The song I am leaving behind is “No Pain, No Gain” by Betty Wright.
Betty Wright was born December 21, 1953, born and raised in Miami, FL. She is a soul and R & B singer who influenced a generation of female singers and songwriters. She released her first album at the age of 15. Since then, she has released 15 albums. In 1988 she made music history by being the first woman to have a on her own label, with the release of Mother Wit. The album featured two of her biggest hits in several years, “No Pain, No Gain” and “After the Pain.” “No Pain, No Gain” was released in 1988 and was #14 on Billboard Charts.
The whole song has a strong message about forgiveness, moving forward, and appreciating your companion; but if I had to pick a specific part it would have to be:
“We're all entitled to make a mistake
We got to prepare for some heartbreak
I was earnin' my man, while I was learnin' my man
Something you young girls might not understand”
Even though she’s talking about a relationship, this can also apply to life. It’s okay to make mistakes. Everything in life isn’t going to be easy. Whenever you have to earn something, you always learn a lesson from it.
The aspect of culture I feel the song represents overall is being dedicated and committed to one person. So many young people have kids for different persons because they’re unsure about who they’re with. They date one person, give up on them, and then on to the next one. You can’t give up on someone because they made a mistake. If everyone was forgiving, the world would be a much happier place.
No Pain, No Gain
Betty Wright
My baby and are back together again
Lovin' is better than it's ever been
If it weren't for the trials we've been through
I'd never have the courage to come back to you
We're all entitled to make a mistake
We got to prepare for some heartbreak
I as earnin' my man, while I was learnin' my man
Something you young girls might not understand
No pain [No pain], no pain [No pain]
No gain [No gain], no
No pain [No pain], no pain [No pain]
No gain [No gain]
There was an old lady sittin' under a tree
She called me over and she said to me
"My days left here may not be long
I wouldn't waste my time tellin' you nothin' wrong
But love is a that needs the sun and the rain
A little bit of pleasure's worth a whole lot of pain
If you learn this secret, how to forgive
A longer and better life you'll live"
No pain [No pain], no pain [No pain]
No gain [No gain], mmm
No pain [No pain], no pain [No pain]
No gain [No gain]
Anything worth havin' at all
Is worth workin' for and waitin' for
Some of my closest friends
Have thought they had their thing on a string
Just 'cause that man was bringin' 'em and candy and all kinds of gifts
Mmm, mmm, honey
Some gifts are just to make him feel better while he's on his guilt trip
About the night before
You know what I mean
Especially when you know you haven't been doin' the things you should do
Think about it
What is the man tryin' to tell you
Sometimes flowers mean "Maybe we should just be friends"
Do you get my drift
Hang if you can hang
No pain, no gain
In order to get something
You got to give something
In order to be something
You got to go through something
Be a cook in the kitchen, a lady in the streets
You can't show your teeth to every guy you meet
It's alright to be a little sweet
But be a mama with the kids and you know what in the sheets
No pain [No pain]
No pain [No pain]
No gain [No gain]
See, you can't give up 'cause times get hard
It's just that old evil devil trying to keep us apart
Say devil you ain't getting nothin' here
I'm holding on to my man and have no fear
No pain [No pain], no pain [No pain]
No gain [No gain], oh
No pain [No pain], no pain [No pain]
No gain [No gain]
