Freda Charcelia Payne (born September 19, 1942 in Detroit, Michigan) is an … Read Full Bio ↴Freda Charcelia Payne (born September 19, 1942 in Detroit, Michigan) is an American singer and actress.

As a teenager, she attended the Institute of Musical Arts; she soon began singing radio commercial jingles and took part in (and won many of) local TV and radio talent shows. In 1963, she moved to New York City and worked with many different singers including Quincy Jones, Pearl Bailey, and Bill Cosby. During that same year, her debut album (of jazz), After the Lights Go Down Low and Much More!!!, was released on the Impulse! label. Three years later, she released her second album of jazz, How Do You Say I Don't Love You Anymore, for MGM Records.

In 1969, her old friends back home in Detroit, Brian Holland, Lamont Dozier, and Edward Holland, Jr., persuaded her to sign with their newly-formed record label Invictus. During that same year, her first Invictus single, "Unhooked Generation" (a minor R&B hit), was released. Shortly thereafter, songwriters Edythe Wayne and Ron Dunbar offered her a song entitled "Band of Gold". Almost immediately, in early 1970, the song became an instant pop smash reaching #3 in the US and #1 in the UK; it also gave Payne her first gold record. An album of the same name proved to be fairly successful as well. Other Invictus singles included "Deeper and Deeper", "You Brought the Joy", and the Vietnam protest song "Bring the Boys Home" (#12, 1971; her second gold record). Her other Invictus albums were Contact (1971), The Best of Freda Payne (1972, a compilation which included four new, unissued songs), and her last Invictus album Reaching Out (1973).

In 1973, being dissatisfied with her royalties (which were very low to begin with), she left Invictus and recorded albums for ABC/Dunhill and Capitol, but she never found the commercial success she had with Invictus.

A Song for You
Freda Payne Lyrics

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I've been so many places in my life and time
I've sung a lot of songs I've made some bad rhyme
I've acted out my love in stages
With ten thousand people watching
But we're alone now and I'm singing this song for you

I know your image of me is what I hope to be
I've treated you unkindly but darlin' can't you see

There's no one more important to me
Darlin' can't you please see through me
Cause we're alone now and I'm singing this song for you

You taught me precious secrets of the truth witholding nothing
You came out in front and I was hiding
But now I'm so much better and if my words don't come together
Listen to the melody cause my love is in there hiding

I love you in a place where there's no space or time
I love you for in my life you are a friend of mine
And when my life is over
Remember when we were together
We were alone and I was singing this song for you

You taught me precious secrets of the truth witholding nothing
You came out in front and I was hiding
But now I'm so much better and if my words don't come together
Listen to the melody cause my love is in there hiding

I love you in a place where there's no space or time
I love you for in my life you are a friend of mine
And when my life is over
Remember when we were together

We were alone and I was singing this song for you
We were alone and I was singing this song for you

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Freda Payne's song "A Song For You" are about a performer who has been all over the world, singing for thousands of people, but now finds himself alone with just one person, and he's singing a song just for them. He knows the person has an image of him that he hopes to live up to, but he admits to having treated them unkindly in the past. He implores them to see through him, to see the person he truly is. The song expresses deep love and gratitude for the person who has taught him "precious secrets of the truth," who has been there for him, and who he loves in a way that transcends time and space. Finally, the performer alludes to the inevitability of death but takes solace in the fact that at least they were together.

The song is an incredibly powerful expression of love and vulnerability. The performer unapologetically lays himself bare, admitting to his flaws and weaknesses, but all the while expressing deep gratitude and appreciation for the person he's singing to. The refrain, "We were alone and I was singing this song for you," underscores the intimacy of the moment and the connection between the two people. It's a beautiful testament to the power of music to bring people together and to express emotions that might otherwise be difficult to articulate.

Line by Line Meaning

I've been so many places in my life and time
Throughout my life, I have had the opportunity to experience many different things and go many different places.

I've sung a lot of songs I've made some bad rhyme
I have written and performed many songs in my life, some of which were not as good as others.

I've acted out my love in stages
I have expressed my love for someone in various performances, pretending to be in love for a show.

With ten thousand people watching
There have been many times when I have performed in front of a large audience.

But we're alone now and I'm singing this song for you
Despite previously performing in front of large crowds, in this moment, it is just the two of us and I am singing this song for you.

I know your image of me is what I hope to be
I understand that you have an idealized version of who I am and I hope to fit that image.

I've treated you unkindly but darlin' can't you see
There have been times where I have not treated you well, but I hope that you can overlook those moments and see the good in me.

There's no one more important to me
You are the most important person in my life.

Darlin' can't you please see through me
I hope that you are able to see beyond my flaws and understand who I truly am.

Cause we're alone now and I'm singing this song for you
Right now, it is just the two of us and I am singing this song specifically for you.

You taught me precious secrets of the truth witholding nothing
You have taught me valuable lessons and insights, being honest and truthful in your teachings.

You came out in front and I was hiding
You were brave and confident in sharing your knowledge, while I was hesitant to speak up.

But now I'm so much better and if my words don't come together
Thanks to you, I have grown and improved, even if I struggle to express myself properly at times.

Listen to the melody cause my love is in there hiding
Even if I struggle to find the right words to say, my feelings of love are still present in the music I create.

I love you in a place where there's no space or time
My love for you exists beyond the limits of physical time and space.

I love you for in my life you are a friend of mine
I love you because you have been a true friend to me throughout my life.

And when my life is over
At the end of my life.

Remember when we were together
I want you to remember the times we spent together.

We were alone and I was singing this song for you
This song was a special moment between the two of us, and I want you to remember it.

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Leon Russell

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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