Florence Rawlings first impressed Dramatico Records chairman Mike Batt at t… Read Full Bio ↴Florence Rawlings first impressed Dramatico Records chairman Mike Batt at the age of just thirteen when she performed at his house after hearing he was looking for female singers to sign to his label Dramatico. Two of the young singing applicants stood out to Batt immediately, one being a certain Katie Melua and the other Florence Rawlings. With Florence still so young, it was agreed that she should concentrate on school and finish her studies. Even then, whilst the majority of young teenagers were just being introduced to the real world, Florence sang with a heart and core that suggested she knew it inside out.

Attending music camps and studying the art of singing since childhood, (“I’d sing for whoever was willing to listen…at school, in clubs and bars…anywhere I could”), whilst getting wrapped up in old soul records, the only thing as big as Florence’s love of music was her voice. With a remarkably fresh but mature delivery Florence’s enormous voice swoops and soars through an impressive vocal range taking inspiration and style from legendary vocalists such as Aretha Franklin, Eva Cassidy and Martha Reeves.

On completing her A level exams Florence signed to Dramatico (Katie Melua, Marianne Faithfull, Carla Bruni, Gurrumul) and put those years of musical apprenticeship to good use recording, with Mike Batt, her debut album ‘A Fool In Love’. An impressive debut of authentic soul, raw grooves and rhythm & blues the album was described by Music Week as “a blend that could elevate her to the similar heady heights Melua enjoys. Classy stuff.” The cool, after-dark Motown feel of Florence Rawlings’ first single ‘Hard To Get’ serves as a perfect introduction to this charismatic singer and her debut album of gritty arrangements, soulful melodies and vibrant brass work complemented by gospel vocals and addictive rhythms that culminate in a blend of raw soul that has been off the airwaves for far too long.

As well as singing a collection of powerful original songs penned by Mike Batt himself - including the gorgeous and moving ‘Love Can Be A Battlefield’, the cool, after-dark Motown feel of ‘Hard To Get’ and the debut single - Florence has discovered gems from days gone by and transformed them with her own charismatic soul style.

No Gladys Knight fan would deny that Florence makes the song ‘Take Me In Your Arms And Love Me’ completely her own. Meanwhile Allen Toussaint’s long forgotten ‘Riverboat’ has been rescued from obscurity and reinvented with vigorous production, uplifting horns and sleek dark overtones that give the song a lavish, ominous edge. Florence even performs a version of Chuck Berry’s ‘You Can’t Catch Me’ - following in the potentially daunting footsteps of The Rolling Stones and John Lennon she manages to make the song her own just as convincingly as rock and roll’s elite.

Equally at home in the studio or in concert, the 20 year-old Londoner is a natural performer – as was evident when she took to the stage at this year’s Isle of Wight Festival and stunned the crowds when she performed her songs for the first time. Afterwards the festival’s promoter John Giddings declared “Florence Rawlings rocked the Big Top - a certain star of the future” and other festival promoters have been extraordinarily quick off the mark in booking the 20 year old South Londoner, before a note of music has even been released, for some key spots including the main stage at Guilfest and Tuborg Stage at O2 Wireless in Hyde Park.

Little Richard’s description of his own sound sums up Florence’s electrifying style perfectly, “Rock n’ rollin’, rhythm & blues soulin’”. Florence Rawlings is set to be a modern soul star. In the words of the song - “jump on the wagon and join the dance.”

Jump On The Wagon
Florence Rawlings Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Hey baby, got a love so strong
This ain't just another skipping song
I love you til the rainbow's end
You're a dancer so don't pretend, and

Jump back pick up the pieces
And get on the track
5, 4, 3, 2 turn on the top

Don't waste the chance
Jump on the wagon and join the dance

That woman that you used to know
Who taught you to dance many years ago
She did me a favour, now my life's complete
I couldn't love a man with two left feet, so

Jump back pick up the pieces
And get on the track
5, 4, 3, 2 turn on the top
Don't waste the chance
Jump on the wagon and join the dance

Jump back pick up the pieces
And get on the track
5, 4, 3, 2 turn on the top
Don't waste the chance
Jump on the wagon and join the dance

That woman that you used to know
Who taught you to dance many years ago
She did me a favour, now my life's complete
I couldn't love a man with two left feet, so

Jump back pick up the pieces
And get on the track
5, 4, 3, 2 turn on the top
Don't waste the chance
Jump on the wagon and join the dance

Pick up the pieces and get on the track
5, 4, 3, 2 turn on the top
Don't waste the chance
Jump on the wagon and join the dance

Pick up the pieces and get on the track
5, 4, 3, 2 turn on the top
Don't waste the chance
Jump on the wagon and join the dance

Pick up the pieces and get on the track
5, 4, 3, 2 turn on the top

Don't waste the chance
Jump on the wagon and join the dance

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Florence Rawlings's song "Jump On The Wagon" appear to be about seizing opportunities and taking risks in love and life. The singer sings about their strong feelings for their partner, declaring their love until "the rainbow's end" and urging them not to pretend to be something they're not. The song also references a woman who taught the singer's partner how to dance many years ago, but the singer sees this as a positive thing because they couldn't love someone with "two left feet." The repeated refrain to "jump back, pick up the pieces, and get on the track" seems to suggest that even if you stumble or fall, you should keep going and not waste your chance to experience joy and connection with others.

Overall, the tone of "Jump On The Wagon" is upbeat and optimistic, encouraging listeners to join the dance of life and love. The repetition of the refrain emphasizes the importance of persistence and resilience, even when things don't go according to plan. The reference to the dancing instructor also adds a layer of nostalgia and perhaps even longing for a simpler time, but the message ultimately seems to be that the past is in the past and it's time to move forward.

Line by Line Meaning

Hey baby, got a love so strong
My love for you is incredibly strong

This ain't just another skipping song
This isn't a meaningless song

I love you til the rainbow's end
I will love you forever

You're a dancer so don't pretend, and
You're a real dancer, so be yourself

Jump back pick up the pieces
Recover from your mistakes

And get on the track
Start moving forward

5, 4, 3, 2 turn on the top
Get ready to take action

Don't waste the chance
Don't miss this opportunity

Jump on the wagon and join the dance
Take a chance and join in the fun

That woman that you used to know
The woman who taught you to dance

Who taught you to dance many years ago
Who taught you to be a good dancer