Lee was born in Chicago, but as a child relocated to Detroit with her mother. After a few years, she was adopted by Rev. E. Allan Rundless, who had previously been a member of the Soul Stirrers, and his wife Ernestine, who led a gospel group, The Meditation Singers. Featuring Della Reese, they were the first Detroit gospel group to perform with instrumental backing. The group recorded on the Specialty label in the mid 1950s, appeared on the LP Della Reese Presents The Meditation Singers in 1958, and in the early 1960s recorded for Checker Records.
As Laura Lee Rundless, she replaced Reese in The Meditation Singers in 1956, and over the next few years toured widely around the country. In 1965, as Laura Lee, she launched her secular solo career as an R&B singer in clubs in Detroit, although she also continued to record occasionally with The Meditation Singers. She first recorded solo for Ric-Tic Records in 1966, with "To Win Your Heart".
The following year, she signed with Chess Records and, after initially recording in-house with the label's producers in Chicago, it was decided to send her to Rick Hall’s FAME Studios in Muscle Shoals to record "Dirty Man". This became her first hit, reaching #13 R&B and #68 pop. She stayed with Chess until 1969, also recording "Up Tight Good Man" (#16 R&B) and "As Long As I Got You" (#31 R&B)).
A short spell with Atlantic subsidiary, Cotillion resulted in two singles and then in 1970, Lee moved to former Motown producers, Holland, Dozier and Holland’s newly established Hot Wax label in Detroit. One of her first recordings for Hot Wax, "Women’s Love Rights", became one of her biggest hits, reaching #11 on the R&B chart in 1971 and #36 pop. In 1972, "Rip Off" became her biggest R&B hit at #3 but only climbed to #68 on the Billboard Hot 100. She also recorded an album, Two Sides of Laura Lee, while in a relationship with singer Al Green. Most of her material on Hot Wax was produced by William Weatherspoon, formerly with Motown.
Lee left Invictus / Hot Wax in 1975 and signed with Ariola Records, but became seriously ill shortly afterwards and retired from the music industry for several years. She returned in 1983 with a gospel album, Jesus Is The Light Of My Life, on which she worked with Al Green. By 1990 she was recovered from her illness, and had been ordained as a minister. She has continued recording music, mostly gospel.
A Swedish garage rock band did an unexpected homage to Lee by baptizing themselves as Division of Laura Lee.
She made an appearance in the 1973 Blaxploitation film Detroit 9000, as a singer in the opening scenes.
What a Man
Laura Lee Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I've been workin' so hard
I've been workin'
I've been workin' so hard
I come home
Make love to you, make love to you
I've been grindin'
I've been grindin'
I've been grindin' so long
Been up the thruway, down the thruway
Up the thruway, down the thruway
Up, down, back and up again
I said woman, woman, woman, woman, woman
Make me feel so good
Woman, woman, woman, woman, woman, woman , woman
Make me feel alright
Alright, alright, alright, alright, alright, alright, alright
Alright, alright, alright, alright, alright, alright, alright
I said woman, woman, woman, woman, woman, woman, woman
Make me feel so good
Woman, woman, woman, woman, woman, woman, woman, woman
Make me feel alright
Alright, alright, alright, alright, alright, alright, alright
Alright, alright, alright, alright, alright, alright, alright
Make me feel so good
Set my soul on fire
Set my soul on fire
Oooo weee
The song "What a Man" is a tribute to a hardworking man who comes home to his woman and makes love to her. The first verse emphasizes the man's hard work and how he has been grinding for a long time. The second verse depicts his travels up and down the thruway as he carries out his work duties. Through it all, he comes home to his woman, who makes him feel good and alright. The song celebrates the man's hard work and his ability to come home to the love of his life, who brings him comfort and joy.
The chorus is a repeated plea to the woman to make the man feel good and alright. The repetition of the word "woman" emphasizes the power that the woman holds in the man's life. It's as though she has the ability to make everything better just by being there for him. The repetition of the word "alright" seems to suggest that the man is okay, despite all the hard work and long hours he has put in. As long as he has his woman, he is alright.
Overall, the song is a celebration of love and commitment. It shows how a hardworking man can find solace and joy in the arms of his woman. It's a testament to the power of love and how it can sustain us through all the challenges of life.
Line by Line Meaning
I've been workin'
I have been putting in a lot of hard work
I've been workin' so hard
I have been putting in a lot of effort and dedication into my work
I come home
I return home after a long day at work
Make love to you, make love to you
Engage in sexual activity with my partner
I've been grindin'
I have been hustling and working hard toward my goals
I've been grindin' so long
I have been working hard and persistently for a long period of time
Been up the thruway, down the thruway
Travelled up and down the thruway
Up the thruway, down the thruway
Travelled up and down the thruway
Up, down, back and up again
Travelled in various directions multiple times
I said woman, woman, woman, woman, woman
Addressing and showing appreciation for my partner
Make me feel so good
Elevate my mood and make me feel happy
Woman, woman, woman, woman, woman, woman , woman
Further address and appreciate my partner
Make me feel alright
Make me feel content and satisfied
Alright, alright, alright, alright, alright, alright, alright
Expressing contentment and satisfaction
Alright, alright, alright, alright, alright, alright, alright
Expressing contentment and satisfaction
I said woman, woman, woman, woman, woman, woman, woman
Addressing my partner again to show my appreciation
Make me feel so good
Referring to my partner's ability to elevate my mood and make me happy
Woman, woman, woman, woman, woman, woman, woman, woman
Further addressing and appreciating my partner
Make me feel alright
Make me feel content and satisfied
Alright, alright, alright, alright, alright, alright, alright
Expressing contentment and satisfaction
Alright, alright, alright, alright, alright, alright, alright
Expressing contentment and satisfaction
Make me feel so good
Referencing my partner's ability to elevate my mood and make me happy
Set my soul on fire
To create a burning passion within me
Set my soul on fire
To create a burning passion within me
Oooo weee
An expression of satisfaction or excitement
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: VAN MORRISON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind