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.
Like You Used To Do
Shirley & Lee Lyrics
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I was riding around
I give your space
Give you what you want
But is not enough
Who do you love
Is not my first diamond rings
Next time you are alone just think about me
Who do you love
Who do you love
I am gonna lay it on the line
I got one things on my mind
Never sleeping
I know you are crippling
Around on me around on me
Just wasted my time you were no true
Messing with my head girl I need you too
When I am with you things are not the same
Tell me who do you love
Who do you love
I am gonna lay it on the line
I got one things on my mind
Never sleeping
I know you are cheating
Around on me around on me
I am gonna lay it on the line
I got one things on my mind
Never sleeping
I know you are cheating
Around on me around on me
Stop the lying stop the cheating
I know you are with him
You are meeting
The lyrics to Shirley & Lee's song "Like You Used To Do" convey themes of love, dissatisfaction, and betrayal. The singer is expressing their feelings of frustration and confusion about their partner's actions. The song opens with the singer acknowledging that they have given their partner space and what they want, but it's still not enough. They question who their partner truly loves and mentions that giving them diamond rings hasn't been sufficient. The singer also mentions the first night they met and how they took their partner's heart, questioning who their partner's loyalty lies with.
In the chorus, the singer lays it all on the line, expressing that they have one thing on their mind and they are not getting enough sleep due to their partner's actions. They accuse their partner of wasting their time and playing with their head. They desire the relationship to go back to how it used to be, emphasizing the question of who their partner truly loves.
The second verse continues with the singer expressing their frustrations and accusing their partner of cheating. They state that when they are together, things are not the same, adding to their confusion and sadness. They once again ask the question of who their partner loves. The chorus repeats, emphasizing the feelings of betrayal and the desire for honesty.
The final lines of the song plead for the lying and cheating to stop, expressing the singer's awareness that their partner is with someone else and meeting them behind their back.
Overall, "Like You Used To Do" paints a picture of a troubled relationship, filled with doubts, disillusionment, and a longing for the love and loyalty that once existed.
Line by Line Meaning
It was a quarter past two
The time was 2:15 AM
I was riding around
I was driving aimlessly
I give your space
I gave you freedom
Give you what you want
I provided you with your desires
But is not enough
But it doesn't satisfy you
Who do you love
Who is the person you truly love
Is not my first diamond rings
It's not the expensive gifts I gave you
Next time you are alone just think about me
When you're alone, reflect on our relationship
First night that he meat and I took your heart
The first night he met you and captured your heart
Who do you love
Who is the person you truly love
I am gonna lay it on the line
I'm going to be completely honest
I got one things on my mind
I have one thing in my thoughts
Never sleeping
Always awake and restless
I know you are crippling
I know you are causing me pain
Around on me around on me
Being unfaithful to me
Just wasted my time you were no true
You just wasted my time, you were not genuine
Messing with my head girl I need you too
Playing mind games with me, girl, I also need you
When I am with you things are not the same
When I am with you, things have changed
Tell me who do you love
Tell me the person you truly love
Stop the lying stop the cheating
End the deception, end the infidelity
I know you are with him
I know you are in a relationship with him
You are meeting
You are secretly meeting with him
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Capitol CMG Publishing, Songtrust Ave, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Leon Marcus Michels, Jeffrey Scott Silverman
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind