The single became the Detroit-reared group's biggest single on the Motown Records company since they had signed with the company in 1964 and also their biggest hit in a decade.
The lineup of the Spinners include original members Pervis Jackson, Henry Fambrough, Billy Henderson and Bobbie Smith and lead vocalist G.C. Cameron. The quintet recorded the single in 1970.
The song, which is about a man who complains about a lover's "messin' around" on him, became a huge hit for the group reaching number-fourteen on the Billboard Hot 100 and number-three on the R&B singles chart, making it their biggest hit to date.
The song was the first song Wonder produced for another act by himself. Two years later, the group would leave Motown for a contract with Atlantic Records on the advice of fellow Detroit native Aretha Franklin, also an artist on that label.
Cameron decided to stay in Motown and the group hired Cameron's cousin Philippé Wynne to replace Cameron, who stayed in Motown for over a decade.
Lead vocals by G.C. Cameron
Background vocals by Bobbie Smith, Pervis Jackson, Henry Fambrough and
Billy Henderson
Instrumentation by The Funk Brothers
Arranged by Paul Riser
Chart History (1970)
-----------------------------------------------
U.S. Billboard Hot 100 Chart - #14
U.S. Billboard Hot Soul Singles - # 3
UK Singles Chart - # 20
It's A Shame
The Spinners Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The way you mess around with your man
It's a shame the way you hurt me
It's a shame
The way you mess around with your man
I'm sitting all alone, by the telephone
Waiting for your call, when you don't call at all
The way you mess around with your man
It's a shame (shame)
The way you play with my emotions
It's a shame (shame)
The way you mess around with your man
You're like a child at play, on a sunny day
But you play with love, and then you throw it away
Why do you use me, try to confuse me?
How can you stand to be so cruel?
Why don't you free me, from this prison
Where I serve my time as your fool?
It's a shame (shame)
The way you mess around with your man
It's a shame (shame)
The way you hurt me
It's a shame (shame)
The way you mess around with your man
I try to stay with you, show you love so true
But you won't appreciate, the love we try to make
Oh, it's got to be a shame
Uh
Why do you use me, try to confuse me?
How can you stand to be so cruel?
Why don't you free me, from this prison
Served my time as your fool?
Got to be a (shame) shame
The way you mess around with your man
Oh, it's a (shame) shame
The way you hurt me
Oh, it's a shame (shame) baby, baby
The way you mess around with your man
You've got my heart in chains, and I must complain
I just can't be confined, oh, and I can't find the time
Oh, oh-oh
(Shame)
It's a shame (shame)
It's a shame the way you hurt me, yeah
Oh (shame)
Gotta, gotta, gotta, gotta be a shame, oh, yeah
The Spinners' song "It's A Shame" is about a woman who is playing games with both her man and the person who wants to be with her. The song is filled with frustration and longing as the singer is waiting by the phone for a call that never comes. He's upset about how this woman is treating him and her man. The lyrics "You're like a child at play, on a sunny day. But you play with love, and then you throw it away" highlight the immaturity and emotional manipulation of this woman.
Throughout the song, the singer questions why this woman treats him the way she does. He wonders why she would try to confuse him and be so cruel as to keep him trapped in his feelings for her. The line "You've got my heart in chains, and I must complain. I just can't be confined, oh, and I can't find the time" shows that he feels trapped by his love for her. He's stuck in a cycle of hoping for her love but never getting it.
Line by Line Meaning
It's a shame
The actions you are taking are deeply regrettable
The way you mess around with your man
The way you are being unfaithful to your partner is causing destruction to yourself and those around you
It's a shame the way you hurt me
Your actions are causing me severe emotional pain
I'm sitting all alone, by the telephone
Waiting for your call, when you don't call at all
I am waiting for your attention, but you are not giving it to me, which is causing me even more emotional pain
The way you play with my emotions
You are toying with my emotions and not taking my feelings seriously
You're like a child at play, on a sunny day
But you play with love, and then you throw it away
You behave like a child in a carefree way, but when it comes to love, you do not take it seriously and throw it away
Why do you use me, try to confuse me?
You are intentionally using me and causing me emotional uncertainty
How can you stand to be so cruel?
Your actions are cruel and insensitive
Why don't you free me, from this prison
Where I serve my time as your fool?
I am trapped in a situation where I feel foolish and helpless, and I want to be set free
I try to stay with you, show you love so true
But you won't appreciate, the love we try to make
I am trying to love you with sincerity, but you do not appreciate it and are not reciprocating
You've got my heart in chains, and I must complain
I just can't be confined, oh, and I can't find the time
My heart is held captive by you, and I must protest. I cannot continue to be bound, and I cannot find any more time for this
Lyrics © MUSIC SALES CORPORATION, BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave
Written by: Stevie Wonder, Lee Garrett, Syreeta Wright
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@halloridder
It's a shame
the way they run that hall of fame.
it's a shame it over look them.
It's a sha-a-ayeyam.
Whats with the rock&roll hall of fame?
Yo, bro you're not a-lone.
It's a fact well known,
but the spinners wall
ain,'t in that hall at all!
@patrickschlosser8208
I am 57 years old. And this is one of the best songs I've heard in my entire life.
@chrisRep
Songwriters: Stevie Wonder / Syreeta Wright / David Steele / Lee Garrett / Simone Antoinette Johnson
@georgedavis8412
That lead vocal gives me goosebumps. His range is crazy!
@gregorylipscomb5688
56yrs old been playing this song my whole Life as Well.
@willchill4678
It's a shame nobody makes music like this anymore!
@bonzotalonzo9072
The truth !!!!
@adamgordon2572
Real talk 💯
@rentslave
People of all colors have been dumbed down.
@MrGraeme1997
A real shame that is !!!
@shaniyamiller434
Yep