In 1950, McPhatter joined Billy Ward & the Dominoes, and was present for the recording of "Sixty Minute Man", which was a huge hit in 1951, and was one of the earliest rock and roll records. After several more hits, McPhatter quit the group in 1953 because he made little money and gained virtually no fame, in spite of his voice being the lead on most of the group's songs. McPhatter then signed to Atlantic Records after forming a group, The Drifters. "Money Honey", "Such a Night", "Honey Love", "White Christmas" and "Whatcha Gonna Do" became huge hits.
In 1954, McPhatter was drafted but was assigned in the U.S., allowing him to continue recording. He soon left The Drifters and launched a solo career. His first solo hit occurred just after being discharged - "Love Has Joined Us Together" (with Ruth Brown). He released several R&B hits in the next few years, but only made one serious dent in the pop charts with the Brook Benton penned song "A Lovers Question", which made it to #6 in 1958. White groups usually covered his best compositions and achieved more widespread mainstream success. In spite of this, McPhatter became one of the most popular black musicians among white listeners. His 1956 recording of "Treasure of Love" saw him enjoy just one week in the UK singles chart. The lack of any subsequent entry gave him the unenviable tag there of being a one hit wonder
McPhatter soon signed to MGM Records, and released several more hits. "I Told Myself a Lie" and "Think Me a Kiss" (1960) became minor pop hits, as was "Ta Ta", his first single for Mercury Records. "I Never Knew" and "Lover Please" (1962) became even bigger pop hits, but his career started suffering due to his alcoholism. Other black artists were following McPhatter's blueprint into pop audiences, including Rudy Lewis, Johnny Moore, Sam Cooke and an all new line-up of The Drifters. McPhatter's unreliability kept him from maintaining his career in the face of this competition. As the 1960s wore on, McPhatter's career kept falling in spite of a few minor hits.
In the early 1970s, McPhatter spent some time living in England, where he still had a significant audience, but this was short-lived. Back again in America, Clyde McPhatter died of a heart attack in 1972, at the age of 39.
In 1987, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. His pioneering contribution to the genre has been recognized by the Rockabilly Hall of Fame.
A Lover's Question
Clyde McPhatter Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Should I worry, when we're apart
It's a lover's question, I'd like to know.
Does she need me, as she pretends
Is this a game, well then will I win
It's a lover's question, I'd like to know
If she's still true to me
I'd like to know when we're kissing
Does she feel just what I feel,
And how am I to know it's really real.
Oh, tell me where, the answer lies
Is it in her kiss or in her eyes
It's a lover's question I'd like to know.
I'd like to know when she's not with me
If she's still true to me
I'd like to know when we're kissing
Does she feel just what I feel,
And how am I to know it's really real.
Oh, tell me where, the answer lies
Is it in her kiss or in her eyes
It's a lover's question I'd like to know.
In Clyde McPhatter's A Lover's Question, the lyrics describe the insecurities and doubts that often arise when two people are in love. The singer is questioning the feelings of his lover, wondering if she truly loves him with all her heart and if their relationship is real or just a game. He is anxious about her behavior when they are apart, and fears that she may not be as committed to their relationship as he is. He wants to know if their kisses mean the same thing to her, and how he can be sure that their love is genuine.
The repeated line "It's a lover's question, I'd like to know" highlights the universal theme of uncertainty and vulnerability that many people experience when they are in romantic relationships. The song's simple melody and soulful vocals evoke a sense of yearning and longing, echoing the singer's desire for answers and reassurance. Overall, A Lover's Question captures the complexity and fragility of human relationships, and offers a poignant meditation on the difficulties of navigating emotions and connections.
Line by Line Meaning
Does she love me, with all her heart
Is her love for me genuine and complete?
Should I worry, when we're apart
Do I have a reason to feel anxious when we're not together?
It's a lover's question, I'd like to know.
These doubts and insecurities are common for those in love and I want them to be answered.
Does she need me, as she pretends
Is she pretending to need me or is her need for me real?
Is this a game, well then will I win
If it's a game, will I be the winner in the end?
I'd like to know when she's not with me
I want to know if she's loyal to me even when we're apart.
If she's still true to me
Is her loyalty and commitment to me unwavering?
I'd like to know when we're kissing
I want to know if the passion and emotions we share while kissing are mutual.
Does she feel just what I feel,
Are her feelings towards me the same as mine towards her?
And how am I to know it's really real.
How can I be sure that what I think I feel is genuine and not just a figment of my imagination?
Oh, tell me where, the answer lies
I'm desperate to know where the truth lies.
Is it in her kiss or in her eyes
Can I tell the truth from the way she looks at me or from the way she kisses me?
It's a lover's question I'd like to know.
As a lover, these questions are important to me and I want them to be answered.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BROOK BENTON, JIMMY WILLIAMS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@pegfosnaugh7271
My favorite all time hit and I’m 74 today. I would listen with my ears glued to the radio!🌈 was an awesome singer- gives me goose bumps still today
@robbiethistle201
Hope you had an amazing birthday, one month later!
@hannahgilliam3026
My mom use to play
This song over and over!!!
When I was was a little girl!!!
I'm a Grown Woman Now
54 Year's Old , And Yes She's
Still Playing It💕
@karencaudill4805
Hannah Gilliam awesome, good song
@muffs55mercury61
Awww what a sweet memory.
@Gwan-so..
..praise the lord 🙏🏿
@rogerswilson2540
I am 79 now and there probably is not a lot of time left. I grew up at a time when music like this was so much a part of our lives. Sock hops in the gym. The shyness of asking a girl to dance. As black children In the segregated schools of Baton Rouge, music was our primary enjoyment. Nostalgia erases the harshness of that era but the music was great and none better than this.
@woodysworld1585
I was 7 years old in 1958. We were visiting my grandmother in Baltimore. I was attracted to music then. When I heard that song, I asked her to buy it, she did. We were visiting from Groton, Connecticut then. We were not going to hear that up there on radio station WNLC. Whenever we visited Baltimore, my mother would stock up on records then. This song was my favorite. Through the years I would play that song, NEVER forgetting it. Still one of my favorites.
@111swampfox
Yes he was great I'm 70 and remember when it hit the chart's..great dude!!
@heatherm8896
As a Baltimorean (albeit one who wasn't yet alive when this amazing song came out) I thought your story was heart-warming.