After singing in church choirs, Shirley recorded her first demo with a group of friends in 1950. Some months later, her solo voice caught the attention of Aladdin Records owner Eddie Messner, who tracked her down and paired her as a duo with a school friend, Leonard Lee.
As "Shirley & Lee," they recorded their debut single "I’m Gone," produced by Cosimo Matassa, which reached #2 on the Billboard R&B charts in 1952. The record contrasted Goodman’s soprano with Leonard's baritone, in a way in which subsequent songwriters have suggested was influential on the development of ska and reggae.
In their early songs, they pretended as if they were sweethearts and were dubbed "the Sweethearts of the Blues." However, they changed style in 1956 and recorded "Let the Good Times Roll," which became their biggest hit reaching #1 on the R&B chart and #20 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Although the follow-up, "Feel So Good" also made the charts, the duo’s later releases were less successful, and Goodman and Leonard split up in 1962. Leonard made some subsequent solo records with little success.
In the mid 1960s, Shirley Goodman moved to California, where she worked as a session singer on records by Sonny and Cher, Dr. John and others, and also formed a duo for a time with Jessie Hill. She sang backing vocals on The Rolling Stones’ Exile On Main Street album, but then briefly retired from the music industry.
Later in 1974, as Shirley Goodman Pixley, she was contacted by her friend Sylvia Robinson, previously of the duo Mickey and Sylvia and now co-owner of the All Platinum record label, and was persuaded to record the lead vocal on a dance track, "Shame, Shame, Shame." Credited to Shirley & Company, the record became an international pop hit, reaching #12 on the Billboard chart and presaging the disco boom. After a few further recordings and tours, Goodman finally retired from the music industry after returning to New Orleans in the late 1970s.
I Feel Good
Shirley & Lee Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I feel like moving
I feel like I feel Like
Going Going on
I m working towards a building
Not made by hands of man
I m pressing towards the mark
Calling calling on me
I must hold to the plan God has for me
I feel like pressing
I feel like moving
I feel like I feel Like
Going Going on
If you think the enemy will give in
Then I challenge you stop and think again
Keep on moving on keep on pressing in
And in the end you will begin to see the Lord in His coming
I feel like pressing
I feel like moving
I feel like I feel Like
Going Going on
There s no weapon formed against you and you know it
The Lord has put His hands all around you and He shows it
All you need to do is stay still and see
The Lord will give you total victory
I feel like pressing
I feel like moving
I feel like I feel Like
Going Going on
The song "I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel to Be Free" by Shirley Scott is a powerful and emotional piece about wanting to break free from all forms of oppression and confinement. The lyrics are straightforward and speak to the desire to be free from societal constraints and limitations. The singer wishes that they could live freely and express themselves fully without inhibitions or restrictions. The song captures the frustration and yearning that many feel in their quest for justice and equality.
The lyrics are also imbued with a sense of hope and optimism that suggests a belief in the possibility of change. The song urges us to speak out against injustice, remove barriers, and embrace diversity in all its forms. We are reminded that we are all connected, and our freedom is intertwined with the freedom of others.
Overall, this song is a powerful anthem for those who are fighting for freedom and equality. It is a call to action and a reminder that we can all make a difference by speaking out, challenging the status quo, and working together for a better world.
Line by Line Meaning
I wish I knew how
I desire to have knowledge of how to be free
It would feel to be free
The sensation and experience of being free
I wish I could break
I yearn to break free from the constraints holding me back
All the chains holding me
The barriers and restrictions that restrict my freedom
I wish I could say
I want to express the words that should be spoken
All the things that I should say
The words that need to be communicated, loud and clear
Say 'em loud say 'em clear
Speaking confidently and articulately to the entire world's audience
For the whole round world to hear
Every individual should have the opportunity to listen to what I say
I wish I could share
I long to disperse the love that dwells in my heart
All the love that's in my heart
The overwhelming, emotionally-driven care and fondness within me
Remove all the bars
Eradicate the obstacles and obstructions that separate and isolate us
That keep us apart
The elements that limit and disconnect us from one another
I wish you could know
If only you could comprehend
What it means to be me
The significance and value of my existence
Then you'd see and agree
Once you have a full understanding, you'll concur with me
That every man should be free
In a perfect world, every individual would experience freedom
I wish I could give
I long to bestow onto others
All I'm longin' to give
Everything that I yearn to distribute to people
I wish I could live
I desire to experience life fully
Like I'm longin' to live
The cravings and wishes I have for living
I wish I could do
I yearn for the ability to accomplish
All the things that I can do
Every objective and plan that I'm capable of achieving
And though I'm way over due
Although I'm past the optimal time for taking action
I'd be starting a new
I'd commence with a fresh chapter in my life
Well I wish I could be
I hope to transform into a different creature
Like a bird in the sky
Just like a bird soaring through the clouds
How sweet it would be
It would be pleasant to experience
If I found I could fly
If I were capable of flight
Oh I'd soar to the sun
I'd fly up to the sun
And look down at the sea
Glancing at the ocean from above
Than I'd sing 'cause I know, yea
I'd sing with satisfaction since I achieved my goal
Then I'd sing 'cause I know, yea
I'd sing again out of excitement for what I'm experiencing
Then I'd sing 'cause I know
Singing with an understanding of the liberation I feel
I'd know how it feels
I'd be aware of the sensations and emotions this experience grants
Oh I know how it feels to be free
I'm knowledgeable about the sensation of being liberated
Yea yea! oh, I know how it feels
I most definitely am knowledgeable about this state of being
Yes I know
I'm cognizant
Oh, I know
I'm completely sure
How it feels
What it is like
How it feels
The sensation and experience of being free
To be free
To be devoid of restrictions and boundaries
Lyrics © DistroKid
Written by: Michael Craddock
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
A Larson
This is real 50’s rock and roll. One of my favorites.
Darrell Thompson
Damn I love the Oldies and every once in awhile I come back and listen to this one ...Cause I feel good
arizona doowopper
The sounds of New Orleans come alive right here. Dont think they ever got the credit they deserved.