She began gospel singing with her mother in the Holloway Community Singers and she has also recorded with Albertina Walker in The Caravans gospel group. Holloway was also a cast member of the Chicago troupe of Don't Bother Me I Can't Cope.
Holloway found moderate disco success when she placed eighteen songs on the Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart, including four Number ones, and was featured on Dan Hartman's disco classic, "Vertigo / Relight My Fire". In the early 1980s, she had another dance hit with "Crash Goes Love", before she had her first Number one in the UK with "Ride On Time" by Black Box, which featured vocal samples from her own Salsoul recording, "Love Sensation". This happened again in 1991 when Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch featured her vocals in the chart topping cover version of the song "Good Vibrations". Although both songs were notorious for initial copyright infringements (see: white label), they did help elevate Holloway to legendary status in the dance music/disco community.
A more recent dance chart entry was "Relight My Fire" (credited to Martin featuring Loleatta Holloway), which hit #5 in 2003.
Her latest hit "Love Sensation '06" peaked at #22 in the Dutch Top 40[1] and reached #37 on the UK Singles Chart as well as #49 in Australia.
Holloway died on March 21, 2011 from heart failure. She was 64 years old. She is survived by her four children.
Heartstealer
Loleatta Holloway Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Heartstealer
You crept into my life without a word of warning
I was so naive to think that you'd be there in the morning
But when I looked around to see
The only person there was me
You took my love, set me free
Heartstealer
A double-dealing, got no feeling
Heartstealer
Told another lie, you liar
Heartstealer
You can't take it away, don't take it away
Heartstealer
Heartstealer
You committed a crime of love, honey, you gotta pay
You deserve to suffer, I'm gonna find a way
I don't care how far I go
As long as you know that I know
The kind of love is sore to show
I won't let you do that to me
You stole my heart
You just ripped it up
You just tore it up, baby
I won't let you tear my love apart
Love apart, love apart, love apart
Heartstealer
Doing me dirty, dirty
Heartstealer
Heartstealer
You can't take it away, don't take it away
Heartstealer
Heartstealer
Heartstealer
Heartstealer
Two-time lover
Heartstealer
You can't take it away, don't take it away
Heartstealer
Heartstealer
You played me for a fool and you didn't care
You threw my trust away like it wasn't there
But you made an enemy when you tried to mess me
Now I'm leaving you this memory
Heartstealer
I'm gonna get you now
Heartstealer
You can't take it away, don't take it away
Heartstealer
Heartstealer
You're wrong, you're wrong
Heartstealer
Heart-heart-heartstealer"
Loleatta Holloway's "Heartstealer" reveals a powerful narrative of heartbreak and betrayal, encapsulated within a soulful and rhythmic backdrop typical of the disco era. The opening lines set the tone for the emotional turmoil that follows. The singer reflects on how someone entered her life unexpectedly, representing a sudden intrusion that turns her world upside down. There is a sense of vulnerability in her initial naiveté, as she believed that this person would remain with her; however, the wake-up call hits her hard when she realizes she is alone. This theme of abandonment is significant—while love can offer liberation, it can also lead to existential isolation when it is taken away. The paradox of being set free by a lover is woven into the fabric of her sorrow, underscoring the emotional complexity of human relationships.
The repeated refrain of "Heartstealer" serves as both a descriptor and an accusation, painting the subject as duplicitous and untrustworthy. Holloway’s use of phrases like "double-dealing" and "got no feeling" epitomizes feelings of anger and betrayal. The painful acknowledgment of being misled is emphasized by the focus on the lies told by the heartstealer, indicating a profound sense of loss not just of affection but of trust. The lines illustrate the duality of experiencing love that was genuine but twisted by deceit, revealing how deeply interpersonal connections can shape one’s emotional landscape. The refrain also emphasizes the envisioning of the heartstealer as an entity that aims to undermine her sense of self-worth and security, turning the emotional turmoil into an empowering declaration of resolve against such ill treatment.
Further in the lyrics, the singer confronts the idea of consequence, underlining that her heartstealer "committed a crime of love," which brings a sense of justice to the narrative. This shift from victimhood to a quest for justice illustrates the agency she begins to reclaim following her heartbreak. The declaration that he “gotta pay” signifies a transformation of feelings from mere sorrow to vengeful empowerment. In the subsequent lines, she expresses her determination to pursue understanding and vindication, stating that she will go to great lengths to capture the essence of their love. This desire to seek resolution indicates not just an emotional reaction but an active stance against being rendered powerless by betrayal, as she refuses to allow another to define her narrative.
Ultimately, the closing stanzas reinforce the complexities of love and betrayal. The singer switches from vulnerability to defiance, acknowledging that trust has been shattered and a sense of betrayal has created animosity. The lines express a mantra of survival and resilience, embodying the idea that while her “heart” may have been stolen, she will not simply allow it to be rent apart indefinitely. The vivid imagery of a heart being "ripped up" evokes a visceral emotional reaction, affirming the pain that comes with such loss. Equally important is her resolve that she will not be cast in the role of a fool, as she prepares to leave the heartstealer with a memory that encapsulates both love and the betrayal it brought. In this way, "Heartstealer" becomes a profound anthem of overcoming heartbreak, highlighting themes of self-empowerment, hurt, and the recognition that love, while beautiful, can also be fraught with danger.
Line by Line Meaning
You crept into my life without a word of warning
You entered my life quietly and unexpectedly, without any indication of your intentions.
I was so naive to think that you'd be there in the morning
I foolishly believed that you would stay with me and not disappear overnight.
But when I looked around to see
However, when I turned around to check my situation,
The only person there was me
I realized that I was alone, with no one else by my side.
You took my love, set me free
You took advantage of my affection for you, leaving me feeling liberated yet abandoned.
Heartstealer
You, the one who has stolen my heart.
A double-dealing, got no feeling
You are deceitful and lack genuine emotions.
Heartstealer
You, the thief of love.
Told another lie, you liar
You spoke yet another falsehood, proving your deceit.
Heartstealer
You, the one who has betrayed my trust.
You can't take it away, don't take it away
You cannot strip me of my dignity and strength; I won’t allow it.
Heartstealer
You, forever the heartthief.
You committed a crime of love, honey, you gotta pay
You have wronged me in the name of love, and there will be consequences.
You deserve to suffer, I'm gonna find a way
You should face repercussions for your actions, and I will ensure that happens.
I don't care how far I go
I am willing to go to great lengths to achieve this.
As long as you know that I know
I want you to be aware that I am fully conscious of your deceitfulness.
The kind of love is sore to show
The love you've shown is painful and hurtful, not genuine.
I won't let you do that to me
I refuse to be subjected to your betrayal any longer.
You stole my heart
You took my affection and trust without remorse.
You just ripped it up
You shattered my love and emotions carelessly.
You just tore it up, baby
You violently destroyed my feelings, treating them as insignificant.
I won't let you tear my love apart
I will not allow you to dismantle my ability to love again.
Love apart, love apart, love apart
I refuse to let you take away the essence of love from my life.
Heartstealer
You, the one who has deceived me in matters of the heart.
Doing me dirty, dirty
You treated me dishonestly and unfairly.
Heartstealer
You, the manipulator of my emotions.
Two-time loving
You engaged in infidelity, betraying my trust.
Heartstealer
You, the one who has broken my heart.
You can't take it away, don't take it away
You cannot rob me of my strength and identity; I won’t allow it.
Heartstealer
You, forever marked as the heartthief.
You played me for a fool and you didn't care
You treated me as if I were naive, showing no concern for my feelings.
You threw my trust away like it wasn't there
You discarded the trust I placed in you as if it was worthless.
But you made an enemy when you tried to mess me
Your deceit has turned me into someone who will oppose you fiercely.
Now I'm leaving you this memory
I will remember how you wronged me, and this will serve as a lesson.
Heartstealer
You, the perpetual thief of affection.
I'm gonna get you now
I am determined to confront you and seek justice.
Heartstealer
You, forever the one who has betrayed love.
You can't take it away, don't take it away
You cannot rob me of my will and resolve; that will not happen.
Heartstealer
You, the one who has caused me immense pain.
Heartstealer
You, the thief of love's innocence.
Two-time lover
You, who has cheated in affairs of the heart.
Heartstealer
You, the one who deceives and betrays.
You can't take it away, don't take it away
You cannot obliterate my strength or resilience; that will not happen.
Heartstealer
You, forever recognized as the love thief.
Heartstealer
You, the one who has infamously stolen my heart.
You're wrong, you're wrong
Your actions are misguided, and you are in the wrong.
Heart-heart-heartstealer
You, an infamous heartthief, time and time again.
Lyrics © MUSIC SALES CORPORATION, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: RALPH TEE, LOLEATTA HOLLOWAY, STEVEN WAGNER, IAN LEVINE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@tiffanimorris7127
I'll never forget my second trip to NYC from Boston in summer of '89. I was way underage and it was my first night at Sound Factory. Junior Vasquez was working me into a dance frenzy! Then around 5 am he played this track and I loved it immediately! Knew it was Loleatta but the the chorus and the bassline and strings were giving me a Chic/Nile Rodgers flavor. Anyway a classic piano house tune. Sounds just as good in 2016 than it did 27 years ago! ♡♡♡
@paddymurphy7448
Tiffani Morris exact
I like this one alot xx
@eflat1968
R.I.P Loleatta Holloway What a Voice from God .... (November 5, 1946 – March 21, 2011) Love this song & Thanks for add this song we so Love this Women here in Oakland,CA :)
@1blessedbrotha
Saw Loleatta sing live at the Paradise Garage during the winter of 1981 before I shipped out to Germany for my first tour of Europe. I remember her comin onstage with her son, he looked to be about two years old at the time. They tore it up ya'll . When she finished her set she tried to exit but the little boy didn't wanna stop, consummate entertainer that he was. He carried on so that she had to whup his butt right there on stage, i'll never forget that night.
Thanks for tha memories!!!!!!!
@neilblackshaw3486
Still listening 2024. Takes me back.
@Jokermwx
WOW...Amazing...this is one hard to find track! OMG...ty ty ty ty!
@BlackAfrikan
🥳One of the best House channels
@nyc10031black
This takes me back to a time in New York when things were very different.......Thanks Loleatta for some memorable nights of clubbing in NYC
@faustoguio
R.I.P. Loleatta Holloway - I was your light man on that NEW YORK CRUISE sponsored by NETWORK, years ago. More importantly this is the very first track I played on my first gig in MILAN, ITALY that landed me a deal. I'd like to pay my respects and salute you with a tribute. Ciao
@patmackie3499
Killer tune..1luv 😎.