After returning from the military, Price became more financially savvy than many of his fellow early Rock n Roll and gritty R&B artists. In 1957, he decided to launch his own label KRC (Kent Record Company) and retain control of his masters, leasing his tracks to labels like Atlantic and later ABC-Paramount in an arrangement that likely inspired Ray Charles to do the same.
His first single after returning from Korea was "Just Because". That was followed by a massive hit, "Stagger Lee", which has appeared in many multi-artist collection albums and served as one of Price's best known songs. Television host Dick Clark insisted the violent content of the track, which lyrically describes a shooting based on a gambling fight, be toned down when Price appeared on the popular but highly sanitized show American Bandstand.
Price’s biggest year was likely 1959, during which he had four hit records: “Personality,” “Where Were You (On Our Wedding Day),” “I’m Gonna Get Married” and “Come Into My Heart.” His increasing entrepreneurial efforts soon included new record labels and starting the Turntable nightclub in New York City. Price's Double L Records, started with partner Harold Logan discovered Wilson Pickett, who got his career started on their label. Price's biggest hit for Double-l was a 1963 revival of the old standard "Misty", but his remaining efforts at hitmaking drew little national attention. He signed briefly to Monument in 1964 and then Reprise, and later to JAD and to his own Turntable imprint to no avail. By 1971, he was recording in Muscle Shoals his own cover version of BJ Thomas hit "Hooked On A Feeling" for Scepter but the arrangement failed to catch fire.
In 1974 Price was a partner of boxing promoter Don King who staged the famous music festival in Zaire featuring James Brown, B.B. King, Etta James, Bill Withers, The Spinners, and the Fania All Stars as documented in Spike Lee's film about the Ali vs Foreman fight "When We Were Kings"
Price continued touring with a 9 piece group in the 1970's, issuing some singles on the GFS label, but seemingly retired for awhile. He then returned to performing and touring in 1993, when Jerry Lee Lewis, Little Richard and Gary U.S. Bonds accompanied him on a European tour. He was inducted into the Rock n Roll Hall of fame in 1998, and can still occasionally be seen on PBS performing during oldies revue concerts, or during fundraising breaks such as during a recent Sam Cooke documentary special, and remains surprisingly youthful despite well over 50 years in the music business.
A Foggy Day
Lloyd Price Lyrics
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Out of town were the people I knew
I had that feeling of self-pity
What to do, what to do, what to do
The outlook was decidedly blue
But as I walked through the foggy streets alone
It turned out to be the luckiest day I've known
A foggy day, in London town
Had me low, had me down
I viewed the morning, with much alarm
British Museum, had lost its charm
How long I wondered,
Could this thing last
But the age of miracles, hadn't past
For suddenly, I saw you there
And through foggy London town,
The sun was shining everywhere
For suddenly, I saw you there
And through foggy London town,
The sun was shining everywhere
Everywhere
Everywhere
Everywhere
In Lloyd Price's song "A Foggy Day," the lyrics depict the experience of feeling like a stranger in a new city, specifically in London. The singer expresses a sense of loneliness and self-pity, unsure about what to do in this unfamiliar environment. The outlook appears gloomy, symbolized by the foggy streets and the loss of charm in the British Museum.
However, as the singer continues to walk through the foggy streets alone, a fortunate turn of events occurs. They unexpectedly spot someone they know or have a connection with in the midst of the foggy London town. This sighting brings a sudden shift in perspective. The sun metaphorically shines through the fog, symbolizing happiness, hope, and the potential for new beginnings.
Line by Line Meaning
I was a stranger in the city
I didn't know anyone in the city and felt disconnected
Out of town were the people I knew
The people I knew were not in the city
I had that feeling of self-pity
I felt sorry for myself
What to do, what to do, what to do
I didn't know what actions to take
The outlook was decidedly blue
The situation seemed hopeless
But as I walked through the foggy streets alone
While I was walking through the misty streets by myself
It turned out to be the luckiest day I've known
It unexpectedly became the luckiest day I have ever experienced
A foggy day, in London town
A misty day in the city of London
Had me low, had me down
Made me feel sad and discouraged
I viewed the morning, with much alarm
I was worried as I looked at the morning
British Museum, had lost its charm
The British Museum didn't appeal to me anymore
How long I wondered, Could this thing last
I wondered how long this situation would continue
But the age of miracles, hadn't past
But miracles were still possible
For suddenly, I saw you there
Suddenly, I noticed your presence
And through foggy London town, The sun was shining everywhere
In the misty city of London, it felt like the sun was shining in every corner
Everywhere
In every place
Everywhere
In every place
Everywhere
In every place
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: George Gershwin, Ira Gershwin
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind