He hosted regular nights at Club Tiajuana in the mid 1950s and within a decade had recorded for many imprints including Aladdin, Dot, Ace, Fire, Volt, Cameo, Sansu and Dial record labels.
He was accepted for his unique talents in New Orleans and in 1957 began working with Huey "Piano" Smith & the Clowns, becoming a well-respected touring rhythm and blues bandleader, MC, singer-performer, and nationally known recording artist.
One of Marchan's vocal performances with Huey Smith and the Clowns can be heard on the New Orleans R&B recording, "Don't You Just Know It", which was released in 1958. Marchan also had a solo #1 hit on the national R&B charts in 1960 with the tune "There is Something on your Mind", a smaller previous hit for Big Jay McNeely.
Other minor hits for Marchan included "booty Green" ( 1960), "Quit My Job" (1960), "Things I Used To Do" ( 1965), and "Shake Your Tambourine" (1966)
He continued to work the oldies circuit & perform in drag revues throughout the next couple decades.
In the 1990's he cut back on performances when he suffered illness, including kidney problems, but still managed to promote Hip Hop acts & was reportedly a key figure in the formation of Cash Money Records before dying at age 69.
What Can I Do
Bobby Marchan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I've tried to do everything
That I could ever think of to make
Me and you be tight and be together
But it seems that everything I do is wrong
So won't you please tell me
To make you and I get along?
I sometimes sit down and think
Oh my my my what I could do
But it seems that although
I think of you each and every night
You are far, far and farther away from me
And you know ha ha
I just can't hep but think
We could be really, really tight with one another
You could be everything to me
You could really be the little girl of my dreams
But tell me, now please tell me
What can I do?
What can I do do do do do do do?
What can I do ooh ooh ooh ooh
Baby baby tell me
What can I do?
Little girl
What can I do?
To make to make to make you love me
As I love you
One more time
I'd like to know
What can I do?
Tell me before it's too late
I'm going out of my mind
Tell me one time
The lyrics to Bobby Marchan's song "What Can I Do" express the frustration and desperation of a man who is desperately trying to salvage his failing relationship. The singer has tried everything he can think of to make himself and his partner "be tight and be together," but nothing seems to be working. He's at a loss for what else he can do to make the relationship work, and he's begging for his partner's help.
The singer's longing for his partner is palpable in the lyrics. He fantasizes about what could be if he and his partner were together, but she seems "far, far and farther away from me." He's convinced that they could be "really, really tight" if she would only reciprocate his feelings. However, he's running out of time and doesn't want to lose her, which is why he's pleading with her for guidance: "Tell me before it's too late, I'm going out of my mind."
The lyrics paint a picture of a relationship on the brink of collapse, as the singer struggles to find a way to save it. The song is a poignant plea for help and a raw expression of emotional turmoil.
Line by Line Meaning
Darling what can I do?
The singer is expressing his desperation and is seeking help from his lover.
I've tried to do everything
The singer has made efforts to fix their relationship.
That I could ever think of to make
The singer has exhausted all possible ideas to make things work.
Me and you be tight and be together
The artist wants to improve their relationship and strengthen their bond.
But it seems that everything I do is wrong
Despite the efforts, the artist is unable to make things right.
So won't you please tell me
The singer is asking for guidance and direction from his lover.
To make you and I get along?
The singer wants to resolve their issues and get along with his lover.
I sometimes sit down and think
The artist spends time reflecting on his relationship.
If I could only be with you
The artist desires to be with his lover.
Oh my my my what I could do
The artist imagines the possibilities of being with his lover.
But it seems that although
Despite the singer's desire and effort, things are not working out.
I think of you each and every night
The artist thinks of his lover every night.
You are far, far and farther away from me
The singer feels distant from his lover.
And you know ha ha
The singer is acknowledging the irony of the situation.
I just can't hep but think
The singer can't help but continue to think about his lover.
We could be really, really tight with one another
The artist believes that he and his lover could have a strong connection.
You could be everything to me
The artist feels that his lover could be the most important thing in his life.
You could really be the little girl of my dreams
The singer's lover is the person he dreams of being with.
But tell me, now please tell me
The singer is again pleading for guidance from his lover.
What can I do?
The artist is still seeking for ways to fix their relationship.
What can I do do do do do do do?
The repetition highlights the artist's desperation in finding an answer.
What can I do ooh ooh ooh ooh
The artist's tone becomes more emotional and pleading.
Baby baby tell me
The singer is expressing his affection for his lover.
Little girl
The artist is using a term of endearment for his lover.
To make to make to make you love me
The singer's ultimate goal is to be loved by his lover.
As I love you
The singer loves his lover deeply and wants the same in return.
One more time
The singer is making a final plea for help from his lover.
I'd like to know
The artist is expressing his desire to find a solution.
Tell me before it's too late
The artist is afraid of losing his lover if things don't improve.
I'm going out of my mind
The singer is expressing his distress and anxiety.
Tell me one time
The singer is emphasizing his need for an answer.
Writer(s): Donnie Elbert
Contributed by Charlie R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@andregreene5953
I just heard of Bobby Marchan by accident and it's the best accident l ever had.
What a voice and talent.
Love me some Doo Wop music.
I was born in 57 and listened to my parents music and never forgot.
@idessaoutlaw
Back when America was great 🥃😎👌
@sluggz956
The sax in the Elbert version has so much raw emotion and the sax in here is just so smooth. Both are amazing version.
@ellenpearljackson5219
I love both versions of this song by Bobby and I love it by Donnie it's just a great song in the brothers knew how to kick it thank you both
@Johnnieroq
This is the OG. Original Gangster.
@ricardocortez2383
Orale homie 😎
@Thomas-xe3ce
Bobby is the best
@rubendeaz
Bobby is King of the Hill...
@margaretmartinez8415
l like Donnie Albert Version but Bobby just bring out the chills on me. Thank You Bobby love it.
@spinning45s
Marvin L Sims cut hits the spot for me as well.