Music career
Hattie began her singing career in gospel music shows and competitions. She was discovered by Motown producer Clarence Paul, who recruited her after she had won three talent shows at "Lee's Sensation Lounge." She was signed to Motown for four years, resulting in her recording ten singles. She never released a full album on that label.
After her contract expired, Littles left the music business and experienced stints of alcoholism and drug abuse.
She was rediscovered in the 1980s by British producer Ian Levine. Levine started Motorcity records, which was comprised of more than one hundred artists that previously recorded with Motown. The resulting album is available, and is entitled "The Very Best of Hattie Littles," and includes the stand-out tracks "Never Say Never," "Waiting for the Day," and "One Too Many Reasons."
Littles died in June 2000 of a heart attack.
Vocal style
Littles had a full, soulful, Gospel-tinged voice with a deep vibrato. Tracks on "The Very Best of Hattie Littles" feature short monologues or "raps", in the classical and bluesy style of Lou Rawls, James Brown, Bobby Blue Bland, and BB King.
So Far Away
Hattie Littles Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Doesn't anybody stay in one place any more?
It would be so fine to see your face at my door
And it doesn't help to know you're just time away
Long ago I reached for you and there you stood
Holding you again would only do me good
Oh how I wish I could but you're so far away
I can't say much of anything that's new
But if I could only work this life out my way
I'd rather spend it being close to you
But you're so far away
Doesn't anybody stay in one place any more?
It would be so fine to see your face at my door
And it doesn't help to know you're so far away
So far away, yeah, you're so far away
Traveling around sure gets me down and lonely
Nothing else to do but close my mind
And I sure hope the road don't get to own me
There's so many dreams that I've yet to find
But you're so far away
Doesn't anybody stay in one place any more?
It would be so fine to see your face at my door
And it doesn't help to know you're so far away
So far away, yeah, you're so far away
Hattie Littles' song "So Far Away" tells a story of a person who is constantly on the move and constantly missing someone who is far away. The singer longs to see the person's face at their door, but knows that they are just time away. The lyrics express the frustration of never being able to sit still, and the sadness of being separated from someone they love.
The first verse sets the tone for the rest of the song, expressing the singer's desire to see the person they miss so much. The second verse acknowledges that the singer is constantly on the move, but still wishes they could find a way to be close to the person they miss. The chorus repeats the central theme of the song, emphasizing the distance between the two people.
The third verse expresses the singer's feelings of loneliness while traveling and emphasizes how lost they feel without the person they long for. The final lines of the song express the hope that the person will not be forgotten, and that there are still many dreams to be found.
Overall, "So Far Away" is a powerful tribute to the pain of separation and the longing for connection. It captures the feeling of being constantly on the move and never being able to stay in one place for long, as well as the sadness of missing someone who is far away.
Line by Line Meaning
So far away
I feel like you are miles apart from me, both literally and emotionally.
Doesn't anybody stay in one place any more?
People seem to be constantly on the move without ever sticking around.
It would be so fine to see your face at my door
Seeing your beautiful face in front of me would make everything seem right.
And it doesn't help to know you're just time away
Knowing that time is the only obstacle between us doesn't make me feel any better.
Long ago I reached for you and there you stood
I have loved and tried to be close to you in the past.
Holding you again would only do me good
Being with you again would bring me joy.
Oh how I wish I could but you're so far away
Unfortunately, you are too far away for me to hold you.
One more song about moving along the highway
This song is just one more example of the common theme of traveling.
I can't say much of anything that's new
I can't come up with anything original to say about this topic.
But if I could only work this life out my way
If I had control over my life, I would choose to be close to you.
I'd rather spend it being close to you
Being with you is the most important thing in my life.
Traveling around sure gets me down and lonely
Traveling constantly leaves me feeling sad and lonely.
Nothing else to do but close my mind
I don't have anything else to occupy my thoughts except for missing you.
And I sure hope the road don't get to own me
I hope that the road doesn't consume me and take over my life.
There's so many dreams that I've yet to find
There are many things I still hope to accomplish in my life.
So far away, yeah, you're so far away
Once again, distance keeps us separated.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Carole King
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind