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
Lloyd Price's "Where Were You on Our Wedding Day" is a soulful and emotional song that tells a story of heartbreak and betrayal. The song is directed towards the girl who left Lloyd on the day of their wedding, asking repeatedly where she was when he was left alone at the altar. In the beginning of the song, he expresses his disappointment and sorrow at her absence, indicating he was not aware that she had left until he received bad news. He questions her whereabouts and demands her to return his ring and everything she took with her. Through the chorus, which repeats throughout the song, Lloyd pleads for her to give back his ring and vows to take back everything that she had taken away from him. It’s clear that Lloyd is still deeply affected by her actions, and the memory of what happened on his wedding day is still fresh after 10 years.
The song goes on to reflect on how everyone laughed at him and his in-laws, and how nobody was there to stand by his side. Lloyd’s search for his runaway bride leads him to turn the whole neighborhood upside down, but he fails to find her. This indicates that she left without any trail, leaving him in the dark. In the end, the pain and heartbreak caused by this event have left Lloyd unsure of ever getting married again.
Line by Line Meaning
Where were you on our wedding day?
Asks the person where they were on the day they got married, implying that they did not show up and did not fulfill their duties as the spouse.
I got bad news that you went away
Received unpleasant news that the person left abruptly and without any explanation.
You did me wrong and now you must pay
The person has committed a wrong and is now going to face the consequences of their actions.
Whoa oh, give me back my ring, whoa oh
Demanding the person to return the wedding ring they received, emphasizing this with a repetitive chorus.
I ain't gonna let you keep a thing, whoa oh
Declaring that the person is not going to allow the other to keep any possession or memory of the marriage.
Where were you when I said I do?
Asking where the person was at the very moment the singer agreed to get married, implying they were not present.
Everybody laughed at my in-laws too
The singer is recalling that even the in-laws also bore witness to their absence on that day.
When your whole family hung their heads down
The person's family belonging to the missing spouse showed sadness and acknowledged their part in the situation.
Where were you when I searched the town?
Referring to the desperate search undertaken by the artist when the person disappeared without telling anybody.
Turned the whole neighborhood upside down
The extent to which the artist searched for the person implies that they were truly lost without them.
It's been ten years or maybe more
A considerable amount of time has passed since the wedding, indicating that the singer was holding onto something for long before finally realizing the true nature of the person.
I never got married and that's for sure
The artist has probably never been able to move on from the past after the trauma they faced and never indulged in any other romantic commitments ever since.
You broke my heart and now I know
The singer finally recognizes the devastating effects of the person's actions, after which they never found the same affection from any other.
I've been a fool for you so here I go
Accepting that they were foolish in their previous actions to still hold onto the person and moving forward in life.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ANDREW STERLING LOGAN, DIANE EVE WARREN, MIKE A. MAGRISI
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Neil Shattles
Lloyd was incomparable. Rest in peace, and thank you for the great memories Lloyd. 😞
David Walsh
I absolutely love this sound. Lloyd Price and Fats Domino changed my musical direction for ever.
Sue Davis
Love the sax playing, the lyrics...all of it. Love Lloyd Price; hope he's doing well.
Ed Keefe
One of the great rock n roll artists of our time....Always a pleasure to revisit this music and hope it will last forever. Whatever they are playing today isn't music!!
mickbrod1
amen to that.
Yolanda Johnson
I love that static!!!!
This should be put in America's Classical Music Vault.
Samuel Griffin
Lloyd Price surviving 50s singer still with us today
Raylan Givens
The horns are vicious! I love the jumpy dance hall 50's sound of this tune
Samuel Griffin
Music takes me back to the glory days of early rock and roll
Borislav Bora
Such a beautiful song