Notable people who have performed with Little Royal include Teddy Pendergrass and Bobby Parker.
The title track of his album "Jealous", reached #15 on the Billboard R&B Chart on August 5, 1972. His song, Razor Blade was sampled by 16 artists, including Ice-T, Lord Finesse and J Dilla.
Little Royal died at the age of 82 on September 29, 2016.
Little Royal – know to his mama as Royal Torrance – recorded for a number of labels in the 60’s and 70’s, creating his best known/remembered for the Tri-Us subsidiary of King records.
The King association is apt because the artist that ought to come to mind upon hearing much of Little Royal’s material is none other than the Godfather of Soul, James Brown.
‘Razor Blade’ is a very solid bit of meat and potatoes funk 45-ism, with a rubbery pimp-walk of a guitar line laid over a snappy 4/4 drum beat (with a break, of course…) and a sharp horn chart. Torrance had a sound that was probably too derivative to ever elevate him from the B-list of soul artists, particularly considering that his vocals were very similar to those of James Brown. Despite this limitation, Royal recorded fairly frequently in the '60s and '70s for labels including Carnival, Excello and Tri-Us, a Starday-King label. For the latter label Royal cut his most well-known material with the "Crazy Cajun," Huey P. Meaux, as producer. Today's selection was the instrumental B-side of his 1972 Tri-Us single "Jealous" (a reworking of Garland Green's smash 1970 hit "Jealous Kinda Fellow" that gave Royal a rare taste of chart success) and has become a breakbeat favorite. "Razor Blade" has a pretty good melody, but what really sells the record is the wicked bass solo and the scratchin' guitar solo that follows it. It's solid get-down, and a lot of fun. Although "Jealous" was the hit, "Razor Blade" made enough noise for a funky 45 follow-up, "Switch Blade," which is also popular among the rare funk flock. Little Royal's Tri-Us recordings are worth checking out, as they are fine pieces of what Southern soul in its final hour.
It should also be noted that "Razor Blade" has a fraternal twin in Sebastian's Brown Dog 45 "Living in Depression," for which it is the backing track.
You Made Me Love You
Little Royal Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You didn't even want me around.
And now I'm back to let you know I can really shake 'em down.
Do you love me?
(I can really move, )
Do you love me?
(I'm in the groove.)
(Do you love me now that I can dance?)
Watch me, now.
(Work, work)
Ah,work it out baby.
(work, work)
Well, you're drivin' me crazy.
(work, work)
With just a little bit of soul, now
(work!)
Now I can mash potatoes, I can do the twist,
Tell me, baby, do you like it like this?
Tell me,
(Tell me,)
Tell me.
Do you love me?
(I can really move, )
Do you love me?
(I'm in the groove.)
Now do you love me?
(Do you love me now that I can dance?)
Watch me, now.
(Work, work)
Ah,work it out baby.
(work, work)
Well, you're drivin' me crazy.
(work, work)
With just a little bit of soul, now
(work!)
Now I can mash potatoes, I can do the twist,
Tell me, baby, do you like it like this?
Tell me,
(Tell me,)
The song "You Made Me Love You" by Little Royal is a classic soul track that deals with the emotions of a man who wasonce rejected simply because he couldn't dance. He was heartbroken and felt unwelcome because he couldn't fit in with the crowd, but he is now back and ready to prove his worth. The lyrics of the song are a plea to his former lover, asking if she will now accept him back that he has learned to dance. The lyrics are mostly repetitive, with the chorus asking repeatedly if his beloved loves him now that he can dance.
The song is an upbeat, danceable track with a catchy chorus. It's clear that the song is about a man who has learned to let go of his heartbreak and is now feeling confident and alive. The lyrics are filled with metaphors of movement and dance, as the singer describes his ability to "mash potatoes" and "do the twist." He also uses the metaphor of a "little bit of soul" to describe the passion and energy he's bringing to the dance floor.
Overall, "You Made Me Love You" is a classic tale of redemption and confidence, where the singer has overcome his own limitations and is now ready to show the world what he's capable of.
Line by Line Meaning
You broke my heart 'cause I couldn't dance,
You hurt me because I wasn't confident in my dancing abilities,
You didn't even want me around.
You didn't value my company and didn't want me there,
And now I'm back to let you know I can really shake 'em down.
But now I'm back to prove that I have improved my dancing skills and can impress you,
Do you love me?
Do you have romantic feelings for me,
(I can really move, )
(Because I can dance well now,)
Do you love me?
Do you have romantic feelings for me,
(I'm in the groove.)
(Because I'm feeling confident and cool,)
Now do you love me?
Now that I have improved my dancing skills, do you have romantic feelings for me,
(Do you love me now that I can dance?)
(Now that I can bust a move, are you swooning over me,)
Watch me, now.
See for yourself how well I can dance,
(Work, work)
(Put in some effort and energy,)
Ah, work it out baby.
Come on, let's dance and have a good time,
(Work, work)
(Keep dancing and having fun,)
Well, you're drivin' me crazy.
You're causing me to feel excited and infatuated,
(Work, work)
(Keep dancing and entertaining me,)
With just a little bit of soul, now
With a touch of passion and energy in my dancing,
(work!)
(Keep dancing with soul,)
Now I can mash potatoes, I can do the twist,
I can do different styles of dances now like the mashed potato and the twist,
Tell me, baby, do you like it like this?
Do you find my dancing impressive and attractive, baby?
Tell me,
I want to know,
(Tell me,)
(Please tell me,)
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Berry Gordy Jr
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Marla Williams
I LOVE IT 😘
Jean Francis
Wonderful...:-)
Kelly Panter
Toon