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."
Where Were You
Brenton Wood Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Come back to see you too
But I could never get you on the phone
When I'd come by you were never at home
Where were you when I need you most
You know I do
When I needed you most
Oh, baby, you say you love me
It seems to me I've heard those words before
There's an old sayin' that
"Action speaks louder than words"
Where were you when I need you most
You know I do
When I needed you most
Oh, oh, oh...oh, ho, ho...yeah
Baby, oh, oh...
Brenton Wood's song "Where Were You" is a melancholy tune about a person who is feeling neglected and let down by their lover. The singer tries to reach out to their lover multiple times, but they are never able to get in touch with them over the phone or find them at home. They feel abandoned and wonder where their lover was when they needed them the most. The singer is disheartened by the situation and confronts their lover, telling them that empty words of love are not enough, and that actions speak louder than words.
The lyrics portray a universal emotion of abandonment and heartbreak that people can relate to in relationships. The repeated phrasing of "When I needed you most, oh oh oh... Oh, ho, ho...yeah" highlights the desperation and longing for the lover's presence in the singer's life. The use of a repetitive melody adds to the song's melancholy tone and emphasizes the sadness that the singer feels.
Additionally, the line "There's an old sayin' that 'Action speaks louder than words'" is a timeless expression that underscores the importance of actions over words, which is a core theme in the song.
Overall, Brenton Wood's "Where Were You" is a relatable song that captures the sorrowful feeling of being alone and abandoned by the one you love.
Line by Line Meaning
Tried to call you
I attempted to contact you
Come back to see you too
I wanted to visit you again
But I could never get you on the phone
You were never available by telephone
When I'd come by you were never at home
You were not present at home when I visited
Where were you when I need you most
You were absent when I required your aid the most
You know I do
You are well aware of this fact
When I needed you most
At the point in time when I required your assistance the most
Oh, oh, oh...oh, ho, ho...yeah
An exclamation of frustration and disappointment
Oh, baby, you say you love me
You claim that you love me
It seems to me I've heard those words before
I believe I have previously heard you make that declaration
There's an old sayin' that
A famous quote exists that
"Action speaks louder than words"
"What a person does has a greater impact than what they say."
Baby, oh, oh...
An expression of tenderness or affection
Lyrics ยฉ CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Songtrust Ave, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: VICTOR HERBERT, ROBERT B SMITH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@sbcns
Tried to call you
Come back to see you too
But I could never get you on the phone
When I'd come by you were never at home
Where were you when I need you most
You know I do
When I needed you most
Oh, oh, oh...oh, ho, ho...yeah
Oh, baby, you say you love me
It seems to me I've heard those words before
There's an old sayin' that
"Action speaks louder than words"
Where were you when I need you most
You know I do
When I needed you most
Oh, oh, oh...oh, ho, ho...yeah
Baby, oh, oh...
@jeremiahcaballero2796
Yo this man is the king of oldies, no other soul music artist got consitent bangers like him
@AntonioSanchez-zm9um
smokey?
@JenniferRamirez-ui8ke
โ@@AntonioSanchez-zm9um0:53
@danielalfaro5164
Thereโs an old saying action speaks louder than words ๐ฏ
@louietheplumber3609
Very old saying
@jec23crm
BRENTON WOOD HELPED ME GET THRU THE TOUGHEST HARD TIMING IN MY LIFE I LOST THAT SPECIAL GIRL I CAN NEVER GET HER BACK :/ OLDIES FOR EVER
@florgonzalez1211
Yeah man going through that now
@larymartinez8741
Be a man
@complxd69
I felt that man
@biologicalengineoflove6851
This gem came on the radio on my way home. Now here I am I can't stop listening to it. Where were you when I needed you most?