1.) Alfred Jesse Smith (born July 26, 1941 in Shreveport, Louisiana), better known by the stage name Brenton Wood, is an American singer and songwriter, best known for his two 1967 hits: Oogum Boogum Song and Gimme Little Sign.
When he was a child his family moved west to San Pedro in Los Angeles, California. In his high school years his family relocated to nearby Compton, where Brenton became a member of the Compton High School track team and received several awards for his athletic achievements.
Following his high school graduation, Wood enrolled in Compton College. Soon after he took the stage name Brenton Wood, possibly inspired by the wealthy Los Angeles enclave of Brentwood (some sources state that the name is in honor of his "home county"). During his period there his musical interests began to manifest themselves. He was inspired by Jesse Belvin and Sam Cooke, and he began cultivating his songwriting skills, also becoming an accomplished pianist.
After signing with Double Shot Records he had a hit with "The Oogum Boogum Song" in the spring of 1967. It reached number 19 on the R&B charts and number 34 on the pop listing. His biggest hit came in September the same year. "Gimme Little Sign" hit #9 on the pop chart and also #19 on the R&B charts. In the song gimme little sign is not sung, instead the chorus repeats "give me some kind of sign".
"Gimme Little Sign" was later covered by Danielle Brisebois who had a hit with it in 1994. "Gimme Little Sign" was also recorded by Ricky Nelson.
Some of his more unknown songs are also worth listening to, such as "Me and You," "Baby You Got It," and "18 With a Bullet."
Psychotic Reaction
Brenton Wood Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yeah your to much
First you try casting your spell on a guy with a little oogum boogum boogum
And if that don′t do you try a little...
And if that don't do you give em a psycotic reaction
And it goes something like this
I feel depressed i feel so bad, cuz your the best girl that I′ve ever had
And i can't get you love i can't get satisfaction
I feel depressed i feel so bad
I feel depressed i feel so bad
I feel depressed i feel so bad
Feel depressed i feel so bad
I need your love give it to me
Give it to me, give it to me
Gimme, gimme, gimme, gimme
Gimme (9x′s)
Give me your lovin, give me your lovin
Babe i feel so lonely night and day
And i can′t get your love i must stay away
Babe i need you baby by my side
C'mon little girl let me take you for a ride now
Cuz i can′t get your love i can't get satisfaction, hey little girl psychotic reaction
The lyrics to Brenton Wood's song "Psychotic Reaction" are directed towards young girls, warning them about using their feminine wiles to manipulate men. The song begins with the singer stating that girls use their "oogum boogum" and other tactics to try and make a guy fall for them. When these tactics do not work, the girl can give the man a "psychotic reaction," or a strong and unpredictable response.
The rest of the lyrics detail the singer's feelings of depression and frustration because he cannot get the love and satisfaction that he wants from this girl. He pleads with her to give him her love, but acknowledges that he must stay away from her if he cannot have it. In the last stanza, he asks her to take a ride with him, suggesting that she should give him a chance because he is unable to resist her.
Overall, the song's theme seems to be about the dangers of manipulation, and the consequences that come with not being able to get what you want. Despite its catchy tune, the lyrics are somewhat cautionary, warning listeners about the pitfalls of trying to control others through their emotions.
Line by Line Meaning
I want to say a few words to all you young girls out there.
Addressing the young girls, a few words need to be said.
Yeah your to much
You are overbearing and excessive.
First you try casting your spell on a guy with a little oogum boogum boogum
First, you try to attract a guy with some sort of magic or charm.
And if that don′t do you try a little...
If that doesn't work, you try something else.
And if that don't do you give em a psycotic reaction
If that doesn't work, then you give them a crazy, extreme reaction.
And it goes something like this
And this is how it plays out.
I feel depressed i feel so bad, cuz your the best girl that I′ve ever had
I feel sad and down because you, the best girl I've ever been with, are not returning my love.
And i can't get you love i can't get satisfaction
I cannot get your love, and I cannot find happiness without it.
Hey little girl psychotic reaction
Hey little girl, you have given me a crazy and exaggerated reaction.
I feel depressed i feel so bad
Once again, I feel sad and down.
Feel depressed i feel so bad
I am feeling depressed and miserable.
I need your love give it to me
I am in need of your love, please give it to me.
Give it to me, give it to me
I am begging you to give me your love.
Gimme, gimme, gimme, gimme
I want, want, want, and want some more.
Gimme (9x′s)
I want it so bad, I can't stop asking.
Give me your lovin, give me your lovin
Again, I am pleading for your love.
Babe i feel so lonely night and day
I feel lonely constantly, both day and night.
And i can′t get your love i must stay away
Since I cannot get your love, I must keep my distance.
Babe i need you baby by my side
I need you by my side.
C'mon little girl let me take you for a ride now
Come on, little girl, let's go for a ride together now.
Cuz i can′t get your love i can't get satisfaction, hey little girl psychotic reaction
Since I cannot get your love or find happiness without it, you have given me a crazy and exaggerated reaction.
Writer(s): John Byrne, Craig Atkinson, Kenn Ellner, Roy Chaney, John Michalski
Contributed by Samantha J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.