One Chain (Don't Make No Prison)
The Four Tops · Other Songs - The Four Tops
Just because in a moment of madness
I took advantage of your sweet love
Don't just hand me a lifetime of sadness
When there's so little I'm guilty of
One chain don't make no prison
Two wrongs don't make no right
One rain don't make no river
One punch don't make no fight
Can you spare me a little affection
Would that be askin' too much of you
Don't point love in another direction
I swear I'll make it up to you
One chain don't make no prison
Two wrongs don't make no right
One rain don't make no river
One punch don't make no fight
There's a bed I'm keepin' empty for you
There's a lot I know I've got to prove
Don't let a simple misunderstanding
Be a mountain that we can't move
I took advantage of your sweet love
Don't just hand me a lifetime of sadness
When there's so little I'm guilty of
One chain don't make no prison
Two wrongs don't make no right
One rain don't make no river
One punch don't make no fight
Can you spare me a little affection
Would that be askin' too much of you
Don't point love in another direction
I swear I'll make it up to you
One chain don't make no prison
Two wrongs don't make no right
One rain don't make no river
One punch don't make no fight
There's a bed I'm keepin' empty for you
There's a lot I know I've got to prove
Don't let a simple misunderstanding
Be a mountain that we can't move
One Chain (Don't Make No Prison)
The Four Tops deliver a gritty, soulful statement on loyalty and freedom with 'One Chain (Don't Make No Prison).' Recorded during the late 1960s, the track exemplifies the group's signature blend of R&B and soul, featuring the band's iconic lead vocals layered over a driving, electric guitar-driven rhythm section. The song explores themes of personal autonomy and the weight of obligation, delivered with the raw intensity characteristic of Motown's golden era. As a staple of the group's discography, it stands as a testament to their ability to craft emotionally resonant narratives that defined the sound of American soul music for generations of listeners.