In 1966, the band toured the Pacific Northwest without Wheatbread, who was recruited as the house drummer on the television series, Where the Action Is; he later rejoined the line-up. Under manager Dick Badger, the band were renamed The Union Gap in early 1967, and fitted themselves out with Union Army-style Civil War uniforms as a visual gimmick. They then recorded a demo, which was heard by CBS record producer and songwriter Jerry Fuller. Impressed by Puckett's baritone voice and the band's soft rock leanings, Fuller signed them to a recording contract with Columbia Records.
The band recorded their first single, "Woman Woman", a song written by Jim Glaser and Jimmy Payne, in August 1967. It became their first hit, reaching #4 on the Billboard Hot 100 and being certified as a gold disc. This was followed during the next two years by "Young Girl" (#2), "Lady Willpower" (#2), "Over You" (#7), and "Don't Give In To Him" (#15). All were produced by Fuller, who also wrote "Young Girl," "Lady Willpower," and "Over You". Although the band never had a #1 record in the United States, "Young Girl" reached #1 on the UK singles chart, and #6 when it was reissued in the UK six years later. Controversial at the time and later for its risqué lyrical references to underage romance, Allmusic labeled the groups lyrics "bizarrely pedophilic". "Young Girl" was the second million selling disc for the band, which it reached less than two months after issue; "Lady Willpower" and "Over You" also won gold discs. The band headlined at a White House reception for Prince Charles and at Disneyland in 1968, and were nominated for a Grammy Award for Best New Artist in 1969, losing out to José Feliciano.
The band, however, wanted to write and produce its own material, and Puckett resented singing the power ballads written by Fuller. In 1969 Fuller prepared a 40-piece studio orchestra to record a new song he had written, but Puckett and the group refused to record it, the session was canceled, and Fuller never again worked with the group. The band returned to the charts with "This Girl Is a Woman Now," produced by Dick Glasser, but later releases failed to make the Billboard Top 40. Chater and Withem left the band; Bement took over on bass guitar and keyboardist, Barry McCoy, and horn player, Richard Gabriel, were added. In 1970 Puckett began recording as a solo act, but with limited success; the Union Gap remained his live backing band until they were dismissed following an appearance at the 1971 Orange County Fair. Puckett's recording contract was terminated one year later.
In 2009, Gary Puckett & The Union Gap were inducted into the Hit Parade Hall of Fame.
Lady Willpower
Gary Puckett & The Union Gap Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Give your love to me and I'll shower
Your heart with tenderness endlessly.
I know you want to see me but you're afraid
Of what I might have on my mind.
One thing you can be sure of
I'll take good care of your love
If you will let me give you mine.
Give your love to me and I'll shower
Your heart with tenderness endlessly.
Did no one ever tell you the facts of life?
Well there's so much you have to learn.
And I would gladly teach you if I could only reach you
And get your lovin' in return.
Lady Willpower, it's now or never.
Give your love to me and I'll shower
Your heart with tenderness endlessly.
Lady Willpower, it's now or never.
Give your love to me and I'll shower.....
The song Lady Willpower by Gary Puckett is a plea to a woman to take a chance on love. The singer is addressing a woman who he believes is interested in him but is afraid of what he might have on his mind. He tries to reassure her that he only wants to shower her heart with tenderness and take care of her love if she will only let him give her his own love. He urges her not to let fear hold her back and to give her love to him now, promising to make it worthwhile.
There is a sense of urgency in the lyrics as the singer emphasizes that it is now or never for them to pursue their feelings for each other. He suggests that there is a lot that the woman has yet to learn about love, and he is willing to teach her if she will give him the opportunity. The song concludes with a final plea to Lady Willpower to take a chance on love and allow the singer to shower her with tenderness endlessly.
Line by Line Meaning
Lady Willpower, it's now or never.
I need your love now, and if you give it to me, I'll commit to making you feel loved forever
Give your love to me and I'll shower
If you give me your love, I will shower you with all the tenderness and care that your heart desires
Your heart with tenderness endlessly.
I will take care of your heart every day with all the love, warmth, and tenderness that it deserves
I know you want to see me but you're afraid
I understand that you are afraid of taking the next step with me, but I hope you can trust me and let me love you
Of what I might have on my mind.
You may be worried about what I am thinking, but I promise that my intentions are pure and genuine
One thing you can be sure of
I want you to be certain that I will cherish and nurture your love if you give it to me
I'll take good care of your love
I will protect and value your love, and reciprocate it in every way possible
If you will let me give you mine.
If you can trust me and accept my love, I will give you everything I have to offer
Did no one ever tell you the facts of life?
I sense that you may have some doubts or uncertainties about love, and I am willing to guide you through it
Well there's so much you have to learn.
Love is complex and multi-faceted, and I want to help you understand and discover all that it has to offer
And I would gladly teach you if I could only reach you
I am eager to share my experiences and knowledge with you, but I need you to open up to me and let me in
And get your lovin' in return.
If you can let yourself love me in return, our relationship could be one of deep, meaningful, and fulfilling love
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Jerry Fuller
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
MrWrenchmuller
I'm willing to bet that less than half of today's entertainers could sing this song with this much emotion and power without passing out or needing a break. That guy had lungs.
bob wyman
true that !!
flowerchild51
You're so right ! But he could sing to me my husband sang it to me 54 years ago. Still does !
blockcl
Amazingly, I get the sense that there was more in reserve if he needed it, but Gary wisely held back a little, so as not to over power the song.
Jane Smith
He's amazing,never get tired of listening to it, wished I could see him live
Au60schild
@blockcl Absolutely spot on correct! Those pipes combined with his pulmonary volume were a gift from god to us all. I've always thought that, IMHO , he had the best voice in rock/pop. I still do.
Ken Arthur
I still get chills listening to this classic. Memories of a much more innocent childhood.
Giuliana Lamberti Levy
Me too. Chills and it makes me cry.. an innocent childhood indeed growing up in NY.
Christina Nicholls
@Giuliana Lamberti LevySame!! I cried when I started listening to these songs again. It’s bittersweet. His voice is amazing! I had a big crush on Gary. ❤
Debby Mayhaw
I'm 61 but I grew up listening to him with my Mom. It was a way different time I know that now. I still cannot understand HOW WE ENDED UP WHERE THIS COUNTRY IS.
SMH