Syl Johnson (born Sylvester Thompson in Holly Springs, Mississippi, on 1 Ju… Read Full Bio ↴Syl Johnson (born Sylvester Thompson in Holly Springs, Mississippi, on 1 July 1936; died 6 February 2022 ) was an American blues and soul singer and music producer. His most successful records included "Different Strokes" (1967), "Is It Because I'm Black" (1969) and "Take Me to the River" (1975). "Different Strokes" has been sampled by number of rappers including Wu-Tang Clan, Hammer, and the Ghetto Boys. Blues guitarist and singer Jimmy Johnson, and bassist Mack Thompson, are his brothers.

In the 1950s, Johnson sang and played with blues artists Magic Sam, Billy Boy Arnold, Junior Wells and Howlin' Wolf, before recording with Jimmy Reed for Vee-Jay in 1959. He made his solo debut that same year with Federal, a subsidiary of King Records of Cincinnati, backed by Freddie King on guitar.

He then began recording for Twinight Records of Chicago in the mid 1960s. Beginning with his first hit, Come On Sock It to Me in 1967, Johnson dominated the label as both a hitmaker and producer. His song Different Strokes, also from 1967, featured recently on the Ultimate Breaks and Beats breakbeat compilation.

Like other black songwriters of the period, several of his records at this time explored themes of African-American identity and social problems in songs including Is It Because I'm Black, which reached Number 11 in the R&B charts in 1969.

In 1971, Willie Mitchell brought Johnson to Hi Records, for whom he recorded three albums and a number of singles. Produced in Memphis with the Hi house band, these yielded music of power and enduring value, including the hits We Did It, Back for a Taste of Your Love and Take Me to the River, his biggest success, reaching Number 7 on the R&B charts in 1975. However, at Hi Johnson was always to some extent in Al Green's shadow commercially, if not artistically.

After the Hi years ended, Johnson produced two LPs for his own Shama label, the latter of which (Ms. Fine Brown Frame, 1982) was picked up for distribution by Boardwalk Records and produced Johnson's last hit record, the title cut.

Around the mid-eighies, Johnson started a fast-food fish restaurant business, and became semi-retired from performing, only making occasional appearances at blues club gigs.

In 1992, Johnson found out that his classic song "Different Strokes" have been sampled by number of rappers including Wu-Tang Clan, Hammer, and the Ghetto Boys. Stimulated by this fact, he decided to make a come back in the music business. In 1994, he released the album Back in the Game on Delmark Records. The album featured the the Hi rhythm section and his youngest daughter Syleena Johnson.

Blues guitarist and singer Jimmy Johnson, and bassist Mack Thompson, are his brothers.

Don't Give It Away
Syl Johnson Lyrics

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Two, one

If you know somebody, you wanna suck it to him
Let me tell you, what I want you to do right now
If you know somebody, you wanna suck it to him
Let me tell you, what I want you to do now

Baby, you gotta be where I′m at

'Cause romance without finance won′t get you nowhere
Don't give it away
Don't give it away baby
Don′t give that thang away
Don′t give it away

Listen to me now
I ain't gon′ tell you wrong
Get yourself some money honey
And leave those other guys alone

You better listen to me girl
I ain't gonna tell you wrong now
Get yourself some money honey
And leave those other guys alone

Baby, beware now
′Cause romance without finance won't get you nowhere
Don′t give it away
Don't give it away baby
Don't give it away honey
Don′t give it away

Believe in me baby
Watch what I say right now
Take care of your own business
Make ′em all pay

You better watch me baby
Believe what I say right now
Take care of your business honey
Make those other men pay

Baby, you better beware now
'Cause romance without finance won′t get you nowhere
Don't give it away baby
Don′t give it away right now

Oh don't give it away mama
Yeah, yeah, don′t give up baby
Don't give it away
Don't give it away yeah
Ooh, baby

Ooh, baby, don′t give it away now
Don′t give my thang away

Overall Meaning

The song "Don't Give It Away" by Syl Johnson talks about the importance of having financial stability in a romantic relationship. The singer advises a woman to prioritize her finances and not give away her love or affection to men who are not willing to invest in her. He emphasizes that just having romance without any financial support or stability won't get anyone anywhere, and further advises her to take care of her own business and make men pay for her love.

The lyrics are a reflection of the societal norm of the time where men were expected to be the breadwinners and women were expected to be the homemakers. The singer's advice to the woman in the song is a reminder that financial stability is important for both partners in a relationship, and that women should not sacrifice their independence or self-worth for love.

The use of the phrase "don't give it away" is a metaphor for giving away one's love, affection, or body. The song explores the idea that women should not be taken for granted and that they have the power to demand respect and support from their partners.

Don't Give It AwaySyl Johnson Lyrics

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Don't Give It Away
Syl Johnson Lyrics