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 By that time, Edwards had been replaced by G.C. Cameron.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.
Lazy Susan
The Spinners Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Pretty dresses on her back she never had
Folks say she don't know right from wrong
But to me her smile lights up the dawn
Oh, Lazy Susan
Won't you sing your songs for me?
Lazy Susan
Lazy Susan
Oh, won't you come on home with me?
Yeah
Her daddy died when she was born
Her momma works the mill the whole day long
But Lazy Susan never worked to live
She just sings her songs strummin' with her guitar pick
Oh, Lazy Susan
Won't you sing your songs for me?
Lazy Susan
Girl, we could sing in harmony
Lazy Susan
Oh, won't you come on home with me?
Well well well
Some day I'm gonna make her mine
Gonna change her rags to silk
Make her look like a lady refined
I won't let 'em laugh at her no more
Gonna make people look at her
Like they never did before
Oh, Lazy Susan
I know you wanna live there
'Cause you ain't been goin' nowhere
I know your momma and your daddy both don't know
Yeah, oh
It may get late, girl
'Cause you're moving slow
But I know real good lovin'
Can rearrange your life
And when we get it together, girl
You can be my wife
You see, I got this forty acres
Down by the Johnsons' creek
I done bought me a brand new tractor
And we can grow all the food we need
I never done been, but we're goin' to Memphis City
And you could buy colored dresses
And make yourself look real pretty
I can tell, no, you're not lazy
The folks just don't know
You like to take life real slow, baby
The lyrics of "Lazy Susan" by The Spinners tell the story of a young woman named Susan who is often underestimated and misunderstood by others. Despite her humble background and lack of material possessions, the singer sees beauty in her and is captivated by her smile that brightens the dawn. Susan's clothes are described as dirty rags, indicating her impoverished state and the lack of luxury in her life.
The song suggests that people judge Susan without truly knowing her. They claim she doesn't know right from wrong, but the singer sees beyond that and appreciates her talent for singing and playing the guitar. He asks Lazy Susan to share her songs with him, suggesting a desire for a deeper connection through the harmonies they could create together.
Lazy Susan's upbringing is also explored in the lyrics. Her father died when she was born, and her mother works long hours in a mill to provide for their family. However, Susan appears to have a carefree spirit and chooses not to work traditional jobs. Instead, she chooses to express herself through her music, finding solace and fulfillment in her songs.
The singer dreams of making Susan his own and improving her circumstances. He envisions transforming her worn-out clothes into elegant silk dresses, making her look like a refined lady. He aims to protect her from the laughter and judgment she faces from others, wanting people to see her in a new light and appreciate her for who she truly is.
Despite Susan's slow pace in life, the singer sees potential for change and growth. He promises her love and a better future, painting a picture of a life on a farm he owns and the possibilities it holds. The reference to Memphis City suggests a place of opportunity and freedom, where Susan can buy colorful dresses and present herself as the beautiful person she is.
The closing lines emphasize that the singer understands Susan's true nature. He recognizes that she is not lazy but rather prefers to take life slow, savoring each moment. He sees her not as a burden but as someone who appreciates the simple joys of life and refuses to conform to society's expectations. With this understanding, he expresses his intentions to be patient and loving, eventually aiming to marry Susan and build a life together.
Line by Line Meaning
A princess dressed in dirty rags
She may appear poor and humble, but she carries herself with dignity and grace.
Pretty dresses on her back she never had
She has never had the opportunity to wear beautiful and elegant dresses.
Folks say she don't know right from wrong
People judge her for her unconventional lifestyle, assuming she lacks moral judgment.
But to me her smile lights up the dawn
Her genuine happiness and joy have a profound effect on me, illuminating the beginning of each day.
Oh, Lazy Susan
Addressing Lazy Susan affectionately.
Won't you sing your songs for me?
I am captivated by her musical talent and request her to share her songs with me.
Lazy Susan
Continuing to address Lazy Susan affectionately.
Girl, we could sing in harmony
Expressing the potential for a harmonious and complementary musical connection between them.
Lazy Susan
Continuing to address Lazy Susan affectionately.
Oh, won't you come on home with me?
Expressing the desire for Lazy Susan to become part of his life and accompany him home.
Yeah
An exclamation of affirmation or agreement.
Her daddy died when she was born
Her father passed away shortly after she was born, leaving her without a paternal presence.
Her momma works the mill the whole day long
Her mother toils tirelessly at the mill, working throughout the day.
But Lazy Susan never worked to live
Lazy Susan does not view work as a means of survival or a priority in her life.
She just sings her songs strummin' with her guitar pick
Her music and playing the guitar are her true passions, through which she expresses herself.
Some day I'm gonna make her mine
Expressing the desire and intention to make Lazy Susan his partner or romantic interest.
Gonna change her rags to silk
He wants to uplift Lazy Susan's impoverished state and provide her with more luxurious and finer things.
Make her look like a lady refined
He envisions transforming Lazy Susan's appearance to one of elegance and sophistication.
I won't let 'em laugh at her no more
He vows to protect Lazy Susan from ridicule or mockery by others.
Gonna make people look at her like they never did before
He wants to change the way people view and perceive Lazy Susan, recognizing her worth and beauty.
I know you wanna live there
He understands her desire to have a better life.
'Cause you ain't been goin' nowhere
He recognizes her stagnation or lack of progress in life.
I know your momma and your daddy both don't know
He understands that her parents may not fully comprehend or appreciate Lazy Susan's true essence.
It may get late, girl
Time may be passing by, and they may need to seize the moment soon.
'Cause you're moving slow
They are progressing or advancing in their relationship at a leisurely pace.
But I know real good lovin'
He confidently believes in his ability to provide genuine and fulfilling love.
Can rearrange your life
Love has the power to transform and improve one's existence.
And when we get it together, girl
Referring to the time when their relationship is fully established and committed.
You can be my wife
Expressing the desire to marry Lazy Susan and make her his life partner.
You see, I got this forty acres
He proudly owns a considerable piece of land, symbolizing stability and prosperity.
Down by the Johnsons' creek
Describing the location or vicinity of his property.
I done bought me a brand new tractor
He has recently acquired a modern and efficient tractor, enhancing their potential for self-sufficiency.
And we can grow all the food we need
They have the capability to cultivate their own food and sustain themselves.
I never done been, but we're goin' to Memphis City
Although he has never been to Memphis City, he plans to take Lazy Susan there.
And you could buy colored dresses
He envisions Lazy Susan being able to afford vibrant and fashionable dresses.
And make yourself look real pretty
He wants Lazy Susan to enhance her appearance and feel beautiful.
I can tell, no, you're not lazy
Despite her nickname, he believes Lazy Susan is not lazy but rather misunderstood.
The folks just don't know
He acknowledges that people fail to comprehend or appreciate Lazy Susan's true abilities and qualities.
You like to take life real slow, baby
He understands and appreciates Lazy Susan's preference for a relaxed and unhurried lifestyle.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Linda Creed, Thom Randolph Bell
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind