Clyde McPhatter
Clyde McPhatter (November 15, 1932 – June 13, 1972) was an influential African-American R&B singer, born in Durham, North Carolina. He was raised in a religious Baptist family, and formed a gospel group in 1945 after his family moved to New Jersey. They soon relocated to New York City, and McPhatter joined the Mount Lebanon Singers, a popular gospel group.
In 1950, McPhatter joined Billy Ward & the Dominoes, and was present for the recording of "Sixty Minute Man" Read Full BioClyde McPhatter (November 15, 1932 – June 13, 1972) was an influential African-American R&B singer, born in Durham, North Carolina. He was raised in a religious Baptist family, and formed a gospel group in 1945 after his family moved to New Jersey. They soon relocated to New York City, and McPhatter joined the Mount Lebanon Singers, a popular gospel group.
In 1950, McPhatter joined Billy Ward & the Dominoes, and was present for the recording of "Sixty Minute Man", which was a huge hit in 1951, and was one of the earliest rock and roll records. After several more hits, McPhatter quit the group in 1953 because he made little money and gained virtually no fame, in spite of his voice being the lead on most of the group's songs. McPhatter then signed to Atlantic Records after forming a group, The Drifters. "Money Honey", "Such a Night", "Honey Love", "White Christmas" and "Whatcha Gonna Do" became huge hits.
In 1954, McPhatter was drafted but was assigned in the U.S., allowing him to continue recording. He soon left The Drifters and launched a solo career. His first solo hit occurred just after being discharged - "Love Has Joined Us Together" (with Ruth Brown). He released several R&B hits in the next few years, but only made one serious dent in the pop charts with the Brook Benton penned song "A Lovers Question", which made it to #6 in 1958. White groups usually covered his best compositions and achieved more widespread mainstream success. In spite of this, McPhatter became one of the most popular black musicians among white listeners. His 1956 recording of "Treasure of Love" saw him enjoy just one week in the UK singles chart. The lack of any subsequent entry gave him the unenviable tag there of being a one hit wonder
McPhatter soon signed to MGM Records, and released several more hits. "I Told Myself a Lie" and "Think Me a Kiss" (1960) became minor pop hits, as was "Ta Ta", his first single for Mercury Records. "I Never Knew" and "Lover Please" (1962) became even bigger pop hits, but his career started suffering due to his alcoholism. Other black artists were following McPhatter's blueprint into pop audiences, including Rudy Lewis, Johnny Moore, Sam Cooke and an all new line-up of The Drifters. McPhatter's unreliability kept him from maintaining his career in the face of this competition. As the 1960s wore on, McPhatter's career kept falling in spite of a few minor hits.
In the early 1970s, McPhatter spent some time living in England, where he still had a significant audience, but this was short-lived. Back again in America, Clyde McPhatter died of a heart attack in 1972, at the age of 39.
In 1987, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. His pioneering contribution to the genre has been recognized by the Rockabilly Hall of Fame.
In 1950, McPhatter joined Billy Ward & the Dominoes, and was present for the recording of "Sixty Minute Man" Read Full BioClyde McPhatter (November 15, 1932 – June 13, 1972) was an influential African-American R&B singer, born in Durham, North Carolina. He was raised in a religious Baptist family, and formed a gospel group in 1945 after his family moved to New Jersey. They soon relocated to New York City, and McPhatter joined the Mount Lebanon Singers, a popular gospel group.
In 1950, McPhatter joined Billy Ward & the Dominoes, and was present for the recording of "Sixty Minute Man", which was a huge hit in 1951, and was one of the earliest rock and roll records. After several more hits, McPhatter quit the group in 1953 because he made little money and gained virtually no fame, in spite of his voice being the lead on most of the group's songs. McPhatter then signed to Atlantic Records after forming a group, The Drifters. "Money Honey", "Such a Night", "Honey Love", "White Christmas" and "Whatcha Gonna Do" became huge hits.
In 1954, McPhatter was drafted but was assigned in the U.S., allowing him to continue recording. He soon left The Drifters and launched a solo career. His first solo hit occurred just after being discharged - "Love Has Joined Us Together" (with Ruth Brown). He released several R&B hits in the next few years, but only made one serious dent in the pop charts with the Brook Benton penned song "A Lovers Question", which made it to #6 in 1958. White groups usually covered his best compositions and achieved more widespread mainstream success. In spite of this, McPhatter became one of the most popular black musicians among white listeners. His 1956 recording of "Treasure of Love" saw him enjoy just one week in the UK singles chart. The lack of any subsequent entry gave him the unenviable tag there of being a one hit wonder
McPhatter soon signed to MGM Records, and released several more hits. "I Told Myself a Lie" and "Think Me a Kiss" (1960) became minor pop hits, as was "Ta Ta", his first single for Mercury Records. "I Never Knew" and "Lover Please" (1962) became even bigger pop hits, but his career started suffering due to his alcoholism. Other black artists were following McPhatter's blueprint into pop audiences, including Rudy Lewis, Johnny Moore, Sam Cooke and an all new line-up of The Drifters. McPhatter's unreliability kept him from maintaining his career in the face of this competition. As the 1960s wore on, McPhatter's career kept falling in spite of a few minor hits.
In the early 1970s, McPhatter spent some time living in England, where he still had a significant audience, but this was short-lived. Back again in America, Clyde McPhatter died of a heart attack in 1972, at the age of 39.
In 1987, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. His pioneering contribution to the genre has been recognized by the Rockabilly Hall of Fame.
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A Lover's Question
Clyde McPhatter Lyrics
Does she love me, with all her heart
Should I worry, when we're apart
It's a lover's question, I'd like to know.
Does she need me, as she pretends
Is this a game, well then will I win
It's a lover's question, I'd like to know
I'd like to know when she's not with me
If she's still true to me
I'd like to know when we're kissing
Does she feel just what I feel,
And how am I to know it's really real.
Oh, tell me where, the answer lies
Is it in her kiss or in her eyes
It's a lover's question I'd like to know.
I'd like to know when she's not with me
If she's still true to me
I'd like to know when we're kissing
Does she feel just what I feel,
And how am I to know it's really real.
Oh, tell me where, the answer lies
Is it in her kiss or in her eyes
It's a lover's question I'd like to know.
Lyrics © THIRD SIDE MUSIC INC., Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BROOK BENTON, JIMMY WILLIAMS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on specific lyrics, highlight them
Cody thomas
Does she love me, with all her heart
Should I worry, when we're apart
It's a lover's question, I'd like to know.
Does she need me, as she pretends
Is this a game, well then will I win
It's a lover's question, I'd like to know.
I'd like to know when she's not with me
If she's still true to me
I'd like to know when we're kissing
Does she feel just what I feel,
And how am I to know it's really real.
Oh, tell me where, the answer lies
Is it in her kiss or in her eyes
It's a lover's question, I'd like to know.
[Repeat Verse]
Robert Gilmour
This beats the hell out of todays music...
Johnny Salter
True but that's not saying much.
Bring Back the Angry Birds Stella Series
No it ain't Nanji.
Cuthbert Simpkins MD
@Patrik Uosukainen These are some you might like Patrick Raindrops by Dee Clark https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O85UfVX7bSk . There are a lot of great songs from that time such as Only Sixteen: Sam Cooke https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_eC4gbRK7wM. I heard it Through the Grapevine: Gladys Knight and the Pips https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WWvwP72FuVg. Daddy's Home: Shep and the Limelights https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AIGla91-qmk. For Your Precious Love:Jerry Butler https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kFYqz1yv0WM
Patrik Uosukainen
@Tom Joad i can agree with you even though i don't really like the music of that era.
Tom Joad
Well, I have to admit that hip-hop music today is trash, but 20-30 years ago, it was not. It was an art with and without the cursing. Black folks in so many other areas have brought something unique and had long lasting positive contributions to music, fashion, etc. Not to mention, the very music that white folks love is country music and that was basically created by the blacks, but like so many other things, it was taken from them. So...
mannixisle
Smokey Robinson called McPhatter "The Man" and Elivs said he wished his voice "sounded more like Clyde's". Clyde McPhatter's silky tenor was sublime. He was one of the originators of soul, yet he never got the acclaim he deserved during his lifetime.
John Moogle Jr.
It should never be forgotten that Clyde Mcphatter was the man that formed the original Doo-Wop group called the Drifters. He truly was great!
Mark J
@Michael Whittaker he was an outstanding musician!! Sad to learn that he thought his fans had no love for him anymore..
Michael Whittaker
@Mark J every one forgets that