1. A soul group of the early '70s, creating a body of work that defined the lush, seductive sound of Philly soul. In the UK they were known as "The Detroit Spinners" to avoid confusion with British band The Spinners. The band's roots lay in Detroit, where they formed as a doo wop group during the late '50s. Throughout the '60s, the Spinners tried to land a hit by adapting to the shifting fashions of R&B and pop. By the mid-'60s, they had signed with Motown Records, but the label never gave the group much consideration. "It's a Shame" became a hit in 1970, but the label continued to ignore the group, and dropped the band two years later. Unsigned and featuring new lead singer Phillipe Wynne, the Spinners seemed destined to never break into the big leagues, but they managed to sign with Atlantic Records, where they began working with producer Thom Bell. With his assistance, the Spinners developed a distinctive sound, one that relied on Wynne's falsetto and the group's intricate vocal harmonies. Bell provided the group with an appropriately detailed production, creating a detailed web of horns, strings, backing vocals, and lightly funky rhythms. Between 1972 and 1977, the Spinners and Bell recorded a number of soul classics, including "I'll Be Around," "Could It Be I'm Fallin in Love," "Mighty Love," "Ghetto Child," "Then Came You," "Games People Play," and "The Rubberband Man." Wynne left in 1977 and the Spinners had hits for a few years after his departure, but the group will always be remembered for its classic mid-'70s work. Originally, called the Domingoes, the Spinners formed when the quintet were high school students in the Detroit suburb of Ferndale in 1957. At the time, the group featured Bobbie Smith, Pervis Jackson, George W. Dixon, Billy Henderson, and Henry Fambrough. Four years later, they came to the attention of producer Harvey Fuqua, who began recording the group -- who were now called the Spinners -- for his Tri-Phi Records. The band's first single, "That's What Girls Are Made For," became a Top Ten R&B hit upon its 1961 release and featured Smith on vocals. Following its release, Dixon was replaced by Edgar "Chico" Edwards. Over the next few years, the group released a series of failed singles, and when Tri-Phi was bought out by Motown in the mid-'60s, the Spinners became part of the larger company's roster. By that time, Edwards had been replaced by G.C. Cameron. Though the Spinners had some R&B hits at Motown during the late '60s, including "I'll Always Love You" and "Truly Yours," they didn't have a genuine crossover success until 1970, when Stevie Wonder gave the group "It's a Shame." Motown never concentrated on the Spinners, and they let the group go in 1972. Before the band signed with Atlantic Records, Phillipe Wynne replaced Cameron as the group's lead vocalist. Wynne had previously sung with Catfish and Bootsy Collins. At Atlantic Records, the Spinners worked with producer Thom Bell, who gave the group a lush, seductive sound, complete with sighing strings, a tight rhythm section, sultry horns, and a slight funk underpinning. Wynne quickly emerged as a first-rate soul singer, and the combination of the group's harmonies, Wynne's soaring leads, and Bell's meticulous production made the Spinners the most popular soul group of the '70s. Once the group signed with Atlantic, they became a veritable hit machine, topping the R&B and pop charts with songs like "I'll Be Around," "Could It Be I'm Falling in Love," "One of a Kind (Love Affair)," "Ghetto Child," "Rubberband Man," and "You're Throwing a Good Love Away." Not only were their singles hits, but their albums constantly went gold and charted in the Top 20. Wynne left the band to pursue a solo career in 1977; he was replaced by John Edwards. Though none of Wynne's solo records were big hits, his tours with Parliament-Funkadelic were well-received, as were his solo concerts. In October 1984, he died of a heart attack during a concert in Oakland, CA. The Spinners, meanwhile, had a number of minor hits in the late '70s, highlighted by their disco covers of "Working My Way Back to You" and the medley "Cupid/I've Loved You for a Long Time." During the early '80s, they had several minor hits before fading away from the charts and entering the oldies circuit, reprising their earlier material for 1999's new studio effort At Their Best. Long time founding members Billy Henderson and Pervis Jackson have since deceased.
2. The Spinners were a folk group from Liverpool, England, that formed in September 1958. The group was unusual for its time in having a multiracial membership.
They variously had four albums in the UK Albums Chart between September 1970 and April 1972. One of them, Spinners Live Performance (1971), spent three months in the listing and peaked at No. 14.
The band began as a skiffle group with a mainly American repertoire, until they were prompted by Redd Sullivan, a seaman, to include sea shanties and English folk songs. They started out as the Gin Mill Skiffle Group, which included guitarist Tony Davis and washboard player Mick Groves. The group played the Cavern Club, Liverpool for the first time on Friday 18 January 1957, with the Muskrat Jazz Band and the Liverpool University Jazz Band. They played there on a number of occasions on Friday 24 May; Sunday 26 May; Wednesday 5 June; Wednesday 3 July and Friday 16 August 1957. In September 1958 they became the Spinners. They founded a folk club in Liverpool, the 'Triton Club', but soon were performing in London at places such as 'the Troubadour'. Their first album, Songs Spun in Liverpool, was recorded by Bill Leader from live performances. In 1962 Peter Kennedy of the English Folk Dance & Song Society recorded an album with them called Quayside Songs Old & New. In 1963 Philips Records signed them, and they recorded eight more albums over the next eight years. They signed for EMI Records in the early 1970s.
They became popular by reviving some of the greatest folk music and singing new songs in the same vein. Although sounding like traditional English folk songs, some of their material was in fact composed by Jones, such as "The Ellan Vannin Tragedy" and "The Marco Polo". One of their best known songs, particularly in their native Liverpool, was "In My Liverpool Home", written by Peter McGovern in 1962. Cliff Hall also introduced traditional Jamaican songs to their repertoire. One of their albums was called Not Quite Folk.
They produced over forty albums, and made numerous concerts and TV appearances. In 1970, they were given their own television show on BBC One that ran for seven years. They also had their own show on BBC Radio 2. They retired in 1988, after thirty years together, although they led the community singing at the 1989 FA Cup Final and played some Christmas shows in the early 1990s. Members of the group still perform, although Cliff Hall retired to Australia, where he died in 2008.
Their version of the Ewan MacColl song, "Dirty Old Town", was included in the Terence Davies' 2008 memoir/documentary of Liverpool, Of Time and the City. A biography of the group 'Fried Bread and Brandy-O' (the title of their signature tune) was written by Liverpool journalist David Stuckey (with a foreword by Pete Seeger) to coincide with their 25th anniversary, and published by Robson Books.
In 2009 The Liverpool Barrow Boys from Songs Spun in Liverpool was included in Topic Records 70 year anniversary boxed set Three Score and Ten as track 19 on the 6th CD.
Band members
Tony Davis (born 24 August 1930, Blackburn, Lancashire, England, died 10 February 2017)
Mick Groves (born Salford, Lancashire, England)
Cliff Hall (born Clifford Samuel Hall, 11 September 1925, Oriente Province, Cuba, died 26 June 2008, Adelaide, South Australia)
Hughie Jones (born Liverpool, England)
3. The Spinners were a female punk band from Turkey, active in the late 80's and early 90's. They released a demo called “Lalala” in 1991.
Ghetto Child
The Spinners Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And from everything, I had ever known
I was sick and tired living in a town
Filled with narrow minds and hate
They used to laugh at me and children called me names
I would run and hide feeling so ashamed
Just for being born, I was just a boy
Life ain't so easy
When you're a ghetto child
Oh babe, life ain't so easy
When you're a ghetto child
No one tried to understand
Papa did the best a man could do
A child's reality is paid for by his folks
Fancy fairy tales are bought and sold by those
Who can well afford time to make believe
Childhood dreams, can still come true
So I've been wondering, traveling all around
Guess it ain't my style to live in just one town
Still I'll never know why a child is blamed
Ridiculed and shamed, we're all the same
Life ain't so easy
When you're a ghetto child
I'm witness that life ain't so easy
When you're a ghetto child, yeah
Life ain't so easy
When you're a ghetto child
Oh baby, life ain't so easy
When you're a ghetto child
Life ain't so easy
When you're a ghetto child
(Life can be rough) life ain't so easy
(With going gets tough) when you're a ghetto child
(Yeah, but remember) life ain't so easy
When you're a (this gotta change) ghetto child (they gotta change gotta change, yeah, yeah!)
Life ain't so easy
When you're a ghetto child (I'm a ghetto oh)
Life ain't so easy
The Spinners' song Ghetto Child is a powerful expression of the experiences of a young person growing up in a low-income, urban area. The singer in the song is describing his own experiences as a seventeen-year-old who ran away from home because he was sick of the narrow-minded attitudes and hate that he encountered on a daily basis. He was constantly ridiculed and shamed just for being born into poverty and facing the challenges that come with it.
The song highlights the difficulties faced by children in impoverished areas, but also underscores the resiliency and determination of those who are able to rise above their circumstances. The singer observes that no one tried to understand him, but his father did the best he could. He dreams of a childhood where fanciful fairy tales are not just reserved for those who can afford them, and where children are not punished for crimes they did not commit.
The song ultimately reveals a deep sense of hope and a call for change. The singer travels around and wonders why a child is blamed for circumstances beyond their control. He longs for a world where everyone is treated equally and the stigmas associated with being a "ghetto child" are erased. Ghetto Child is a poignant reminder of the importance of empathy, understanding, and the need to work towards a more just society.
Line by Line Meaning
When I was seventeen, I ran away from home
At the age of seventeen, I left home and everything I knew behind.
And from everything, I had ever known
I had to leave everything behind and start afresh.
I was sick and tired living in a town
Living in a town full of narrow-minded and hateful people was exhausting.
Filled with narrow minds and hate
The town was filled with people who lacked understanding and compassion.
They used to laugh at me and children called me names
People would ridicule me and even children would taunt me with hurtful names.
I would run and hide feeling so ashamed
I felt so much shame that I would run and hide to avoid facing the humiliation.
Just for being born, I was just a boy
I was being punished for something I had no control over - my mere existence as a boy.
Punished for a crime that was not mine
I was being punished for something that was not my fault or under my control.
Life ain't so easy
When you're a ghetto child
Growing up in a ghetto is not easy, and it comes with its own unique set of struggles.
Oh babe, life ain't so easy
When you're a ghetto child
Life is particularly challenging when you're a child growing up in a ghetto.
No one tried to understand
Papa did the best a man could do
No one made an effort to understand my situation, but my father did his best to support me.
A child's reality is paid for by his folks
A child's upbringing and environment are determined by their parents' socio-economic status.
Fancy fairy tales are bought and sold by those
Some people have the luxury of indulging in fanciful stories and ignoring reality.
Who can well afford time to make believe
Those who have the luxury of free time and financial security can indulge in fantasy.
Childhood dreams, can still come true
Despite the struggles of growing up in a ghetto, it is still possible for childhood dreams to be realized.
So I've been wondering, traveling all around
I have been traveling and contemplating my life, seeking answers to my questions.
Guess it ain't my style to live in just one town
I have discovered that my personality is not suited to living in one place permanently.
Still I'll never know why a child is blamed
I will never understand why children are held responsible for things that are not their fault.
Ridiculed and shamed, we're all the same
Everyone, regardless of their socio-economic background or circumstances, can be ridiculed and shamed.
Life ain't so easy
When you're a ghetto child
Growing up in a ghetto is a difficult experience that many people cannot fully comprehend.
I'm witness that life ain't so easy
When you're a ghetto child, yeah
As someone who has experienced growing up in the ghetto, I can testify that it is not an easy experience.
(
Life can be rough) life ain't so easy
(With going gets tough) when you're a ghetto child
Life is full of challenges and hardships, and growing up in a ghetto only exacerbates these difficulties.
(Yeah, but remember) life ain't so easy
When you're a (this gotta change) ghetto child (they gotta change gotta change, yeah, yeah!)
We need to remember that growing up in a ghetto is a challenging experience that requires change and understanding from society.
Life ain't so easy
When you're a ghetto child
(I'm a ghetto oh)
Growing up in a ghetto is a part of my identity, and it has shaped who I am.
Lyrics © Bluewater Music Corp., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: LINDA CREED, LINDA DIANE CREED, THOM BELL, THOMAS RANDOLPH BELL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@anthonywashington3743
This song makes me cry growing up in the ruff Chicago projects I had it bad but I'm good now thank you Lord amen
@devonahunter4959
I love u 😘
@herberthammond3028
So true but look how God made it easy Amen.
@henryhawkins1194
This song reminds me of a poor childhood that I'm glad to have experienced. Now I know why I used to sing this song as a young child back in Southwest Georgia. Things have changed now, life is good, and I am no longer a ghetto child. Songs inspire, heal, and encourage a little ghetto child like me to get through those hard times. We need songs like this today to encourage our youth. Thanks for posting.
@drewandfrank
I'm so sorry that we were placed in different environments. But, you are my Hero. I was born into a middle - class white conclave. I had no idea how I blessed I was until later in life. Jesus showed me how I needed to rectify the world. God Bless.
@henryhawkins1194
@Frank Heberer, Thank you sir, I've lost my mother recently. She lived a good life, but was suffering and tired at 75 years old from various ailments. I really appreciate your comment, it couldn't have came at a better time. Thanks again.
@robertp.wainman4094
A wonderful comment - thank you from a lover of this music from England.
@anthonywalsh7613
I heard this on the radio this evening, and it filled me with nostalgia. Of growing up in the 70s. Life was hard but simple. I wouldn’t swap it for the world. It made me the man I am today
@canadude6401
Some facts here.....
Thom Bell (Thomas Randolph Bell) the producer and songwriter of this song and the 1973 Spinners album just passed away Dec 22, 2022. He produced several hit songs for the Spinners among others He was awarded a Grammy in 1974 for his work with the Spinners.
The singer Henry Lee Fambrough (born May 10, 1938) is now 84 years old and is the last surviving original member of the Spinners.
Such a great soulful voice.
@kennydouge3781
Coming from a 23 year old Mexican kid from LA this is MUSIC!!!! Thank you dad for always showing me the best of the best music! God bless anyone reading this I hope you guys have a beautiful day!