Born in Houston, he listened to the blues as a child and started playing piano at the age of three. In his teens, he performed with a local group and worked as an accompanist to blues musician, Guitar Slim. In the early 1960s, he moved to Los Angeles, California, where he worked with saxophonist Big Jay McNeely. McNeely arranged for him to record his first single, "Without a Love", an instrumental on the small Swingin' record label. After that, he joined Sam Cooke's band as keyboardist until the singer's death. Haywood next recorded two singles for Fantasy Records, and subsequently moved to Imperial Records, where he recorded the single "She's with Her Other Love", which made the R&B charts in 1965. He was also part of two session bands organized by Los Angeles disc jockey Magnificent Montague which issued the instrumental hits "Hole in the Wall" (R&B #5/Pop #50, 1965) under the name of The Packers, and "Precious Memories" (R&B number 31, 1967) as the Romeos. In 1967, Haywood secured his first solo hit with "It's Got to Be Mellow" (R&B #21 and Pop #63) on Decca Records. He played on further recording sessions with the Packers and Dyke & the Blazers, then returned to recording under his own name. He also established in 1967 a production company, Evejim, named after his parents.
He found only sporadic success as a singer, most notably with "It's Got to Be Mellow" and "Keep It in the Family". In the Carolinas and Virginia, Haywood's song, "It's Got to Be Mellow," has become a timeless beach music classic. After recording for Columbia Records, he moved over to MCA Records. He emerged as a star in the 1970s by modifying his style to incorporate the emerging funk and disco idioms. Haywood joined 20th Century Records in 1974 and was immediately successful, notably with "I Want'a Do Something Freaky to You" (R&B #7/Pop #15, 1975), "Strokin' (Pt. II)" (R&B #13, 1976) and "Party" (R&B #24, 1978). In 1980, Haywood revived the shuffle beat of 1950s rock and roll with "Don't Push It Don't Force It" (R&B #2 and Pop #49). This single also reached #12 in the UK, where he is considered a one-hit wonder.
Haywood is credited with writing the 1981 hit "She's a Bad Mama Jama" by Carl Carlton, which he produced in his own studio. In 1983, he released the album It's Me Again, which featured a couple minor R&B hits. His last R&B chart record was "Tenderoni" (#22) in 1984, but the accompanying album, Now and Then went unreleased. After a few more chart singles, for Casablanca Records and Modern Records, Haywood disappeared from the charts. In the late 1980s he became associated in an executive/production capacity with the Los Angeles based Edge Records. From the 1980s, he produced blues albums by Jimmy McCracklin, Clay Hammond, Ronnie Lovejoy, Buddy Ace and others on his own Evejim Records label.
He died on April 5, 2016, aged 74.
Keep It in the Family
Leon Haywood Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
If there's a problem in our home
We can solve it there, baby
We may have misunderstandings sometimes
But baby, I'm yours and I know you're mine, ooh yeah
Hey, it's a family affair, baby
And we can work it out, yeah
'Cause they don't know what it's all about
Hey, they're outside looking in, baby
Trying to put their two cents in
With misleading information
Trying to break up our relation
But it's a family affair
And we can work it out, baby
We won't seek no help from strangers
'Cause that would add to the problem, baby ooh
Keep it in the family
Just keep it in the family, baby
We got to put faith where there's been doubt
'Cause faith and trust is what love's about
Life ain't always a bed of roses
Where sweet fragrance fills the air
But it's a family affair, baby
And we can work it out, baby
We don't need no help from strangers
'Cause that would keep our love in danger
It's a family affair, baby
And we can work it out, baby
Keep it in the family, baby
Keep it in the family, baby
The song "Keep It In The Family" by Leon Haywood is about working through problems in a family and maintaining a strong bond with one another. The opening line encourages keeping issues within the family, where they can be resolved in a healthy and constructive manner. The lyrics suggest that although misunderstandings may arise, the love between family members is strong enough to overcome any obstacle. Outside influences, depicted as "strangers," are seen as potentially harmful to the family relationship and are therefore best avoided.
The repeated refrain of "it's a family affair" reinforces the idea that the family unit is important and that the members should prioritize their relationships with one another over outside opinions or interference. The lyrics also suggest that faith and trust are integral to a successful family dynamic, and that even when faced with challenges or difficulties, the family can "work it out" together.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh, keep it in the family, baby
Let's keep our issues and challenges within the family and not involve outsiders in our affairs.
If there's a problem in our home
If we have any issues or misunderstandings within our family or home.
We can solve it there, baby
We are capable of finding solutions to our problems ourselves without the involvement of strangers.
We may have misunderstandings sometimes
We are not perfect and we may have disagreements or miscommunications at times, but that's normal.
But baby, I'm yours and I know you're mine, ooh yeah
Despite our imperfections and misunderstandings, we love and belong to each other, and that's what matters.
Hey, it's a family affair, baby
Let's face and resolve our issues as a family without involving others.
And we can work it out, yeah
We are capable of finding solutions and working through our problems as a family.
We don't need no help from strangers
We do not require or desire any assistance or input from outsiders in our family matters.
'Cause they don't know what it's all about
Outsiders cannot fully understand or appreciate our family dynamics and issues, so their input may not be helpful or accurate.
Hey, they're outside looking in, baby
Outsiders are observing or possibly interfering in our family affairs.
Trying to put their two cents in
Attempting to provide their opinions, judgements or advice on our family matters without being invited or qualified to do so.
With misleading information
Outsiders may not have accurate or complete information about our family situation and may be providing information that is inaccurate or false.
Trying to break up our relation
Outsiders may be attempting to sow discord, create rifts or damage the relationship between members of our family.
But it's a family affair
Our family dynamics and issues are only for us to understand and resolve.
And we can work it out, baby
We have the ability and willingness to solve our problems as a family and not resort to outside help.
We won't seek no help from strangers
We will not ask for or accept help from outsiders in our family matters.
'Cause that would add to the problem, baby ooh
Involving outsiders in our family affairs may complicate or worsen the issue instead of resolving it.
Keep it in the family
Let's keep our family matters and issues among ourselves only.
Just keep it in the family, baby
Maintain discretion and privacy in our family affairs and only seek help or input from family members.
We got to put faith where there's been doubt
To overcome obstacles or challenges, we need to trust and believe in each other as a family.
'Cause faith and trust is what love's about
The foundation of our love and relationship as a family is based on mutual faith and trust in each other.
Life ain't always a bed of roses
Life has its ups and downs and our family will face challenges and obstacles.
Where sweet fragrance fills the air
Just like the sweet smell of roses, our family relationships have happy and joyful moments as well.
And we can work it out, baby
We are capable of resolving our family issues and conflicts as a family without outside involvement.
That would keep our love in danger
Involving outsiders in our family affairs may endanger our love and relationships as a family.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: LEON HAYWOOD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind