With his backing group The Shadows, he dominated the British popular music scene in the late 1950s and early 1960s, before and during the The Beatles' first year in the charts. A conversion to Christianity and subsequent softening of his music led to his having more of a pop than rock image. Although never able to achieve the same impact in the United States as in Britain (in spite of several chart hits there), Richard has remained a popular music, film, and television personality in the UK and also retains a following in several other countries.
During the last six decades, Cliff Richard has charted many hit singles, and holds the record (along with Elvis Presley) as the only act to make the UK singles charts in all of its active decades (1950s–2000s). According to his website, he has sold 250 million records over the course of his career. In the British charts alone, Richard has had more than 150 singles, albums and EPs make the top 20.
Don't Bug Me Baby
Cliff Richard & The Shadows Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Don't drive me crazy, with your go-go-go
Well, I said don't bug me baby
I love you, goodness knows
Well, don't bug me baby, don't treat me like clay
Don't make me love you, then turn me away
Don't bug me baby, with your yakety-yak
Don't waste the evening, just doin' the fad
Well, don't you, baby don't treat me mean
Mm-mm, I don't want a bug in my lovin' machine
When I want romancin', don't look at me bleak
When I wanna kiss, don't turn me your cheek
When I wanna cuddle, don't tell me maybe
Well, I want lovin' and I want you baby
Baby don't, baby don't treat me mean
Well, don't want a bug in my lovin' machine
Well, don't bug me baby, you know it ain't right
You squirm like a lizard when I hold you tight
Don't keep me jumpin' like a frog in a bag
Don't start ziggin' when I wanna zag
Well, don't, baby don't treat me mean
Mm-mm, don't want a bug in my lovin' machine
Well, don't bug me baby, 'cause you know it ain't right
You squirm like a lizard when I hold you tight
Don't keep me jumpin' like a frog in a bag
Don't start ziggin' when I wanna zag
Baby don't, baby don't treat me mean
Well, don't want a bug in my lovin' machine
When I want romancin', don't look at me bleak
When I wanna kiss, don't turn me your cheek
When I wanna cuddle, don't tell me maybe
Well, I want lovin' and I want you baby
Baby don't, baby don't treat me mean
Well, don't want a bug in my lovin' machine
The lyrics of "Don't Bug Me Baby" by Cliff Richard narrate the singer's plea to his girlfriend not to play any games with him. He doesn't want her to start and stop their relationship like it's a joke; he just wants her to genuinely love him. He asks her not to be too pushy by constantly pestering him with her demands and instead let things flow. The singer doesn't appreciate his girlfriend being unnecessarily dramatic and wants their time together to be more natural and authentic.
The singer doesn't want his relationship to be a hassle; he wants to be genuinely loved and cared for. The repeated use of "don't" in the lyrics implies the singer's frustration towards his partner because he doesn't want to play games with her. The chorus of the song clearly depicts that the singer wants his girlfriend to be genuine and not to treat him badly. The use of metaphors throughout the song, like 'squirm like a lizard' and 'jumping like a frog,' add to the playful mood of the song.
Line by Line Meaning
Don't bug me baby, with your no-no-no
Please don't annoy me with your constant negative responses.
Don't drive me crazy, with your go-go-go
Please don't make me feel rushed or pressured with your constant need to move quickly.
Well, I said don't bug me baby
I have already requested that you not annoy me, but it seems you keep doing it.
I love you, goodness knows
Despite your irritating behavior, I still have feelings for you.
Don't bug me baby, don't treat me like clay
Please don't manipulate me like I'm just an object you can mold to your liking.
Don't make me love you, then turn me away
Don't lead me on and then reject me. It hurts.
Don't bug me baby, with your yakety-yak
Please don't bore me with meaningless chatter.
Don't waste the evening, just doin' the fad
Let's spend our time together doing something more meaningful than just following the latest trend.
Well, don't you, baby don't treat me mean
Please don't treat me badly or cruelly.
Mm-mm, I don't want a bug in my lovin' machine
I don't want anything to interfere with our relationship or prevent it from working smoothly.
When I want romancin', don't look at me bleak
When I'm in the mood for romance, don't act disinterested or unenthusiastic.
When I wanna kiss, don't turn me your cheek
When I try to initiate physical affection, don't reject me with a cold shoulder.
When I wanna cuddle, don't tell me maybe
When I ask to cuddle, don't give me a vague or indecisive answer.
Well, I want lovin' and I want you baby
I want love and affection from you specifically.
Baby don't, baby don't treat me mean
Please be kind and gentle with me instead of treating me poorly.
Well, don't want a bug in my lovin' machine
Once again, I don't want any negative factors interfering with our relationship.
Well, don't bug me baby, you know it ain't right
You know that your behavior is unacceptable and hurts our relationship.
You squirm like a lizard when I hold you tight
You seem uncomfortable or resistant when I try to hold you affectionately.
Don't keep me jumpin' like a frog in a bag
Don't play games with me or keep me guessing about your feelings and intentions.
Don't start ziggin' when I wanna zag
Don't go against what I want or expect in a relationship without first discussing it with me.
Contributed by Riley T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.