Guthrie was born in Okemah, Oklahoma and raised in Newark, New Jersey. In school, she studied classical music, and her father began teaching her piano when she was eight years old. By the early 1970s, she had joined vocal groups such as the Ebonettes and the Matchmakers, meanwhile working as an elementary school teacher. When a backup singer scheduled to sing on Aretha Franklin's 1974 single "I'm in Love" fell ill, Guthrie took the vocalist's place beside Cissy Houston; thus Guthrie would happily state that her career on record began "at the top".
Guthrie soon began moonlighting as a singer of commercial jingles, sometimes with her friend Valerie Simpson (of Ashford & Simpson fame). A songwriting partnership with Patrick Grant resulted in Ben E. King's comeback single, "Supernatural Thing", and "This Time I'll Be Sweeter", covered by numerous artists. Together they wrote seven tracks on the Sister Sledge's 1975 album Circle Of Love: Cross My Heart, Protect Our Love, Love Don't You Go Through No Changes On Me, Don't You Miss Him Now, Pain Reliever, You're Much Better Off Loving Me, and Fireman. She was also the writer of Roberta Flack's "God Don't Like Ugly".
As Guthrie's solo career developed, she worked extensively with Sly and Robbie on dub-influenced club cuts, and began racking up dance hits. She was dubbed "The First Lady of the Paradise Garage" as several of her songs became anthems at the venue, helped by the frequent and dynamic performances she gave there. She soon teamed musically with famed Paradise Garage DJ Larry Levan.
Guthrie is probably best known for her 1986 dance anthem "Ain't Nothin' Goin' on But the Rent", a self-written and -produced track which garnered some controversy for lyrics such as: "No romance without finance/You've got to have a j-o-b if you want to be with me". (and "...Rent" was later sampled by numerous dance and hip hop artists, notably by Foxy Brown in 1998 "Job").
She also had a hit with a cover of "(They Long to Be) Close to You", which reached #25 in the UK charts the same year.
Her single "Can't Love You Tonight" boldly addressed AIDS at a time when the disease was a taboo subject, and she was an ally to the gay community, and people with AIDS long before the masses caught up. Proceeds from the single went to the AIDS Coalition.
Other club hits of hers include "Padlock", "Peanut Butter", and "Peek-a-Boo".
Ain't Nothin' Goin' On But The Rent
Gwen Guthrie Lyrics
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What can you do for me?
Hey
No romance without finance
No romance without finance
Boy, nothin' in life is free
I've got responsibilities
So I'm lookin' for a man whose got money in his hands
'Cause nothin' from nothin' leaves nothin'
You got to have somethin' if you wanna be with me
Oh, life is too serious, love's too mysterious
A fly girl like me needs security
'Cause ain't nothin' goin' on but the rent
You got to have a J-O-B if you wanna be with me
Ain't nothin' goin' on but the rent
You got to have a J-O-B if you wanna be with me
No romance without finance
I said no romance without finance
Boy, your silky ways are sweet
But we're only wastin' time if your pockets are empty
I've got lots of love to give
But I will have to avoid you if you're unemployed
'Cause nothin' from nothin' leaves nothin'
You got to have somethin' if you wanna be with me
Oh, life is too serious, love's too mysterious
A fly girl like me needs security
'Cause ain't nothin' goin' on but the rent
You got to have a J-O-B if you wanna be with me
Ain't nothin' goin' on but the rent
You got to have a J-O-B if you wanna be with me
No romance without finance
I said no romance without finance
No romance without finance
I said no romance without finance
Oh, you look good to me
Your silky words are sweet
But your pockets sure look empty
Ain't nothin' goin' on but the rent
The lyrics of Gwen Guthrie's song Ain't Nothin' Goin' On But The Rent are a direct call to men who are interested in her for romance. The song is all about how a man's financial stability is crucial in a relationship. She is very clear in her message that she is not interested in romance without finance, and that she will need a man with a firm job to be serious in a relationship. The song talks about how love is not enough and that a man must have a strong financial standing to be with her. She draws attention to the complexities of adult life and how important it is to have a responsible partner who can share financial responsibilities with her.
The song highlights the difficulties of dating in a world where money has become increasingly important, and how even romance is influenced by financial stability. The lyrics are powerful, calling for men to understand that there must be a balance between love and finance. The lyrics explore the growing complexities of modern relationships and emphasize the need for maturity and responsibility from both partners.
Line by Line Meaning
Bill collector's at my door
I'm being pressured by debt collectors to pay my bills
What can you do for me?
I need a man who can provide financial stability for me
No romance without finance
I can't be in a relationship without financial security
Boy, nothin' in life is free
There's always a cost for everything
That's why I'm askin' you what can you do for me
I'm looking for a man who can offer me financial support
I've got responsibilities
I have bills and expenses that I need to take care of
So I'm lookin' for a man whose got money in his hands
I'm searching for a man who has a stable income
'Cause nothin' from nothin' leaves nothin'
You can't expect to get something from nothing
You got to have somethin' if you wanna be with me
You need to have a source of income if you want to be in a relationship with me
Oh, life is too serious, love's too mysterious
Life is too complicated and love is too unpredictable
A fly girl like me needs security
As a confident woman, I need to feel financially secure
'Cause ain't nothin' goin' on but the rent
Money is the most important thing in my life right now
You got to have a J-O-B if you wanna be with me
You need to have a job if you want to be with me
I've got lots of love to give
I have a lot of love to share with the right person
But I will have to avoid you if you're unemployed
I can't be with someone who doesn't have a job
Oh, you look good to me
I'm physically attracted to you
Your silky words are sweet
You have a charming way of speaking
But your pockets sure look empty
But it seems like you don't have any money
I said no romance without finance
Once again, I can't be in a relationship without financial stability
No romance without finance
I need a partner who can provide financial security
I said no romance without finance
I repeat, you need to have a job and financial stability if you want to be with me
No romance without finance
My love and my heart are not enough if you're broke
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: GWENDOLYN GUTHRIE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind