Band formation
L.T.D. (which stood for Love, Togetherness and Devotion) was formed in Greensboro, North Carolina in 1968 by keyboardist Jimmie "J.D." Davis and saxophonist Abraham "Onion" Miller. Both were former backing musicians for soul duo Sam and Dave. The band was originally named Love Men, Ltd.
The other members of the band were recruited following the relocation of Jimmie and Abraham to New York City:
Henry Davis, bassist
Johnny McGhee, guitarist
Carle Vickers, trumpeter
Arthur "Lorenzo" Carnegie, saxophonist
Toby Wynn, saxophonist
Jake Riley, Jr., trombonist
Jeffrey Osborne, singer and drummer
The group then settled in Los Angeles, where Osborne's brother, Billy Osborne joined the lineup as the keyboardist.
Discography
L.T.D. signed with the A&M label to issue their 1974 debut Love, Togetherness and Devotion. On their third LP, 1976's Love to the World, the group scored their first Top 20 pop hit, Love Ballad. The follow-up, 1977's Something to Love, included the top five track (Every Time I Turn Around) Back in Love Again. Four years later L.T.D. returned to the Top 40 once again with Shine On.
Time For Pleasure
L.T.D. Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Tell you when I find a decoy
Sittin' in the water
With your hopes up high
Have you takin' a nosedive, hard boy
Hey yo, told you so
They'll be aimin' at you
You know I told you so
But I didn't say it wouldn't get boring
From the bar to the loo
To the buckaroos
Hopin' that you'll choose the real thing
Dance on, don't you know
We got somethin' to do
Hey yo, anywhere it goes
It's high time for a detour
Deep, deep water pulls you down
Time to get your feet on the ground
Hey yo, anywhere it goes
It's high time for a detour
Hey yo, anywhere it goes
It's high time for a detour
Hey yo, told you before
Tell you when I find a decoy
Sittin' in the water
With your hopes up high
Have you takin' a nosedive, hard boy
Hey yo, don't you know
They'll be aimin' at you
Hey yo, anywhere it goes
It's high time for a detour
Hey yo, anywhere it goes
It's high time for a detour
Hey, hey, hey hey yo
Hey, hey, hey yo
Hey yo
The lyrics of L.T.D.'s "Time For Pleasure" seem to speak to an individual who has been warned of the potential pitfalls of romance, likely by someone who has either experienced heartbreak themselves or witnessed it in others. The lyrics suggest that the individual in question has either ignored or forgotten the warning and is now "sittin' in the water with [their] hopes up high," which has led to them "takin' a nosedive, hard boy." The line "hopin' that you'll choose the real thing" suggests that this individual has a choice to make regarding their romantic interests and must be careful to select someone who is genuine.
Despite the warning, the lyrics also speak to the enjoyment and potential for pleasure that comes from engaging in romance. The lines "Dance on, don't you know/We got somethin' to do" suggest that the individual should not let the warning hold them back from experiencing the joys of love.
The repeated refrain of "hey yo, anywhere it goes/it's high time for a detour" seems to suggest that even if the individual does fall into the pitfalls of romance, there is always a chance to redirect their course and make a change.
Overall, the song's lyrics appear to be a cautionary tale about the potential dangers of romance, but also a call to enjoy the pleasures of love while being cautious.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey yo, told you before
I previously told you
Tell you when I find a decoy
I'll let you know if I spot any false leads
Sittin' in the water
Lurking in plain sight
With your hopes up high
With your expectations elevated
Have you takin' a nosedive, hard boy
Leaving you feeling crushed
Hey yo, told you so
As I previously predicted
They'll be aimin' at you
Others will try to bring you down
But I didn't say it wouldn't get boring
However, I did warn you that it might become tedious
From the bar to the loo
From one unexciting locale to another
To the buckaroos
Even the more lively areas
Hopin' that you'll choose the real thing
Desiring that you opt for authenticity
Dance on, don't you know
Keep moving forward
We got somethin' to do
We have a task to accomplish
Hey yo, anywhere it goes
Regardless of the circumstances
It's high time for a detour
It's time to change course
Deep, deep water pulls you down
Sinking you into despair
Time to get your feet on the ground
It's time to regain your stability
Hey, hey, hey hey yo
Interjection with no meaning
Hey, hey, hey yo
Interjection with no meaning
Hey yo
Interjection with no meaning
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: K. D. LANG, BENJAMIN MINK
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
ddsaphoenix
on Love Ballad
Lovely Song