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.
Just Because
Lloyd Price Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Do you think that I will sit and cry
Even if my heart should tell me so
Darling I would rather let you go
Just because you think that you're so smart
Going around and breaking lovers hearts
Before I let this thing happen to me
I know you think you're smart
Just going around breaking lovers hearts
Just because I want someone who's kind
With a heart as good and pure as mine
But maybe I am asking far too much
Darling please don't ever break my heart
I know you think you're smart
Just going around breaking lovers hearts
Just because I want someone who's kind
With a heart as good and pure as mine
But maybe I am asking far too much
Darling please don't ever break my heart
The song "Just Because" talks about a person who chooses to move on from a relationship, even if it causes heartbreak. The singer speaks to a former lover who left and is now trying to come back, begging for forgiveness. However, the singer chooses to be strong and not fall into the trap of going back into a relationship that's already broken. The lyrics show a sense of self-respect and the willingness to let go of someone who may not be the best fit for them, even if it hurts.
The singer does not show any signs of pain or sorrow despite the breakup, indicating that they have already moved on. They assure their former lover that they will not sit and cry even if their heart tells them otherwise. They are also aware that their former lover is going around breaking hearts, and they are wary of falling victim to it. They boldly state that they would rather swim the sea than let it happen.
The second verse reiterates the singer's desire for someone who is loving and pure-hearted. Still, they are uncertain whether it is too much to ask for. They plead with their lover never to break their heart, emphasizing that it is crucial to them. The song's message is one of self-empowerment, resilience, and the importance of finding someone who reciprocates love genuinely.
Line by Line Meaning
Just because you left and said goodbye
You left me and said goodbye, but that doesn't mean I will sit and cry.
Do you think that I will sit and cry
Just because you left me, it doesn't mean I will sit and cry.
Even if my heart should tell me so
My heart may feel like crying, but I won't give in to it.
Darling I would rather let you go
Instead of crying over you, I would rather let you go.
Just because you think that you're so smart
You think you're smart by going around breaking lovers' hearts.
Going around and breaking lovers hearts
You go around breaking people's hearts.
Before I let this thing happen to me
I won't let you break my heart like you do to others.
Darling I would rather swim the sea
I would rather do something difficult like swimming the sea than let you break my heart.
Just because I want someone who's kind
I want someone who is kind, but that doesn't mean I'll settle for less.
With a heart as good and pure as mine
I want someone who has a heart as good and pure as mine.
But maybe I am asking far too much
I know I may be asking for a lot in a partner.
Darling please don't ever break my heart
I hope that you won't break my heart like you do to others.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: LLOYD PRICE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Igal Flint
Just because you left and said goodbye
Do you think that I will sit and cry
Even if my heart should tell me so
Darling I would rather let you go
Just because you think that you're so smart
Going around and breaking lovers hearts
Before I let this thing happen to me
Darling I would rather swim the sea
I know you think you're smart
Just going around breaking lovers hearts
Just because I want someone who's kind
With a heart as good and pure as mine
But maybe I am asking far too much
Darling please don't ever break my heart
I know you think you're smart
Just going around breaking lovers hearts
Just because I want someone who's kind
With a heart as good and pure as mine
But maybe I am asking far too much
Darling please don't ever break my heart
Guadalupe Turrey
As of Sept. 1, 2017, I turned 71. Having been fortunate to have older brothers I learned of Rock n Roll pretty early. These solid oldies have remained in my heart. I even had the pleasure of doing some when I had my own band. As my kids grew they listened to oldies and to this day with all the different music that has come out, oldies is a part of their lives. One day they will tell all their kids Papa loved his music. Yeah I do, so much so, myself and n some friends are getting a oldies band together. Just to do something we love. We do a variety including Blues~Country~ the oldies n more.
perhaps today
The Hitman's Bodyguard brought me here. This was my older brothers and sisters music. I was 10 when this came out.
Ramona Medina
Well I was checking out some of my faves n low n behold Guadalupe turrey is my father which who is the man above me I love u daddy n ur grandkids n great grandkids love you very much . Today’s date is Jan 25 2018 he’s the one who is born on sept 1 ...xoox
Dnez44901
Guadalupe Turrey thank you for sharing these awesome oldies. They are getting harder and harder to find on the radio!
Anthony Ramirez
If u need sum 1 to light the fire, my dancing does...i terrorize the dance floor...no mercy...HNY...
Beverly Halley
These songs help me relive my youth. They are the best.
Igal Flint
Just because you left and said goodbye
Do you think that I will sit and cry
Even if my heart should tell me so
Darling I would rather let you go
Just because you think that you're so smart
Going around and breaking lovers hearts
Before I let this thing happen to me
Darling I would rather swim the sea
I know you think you're smart
Just going around breaking lovers hearts
Just because I want someone who's kind
With a heart as good and pure as mine
But maybe I am asking far too much
Darling please don't ever break my heart
I know you think you're smart
Just going around breaking lovers hearts
Just because I want someone who's kind
With a heart as good and pure as mine
But maybe I am asking far too much
Darling please don't ever break my heart
Donna Moreno
Great lyrics!🎶
007 Stuntman
I was 6 when I first heard this song, and I loved it then, I'm now 60, and love it even more today, beautiful song.
Marty Brynildsen
007 Stuntman Yes, yes...I was 10 when this was all over the radio for so many weeks, but i have loved it more and more over the last 25 years. It is a simply beautiful little piece, and Lloyd gives it everything he has.