Benjamin J. Spellman was born in Pensacola, Florida, United States. He sang backing vocals on Ernie K-Doe's number one hit record, "Mother in Law". He recorded a single, "Word Game", on Atlantic Records in 1965, then he semi-retired from music to work in the beer industry.
In 1988, Collectables Records issued a retrospective album of 16 of Spellman's recordings from the 1960s. In 2009, Spellman was inducted into the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame.
Spellman died of respiratory failure in June 2011, at the age of 79.
Born in Pensacola FL, and quite possibly most well known for his almost anonymous bass baritone backing vocal contribution to the Ernie K Doe classic "Mother In Law", Spellman branched off on a solo career in 1960's New Orleans. He was first a roadie & then member of Huey "Piano" Smith and the Clowns, later recording solo sides for labels like Watch, Scram, Minit, Alon, Ace, Bandy, Mor Soul Sansu, and even Atlantic.
His most well known songs are generally his work on Minit with arranger/producer/songwriter Allen Toussaint such as "Lipstick Traces (On A Cigarette)" and "Fortune Teller".
According to the Fortune Teller Songfacts, Spellman eventually retired from music to go work in the beer industry.
Lipstick Traces
Benny Spellman Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Your wavy hair
I won't go home no more
'Cause you're not there
I'm telling you now
Like I told you before
I'm so in love with you
Lipstick traces (oh) on a cigarette
Every memory lingers with me yet
I've got it bad
Like I told you before
I'm so in love with you
Don't leave me no more
(Won't you come on home?)
Won't you come on home?
(Won't you come back home?)
Won't you come back home?
I'm crazy 'bout you
Can't do without you
Won't you come on home?
Lipstick traces (oh) on a cigarette
Every memory lingers with me yet
I've got it bad
Like I told you before
I'm so in love with you
Don't leave me no more
I've got it bad
Like I told you before
I'm so in love with you
Don't leave me no more
(Leave me no more)
Don't leave me no more
(Leave me no more)
Don't leave me no more
(Leave me no more)
Don't leave me no more
(Leave me no more)
Benny Spellman's "Lipstick Traces" is a song about a man who is hopelessly in love with a woman who has left him. The opening stanza establishes the singer's devotion to the unnamed woman. The second stanza reinforces his commitment to her and acknowledges that this is not the first time he has expressed his love for her. He pleads with her not to leave him anymore, unable to bear the thought of being away from her.
The chorus's repetition of "lipstick traces on a cigarette" is a metaphor for every memory and trace of the woman the singer has left behind. Even though she is no longer physically present, he is unable to forget her or move on. He is consumed by his love for her and simply cannot bear the thought of living without her.
Throughout the song, Spellman's powerful voice captures the desperate longing of a man who is consumed by his love for a woman who has left him. In just a few short verses, he is able to convey a sense of intense longing and heartbreak that is relatable to anyone who has experienced unrequited love.
Line by Line Meaning
Your pretty brown eyes
I am enchanted by the beauty of your brown eyes
Your wavy hair
Your hair is so lovely and captivating, I cannot resist it
I won't go home no more
'Cause you're not there
I cannot go to our home because I miss you so much and you are not there
I'm telling you now
Like I told you before
I'm so in love with you
Don't leave me no more
I want to remind you once again that I am deeply in love with you and plead with you not to leave me
Lipstick traces (oh) on a cigarette
Every memory lingers with me yet
The sight of lipstick traces on a cigarette reminds me of you and every memory of you still lingers in my mind
I've got it bad
Like I told you before
I'm so in love with you
Don't leave me no more
I am completely consumed by my love for you and I beg you not to break my heart and leave me
(Won't you come on home?)
Won't you come on home?
(Won't you come back home?)
Won't you come back home?
Please come back home to me. I need you so much in my life
I'm crazy 'bout you
Can't do without you
Won't you come on home?
I am madly in love with you and cannot imagine my life without you. Please come back home to me
(Leave me no more)
Don't leave me no more
(Leave me no more)
Don't leave me no more
(Leave me no more)
Don't leave me no more
(Leave me no more)
I am trying to convey the intensity of my feelings for you and how much I need you in my life. Please do not leave me
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ALLEN TOUSSAINT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@maryturner2154
I grew up in New Orleans and love this song
@janet8418
Loved this song. Good music back then.
@007johnnyo
I have always loved this record. The smooth voice and music; can't beat it. I'm from New Orleans and I'm very familiar with NOLA music. My wife is from Pensacola, Florida; where Benny was born and died. He loved New Orleans also and we will always love his music.
@garrison7888
This was the first song recorded by of The O'Jays out of Cleveland Ohio they went on to be a super group.
@jeffersonscock8031
this one's got groove
@SuperC888
Benny Spellman was an American R&B singer, best known for the 1962 single "Lipstick Traces" and its B-side "Fortune Teller", both written by Allen Toussaint
@jaymioff2470
Yes, The Rolling Stones also recorded "Fortune Teller".
@davidlee321
Label says written by Naomi Neville.
@jaymioff2470
@@davidlee321 Allen Toussaint's Mother.
@kayehoffman7638
Oh, my gosh. I've sung this song in my brain for too many years to count. Thanks for letting me hear him again.