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.
Keep on Loving You
Major Lance Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I've only got one
We who are young, should now take a stand
Don't run from the burdens of women and men
Continue to give, continue to live
For what you know is right
Withdraw from the darkness and look to the light
Where everyone's free
At least that's the way it's supposed to be
We just keep on keeping on
We just keep on keeping on
Many think that we have blown it
But they too will soon admit
That there's still a lot of love among us
And there's still a lot of faith and warmth and trust
When we keep on keeping on
Before we dismiss, one thing I insist
When you have your young, remember this song
And our world surroundings, its leaps and bounds
Ups and downs, is reality
Teach them to be strong, and when they are grown
They can proudly imply that we were an alright guy
For all the wrong now is right
This nation's people are now united as one
And we just keep on keeping on
We just keep on keeping on
Many think that we have blown it
But they too will soon admit
That there's still a lot of love among us
And there's still a lot of faith, warmth, and trust
When we keep on keeping on
Keep on keeping on, y'all
Keep on, keep on, keep on, keep on
Keep on, keeping on
(Keep on, keeping on)
We got to move on up, y'all
(We got to move on up)
Keep on, keep on, keep on, keep on, keep on
Some years back I remember
Still in my mind so well
My mama made this?
And I found it never fails
Never worry too long
(Worry too long)
About what goes on
(About what goes on)
Today it's sorrow
(Today it's sorrow)
Look like joy tomorrow
(Look like joy tomorrow)
Keep on keeping on
(Keep on keeping on)
Keep on, keep on
(Keep on, keep on)
We just keep on keeping on
We just keep on keeping on
Many think that we have blown it
But they too will soon admit
That there's still a lot of love among us
And there's still a lot of faith, warmth, and trust
When we keep on keeping on
Ooh ooh ooh ooh
(Ooh ooh ooh ooh)
We're gonna move on up
(We're gonna move on up)
Keep on keeping on
(Keep on keeping on)
Move on, move now
(Move on, move now)
Keep on keeping on
(Keep on keeping on)
The lyrics of Major Lance's song "Keep On Loving You" may initially seem like a love song, but it's clear from the opening lines that the song is about something deeper than romantic love. The singer urges the listener to take a stand and not run from the burdens of the world. He emphasizes the importance of living for what you know is right and not giving up, even when things seem bleak.
The singer then breaks into the chorus, which serves as a kind of rallying cry for anyone who feels beaten down but still wants to continue the fight. He acknowledges that some people may think we have blown it, that the world is too far gone to save. However, he insists that there is still love, faith, warmth, and trust among us. If we just keep on keeping on, we can make a difference and move forward.
The song ends with some words of wisdom for parents. The singer urges them to teach their children to be strong and to remember this song. He suggests that if we can raise a generation of resilient, compassionate, and determined young people, we can turn things around and create a better world.
Overall, "Keep On Loving You" is a song about hope and perseverance in the face of adversity. It's a reminder that even though things may seem hopeless at times, we can still make a difference by staying committed to our values and never giving up.
Line by Line Meaning
Everybody gather round and listen to my song
I've only got one
Come together and hear my message, which is concise and important
We who are young, should now take a stand
Don't run from the burdens of women and men
Continue to give, continue to live
For what you know is right
Most of your life can be out of sight
Withdraw from the darkness and look to the light
Where everyone's free
At least that's the way it's supposed to be
As young people, we must stand up for what's right, despite the challenges. Continue with your efforts, even if progress seems slow. Focus on positivity and the vision of a world where everyone has freedom
Many think that we have blown it
But they too will soon admit
That there's still a lot of love among us
And there's still a lot of faith and warmth and trust
When we keep on keeping on
Some people believe we've failed, but they will see that we still have love, hope, and a sense of community, as long as we persist
Before we dismiss, one thing I insist
When you have your young, remember this song
And our world surroundings, its leaps and bounds
Ups and downs, is reality
Teach them to be strong, and when they are grown
They can proudly imply that we were an alright guy
For all the wrong now is right
This nation's people are now united as one
Before we finish, I urge you to teach this message to the next generation - that the world can be tough, but resilience and strength are key to success. They will grow up to appreciate that we did our best to make the world a better place. Despite the past, the people of this nation can come together as one
Keep on keeping on, y'all
Keep on, keep on, keep on, keep on
Keep on, keeping on
(Keep on, keeping on)
We got to move on up, y'all
(We got to move on up)
Keep on, keep on, keep on, keep on, keep on
Keep persevering and never give up. Keep pushing forward towards progress
Some years back I remember
Still in my mind so well
My mama made this?
And I found it never fails
Never worry too long
(Worry too long)
About what goes on
(About what goes on)
Today it's sorrow
(Today it's sorrow)
Look like joy tomorrow
(Look like joy tomorrow)
Years ago, my mother taught me a similar message to this song. It has stuck with me and helped me through tough times. Don't dwell too long on difficulties, as things can change for the better
Writer(s): CURTIS MAYFIELD
Contributed by Lauren D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Richard Davis,jr.
Nice Album Cut! Did Curtis Mayfield Write This One?
VinylFullofSoul
Yes.