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.”
Wouldn't Treat a Dog
Florence Rawlings Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You would always come around
But when I needed a friend
You could never be found
I've got a hole where my heart used to be
I wouldn't treat a dog
The way you treated me
All yourlovin'was the same
But when the going got rough
You hardly knew my name
You locked me out
And you threw away the key
I wouldn't treat a dog, no my Lord
The way you treated me
Got me cryin' for the lovin' I needed
Beggin' like a dog for a bone
And although I spend all my time pleading
Turn your back and you'll leave me
One of these old days
Lord knows that it's true
Just when you need me the most
I'll walk right out on you
Then you'll say
As you beggin'down on your knees
I wouldn't treat a dog, no, no, no,
The way you treated me
The way you treated me
I wouldn't treat a dog the way you treated me
I wouldn't do it - I wouldn't do it
I wouldn't treat a dog the way you treated me
I wouldn't do it - I wouldn't do it
The song "Wouldn't Treat a Dog" by Florence Rawlings is a powerful ballad about a person who has been wronged by a friend or lover who has not been there for them in times of need. The opening lines establish the theme of the song, with the singer describing how their friend or lover would always come around when things were going well, but could never be found when they needed a friend. The singer then goes on to describe the pain and heartbreak of being treated this way, and compares it to the way a dog might be treated in similarly callous circumstances.
The central image of the song is the idea of not treating a dog the way that the singer has been treated. Dogs are often viewed as loyal, loving and faithful companions, and the song suggests that the singer has not received the same level of care and attention from their friend or lover. This is made explicit in the chorus, where the singer sings "I wouldn't treat a dog no my Lord, the way you treated me". This is an emotional line that highlights the contrast between the care that dogs deserve and the neglect that the singer has experienced.
The song also features powerful imagery and metaphors, as the singer describes themselves as having a "hole where my heart used to be" and being "locked out" and having the key thrown away. These lines speak to the emotional pain and trauma that the singer has experienced, and highlight the depth of their feelings of betrayal and hurt.
Line by Line Meaning
When I was up
When I was doing well
You would always come around
You would frequently visit me
But when I needed a friend
But when I was in need of help
You could never be found
You were never there for me
I've got a hole where my heart used to be
I am heartbroken
I wouldn't treat a dog
I would never be cruel or disrespectful
The way you treated me
The way you behaved toward me
When times were good
When things were going well
All your lovin' was the same
Your affection was consistent
But when the going got rough
But when things got difficult
You hardly knew my name
You barely acknowledged me
You locked me out
You prevented me from coming in
And you threw away the key
And you left me with no access
Got me cryin' for the lovin' I needed
Made me feel desperate for affection
Beggin' like a dog for a bone
Begging desperately
And although I spend all my time pleading
Even though I begged continuously
Turn your back and you'll leave me
You would abandon me abruptly
One of these old days
At some point in the future
Lord knows that it's true
It is undeniably evident
Just when you need me the most
Precisely when you require my assistance
I'll walk right out on you
I will abandon you
Then you'll say
At that point, you will likely state
As you beggin' down on your knees
As you beg desperately
I wouldn't treat a dog, no, no, no,
I would never be unkind or disrespectful
The way you treated me
In the manner that you treated me
I wouldn't treat a dog the way you treated me
I would never behave rudely as you did towards me
I wouldn't do it - I wouldn't do it
I would never act that way
I wouldn't treat a dog the way you treated me
I would never treat anyone so poorly
I wouldn't do it - I wouldn't do it
I would never behave like that
Writer(s): walsh
Contributed by Penelope D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.