At a very young age, John moved with her parents to Arkansas, where her father got a job in a paper mill. There four brothers (including Rhythm & Blues singer Little Willie John) and two sisters were born. In 1941, after her father was able to secure a better job, the family moved to Detroit, where two additional brothers were born. The family lived in a new housing development at Six Mile and Dequindre Road. She attended Cleveland Intermediate School, and then Pershing High School, which is at Seven Mile and Ryan Road. After graduating from Pershing High School, she took a job as an insurance representative at Friendship Mutual Insurance Agency, a company run by Berry Gordy's mother, Bertha. Later, she left the company and spent two years at Lewis Business College. She subsequently ran into Mrs. Gordy again, who told Mable that her son Berry was writing songs and was looking for people to record them. Gordy began coaching her and would accompany John on piano at local engagements. This continued until 1959, when John performed at the Flame Show bar on John R Street at the last show that Billie Holiday did in Detroit, just weeks before Holiday's death.
The same year, John began recording for Gordy. First she was signed to United Artists, but nothing was released there. Eventually, she became one of the first artists signed to Tamla, Gordy's own label. In 1960, she released her first Tamla single, "Who Wouldn't Love a Man Like That?," a blues number, to no success. John followed with "No Love" in June of that year and then with "Actions Speak Louder Than Words" by year's end. While Motown was beginning to have success with acts like The Miracles and The Marvelettes (and later The Supremes, who had sang background vocals for John) that appealed to teenagers and young adults, it failed to make an impact in the established blues market. As a result, Gordy soon thinned out his roster of early blues artists. While John continued to be used as a background singer, Gordy dissolved her contract in 1962.
After leaving Motown, John spent several years as a Raelette, backing many Ray Charles hits. In 1966 she attempted a solo career again, signing with Stax Records. Her first single with the label was "Your Good Thing Is About To End." The song peaked at #6 on the R&B chart, and even managed to cross over onto pop radio, peaking at #95 there. She released six more singles for the label, none of which captured her first single's success. After leaving Stax Records in 1968, John rejoined The Raelettes for several years. She left secular music in 1973, and began managing Christian gospel acts, occasionally returning to the studio as a singer.
John received a Pioneer Award from the Rhythm and Blues Foundation in 1994. She appeared in John Sayles' 2007 movie Honeydripper and in the 2014 Oscar-winning documentary 20 Feet from Stardom.
Discography
Albums
Stay Out of the Kitchen (1966, Stax)
[edit]Singles
"Who Wouldn't Love a Man Like That?" (1960, Tamla)
"(I Guess There's) No Love" (1960)
"Actions Speak Louder Than Words" (1961)
"Your Good Thing Is About to End" (1966, Stax) R&B: #6 US: #95
"You're Taking Up Another Man's Place" (1966)
"Same Time, Same Place" (1967)
"I'm a Big Girl Now" (1967)
"Don't Hit Me No More" (1967)
"Able Mable" (1968)
"Running Out" (1968)
Your Good Thing
Mable John Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
'Cause somebody else will
You don't have to love me when I want it, no
'Cause somebody else will
Your so called friends say you don't need it
When all the time they're trying to get it
Look out
Your real good thing is about to come to an end
All those nights I watched the four walls
I did not have to watch them all alone
When other men said they wanted me (whenever someone said)
I didn't have to tell them I was your very own (think that I was)
You have all the love that I've got baby
Even ice melts to water and gets hot
Look out
Your good...
Gettin' myself back together
Is going to be a big problem I know
But when the right man says he wants me
You can bet I won't tell him no
'Cause your real good...
In Mable John's song "Your Good Thing," the singer is warning her partner that he is about to lose a good thing. The lyrics reveal that the partner is taking the relationship for granted, not making an effort to show love or affection, and perhaps even cheating. John sings that she doesn't have to beg for affection because somebody else will offer it willingly. She also reveals that other men have expressed interest in her, and she has remained faithful to her partner, but the partner seems to be taking her for granted. She warns that the partner's "so-called friends" are actually trying to take advantage of him while he's not paying attention. The singer is ready to move on from this relationship and find someone who will love and appreciate her.
The repetition of the line "Your good thing is about to come to an end" emphasizes the impending breakup and adds a sense of warning to the song. John's vocals are soulful and powerful, conveying the pain and frustration of being in a one-sided relationship. The lyrics seem to be speaking directly to the partner, as if trying to save the relationship, but the warning falls on deaf ears.
Line by Line Meaning
I don't have to beg you to hold me
I shouldn't have to plead with you to show me affection and attention
'Cause somebody else will
Because if you won't give me what I need, someone else will gladly take your place
You don't have to love me when I want it, no
You don't have to show me love when I ask for it, no
'Cause somebody else will
Because if you won't show me love, someone else will be willing to
Your so called friends say you don't need it
Your friends are denying that you need me in your life
When all the time they're trying to get it
Even though they're secretly trying to win my heart for themselves
Look out
Be wary
Your good thing is about to come to an end
It seems like our relationship is nearing its conclusion
Your real good thing is about to come to an end
Our loving relationship is about to end for good
All those nights I watched the four walls
All those lonely nights spent staring at the walls of my bedroom
I did not have to watch them all alone
Because I knew I had someone who loved and cared for me
When other men said they wanted me (whenever someone said)
Whenever another man expressed interest in me
I didn't have to tell them I was your very own (think that I was)
I didn't have to clarify that I belonged to you because everyone already knew
You have all the love that I've got baby
You are the sole recipient of all my love, my dear
Even ice melts to water and gets hot
Even the most unyielding of things can be changed by heat and passion
Gettin' myself back together
Putting the pieces of myself back together
Is going to be a big problem I know
It's going to be a difficult process, I acknowledge that
But when the right man says he wants me
But when the appropriate, genuine love interest declares his love for me
You can bet I won't tell him no
You can be sure I won't refuse his offer of love
'Cause your real good...
Because our relationship is about to come to a close, whether you like it or not
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: DAVID PORTER, ISAAC HAYES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@danniebanks8726
This is my grandma's cousin. Beautiful soul❤️
@Savvynlady
RIP Sis Mable John. A pioneer. Sister of the late great Little Willie John.
@denisetinsley4647
Rest in love. MABLE JOHN. ❤❤🌷
@johnnypool2206
I am 74 years in age. My dear mother (God rests her soul), told me when I was a teenager, to listen to two female singers when they were singing. They were Mahalia Jackson and Mable John.
@barrywjonessr5175
She told you right I will be 74 September 27th 2022
@ronharry3068
Today we mourn the passing of this wonderful singer, whose songs will forever illuminate the world. As an avid fan of everything STAX back then,her records were the ones that I bought the most.With Isaac Hayes and David Porter at the helm, they were all guaranteed winners, with also Same time same place ,coming to mind. So we offer our heartfelt condolences to her family in her transition to the ancestors and also thank them for sharing her beautiful voice with us.
@shermandixon8349
A truest formula of soul from this Lady!!!!
@shawnpreston1639
R.I.P Mable John. (Sunday, August 28th. 2022) TMZ breaking news. I listened to this song for YEARS and never knew it was you or that you were still alive. But, your music and gift will forever live on.
@roydavis6013
She was another great singer that was grossly under rated.
@urbanstuff9950
Mable John, born in 1930, passed away yesterday (08-26-22).
She was the first solo female on the motown label.