Clyde McPhatter (November 15, 1932 – June 13, 1972) was an influential Afri… Read Full Bio ↴Clyde McPhatter (November 15, 1932 – June 13, 1972) was an influential African-American R&B singer, born in Durham, North Carolina. He was raised in a religious Baptist family, and formed a gospel group in 1945 after his family moved to New Jersey. They soon relocated to New York City, and McPhatter joined the Mount Lebanon Singers, a popular gospel group.
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.
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'm in Love
Clyde McPhatter Lyrics
Won't you try try baby, love me one more time
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 girlWhen 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
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 girlWhen 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
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOSWritten by: JULIUS DIXON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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@bnhamilton
Once again, he takes the simplest of lyrics and puts a ton of feeling into the song.
@berthadaniels5373
What a magnificent , golden voice Mr Mcphatter had.So so beautiful. Love it. 🎶🎤💕🎼🎵
@lucillebaker1951
Beautiful, Beautiful Voice, Thank You , Love This Song!
@bondbenjamin5110
beautiful 😢🎉
@tombrooks8166
One of the best singers ever
@denisburgess2966
Wow what a great song this is
@mbsunlimited
This sounds like the mid to late 60's. This great song proves that clyde voice was still relavent in the soul era. I don't understand why his career didn't last during the soul era.
@grandma.p
I think he's from the early 50s. The imitations came in the mid to late 60s. A lot of artists covered his songs and copied his style.
@grandma.p
Maybe he needed better management to become more successful. Unfortunately in this business the guy with the best voice doesn't automatically get the most money.
@barbara19ish
Clyde started in the 50;s and lasted until the early 70's but he got sick and may he rest in peace. His music still lives today.