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.
Personality
Lloyd Price Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I tried to prove my love to you
Over and over
What more can I do
Over and over
My friends say I'm a fool
But over and over
I'll be a fool for you
'Cause you've got personality
Walk, with personality
Talk, with personality
Smile, with personality
Charm, personality
Love, personality
And plus you've got
A great big heart
So over (over and over) and over
Oh, I'll be a fool for you
Now over (over and over) and over
What more can I do?
'Cause you've got personality
Walk, with personality
Talk, with personality
Smile, with personality
Charm, with personality
Love, with personality
And of course you've got
A great big heart
So over (over and over) and over
Oh, I'll be a fool for you
Now over (over and over) and over
What more can I do?
Over and over
I said that I loved you
Over and over
Honey now it's the truth
Over and over
They still say I'm a fool
But over and over
I'll be a fool for you
'Cause you've got personality
Walk, with personality
Talk, with personality
Smile, with personality
Charm, with personality
Love, with personality
And of course you've got
A great big heart
So over (over and over) and over
Oh, I'll be a fool for you
Now over (over and over) and over
What more can I do?
In Lloyd Price's "Personality", the singer repeatedly tries to prove his love to a woman who possesses a great big heart and an undeniable charm. Despite his friends suggesting that he is a fool, he remains devoted to her and describes her unique personality traits such as her walk, talk, smile, and how she loves with personality. Throughout the song, Price emphasizes his unwavering commitment to this woman, regardless of what others may think.
Price's "Personality" is an ode to the unique characteristics and traits that make a person stand out from the rest. The lyrics speak to the idea that personality can often overshadow physical beauty and superficial status. The song is a testament to the power of personality and how it can draw people in and create an irresistible charm. Additionally, it can be seen as a reflection of the cultural values of the time, a time when individualism and character were celebrated.
Line by Line Meaning
Over and over
Repeatedly
I tried to prove my love to you
I have been attempting to demonstrate my love for you
What more can I do
I am at my limit in terms of what I can do
My friends say I'm a fool
My friends think I am foolish
I'll be a fool for you
I will act in a foolish manner because of my love for you
'Cause you've got personality
The reason behind my affection is because of your intriguing traits
Walk, with personality
The way you walk is distinctive and appealing
Talk, with personality
The way you talk and express yourself is unique and captivating
Smile, with personality
Your smile is confident and engaging
Charm, personality
You possess a charisma and magnetism that appeals to me
Love, personality
Your love and affection for others is pure and embodied in your personality
And plus you've got
Additionally, you have
A great big heart
A genuinely caring and compassionate personality
I said that I loved you
I have stated my affection for you
Honey now it's the truth
Now, it is genuinely the truth that I love you
Lyrics © Kanjian Music, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Harold Logan, Lloyd Price
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@johnmolloy7678
I enjoyed this song when at sea 1959, and one of our crewmen could sing this so good. We'd hear it as we cleaned the cargo holds, his voice would reverberate off the ship's steel hull like an echo chamber. Great song.
@bluecollarlit
I love this Comment, it paints a picture.
@deadhead2453
Great comment
@saab900turbo1
IT is oldie but like winę goldie
@lloydprice8252
Hello Thanks for your comment and supports, your comments and constant support has brought me this far. Keep Supporting ❤️
Please send me a mail via. Lloydprice047@gmail.com
@kevinmsxwell9919
Thank you for your service! Your generation was truly the greatest!
@jackspry9736
RIP Lloyd Price (March 9, 1933 – May 3, 2021), aged 88
You will be remembered as a legend.
@davsny5
This amazing song and Stagger Lee are two of my and my late dad's favorite songs. He was amazing.
@TheDesertkat
I was six my cousin used to babysit and she had all these great 45's and she and her girlfriend used to dance and sing, i knew and still know all those great stax and motown groups-still listen when i need tiget happy
@cmielnicc1929
So very sorry to hear of the passing of the great Lloyd Price. As a 70 year old, my memory sure isn't what it used to be, but as I was listening and singing along to all his songs today on YouTube, I was AMAZED that I remembered EVERY LYRIC without hesitation! Songs I haven't heard in over 50 years! Radio was everything way back then, and the DJs played his songs continuously. Lloyd was such a talented, successful and intelligent performer. Sympathy to his family, and may he rest in the arms of the angels.