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.
Where Were You ?
Lloyd Price Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I got bad news that you went away
Where were you on our wedding day?
You did me wrong and now you must pay
Whoa oh,give me back my ring,whoa oh
Whoa oh,I ain't gonna let you keep a thing,whoa oh
Everybody laughed at my in-laws too
Where were you when I turned around?
When your whole family hung their heads down
Whoa oh,give me back my ring,whoa oh
Whoa oh,I ain't gonna let you keep a thing,whoa oh
Whoa oh,give me back my ring,whoa oh
Whoa oh,I ain't gonna let you keep a thing,whoa oh
Where were you when I searched the town?
Turned the whole neighborhood upside down
Where were you little girl I say?
Where were you on our wedding day?
Whoa oh,give me back my ring,whoa oh
Whoa oh,I ain't gonna let you keep a thing,whoa oh
It's been ten years or maybe more
I never got married and that's for sure
You broke my heart and now I know
I've been a fool for you so here I go
Whoa oh,give me back my ring,whoa oh
Whoa oh,I ain't gonna let you keep a thing,whoa oh
Whoa oh,give me back my ring,whoa oh
Whoa oh,I ain't gonna let you keep a thing,whoa oh
The lyrics of Lloyd Price's "Where Were You?" tell the story of a man who has been abandoned by his bride on their wedding day. He is looking for answers and wants to know where she was at that moment. He has been searching for her and cannot find her, but he knows that she has done him wrong and must face the consequences. In the chorus, he demands that she gives back his ring, which represents the commitment and trust they shared.
The man describes how he was publicly humiliated while waiting for his bride at the altar. All the guests laughed, including her family. The experience was traumatising and heart-breaking for him. He later went out to search the town and turned everything upside down. However, she was nowhere to be found. The song emphasises his pain, confusion and anger towards his partner.
In the final verse, the tone shifts as the man reflects on the last ten years since the wedding day. He has never married, indicating that he has not moved on from the trauma. He has come to a realisation that he was foolishly in love with someone who never really cared for him. As the song ends, he continues to demand that his ring be returned to him.
Line by Line Meaning
Where were you on our wedding day?
Why were you not by my side on the day when we were supposed to be united in marriage?
I got bad news that you went away
I received news that you had left, which was disappointing and hurtful.
You did me wrong and now you must pay
You caused me harm and now you will face the consequences for your actions.
Whoa oh - give me back my ring - Whoa oh
I want my ring back from you and I am emphasizing it with a repeated chant.
Whoa oh - I ain't gonna let you keep a thing - Whoa oh
I refuse to let you keep anything of mine, and I am reinforcing it with the same repeated chant.
Where were you when I said I do?
At the moment when I made a lifelong commitment to you, where were you?
Everybody laughed at my in-laws too
Not only did you not show up, but my in-laws were also ridiculed by others due to your absence.
Where were you when I turned around?
When I looked for you, you were nowhere to be found.
When your whole family hung their heads down
Even your family was ashamed of your behavior.
Where were you when I searched the town?
I searched high and low for you in the whole town, but you were nowhere to be found.
Turned the whole neighborhood upside down
I went through great lengths and searched every inch of the neighborhood to find you.
Where were you little girl I say?
I am addressing you as 'little girl' and questioning your whereabouts yet again.
It's been ten years or maybe more
It has been at least ten years since that fateful day when you left me standing at the altar.
I never got married and that's for sure
I have not since married as a direct result of the pain and suffering you caused me, and I am certain that I never will.
You broke my heart and now I know
You shattered my heart and now I see clearly.
I've been a fool for you so here I go
I have foolishly held onto hope for reconciliation for far too long, but now I am ready to move on.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ANDREW STERLING LOGAN, DIANE EVE WARREN, MIKE A. MAGRISI
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Philip Sanfilippo
They don’t write them like this anymore Lloyd is outstanding!!!
cruisinthefifties
This artist brings back sooo many fond memories for this 81 yr old guy.
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Deb Roberts
I found this song on a homemade CD made by my niece who was 36 when she died 2 years ago. I would love to know where she heard this from - her legacy has now been passed onto her aunty.
larrynealwaxmuseum
One of my all time favorites by Mr. Personality himself. Good Post. RIP LLoyd Price
Larry N. Boyington, aka Larry Neal, former curator of the Wax Museum on the big 1520 KOMA
Quantum Leap
Wow, what a rockin' great song! And in stereo! Thanks for posting.
BOXCAR BOBBY
This came on 50s on 5 on Sirius xm while I was driving in my car. It's been going through my head ever since. And I can't get my toes to stop tapping.
Larry Johnson
Lloyd Price says it all👍😎
Raymond Weaver
One Great hit of so many HE WAS THE BEST...
barrygioportmorien1
Great tune by Lloyd.
Yolanda Johnson
This song should be put in America's Music Vault