As a child he relocated to Chicago, attending the same school as Curtis Mayfield and Jerry Butler. He formed a group, the Floats, and became a featured dancer on local TV.
His 1959 Mercury release, I Got A Girl, was written and produced by Mayfield, but his career did not take off until he signed with OKeh Records in 1962. Another Curtis Mayfield song, The Monkey Time, in 1963, reached number 2 on the R & B charts and number 8 pop, and the partnership continued with further hits including Um Um Um Um Um Um.
The Mighty Majors("You Can Never Go Back") also were his back up band once.
He had less success after breaking his relationships with Mayfield and OKeh, releasing records on several labels into the early 1970s, including Osiris Records which he set up with Al Jackson. He then moved to England for two years in the 1970s, and after returning to the USA served a prison term for cocaine possession. He made few performances after a heart attack in 1987.
Ain't No Soul
Major Lance Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Since you been gone (baby)
We ain't together, while shines up leather
And put them on (baby)
Though I still feel the rhythm
Can′t do no dancin' without
There ain't no soul left these old shoes (no soul, baby)
These old laces that took me places
They just won′t tie, baby
The music is playing, I just don′t care
I seem to cry, mm
Though I still feel the rhythm
Can't do no dancin′ without
There ain't no soul left in these old shoes (no soul, baby)
Since you been gone (you been gone)
Baby
Baby
Baby
Ooh, ooh
Ooh, ooh
Ooh, ooh
′Til you come back, honey, gonna stay
Underneath my bed
They wanna dance, but don't get the chance
′Cause like I said
Though I still feel the rhythm
Can't do no dancin' without
There ain′t no soul leftbin these old shoes (no soul, baby)
Since you been gone (you been gone)
There ain′t no soul left in these old shoes (no soul, baby)
Since you been gone, baby (no soul, baby)
No soul, soul, soul, soul (no soul, baby)
(No soul, baby)
(No soul, baby)
In Major Lance's song "Ain't No Soul," the lyrics express the emptiness and lack of joy the singer feels since their lover has left. The "old shoes" symbolize their life without love, and they emphasize that there is no soul left in these shoes since their partner's departure. The shoes represent movement, rhythm, and dance, which are elements that bring joy and vitality to the singer's life. However, without their lover, the shoes no longer serve their purpose.
The lyrics convey a sense of longing and nostalgia for the past. The old laces that once took the singer to exciting places now refuse to tie, adding to the feeling of things falling apart. The music that once brought joy now only makes them cry. The rhythm is still present, but without their lover, the singer cannot fully engage in dancing or find the same soulful connection.
The mention of staying underneath the bed suggests a retreat from the world and a desire to hide away until their lover returns. The singer expresses frustration that others around them want to dance, but they can't bring themselves to participate without their partner by their side. The repetition of "baby" emphasizes the deep yearning for their lover's presence and the loneliness they feel in their absence.
Overall, "Ain't No Soul" is a melancholic reflection on the emptiness and lack of vitality that comes from being separated from a loved one. The lyrics vividly paint a picture of a life without soul, rhythm, and joy, highlighting the impact that love and connection have on our lives.
Line by Line Meaning
Ain′t no soul left in these old shoes
These old shoes no longer carry the spirit and emotion they once had
Since you been gone (baby)
Ever since you left, the soul has vanished from these shoes
We ain't together, while shines up leather
As I polish and shine the leather, we remain apart
And put them on (baby)
I wear these empty shoes, but they don't bring me joy anymore
Though I still feel the rhythm
I can sense the beat and melody inside me
Can′t do no dancin' without
However, I can't dance or express myself fully without that soul
There ain't no soul left these old shoes (no soul, baby)
These old shoes lack the essence they once possessed (no soul, baby)
Since you been gone (you been gone)
Since you left my life, the soul has departed from these shoes
These old laces that took me places
The laces that adorned these shoes, which accompanied me on various journeys
They just won′t tie, baby
Now refuse to tie up properly, symbolizing the longing for connection
The music is playing, I just don′t care
Even though the music plays, I feel apathetic and indifferent
I seem to cry, mm
Emotions overwhelm me, often leading to tears
′Til you come back, honey, gonna stay
I will patiently wait and remain in this state until your return
Underneath my bed
These shoes are kept hidden and out of sight, representing their diminished significance
They wanna dance, but don't get the chance
These shoes desire to dance, but the opportunity eludes them
′Cause like I said
As previously mentioned
There ain′t no soul leftbin these old shoes (no soul, baby)
These old shoes hold no more spirit or vitality (no soul, baby)
Since you been gone (you been gone)
Since you departed, the soul has faded away from these shoes
There ain′t no soul left in these old shoes (no soul, baby)
These old shoes are now devoid of any soul or essence (no soul, baby)
Since you been gone, baby (no soul, baby)
Since you left, these shoes have lost all vitality and emotion (no soul, baby)
No soul, soul, soul, soul (no soul, baby)
They no longer possess any soul or essence (no soul, baby)
(No soul, baby)
The absence of soul is evident in these shoes (no soul, baby)
(No soul, baby)
The soul has vanished from these shoes, leaving emptiness (no soul, baby)
Writer(s): Joey Levine, Arthur Resnick
Contributed by Natalie I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@kathshepherd4812
MAJOR LANCE RULED IN THE 70'S BLACKPOOL Mecca good days excellent tunes KTF
@michaelknowler3057
Twisted Wheel Club 1969.
@johngrogan6726
Wow my youth ✊🏻
@juleswells59
Class!!
@BUXSTOKIE
Class!
@philiplancaster9682
Having this played at my funeral as I go into the oven
@judithrubra
Yep me too
@johnkelly6907
Great track
@redscouse7056
Amphetamine fuelled frenzy. Keep the faith
@beverleybradshaw1921
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣