Born in Pensacola, Florida, McCrae grew up singing in her pentecostal church and later discovered secular singers like Sam Cooke and Aretha Franklin. She began performing in local clubs as a teenager, and singing with local groups like the Lafayettes and the Independents. In 1963, she met a young sailor named George McCrae, whom she married within a week.
From 1963 onward, she recorded as a duo with her husband George, and was first to receive a solo contract, with Henry Stone's TK Records. She found success on the R&B charts with "Lead Me On" in 1970, followed by "For Your Love".
George & Gwen were discovered in 1967 by singer Betty Wright, who helped get them signed to Henry Stone's Alston label. Their debut single, "Three Hearts in a Tangle," was released in 1969; the follow-up, "Like Yesterday Our Love Is Gone," marked the first time they worked with the writing team of Clarence Reid (who would later morph into the bawdy comic Blowfly) and Willie Clarke. Both were regional hits, as was third single, "No One Left to Come Home," although none of those records broke nationally; meanwhile, the McCraes and Wright were collectively earning a reputation as stellar session vocalists.
Following husband George’s unexpected solo success with "Rock Your Baby", Gwen went on to have a major hit of her own in 1975 with "Rockin' Chair", a #1 R&B hit which also reached the US Top 10. The follow-up album, Love Insurance, also made the R&B charts. By this time, the separate successes were taking their toll on the McCraes' marriage. Gwen has since alleged that her husband beat her frequently.
After Gwen and George divorced and TK Records collapsed, Gwen moved to New Jersey, and signed with Atlantic Records, having another hit with "Funky Sensation" in 1981. She continued to record, and the success of some of her earlier recordings on the UK’s Northern Soul scene maintained her popularity as a live act in Europe. In 2004, she released her first gospel album.
Let Them Talk
Gwen McCrae Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
If they want to
Talk don't bother me
I'm gonna keep on to the whole wide world knows
That I really love you
I really love you so
Let them whisper
What's between you and I
I'm gonna keep on
I'm gonna keep on loving you
'till the day that I die
They tryied to break up a romance
They didn't stay a chance
We have the kind of love that's so strong
We'll be together from now on
They say that gossip comes from the devil's worlshop
And only true love can make it stop
I gonna keep on
I gonna keep on loving you
'till the day that I die
Oh they're envyious of everything that we do
But I wanna say it's wonderful
When you love someone
And that someone
And that someone, really loves you
And that someone
And that someone, really loves you
Yeah that someone
And that someone, really loves you
Yeahhh
And that someone
Yeah that someone, really loves you
The first verse of “Let Them Talk” by Gwen McCrae is about ignoring gossip and staying true to one’s love. The singer is telling the listener that they should not be bothered by what others say about their relationship. They should keep loving each other until the whole world knows how much they truly love each other. The second verse says that the whispers of others should not affect the relationship because they do not know what is between the two individuals in the relationship. This verse states that the love between them is so strong, that it will not falter. The third verse states that their romance has been threatened, but it did not succeed. It says that their love is so strong that they will stay together from that moment on.
Line by Line Meaning
Just let them talk
Allow others to say what they want without worrying about their opinions or rumors.
If they want to
They have free will to express their thoughts if they so choose.
Talk don't bother me
The words of others do not have an impact or effect on my feelings or relationship with you.
I'm gonna keep on to the whole wide world knows
I will continue to express my love for you, making it evident to the world, for everyone to see and know.
That I really love you
My feelings for you are strong and genuine.
Let them whisper
Allow them to spread gossip and rumors behind our backs.
For they know know
Their words and opinions are not based on actual knowledge or experience.
What's between you and I
The love and connection shared between us is something the others cannot understand or grasp.
I'm gonna keep on
Continuing to love you despite what others may say or think of us.
I'm gonna keep on loving you
My love for you will persist and endure.
'till the day that I die
My love for you will be unending, until the day that I pass away.
They tried to break up a romance
Others have attempted to come between our love, but failed to do so.
They didn't stay a chance
Their efforts to sabotage our relationship were unsuccessful.
We have the kind of love that's so strong
Our love is powerful and cannot be broken by outsiders.
We'll be together from now on
Our love will continue to exist and grow stronger, remaining together forever.
They say that gossip comes from the devil's workshop
The rumors and hearsay spread by others stems from negative and harmful intentions.
And only true love can make it stop
Real love is the only thing that can combat and erase the negativity brought by gossip.
Oh they're envious of everything that we do
Others are jealous of our love and relationship, possibly longing for the same type of love in their own lives.
But I wanna say it's wonderful
Despite the jealousy and spiteful comments, our love is beautiful and amazing.
When you love someone
The feeling of love that you experience for a particular person.
And that someone
The individual whom your love is directed toward.
And that someone, really loves you
The person you love, also loves you in return, creating a strong and unbreakable bond.
Yeah that someone
Referring to the same individual previously mentioned, whom love is directed toward.
And that someone, really loves you
Confirming the reciprocation of love between two individuals, solidifying the power and strength of their love.
Contributed by Juliana T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.