His career started in the late 1960's with a self-made tape of overlapping songs created for the Fire Island bar and restaurant The Sandpiper. As the club in question was very high profile, it was only a matter of time before his skills were noticed and put to use pre-release by those in the music industry. Moulton preferred R&B and dance music, but actually mixed a wide range of popular recordings. A noteworthy quote has him saying, "I never made a dance record, I made records you can dance to."
Moulton worked as a model at the Bookings and Ford agencies before beginning his production career. Before that, he had worked in the music industry, holding a sales and promotion job at King Records (from 1959 to 1961) and similar positions at RCA and United Artists. He eventually left due to his disgust at the industry's dishonesty.
His notable achievements in recording technique include extending the high frequencies and tightening the bottom for better sounding play at high volume and lengthening for greater musical and emotional impact by repeating key passages.
He was responsible for the first continuous-mix album side ever, on Gloria Gaynor's seminal disco album "Never Can Say Goodbye", earning him the title the "father of the Disco Mix" (today megamix). Among some of his other success in mixing songs are MFSB's "Love Is The Message", B.T. Express' "Do It (Til You're Satisfied)", The Trammps' "Disco Inferno", People's Choice's "Do It Any Way You Wanna", The Andrea True Connection's "More, More, More" and First Choice's "Doctor Love".
Tom Moulton's innovative work was honored at the 2004 Dance Music Hall of Fame ceremony in New York City when he was inducted for his achievements as a Remixer. He is the official archivist of the Bethlehem Jazz and Salsoul music catalogues, and has overseen all of the digital remastering for the entire catalog. In late 2006 Moulton would remix the Brand New Heavies (featuring N'Dea Davenport) single "I Don't Know (Why I Love You)", a cover of the Stevie Wonder and Jackson 5 hit.
Year of Decision
Tom Moulton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
This is the year
To make your decision.
Yes
This is the year
To open up your mind.
If you've been holding back kind of slack
Now's the time to get the things you need.
There ain't no reason why you should be shy
People have died to set you free.
Oh we need ev'ry one to succeed
Everybody to succeed everybody
Soul isn't enough hey come on and join us
Please (come on come on and join us please
Yes this is the year . . .
If you're strong out on a Jones
Better make sure that you leave the bad stuff
What ever you want to do think it over good
Cause the change is up to you
Oh we need every one to succeed
The song "Year of Decision" by Tom Moulton is a call to action and an encouragement for people to make important decisions and move forward in their lives. The song begins with the repeated line "Yes, this is the year to make your decision," implying that the time for hesitation is over, and it is time to take action. The second line, "Yes, this is the year to open up your mind," suggests that in order to move forward and make important decisions, it is necessary to have an open mind and be willing to consider new ideas.
The subsequent lines of the song urge listeners to take action and not be held back by fear or hesitation. The line "If you've been holding back kind of slack, now's the time to get the things you need" encourages listeners to take action and pursue what they truly want in life. The next line, "There ain't no reason why you should be shy, people have died to set you free," serves as a reminder of the opportunities available to individuals and the sacrifices that have been made to secure them. The final lines of the song repeat the message that everyone can succeed, and that it is important for every individual to take action in order to achieve success.
Overall, "Year of Decision" is a motivational song that encourages listeners to make decisions and take action to achieve their goals. It emphasizes the importance of having an open mind, overcoming fear and hesitation, and being willing to pursue personal growth and success.
Line by Line Meaning
Yes
Acknowledgement that a pivotal year has arrived
This is the year
Emphasis on the significance of the aforementioned year
To make your decision.
Encouragement to make important choices
To open up your mind.
Urging for mental expansion
If you've been holding back kind of slack
If you've been hesitant, uncertain or passive
Now's the time to get the things you need.
Suggesting a window of opportunity to attain necessities
There ain't no reason why you should be shy
No justification for shyness or reluctance
People have died to set you free.
Acknowledgment of sacrifice for the greater good
Oh we need ev'ry one to succeed
Highlighting the importance of collective prosperity
Everybody to succeed everybody
Encouragement for communal success
Soul isn't enough hey come on and join us
Individualistic pursuits alone won't suffice; Togetherness is vital
Please (come on come on and join us please
Requesting the community to unite in a shared vision
If you're strong out on a Jones
If you're addicted to something harmful
Better make sure that you leave the bad stuff
Suggesting responsibility in ending detrimental habits
What ever you want to do think it over good
Advice to thoroughly contemplate significant decisions
Cause the change is up to you
Final reminder that personal agency is key in initiating change
Oh we need every one to succeed
Echoing the vital importance of the previous statement
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: KENNETH GAMBLE, KENNY GAMBLE, LEON HUFF
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
TheAteeyah
Speak about being unsung.These ladies were beautiful,talented and could really sing.So poised and respectful.All their albums were played on heavy rotation in our house by my biracial mommy.Thanks mom..........
H.J. Raimond
Ultimate tune, always and forever!
DIRK MEIJER
You better get down with the Philly sound. Oh yes those were the days. My first introduction to Afro American music. Ain't nothing better. Classy song this one. The catalogue with master pieces made on the TSOP label are to numerous to list.
Jakko
Beautiful mix Tom...much appreciated sir!!!!!!
disco4ever
what can you say about Tom Moulton, what great mixes he did during this iconic time period of music!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Joe Madonia
Thank you Tom
TDSouledOut1
Wondrous, just wondrous.
gazza8734
Does it get any better than this?