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.
Just Like That
Freda Payne Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
[Violent J]
Jump out of bed and I head for the grapenuts
Eat em quick or they soggy and that sucks
Trying to find a clean pair of socks and a shirt
Still sporting the same drawers even though they hurt
In the fridge, there's a Faygo, it tastes ill
I got a few money back and a little change
So I'm heading to the store when the phone rings
"What up man, check it out, I know this bitch
She's got another friend with her and her dad's rich
If we find us a ride out to Wyandotte
guaranteed, we can fuck em both on the spot"
Oh shit, let me call Bill Bill
I want to let my nuts through the windmill
He ain't home, fuck, I'll call Mike Clark
'cause I know he can get the fuckin Skylark
He said he can, but he's broke and it needs gas
But I want to buy these Faygo, think fast
I know my brother Jump Steady's got a few bones
But that's going through his shit when he ain't home
"Nevermind J, Legs loned me a ten
No need to get punched in your head again
Tell Mike to scoop me up right away
And it's Faygo and neden hoes all day"
Fuck yeah, I throw my Pro Winds on my feet
Lock the house, and wait for em in the street
I wish I had a piece of gum or something fuck
My mouth still kind of tastes grapenuts
Here they come, nope, wasn't them
Seems like the same car's driving by again
It pulls up, "hey man, you're outta luck"
What, what ya say man
(gunshot)
Fuck
The song "Just Like That" by Freda Payne featuring Violent J of Insane Clown Posse is a captivating narrative that understands the psyche of young men with limited economic resources, and their desperate attempts to get rich and satisfy their lustful desires. The song starts with Violent J's daily routine, trying to put on fresh clothes and looking for something to eat before receiving a call from a friend who knows two women who can fulfill their sexual fantasies. They need a ride to meet the women, but they don't have the money to pay for gas, and Violent J tries to raise money through his network. They eventually borrow a car but are hunted down and killed by a drive-by shooter.
The song's lyrics show how young men's lack of financial freedom leads them to pursue quick solutions to their problems without thinking about the long-term consequences. It also highlights the lustful nature of young men who would do anything to satisfy their sexual desires, including scheming, plotting, and risking their lives. The use of violent imagery creates a sense of unpredictability, urgency, and danger that reflects the harsh realities of the streets. The song's ending is tragic, dehumanizing, and unexpected, leaving the listener to ponder the futility of violence.
Line by Line Meaning
Jump out of bed and I head for the grapenuts
I woke up and immediately rushed to eat Grapenuts cereal.
Eat em quick or they soggy and that sucks
If I don't eat them fast, the Grapenuts will get mushy, which I don't like.
Trying to find a clean pair of socks and a shirt
I'm looking for fresh clothes to wear.
Still sporting the same drawers even though they hurt
I haven't changed my underwear, even though they don't feel comfortable.
In the fridge, there's a Faygo, it tastes ill
There's a Faygo in the fridge, but it doesn't taste good.
'cause it's flatter then a bitch on a big wheel
The Faygo has gone flat, it's not carbonated anymore.
I got a few money back and a little change
I have some money and coins.
So I'm heading to the store when the phone rings
I'm on my way to the store, but my phone rings.
"What up man, check it out, I know this bitch
My friend is calling to tell me about some girls he knows.
She's got another friend with her and her dad's rich
One of the girls has a wealthy father.
If we find us a ride out to Wyandotte
If we can get a ride to Wyandotte, where the girls are, we'll have a chance to hook up.
guaranteed, we can fuck em both on the spot"
My friend promises we'll have sex with both of them immediately.
Oh shit, let me call Bill Bill
I need to call my friend Bill Bill to see if he can help us get there.
I want to let my nuts through the windmill
I really want to have sex with these girls.
He ain't home, fuck, I'll call Mike Clark
Bill Bill is unavailable, so I try to call Mike Clark for help instead.
'cause I know he can get the fuckin Skylark
I know Mike can get his car, a Skylark, to drive us there.
He said he can, but he's broke and it needs gas
Mike can drive us, but he doesn't have any money for gas.
But I want to buy these Faygo, think fast
I still want to buy the Faygo, so I need to think of a solution quickly.
I know my brother Jump Steady's got a few bones
My brother has some money that I could borrow.
But that's going through his shit when he ain't home
I'd have to look through my brother's belongings when he's not around to find the money.
"Nevermind J, Legs loned me a ten
My friend Legs gave me ten dollars, so I don't need to borrow from my brother.
No need to get punched in your head again
My friend is joking that if I ask my brother for money, he might hit me like he did in the past.
Tell Mike to scoop me up right away
I tell Mike to pick me up as soon as possible.
And it's Faygo and neden hoes all day"
We'll be drinking Faygo and having sex with the girls all day.
Fuck yeah, I throw my Pro Winds on my feet
I put on my Pro Winds sneakers.
Lock the house, and wait for em in the street
I lock my house and wait for the car to come and pick me up outside.
I wish I had a piece of gum or something fuck
I want some gum or something to freshen my breath.
My mouth still kind of tastes grapenuts
I can still taste the Grapenuts I ate earlier.
Here they come, nope, wasn't them
A car comes by, but it's not the one we're waiting for.
Seems like the same car's driving by again
The same car drives by again.
It pulls up, "hey man, you're outta luck"
The car pulls over, and someone tells me I'm out of luck.
What, what ya say man
I ask the person what they mean.
(gunshot)
A gunshot rings out.
Fuck
The artist expresses frustration or annoyance.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JOSEPH BRUCE, JOSEPH UTSLER, MIKE E. CLARK
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@acdubbs9506
Now that you're gone
All that's left is a band of gold
All that's left of the dreams I hold
Is a band of gold
And the memories of what love could be
If you were still here with me
You took me from the shelter of my mother, I had never known
Or loved any other
We kissed after taking vows
But that night on our honeymoon
We stayed in separate rooms
I wait in the darkness of my lonely room
Filled with sadness, filled with gloom
Hoping soon
That you'll walk back through that door
And love me like you tried before
Since you've been gone
All that's left is a band of gold
All that's left of the dreams I hold
Is a band of gold
And the dream of what love could be
If you were still here with me
Oh, don't you know that I wait
In the darkness of my lonely room
Filled with sadness, filled with gloom
Hoping soon
That you'll walk back through that door
And love me like you tried before
Since you've been gone
All that's left is a band of gold
All that's left of the dreams I hold
Is a band of gold
And the dream of what love could be
If you were still here with me
Since you've been gone
All that's left is a band of gold
@brucemendelson8306
Loved it at 12, STILL love it at 63. Really takes me back to summertime as a kid, it played on the radio constantly and I never grew tired of it.
@VCora
Different place, but same experience.
@PesterBotLoFi
Bless your heart. I'm 30 and I just heard this... my fiance and I jam to it constantly. Can't kill good music.
@jamiejones9335
I know this song was awesome then and is still awesome now
@jamiejones9335
@PesterBot LoFi Well just read your comment that's right can't kill good music you should listen to the hollies as well
@deborahstaats922
Same here Bruce. 63 and still loving it.
@GeorgeVreelandHill
The entire decade of the 1970s was a band of gold. A great era of life and music.
@kahakookina2822
Yes! . . . definitely.
@philipdowns6723
1970 was certainly one of the best years of music, this being one of many.
@jamesedwardrichardson2131
Isn't a band of good here a symbol of regret, mistake, and lost possibilities?