He gained success in the 1960s and 1970s with his brand of Southern soul, which mixed the styles of country, gospel and rhythm and blues.
Born in Rogers, Texas, in 1935 and raised in Baytown, TX, Tex's career started after he was signed to King Records in 1955 following four wins at the Apollo Theater. Between that year and 1964, however, Tex struggled to find hits and by the time he finally recorded his first hit, "Hold What You've Got", in 1964, he had recorded thirty prior singles that were deemed failures on the charts. Tex went on to have three million-selling hits, "Hold What You've Got" (1965), "Skinny Legs and All" (1967) and "I Gotcha" (1972).
Joe Tex with the raspy voice & charm of a southern preacher and the linguistic skills of a true street hustler made a string of funky chart topping hits and occasional raps with moral themes. His peak as a hitmaker occured in the mid & late 60's, but extended into the 70's disco era.
His breakthrough 1965 song "Hold What You've Got" topped both the Pop and R&B charts. In 1966 he released "I Believe I'm Gonna Make It", which was the first major pop record associated with the Vietnam War. His style was usually more light hearted fare, like "S.Y.S.L.J.F.M. (The Letter Song)" and his biggest hit "Skinny Legs And All".
His last major record was 1972's funky jam "I Gotcha", a #1 song. It was after this release that he converted to Islam. After the death of Elijah Mohamed in 1975, Joe Tex received the blessing and approval of the Nation of Islam to begin recording and performing again. His career resurgence came as the disco years were in full swing. His late career comeback song was "Ain't Gonna Bump No More (With No Big Fat Woman)".
Hold On To What You've Got
Joe Tex Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You'd better hold on, hold on to what you've got
'Cause if you think nobody wants it
Just throw it away and you will see
Someone will have it before you can count one, two, three
Yes they will, yes they will
Listen fellows, you know it's not all the time
That a man can have a good woman
A woman who will stay right there at home
And mind the children while he's gone to work
A woman who will have his dinner cooked
When he comes home
Where some men make mistakes is
When they go out and stay because they feel
That no other man wants his woman but him??
But listen, if you think no other man wants her
Just throw her away and you will see
Some men will have her before you can count one, two, three
Yes he will, yes he will
Listen girls, this goes for you too
Because you know I've seen so many women who've had so many good men in life
Men who would stand by them through thick and thin
Men who'd go to work everyday and
Bring home their hard earned pay
Men who'd give their woman anything
That their little hearts desired
Where some women make mistakes is
When their men go out and let 'em play they would stay
Because they felt that no other woman wanted him but her
Listen, if you think no other woman wants him
Just pitch him out in the street and you will see
Some woman will have your man
Before you can count one, two, three
Yes she will, yes she will
The song "Hold What You've Got" by Joe Tex is an upbeat and empowering tune that conveys a message of value and appreciation for what you have, particularly in relationships. The lyrics present the idea that if you have someone special in your life, whether it be a man or a woman, don't take them for granted and don't assume that no one else wants them. Instead, cherish them and hold onto them tightly, because just as easily as you acquired them, someone else may take them away.
Joe Tex highlights this message in the verses of the song, emphasizing the importance of having a good woman who will stay by your side and support you, and a good man who will work hard and provide for you. He warns against making the mistake of assuming that your partner is not wanted by others, because it only takes a moment for someone else to step in and steal them away. The energetic and soulful tone of the song reinforces the urgency of this message, urging listeners to focus on what matters in life and appreciate what they have.
Line by Line Meaning
You'd better hold on, hold on to what you've got
Don't let go of what you have, whether it's a good woman or a good man.
'Cause if you think nobody wants it
Just throw it away and you will see
Someone will have it before you can count one, two, three
Yes they will, yes they will
If you don't appreciate what you have and throw it away, someone else will want it in no time at all.
Listen fellows, you know it's not all the time
That a man can have a good woman
A women he can call his very own
A woman who will stay right there at home
And mind the children while he's gone to work
A woman who will have his dinner cooked
When he comes home
It's rare for a man to have a good woman who takes care of the household and his needs.
Where some men make mistakes is
When they go out and stay because they feel
That no other man wants his woman but him??
But listen, if you think no other man wants her
Just throw her away and you will see
Some men will have her before you can count one, two, three
Yes he will, yes he will
Men make the mistake of not valuing their woman and assuming that no other man would want her, but that's not true.
Listen girls, this goes for you too
Because you know I've seen so many women who've had so many good men in life
Men who would stand by them through thick and thin
Men who'd go to work everyday and
Bring home their hard earned pay
Men who'd give their woman anything
That their little hearts desired
Women also make the mistake of not valuing their man and assuming that no other woman would want him, despite having a good man in their life.
Where some women make mistakes is
When their men go out and let 'em play they would stay
Because they felt that no other woman wanted him but her
Listen, if you think no other woman wants him
Just pitch him out in the street and you will see
Some woman will have your man
Before you can count one, two, three
Yes she will, yes she will
Women also make the mistake of not valuing their man and assuming that no other woman would want him, but that's not true.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JOE TEX
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@FloydLarck
Man, this was the music. This man's voice will give you the chills.
@adriennerobinson1180
Truth Indeed AMEN 🙏
@gwenkainga5034
Timeless music. Can never be tired of this kind music
@boboo6257
Those were the days. Listen to the tenderness in his voice, I remember my father playing this record as a child, I eat, sleep and breathe music I did have an excellent teacher. My Father thank you, Dad!
@charlesblount1083
These are still the days
@emilyvaughan7615
Smooth
@thomasfisher5742
quality soul music ....lives on and on and........................on booboo
@wolfgangrittner6637
I thank him too!
@GlendelPalmer
The Best
@micheleyarbrough8276
My father who is 79, played this kind of music throughout my childhood. I have such respect for all the wonderful music of the past. Thanks Dad for introducing me to it!!!