Born Robert James Byrd in Fort Worth, Texas, he moved to Los Angeles, California at the age of fifteen. As a member of the R&B group, the Hollywood Flames, he used the stage name Bobby Day to perform and record. He went several years with minor musical success limited to the West Coast, including being the original "Bob" in the duo Bob & Earl. In 1957, Day formed his own band called the "Satellites" following which he authored three songs that are seen today as rock and roll classics.
Bobby Day's best known songwriting efforts were "Over and Over" made popular by the Dave Clark Five in 1965 and "Little Bitty Pretty One" popularized by Thurston Harris in 1957, Clyde McPhatter in 1962 and the Jackson Five in 1972. However, Day is most remembered for his 1958 solo recording of the Billboard Hot 100 No. 2 hit, "Rockin' Robin", a song covered by Michael Jackson in 1972.
Sometimes referred to as a one-hit wonder, despite numerous recordings with a variety of record companies, after "Rockin' Robin", Bobby Day never achieved a Top 40 hit again.
Bobby Day died of cancer in 1990 and was buried in Holy Cross Cemetery in Culver City, California.
Gotta New Girl
Bobby Day Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Oh, oh, oh......
Well, I went to the dance
It was half past eight
My little girl had put me down
I was glad I wasn't with her
Because I saw her just in time
I started singing (oh, oh...)
Gonna find me a new girl tonight
She was sitting in
The corner all by herself
She was looking all around
I asked a little chick
I says, who is that
She said, her, she's new in town
I winked at her
She blinked her pretty eyes
Cold chills ran down my spine
I moved closer and closer
Step by step
I couldn't believe
She was so doggone fine
I started shouting (oh, oh..)
Gonna find me a new girl tonight
When I asked her her name
I could hardly see cause
Her beauty had made me blind
She whispered in my ear
With a real sweet voice that
I could make hers
The same as mine
(Oh, oh....)
Everything is gonna be all right
Then she kissed me
I got a new girl now
Everything is gonna be all right
Cause I got a new girl now
The song "Gotta New Girl" by Bobby Day is about a man who has just been dumped by his girlfriend at a dance but quickly moves on to find a new girl who captivates him. The song starts with him arriving at the dance and realizing that his girlfriend has put him down. However, he quickly notices a new girl sitting in a corner and asks someone who she is. After making eye contact with her and being struck by her beauty, he moves closer and eventually starts a conversation with her. The song ends with him realizing that he has found someone new and everything is going to be all right.
The lyrics of "Gotta New Girl" showcase Bobby Day's musical storytelling ability. He creates a vivid picture of a man who is disappointed after being let down by his girlfriend but quickly finds solace in someone new. Despite being hurt, he quickly moves on and is able to find a new love interest. The song captures the feeling of being young and carefree, where heartbreak can be quickly forgotten and new love is just around the corner.
In terms of musical composition, "Gotta New Girl" is a classic example of doo-wop. It features a prominent bass line, bright and harmonizing vocals, and minimal instrumentation. The simplicity of the musical arrangement allows for the lyrics to shine and the vocal performances to be the main focus.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, I went to the dance
I went to a dance party
It was half past eight
It was 8:30 PM
My little girl had put me down
My girlfriend dumped me earlier
When I walked through the door
As soon as I entered the venue
I was glad I wasn't with her
I felt relieved that my ex-girlfriend wasn't there with me
Because I saw her just in time
I saw my ex-girlfriend just in time, so I avoided her
I started singing (oh, oh...)
I started singing excitedly, expressing my happiness
Gonna find me a new girl tonight
I am determined to find a new girlfriend tonight
She was sitting in
There was a girl sitting in the corner
The corner all by herself
The girl was sitting alone in the corner
She was looking all around
The girl was scanning the crowd, observing people
I asked a little chick
I asked a young lady
I says, who is that
I asked her to identify the girl sitting in the corner
She said, her, she's new in town
The lady informed me that the girl was new in the town
I winked at her
I gave a flirty wink to the girl sitting in the corner
She blinked her pretty eyes
The girl responded to my wink by blinking her pretty eyes
Cold chills ran down my spine
I felt a sudden shiver or excitement in my body
I moved closer and closer
I started approaching the girl, step by step
Step by step
Gradually, one step at a time
I couldn't believe
I was surprised, and it felt unrealistic
She was so doggone fine
She was extremely beautiful
I started shouting (oh, oh..)
I started cheering and screaming in excitement
When I asked her her name
When I inquired about her name
I could hardly see cause
I could barely focus, because
Her beauty had made me blind
I was overwhelmingly attracted to her beauty
She whispered in my ear
She spoke softly into my ear
With a real sweet voice that
In a very sweet tone that
I could make hers
I could make her my girlfriend
The same as mine
To have a romantic relationship like the one I had in mind
(Oh, oh....)
Expressing my excitement with a shout
Everything is gonna be all right
I'm confident that everything will be fine
Then she kissed me
She leaned forward and kissed me
I got a new girl now
I got a new girlfriend now
Cause I got a new girl now
Because I have a new girlfriend now
Lyrics © RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC
Written by: R. BYRD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind