ride, Oo
He wants to contribute equally to the relationship as she takes him on new adventures every day
And when the day is done, Nothin' to do, spend all my time just loving you, (oh, yea) An' I say it 'cause I love having you around, mm Baby
He wants to spend his time on earth loving his partner, whom he cherishes a lot
An' in the end I know you'll be with me, 'Cause you made my soul so free, (so everyday) An' every day I wanna get on my camel an' ride, yea
He's convinced his partner will stay with him because she has liberated his soul, and wants to ride with her every day
And I say it 'cause I love yea having you around. And I say it 'cause I love having you around yea, yea, yea An' I say it 'cause I love having you around (having you around baby) And I say it 'cause I love (can't you hear me people?) Having you around (can't you hear me people?) And I say it 'cause I love having you around
He concludes the song by reiterating that he loves having his partner around, and wants to show it to the entire world
(Baby you're starting gabling, baby nobody) Mm Baby, Mmm (Spoken: The preceding has been put here on tape, to let You all know that I say it to her because I love her, Can you dig it? Can you get to that? Even when she's messin' around He likes having her around even when she's messing around, Which is very of"t"en, that' what she's doing, the motion... when she's messing around)
The artist declares his love and commitment to his partner regardless of any imperfections or faults she has
Lyrics © EMI Music Publishing, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: SYREETA WRIGHT, STEVIE WONDER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Todd Lindberg
When I was a Senior in High School me and my friends snuck out and went to a 72 hour marathon at the Music box/Underground on lower Wacker drive in Chicago...Ron Hardy Banged an Edit of this that I swear made the then mayor Jane Bryne get up and dance in her sleep at home!!! Miss u Ron!
Warren Feagins
This was my shit!!! Stevie Wonder wrote a killer track for First Choice!
A Man Being Aware
Word up to THEO for this one!!
BriaZaychick
This is the shiznit fa sho!!!
mel lewis-leger
Finishing my set in style if I do say so myself. Having way too much fun. xx
Blackcrow411
so good !!!.. avec la "talkbox" qui me rappelle un certain Peter Frampton... Thanx Radio Nova :D
Juan Brown
I've seen grown folk cry when Ron Hardy bang this song. RIP Ron!
coolhand1966
Theo drops this. : )
The Junebox
thus song makes me feel good ;D
Juan Brown
'and when the day is through......Nothing to do......"