- published: 22 May 2008
- views: 425779
Arthur Alexander (May 10, 1940 – June 9, 1993) was an American country soul singer. Jason Ankeny, music critic for Allmusic, said Alexander was a "country-soul pioneer" and though largely unknown, "his music is the stuff of genius, a poignant and deeply intimate body of work on par with the best of his contemporaries."
Alexander was born in Sheffield, Alabama. Working with Spar Music in Florence, Alabama, Alexander recorded his first single, "Sally Sue Brown", under the name of June Alexander (short for Junior), which was released in 1960 on Jud Phillips' Judd Records. (Phillips is the brother of music pioneer Sam Phillips).
A year later, Alexander cut "You Better Move On" at a former tobacco warehouse-turned-recording studio in Muscle Shoals. Released on Nashville's Dot Records, the song became a soul/R&B chart hit, and laid the foundation for the modern recording studio FAME. "You Better Move On" is perhaps Alexander's best-known song, covered by the Rolling Stones, the Hollies, George Jones & Johnny Paycheck and Mink DeVille. "Anna (Go to Him)", a U.S. R&B Top Ten Hit, was covered by the Beatles and Humble Pie. The Beatles also did live recordings of "Soldier of Love", which was also performed by Marshall Crenshaw and Pearl Jam, "A Shot of Rhythm and Blues", and "Where Have You Been" recorded live at the Star-Club, in Hamburg, 1962. "Set Me Free" (covered by Esther Phillips and Joe Tex) were also major hits and established Alexander as a pioneering arranger of others' tunes, as well as an established songwriter in his own right.
Lay down your arms (Soldier of Love)
and surrender to me (Shala la)
Lay down your arms (Soldier of Love)
and love me peaceful ly (Shala la) Yeah. (Shala la)
Use your arms for loving me. Baby, that's the way it's gotta be. (ooh-)
There ain't no reason for you to declare
war on the one that loves you so.
So forget the other boys because my love is real.
Come off your battle field.
Lay down your arms (Soldier of Love)
and surrender to me (Shala la)
Lay down your arms (Soldier of Love)
and love me peaceful ly (Shala la) Yeah. (Shala la)
Use your arms to squeeze and pleasin' the one that loves you so.
The weapons you're using are hurtin' me bad.
But someday you're gonna see.
'Cause my love baby, is the truest you've ever had.
I'm a Soldier of Love, that's hard to be.
Lay down your arms (Soldier of Love)
and surrender to me (Shala la) Yeah.
Lay down your arms (Soldier of Love)
and love me peacefully (Shala la) Yeah. (Shala la)
Use your arms to hold me tight. Baby, I don't wanna fight no more (ooh-)
Use your arms to hold me tight. Baby, I don't wanna fight no more (ooh-)
(Yeah, Soldier of Love) Baby, lay down your arms.
Yeah! Yeah! Yeah!
(Yeah, Soldier of Love) Baby, lay down your arms.
Yeah! Yeah! Yeah!