By Rodmann (12.221.220.148) on Tuesday, February 24, 2004 - 04:35 pm:

Hi folks. Does anyone else out there enjoy Freda Payne's song 'I Get High (On Your Memory)' from 1978? What a great song! I first found out about it when a rapper by the name of Styles P. sampled it for his hit single 'Good Times' a few years ago. He used a speeded up sample of Freda singing "I Get High!" over and over again. You can imagine what Styles was talking about when he said that he "gets high"! LOL. This song caused me to wonder about what the original sounded like so I went out and got a copy of Freda's "Stares & Whispers" album. Freda's version was so good that I soon forgot all about Styles P.! It's a Pop ballad but there's something about it that's so soulful! Maybe it's the way that Freda duets with herself in a call and response kind of way? I'm not sure but it should have been huge on the charts. Who the hell were these people who did promotion for Black music in the 60's through early 80's anyway? I keep finding all of these wonderful songs that didn't even hit the R&B charts let alone the Pop ones! As I've said before in other topics, I hate that my dislike for Freda's song 'Band Of Gold' caused me to ignore all of her work for so many years. She really is a gifted vocalist and a beautiful lady too! Some of my other favorites by her include 'In Motion', 'Two Wrongs Don't Make A Right', 'Tell Me Please', 'It's Yours To Have' and 'The Road We Didn't Take'.

I remember reading about a year ago that Freda was suing Styles P. for using her voice in a song that glorified drug use. She said that it harmed her career because drug use doesn't go with her image. Does anyone what know the outcome was of this case? Or has there been an outcome yet? Thanks.

By Randy Russi (169.139.180.100) on Tuesday, February 24, 2004 - 04:51 pm:

I do not know the outcome of the case and I did
not know there was a case, but Right On! Freda,
because they did use her recording--speeded up,
of course. It surprised me they knew of her
record because it was not a hit. But, yes, I
had the single and also the lp and, yes, I did
like it. I think it was her first release on
Capitol Records. My favorite song on the lp
was "Bring Back The Joy" which she wrote with
then husband Greggory Abbott. This is not the
same song she did on Invictus label titled
"You Brought The Joy".
Yes, she is a great vocalist. I saw her in
the '80s in Sophisticated Ladies and just
remarkable--In A Sentimental Mood was the
highlight. Great singer, Freda Payne!!!

By R&B (138.238.41.118) on Tuesday, February 24, 2004 - 04:53 pm:

WHATEVER FREDA SINGS IS ALRIGHT WITH ME!!

By Randy Russi (169.139.180.100) on Tuesday, February 24, 2004 - 04:54 pm:

P.S.--Rodmann, I HATE that record "Band Of Gold"
also. Now, we'll probably hear from some "Gold"
lovers...

By Rodmann (12.221.220.148) on Tuesday, February 24, 2004 - 04:59 pm:

Haha. Hey Randy, your brother Tony is one of the "Band Of Gold lovers"! He set me straight about it in the "Those Songs You Hate..." topic I started last week! LOL.

By Uptight! (69.161.238.148) on Tuesday, February 24, 2004 - 05:17 pm:

Rodmann, I discovered her track a little more than a year ago just by coincidence, transferring a friend's stack of Freda Payne LPs to CD. "I Get High On Your Memory" became my favorite cut on that album!

By DyvaNaye (209.212.74.211) on Tuesday, February 24, 2004 - 07:13 pm:

As far as "BAND" is concerned, for the time it came out and in the 'hood...that song is/was another one of those songs I would classify as an 'African American Woman co-dependant at the barbeque songs'. It is a 'hood classic. Good memories. Freda made some bad jams.

By E (68.236.24.249) on Tuesday, February 24, 2004 - 07:15 pm:

Band of Gold is one of my al time faves!

has anyone ever heard the alternate version where the sitar figure is "turned around" and there is a bridge added .

By Juicefree20 (151.205.184.198) on Tuesday, February 24, 2004 - 08:10 pm:

Ok Randy, I did love Band Of Gold. To a 10 year old, that song was great. I've learned to question the lyrics a bit, a bit subservient I'd say. I just loved her vocals & the music. I'm not mad at you though.
Rod, back in '78, Disco was just killing everything. You have to remember that Disco was really huge at the time. It was difficult for ballads to get airplay at the time. Don't get me wrong, there were some ballads that made it, but for every one that did make it, I can name at least 10-20 that didn't. Think about this, most of the ballads that you hear on Quiet Storm & Classic Soul formats weren't played on the radio at that time. For example, Cause I Love You by Lenny Williams was a huge turntable hit here in the Black clubs. We couldn't go the night without playing it at least twice, that and the "live" version of Tonight Is The Night by Ms Betty Wright. However, radio didn't jump on Cause I Love You & it's played more in a month today than it was in 10 years then. Also, you have to consider that most Program Directors probably thought of Freda as "The Band Of Gold Girl". Considering the Disco rage of the day, her sound likely didn 't fit their format. I believe that Randy, Eli & Dennis can give us great perspective regarding the negative impact that Disco had on many Soul artists careers, as well as how it hurt live appearances. Eli, Randy, any comments about this?

By blue (12.75.144.113) on Tuesday, February 24, 2004 - 08:19 pm:

"That" album is "Stares and Whispers".

After Invictus, she released 2 albums from ABC and 3 albums from Capitol.

Payne & Pleasure ('74 ABC)
Out of Payne Comes Loves ('75 ABC)
Stares and Whispers ('77 Capitol)
Supernatural high ('78 Capitol)
Hot ('79 Capitol)

Except the last one, all albums are good(her singing was more mature and richer than her Invictus days), especially "Out of Payne Comes Love" which is available on MCA budget CD(renamed as "Lost in Love").
And I thinks "Stares and Whispers" is the close second.
Though Freda's Invictus recordings have been reissued on CD over and over again, her post Invictus recordings have been almost neglected.
I hope someday I can listen to wonderful songs like "Master of Love""Stares and Whispers""I get high""Loving you means so much to me""Happy days are here again"" and her cover of Scherrie's "Story Book Romance" on CD.
BTW I found "Bring Back the Joy" on the compilation CD called "Ladies of Soul".

By Rodmann (12.221.220.148) on Wednesday, February 25, 2004 - 12:36 am:

Thanks Juice. I didn't even think about the Disco aspect. But it's not just this song. Years ago I used to think that the only good music out there was the "hits" and that everything else was garbage. As I've gotten older I realize that the quality of the music has nothing to do with a song being a hit. The best music that I've heard in my life have been LP tracks and non hits by artists that are considered unknown to most people. It all comes down to PROMOTION! I'm just disgusted that all of this good music like Freda Payne's 'I Get High (On Your Memory)' has been missed because of poor promotion. Who were these people that were in charge of promoting Black music in the 60's through 80's? How did it work and how did all of this good music slip through the cracks? Maybe some of you guys that were there can shed some light on this for us.

By Michael/Cleoharvey (206.216.49.228) on Wednesday, February 25, 2004 - 12:59 am:

There is a song called See Me One Last Time on the album Out of Payne Comes Love that is one of my favorite Freda Payne cuts. The whole album is wonderful. If I am not mistaken the song was written by Stevie Wonder.

By Linda Di. (66.67.198.188) on Wednesday, February 25, 2004 - 01:08 am:

Yes -- "Out of Payne Comes Love" is one of the best albums by anybody at anytime. It's been a keeper since it's release in 1975.

By E (68.236.24.249) on Wednesday, February 25, 2004 - 01:12 am:

I like Loving on borrowed time from the album that Band of Gold is on.

By Juicefree20 (151.205.184.198) on Wednesday, February 25, 2004 - 01:47 am:

You know Rod, there is so much music that's been missed over the years. Sometimes, it takes folks awhile to catch up to them. There are 3 songs that I always use to illustrate this point.
In '83, I got an LP by Fatback from my record pool. To me, the LP was below their standard, but one song was a monster. I reported it to the WBLS & KISS-FM radio stations here in N.Y. I don't think the record was even released as a single at that time. Anyway, the LP came & went, nothing happened with that song until several years later Around '88 or '89 it became one of the hottest jams around here in NYC. The record was I Found Love with Michael Walker on lead. How that record missed is beyond me, but, it turned into an anthem here in N.Y. & was finally released as a single, 5 or 6 years after the fact. Even with its' new life, quality & its' popularity, this song still failed to chart.
In early '81, a young lady who sang with a funk band released her 1st solo LP. The LP was excellent & one song was a monster. The LP died, she released a 2nd Lp in '81 that died as well. Suddenly, in July or August of '82, a song from her first LP suddenly blew up. A popular N.Y. DJ named Tee Scott jumped on this song & it exploded & it became a N.Y. anthem as well. It sudden popularity was so surprising that her label rush released a LP containg her "latest" hit. The song was Alicia Myers' I Want To Thank You. How it took almost two years for this song to take off is beyond me. As a result, the song appears both on her 1st LP "Alicia" & her 3rd LP aptly titled (tongue in cheek I'm sure) "I Fooled You This Time" nearly 2 years later.
In '77, First Choice released the Delusions LP. Dr Love & Love Having You Around were the songs that charted. There was another song on that LP that was a sleeper that was not released as a single, but, I used to play it & people seemed to like it. Flash forward to 1983, Shep Pettibone remixed this song & it became an instant classic here in N.Y. 6 years after the fact. That song was Let No Man Put Asunder (better known as It's Not Over)& despite its' popularity & quality, failed to chart.
I could name hundreds if not thousands of songs that fit into this category. I have no rhyme or reason as to why high quality songs are either ignored or not noticed by the powers that be. Sometimes, as in the case of a Carol Williams, it's the choice of a label head who wants a specific artist to succeed. Sometimes, it's about money, sometimes, it's just the hand of fate, the changing taste of a fickle public, or just dumb luck. Sometimes, there's just no sensible answer at all. At some point I'll look in my collection & come up with some more songs that should've been big. I'll leave you with this last song for now....Love Thing by First Choice in 1979. How this missed is totally absurd. Without looking at my 12", I think that it was the B-side of Great Expectations which was the choice of most of the Gay DJs & Disco stations. Frankie Crocker of WBLS & most of us DJs on the Soul side of town wore out Love Thing. This record had it all, yet didn't chart at all. I've heard it said that it wasn't released as a single but, I have the original 12" & it was released. Anyway, it should've been big.

By Tony Russi (216.78.187.148) on Wednesday, February 25, 2004 - 01:26 pm:

Yes, Eli, I thought the whole "Band of Gold" LP was real good..."Rock Me(In the Cradle)", "The World Don't Owe YouA Thing" "Loving On Borrowed Time"...I hope I'm not sounding dumb, but I never really grasped the meaning of the lyrics of "Band of Gold", loved the track, loved the vocals just not too hep on the lyrics.

By Reese (12.15.169.194) on Wednesday, February 25, 2004 - 02:02 pm:

I remember when Freda was on SOUL TRAIN promoting her album OUT OF PAYNE COMES LOVE.

Don Cornelius asked where the title came from. Freda replied that her dog had been misbehaving and she spanked him. Afterwards, she thought "Hmmm. Out of pain comes love." And that's what she named the album.

By Rodmann (12.221.220.148) on Wednesday, February 25, 2004 - 04:21 pm:

Thanks for all of the responses guys. Hopefully we'll be able to listen to all of Freda's post Invictus on CD one day.

Do you guys remember that "Payne & Pleasure" album cover from 1974? Whew! Talk about sexy! And Freda's still got it too!

By bigdaddyg2k4 (206.157.27.101) on Wednesday, February 25, 2004 - 06:07 pm:

That was her speeded up on Styles P.'s "Good Times"? I didn't know. I thought it was somebody else on the track. Liked the song, though.

By Uptight (24.55.211.65) on Thursday, February 26, 2004 - 05:04 am:

Tony, I think "Band of Gold" refers to a gold wedding band around her finger. The song is about her heartache after a breakup with her man.

What are other SDers' takes on the lyrics?

By Randy Russi (169.139.180.100) on Thursday, February 26, 2004 - 11:50 am:

Uptight, I agree with you, it's just I think Tony
means he didn't really like the lyrics. Anyway,
I really liked her first Invictus release "Un-
hooked Generation". Freda was adorable!!!
I always watched her TV appearances. I also saw
the movie she made BOOK OF NUMBERS and thought
it was great. It didn't get good reviews and
neither did she (it was during the time of
Diana's Lady Sings The Blues), but I wish it
would become available on DVD/video.

By Tony Russi (216.78.187.148) on Thursday, February 26, 2004 - 12:38 pm:

Yes, I know its about a wedding ring but it has some wierd twist & turns & someone told me its abou the man being impotent ect. I just did not like the lyrics..thought they could a been better but hey it was a HUGE HIT.Like Randy I thought "Unhooked Generation"(a non-hit) was a much better record.

By roger (217.35.87.17) on Thursday, February 26, 2004 - 01:14 pm:

Hello Everyone.

Re "Band of Gold", I believe that it is about non-consumation, but it isn't the man who is impotent, its the woman who refused him on the wedding night and now she regrets it as he has left her. So she's all alone, with the only thing to remind her of her wedding being "a band of gold".

There is a fuller length version from the single on a C.D. that I have and this interpretation is more obvious. On the single (hit) version the interpretation that Toni Russi suggests can be easily made.

Roger

By Uptight! (24.55.211.65) on Thursday, February 26, 2004 - 05:06 pm:

Heheh, don't I feel foolish. Tony, you just didn't like the lyrics! I see. LOL!

However, I must listen to the recording again to find the suggestions about non-consummation or other meanings.

By Reese (12.15.169.194) on Thursday, February 26, 2004 - 05:26 pm:

Once in the Martha Reeves Yahoo Group, a fan mentioned that BAND OF GOLD was a song that the would love to hear Martha sing. Martha responded that why would she want to sing a song about a groom who couldn't fulfill his manly duties.

By Tony Russi (216.78.187.148) on Thursday, February 26, 2004 - 05:37 pm:

Thats funny Reese, a record that I have loved for 33 yrs I just never "got it"...I'm gonna listen to that damn song again tonite & see if I can figure it out. I know Martha would not like singin that song.Uptight, you feel foolish?Well I guess we foolish together.I never liked the lyrics because my naive self did not understand I guess.

By Juicefree20 (151.205.104.86) on Friday, February 27, 2004 - 04:52 am:

"Last night on our honeymoon, we stayed in separate rooms?" Why??? I don't know about this line. Somehow, I don't think that we'll be hearing this lyrical gem in any rap songs. Not even Puffy would sample that one, just wouldn't sound right in these new jack millennium days. Freda, star 'splainin'.

By Tony Russi (216.78.187.148) on Friday, February 27, 2004 - 09:10 am:

OK,I intently listened to the words last nite. I don't care for the lyrics that much but it sounds like a bedroom problem to me why they slept in separate rooms. I think a few lines coulda been changed but it was a HUGE HIT.I always loved the track & Fredas vocals.

By drlorne (216.211.4.195) on Friday, February 27, 2004 - 10:16 pm:

Micheal/cleoharvey: See Me One Last Time was quite a stunning record. I think one of the first recordings to actually register an emotional response in me. Usually I don't pay attention to lyrics, I like the melody. I can even sing a song and not really pay attention to the lyric. SEE ME ONE LAST TIME caught me and shook me.
Drlorne

By Eli (68.236.27.55) on Friday, February 27, 2004 - 11:53 pm:

Band of Gold is about a couple who actually broke up during their honeymoon due to irreconcilable differences, apparantly due to her finding out, after the fact about a lover she had never known, ie an illicit relationship, in other words he was doggin her out all the while and so she wasnt gonna give him none on their wedding night!.

"A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush, but a push in the bush is worth two in the hand"

By Juicefree20 (68.161.38.12) on Saturday, February 28, 2004 - 12:50 am:

What I'm wondering is how she didn't find all of this before the wedding? And to think, this happened 30 some years before the tv show "Cheaters".

By labound (198.81.26.103) on Friday, March 19, 2004 - 04:50 am:

For freda payne fans: She is still performing and looking great. Check out her 2001 cd release "Come See About me" on The Fantasy Label. She has also had a successful niteclub show with Darlene Love in NY and Hollywood. Look for her in acting roles in "The Klumps" with janet Jackson, and BET's movie Fire and Ice'. she also did a great video with Ice-T last year for a song where she plays his love interest. I'll keep everyone abreast on all Freda payne sightings

By labound (198.81.26.103) on Friday, March 19, 2004 - 04:52 am:

...by the way the "styles' case was settled!

By Rodmann (12.223.170.105) on Sunday, March 21, 2004 - 04:18 am:

Hey labound. Will you please give me some details on the Freda Payne vs. Styles P. case settlement. I remember reading about it last year when Freda first filed charges but I haven't been able to find any info on the outcome. Thanks.

By the way, did you guys see how good Freda was looking on the recent PBS Soul Special? Whew! Freda's still got it!

By Greg C. (165.247.45.177) on Sunday, March 21, 2004 - 10:13 pm:

Freda Payne turned in a great body of recorded work in her career. My favorite is her "Contact" album, her second release on Invictus. It's serious!

Another powerful song she did was "Mother Misery's Favorite Child". I loved the hook, "I'm Mother Misery's Favorite Child, You see I learned to cry, before I learned to smile." The lady is bad...