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.
I'll Belong to You
Clyde McPhatter Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Try try baby, love me one more time
I swear pretty baby, I'll make you lose your mind
Don't deny me baby, see I'm great with you
Don't deny me baby, see I'm great with you
Ain't noting greater than the things we used to do
So try try try baby, be my lover girl
Try try baby, be my lover girl
When we get together, we're gonna rock this world
I'm on my knees baby, it's more than I can take
I'm on my knees pleading, it's more than I can take
Please come back baby, give my heart another way
I'm on my knees pleading, it's more than I can take
On my knees pleading, it's more than I can take
Please come back baby, give my heart another way
Try, try, try, try
The lyrics to Clyde McPhatter & The Drifters's song, "If I Didn't Love You Like I Do," have a desperate tone as the singer pleads for their lover to come back to them. The repetition of "try try baby, love me one more time" represents the singer's last-ditch effort to salvage the relationship. The line "I swear pretty baby, I'll make you lose your mind" shows how deeply the singer cares for their lover and is willing to go to great lengths to make them happy.
The second stanza highlights the special connection between the singer and their lover, as they claim that "ain't nothing greater than the things we used to do." This line serves as a reminder of the good times they've shared and how much they mean to each other.
The chorus of "be my lover girl, when we get together, we're gonna rock this world" is a plea for the lover to give them another chance, promising a bright and exciting future together.
The repetition of "I'm on my knees pleading, it's more than I can take" emphasizes the singer's desperation and how much they are hurting without their lover. They are willing to humble themselves and beg for forgiveness to get them back.
Overall, "If I Didn't Love You Like I Do" is a love song that demonstrates the importance of communication, forgiveness, and second chances in relationships. It highlights how much love can hurt but also shows the power of love to bring people back together.
Line by Line Meaning
Won't you try try baby, love me one more time
Asking the recipient to give a second chance to their love.
Try try baby, love me one more time
Repeating the request for a second chance.
I swear pretty baby, I'll make you lose your mind
Promising that the experience of love will be unforgettable.
Don't deny me baby, see I'm great with you
Arguing that they are perfect for each other.
Don't deny me baby, see I'm great with you
Insisting that they are meant to be together.
Ain't noting greater than the things we used to do
Highlighting the special moments they shared.
So try try try baby, be my lover girl
Encouraging the object of their affection to accept their love.
When we get together, we're gonna rock this world
Anticipating the passion and excitement they will share.
I'm on my knees baby, it's more than I can take
Showing how desperate they are for their love to be reciprocated.
I'm on my knees pleading, it's more than I can take
Reiterating the extent of their emotional distress.
Please come back baby, give my heart another way
Begging for another chance at love.
I'm on my knees pleading, it's more than I can take
Repeating the depth and intensity of their emotional suffering.
On my knees pleading, it's more than I can take
Further emphasizing their emotional pain.
Please come back baby, give my heart another way
Pleading for a new path to love.
Try, try, try, try
Reiterating the need for effort and persistence to win over their love.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: JULIUS DIXON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind