Carne was born Sarah Jean Perkins in Columbus, Georgia and was raised in Atlanta. Her talent as a singer became evident from an early age and was encouraged by her parents. Carne's singing ability was so striking that at the age of four she became a member of her church choir. Carne went on to learn to play the piano, the clarinet and the bassoon, mastering all three.
Carne attended Booker T. Washington High School in Atlanta, and learned to speak Russian fluently. She received a scholarship after graduating in 1965, to attend Morris Brown College where she was trained in musical theater to opera. Carne planned on furthering her studies at Juilliard School of Music in New York when she met and married Jazz pianist Doug Carn and became a featured vocalist in his jazz fusion band. The couple based themselves in Los Angeles, California, where Carne did three early albums with her husband, "Infant Eyes", "Spirit Of The New Land" and "Revelations". Her work with the band garnered enthusiastic new jazz fans and brought her to the attention of the soon-to-be mega-group Earth Wind and Fire. Her voice helped brighten the group's first two albums, "Earth Wind And Fire," and "The Need Of Love" where she expanded her musical learning with the group and went beyond her jazz work.
In 1976, Carne was signed to Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff's Philadelphia International Records; her debut album Jean Carn was a classy affair that merged the best of '70s soul and jazz with solid song-writing and tight instrumental support (MFSB, Instant Funk). The debut single "Free Love" went to number 23 R&B. Though the follow-up single did not chart, several of the album's tracks received considerable radio airplay. In June 1978, Happy to Be With You, her second album for the label was released. It included the hit single "Don't Let It Go to Your Head."
Carne's third Philadelphia International album When I Find You Love was more of a return conceptually (musically and sonically) to that of Jean Carn. Produced by Dexter Wansel, the album rates as one of Carne's best efforts. The smooth and halting "My Love Don't Come Easy" peaked at number 43 R&B in the summer of 1979. At this time Ms. Carne was switched from the Philadelphia International label to the subsidiary TSOP imprint for her final outing. Released in August 1981, Sweet and Wonderful featured a stunning and classy remake of the Spinners' "Love Don't Love Nobody," which went to number 35 R&B.
Frustrated with her lack of substantial sales and promotion of her previous albums which were artistic and critical successes, if not commercially as acclaimed, Carne moved to Motown Records in 1982, making her label debut with the album Trust Me. The single "If You Don't Know Me By Now," a cover of the Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes hit with backing vocals by The Temptations, went to number 49 R&B. A scheduled follow-up lp was canned and is reportedly in the vaults, following Ms. Carne's leaving the Motown roster. By 1986, Carne signed to Omni Records. Closer Than Close was released in July of that year and the title track went to number one R&B. Her 1988 album You're a Part of Me included a hit cover of Aretha Franklin's "Ain't No Way." Carne later signed with Place One Entertainment, which reunited her with former Omni Records president Steve Bernstein, with her Love Lessons album.
In 2002, Carne toured the United Kingdom with her musical director, Nathan Heathman, with appearances at the London Jazz Cafe in March of that year. 2003 saw the release of Collaborations, an album for the Expansion label, that featured Carne's various musical collaborations over the years. Carne has worked with some of the most prolific soul artists, producers and songwriters over the years, including The Temptations, Glenn Jones, the late Phyllis Hyman, Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff among other stellar musicians. Carne has also acted as producer and arranger on her own projects and for others in the music fraternity.
Don't Let It Go To Your Head
Jean Carne Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
How I feel about you
Don't let it go to your head, no
Don't let it go to your head, no (no, no, no, no)
Now that you know
I can't live with you, ooh-wee
Don't let it go to your head, no (no, no, no)
Don't take advantage of my love
Treat me good, treat me fair
Treat me fine
Now that I've given you
Every part of me, ooh-wee
Don't let it go to your head, no
Don't let it go to your head, no (no, no, no, no)
'Cause if you're playin' games
It would be a shame
Don't break my heart
Don't break my heart
Woo, woo
'Cause if you're playin' games
It would be a shame
Don't break my heart
Don't break my heart
Woo, oh, ho, ho
Now that you know
How I feel about you, ooh-wee
Don't let it go to your head, no (no, no, no, no)
Don't let it go to your head, no (no)
Now that you know
I can't live with you, ooh-wee
Don't let it go to your head, no (no, no, no)
Don't let it go to your head, no (no, no, no, no)
Don't let it, don't let it, don't let it
Go to your head, no
Don't let it, don't let it, don't let it
Go to your head, no
Oh, ho
Don't break my heart
Woo, woo, ho, ho, ho, ooh-wee, uh-huh
Don't let it, don't let it, don't let it
Don't let it go to your head, no, no, no, mmm, hmm
Don't, don't ever never, never let it
Don't let it go to your head, your head (no, no, no, no, no, no)
Don't let it, don't let it, don't let it
Don't let it go to your head, no (oh, no, no, no, no, no, no)
Don't let it go to your head, no
Don't let it go to your head, no (ooh, hoo, mmm, hmm, mmm, hmm)
Don't let it, don't let it, don't let it
Don't let it go to your head, no (no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no)
Don't let it go to your head, no
Don't let it go to your head, no (ooh, hoo, ooh, hoo)
Don't let it, don't let it, don't let it
Don't let it go to your head, no (ooh, no, no, no, no)
Don't let it go to your head, no
Don't let it go to your head, no
The lyrics to Jean Carne's "Don't Let It Go To Your Head" is a plea to a lover not to let the love they share get to their head and make them take advantage of the singer's love. The singer expresses her feelings towards the lover and admits that she has given every part of herself to the relationship. However, she warns the lover not to play games or break her heart if they do not feel the same way about the relationship. She reminds the lover not to take advantage of her love and to treat her with respect and fairness.
In the song, Jean Carne's soulful and powerful voice delivers the message clearly and emphatically. The repetition of the phrase "don't let it go to your head" emphasizes the importance of the message she is trying to convey. The use of the phrase "ooh-wee" in the lyrics adds to the passionate and emotional tone of the song. The repetition of the line, "Don't break my heart," reinforces the vulnerability of the singer and the importance of the relationship to her.
Overall, "Don't Let It Go To Your Head" is a timeless soulful ballad that speaks to the universal theme of love and relationships. The song's lyrics convey a strong and enduring sentiment about the importance of honesty, communication, and respect in a relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
Now that you know
Since you are aware
How I feel about you
Of my emotions towards you
Don't let it go to your head, no
Don't become conceited due to this knowledge
Don't take advantage of my love
Do not misuse my love for you
Treat me good, treat me fair
Treat me with kindness and justice
Treat me fine
Treat me well
Now that I've given you
Since I have already provided you
Every part of me, ooh-wee
With everything I have to offer
Don't take advantage of my love
Do not misuse my love for you
'Cause if you're playin' games
If you are deceiving me
It would be a shame
It would be regretful
Don't break my heart
Do not cause me emotional pain
Woo, woo
Sound effect indicating grief
Now that you know
Since you are aware
I can't live with you, ooh-wee
I cannot continue living with you
Don't let it go to your head, no (no, no, no, no)
Do not become conceited due to this knowledge
Don't let it, don't let it, don't let it
Do not allow it
Go to your head, no
To make you arrogant
Don't break my heart
Do not cause me emotional pain
Woo, oh, ho, ho
Sound effect indicating grief
Don't let it go to your head, no (no, no, no)
Do not become conceited due to this knowledge
Don't let it go to your head, no (no, no, no, no)
Do not become conceited due to this knowledge
Don't, don't ever never, never let it
Never allow it
Don't let it go to your head, your head (no, no, no, no, no, no)
Do not become conceited due to this knowledge
Don't let it, don't let it, don't let it
Do not allow it
Don't let it go to your head, no (oh, no, no, no, no, no, no)
Do not become conceited due to this knowledge
Don't let it go to your head, no
Do not become conceited due to this knowledge
Don't let it go to your head, no (ooh, hoo, mmm, hmm, mmm, hmm)
Do not become conceited due to this knowledge
Don't let it, don't let it, don't let it
Do not allow it
Don't let it go to your head, no (no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no)
Do not become conceited due to this knowledge
Don't let it go to your head, no (ooh, hoo, ooh, hoo)
Do not become conceited due to this knowledge
Don't let it go to your head, no (ooh, no, no, no, no)
Do not become conceited due to this knowledge
Don't let it go to your head, no
Do not become conceited due to this knowledge
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Kenneth Gamble, Leon Huff
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@thomasfranklin780
Grown folks music. I remember back in the day when people had house parties and played this. This song made the night. This music, this vibe, this rhythm, let alone the era, it's not here now. This was when music was real and you felt it. This gives you goose bumps all day. Has that affect.
@homeceid
im 15 and this is my fist time hearing this song and i really love it. is there any other artists you recommend that sound like this ?
@WaveyD
@@homeceid I’m 26 and can tell you that listening to this music will cultivate the soul like no other genre ever will…
With that said, look into artist such as Frankie Beverly and Mase, KC and The Sunshine Band, Aretha Franklin, The Isley Brothers, Marvin Gaye, Chaka Khan, Luther Vandross…. to name a few.
@danieltowns8010
@@homeceid Try Gwen McCrae: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h5rMfLJKwIE
@vickiehodnett4360
Yes listen to Phyllis Hyman, Angela Bofill, Whitney Houston, Patti LaBelle, Gladys Knight, Minnie Ripperton, Anita Baker. You won’t be disappointed.
@DR-kz3jr
Good ol house party in the 70s-80s in DFW. No shooting. No arguing. Just good music, food, and drank.
@andyclacey2980
wicked track from top album.
@NateTheGr8ness
I had to pull this up after watching 👀 her on Unsung.
@danieltowns8010
I can't stop falling in love with this song. Been married for nearly 9 years, still not let it go to my head!
@reginaldjohnson5137
i lost my wife in 2021 she was my life 35 year of marriage , this song make me dance by myself thinking about that beautiful woman that i lost shirley i miss you so much baby why