Band of Gold

by

Freda Payne

Album: Band of Gold      Released: 1970

US Chart: 3     UK Chart: 1

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There is some mystery to this song. Some people think it is about an impotent man, while others think it is about a frigid woman. Because of the subject matter, Payne did not want to record it at first. She thought the song was about a woman who was a virgin or sexually naïve, and felt it was more suitable for a teenager.

When Payne objected to this song (she did not like the lyrics), Ron Dunbar (co-writer of the song) said to her, "Don't worry. You don't have to like them! Just sing it," and she did. Little did she know that this song would become her biggest hit and would give her her first record of gold.

In 1986, Belinda Carlisle did a cover of this song for her debut album Belinda. Carlisle's remake of this song is one of 3 to have entered the Hot Dance Club Play chart. The former Go-Go's vocalist's cover peaked at #26 on a chart run in 1986-87; disco act Sylvester reached #18 with his version, while American Idol finalist Kimberley Locke went all the way to the top of the Club Play chart in 2008 with her update. (thanks, Jerro - New Alexandria, PA, for above 3)

The lead guitarist on this track was Ray Parker Jr., who later found success with the theme song for the comedy movie Ghostbusters.

Freda Payne is the older sister of Scherrie Payne, the final lead singer of The Supremes.

According to 1000 UK #1 Hits by Jon Kutner and Spencer Leigh, Freda Payne said of this song: "It is about a wedding night that didn't work out. I wondered why a girl would have a problem on her wedding night and why they would be in separate rooms, but they said, 'Just learn it.' I had no idea that it would be such a big hit." (thanks, Edward Pearce - Ashford, Kent, England, for above 3)

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Comments:

if i'm not mistaken thi is the 1st. no. 1 song by a female african american in the UK.
- Philippe, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

I love this song,too. I like both Kimberly Locke and Frieda Payne.I never Heard the Belinda Carlyle or Afghan Whigs' version.
- Jennifer Harris, Grand Blanc, MI

I always thought this song was about a naive young girl who married a closeted gay man. The lyric is not "love me like you did before" but "love me like you TRIED before". It seems to allude to a man who is really gay or is experiencing sexual dysfunction!
- Shannon, Brooklyn, NY

She's either frigid and had romanticized the whole notion of the wedding night, or he was impotent.
- Tanya, La Verne, CA

This has always been one of my favorite songs. I even sang it once in a karaoke bar while on vacation! Great tune!
- Michael, Carlsbad, CA

Henry, I don't remember an earlier release. I'm sure 1970 was when it was a big hit. Went to #1 and got played once an hour when I was at camp. The counselor, an old guy way up at 16 or 17, complained, "This is a good song, but they play it way too much!" Which impressed me, but I still liked hearing it every hour! As a kid, I just thought the estranged couple had an argument. Then years later my girlfriend insisted the guy was impotent, and I was like, "Oh, hmmmm..."
- fyodor, Denver, CO

Band of Gold was written by Holland-Dozier-Holland (as Ronald Dunbar-Edith Wayne after they left Motown.
- Don, Newmarket, Canada

I was listening to the oldies station on the way home and heard "Band of Gold." I really have enjoyed it my whole life. But this song has a history for me. I remember this song back when I was a kid, and years later I was working at a bakery wilth a fellow worker, and a friendly arguement started between us when we heard it played at work. He remembered very clearly that he was just out of High school when he heard the song played(1969 or so), and I said it had to be some years earlier (about 1966 or so)that I heard it as a teen. Well I have moved on in work and life, but have always remembered that arguement. Was that song ever released earlier then 1970,(a date I read on this sight). I firmly remember hearing it on a 45 rpm my father received from a radio station, or something like that. But I must have been mistaken if it is not so. And that would make my friend happy, if I could find him and show him that he was right. So I decided to try and find out myself today and found this site. When I found this comment bar to post notes, I thought I would try and ask this eternal question of mine. Whatever the answer, thanks. My e-mail is, hraccts@sbcglobal.net
- Henry, Grand Rapids, MI

The Afghan Whigs do an outstanding cover of this on Uptown Avondale, their Sub Pop Motown covers album.
- John, Levittown, NY

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