You Better Move On

Album

Steps in Time

Label

Dot Records

Genre

Rhythm & Blues

Composer(s)

Arthur Alexander

Entered Chart

Feb 24, 1962

Peak Date

Apr 21, 1962

Released

December 1961

Recorded

Studio Fame Studios, Muscle Shoals, Alabama

Catalog #

Dot 45-16309

B-Side

A Shot Of Rhythm And Blues

Arthur Alexander was born in Florence, Alabama, which had the good fortune of being the original site of FAME Studios, home of the Muscle Shoals sound. In 1961, Alexander recorded this song in an abandoned warehouse on Wilson Dam Highway in Muscle Shoals, which FAME owner Rick Hall had rented. The song was distributed by Dot Records in Los Angeles, and became the first hit for the studio; it sold about 800,000 copies and funded a move to 603 East Avalon Avenue in Muscle Shoals, where the studio still operates. Recording on the track were local musicians who were members of the group Dan Penn and the Pallbearers. Over the next few years, a new group of musicians became the house band at FAME, backing up Tommy Roe, the Tams, Joe Tex and Jimmy Hughes. The changing of the guard came in 1965 when this group left for Nashville and the famous "Swampers" became the Muscle Shoals rhythm section, playing on many Soul classics and starting their own studio in the area in 1969. A menacing song directed at a guy who has his eye on Arthur's lover, Alexander explained that it was based on personal experience, and everyone involved in the recording knew who he was singing about. Arthur Alexander had a big role in bringing American soul music to England. The Rolling Stones and The Hollies recorded this song in 1964, and The Beatles recorded his song "Anna (Go to Him)" in 1963. Alexander was the first black artist at FAME Studios. His backing band on this track was all-white.

You ask me to give up the hand of the girl I love
You tell me I'm not the man she's worthy of
But who are you to tell her who to love?
That's up to her, yes, and the Lord above
You better move on

Well, I know you can buy her fancy clothes and diamond rings
But I believe she's happy with me without those things
Still you beg me to set her free
But, my friend, that will never be
You better move on

I can't blame you for lovin' her
But can't you understand, man, she's my girl?
And I'm never gonna let her go
'Cause I love her so

I think you better go, now, I'm gettin' mighty mad
You ask me to give up the only love I've ever had
Maybe I would, oh, but I love her so
Never gonna let her go
You better move on (you better move on)
You better move on (you better move on)
You better move on (you better move on)
You better move on (you better move on)
You better move on (you better move on)
You better move on (you better move on)

You better move on