Clowney attended Northwestern High School in Detroit. His father played the piano, and encouraged him to pursue a musical career. Clowney played the piano for 10 years, then he took up the organ.
Clowney made his first record in 1956 under his own name but it was not until three years later that he scored a major success using the stage name Dave "Baby" Cortez. His instrumental, "The Happy Organ", was the first pop/rock hit to feature the electronic organ as lead instrument; it featured drummer Gary Hammond and was co-written by noted celebrity photographer James J. Kriegsmann and frequent collaborator Kurt Wood. The guitar solo is by session musician Wild Jimmy Spruill. The 45 rpm single was the first instrumental No. 1 on Billboard magazine's Hot 100 chart. Clowney became the first African-American artist to have an instrumental #1 hit. Before making his big break with an instrumental record, Clowney had sung with two doo-wop groups, the Pearls and the Valentines.
The original 45 rpm single was released on the independent Clock Records label but the LP which featured it was released by RCA Victor by arrangement with Clock.
Cortez had another Top Ten hit in 1962 with "Rinky Dink" on Chess Records. This record became well known in the UK as the signature tune of the Saturday afternoon programme Professional Wrestling, introduced by Kent Walton, although few knew the name of the tune or the artist. The song has a strong resemblance to 1957's "Love Is Strange" by Mickey & Sylvia, since it used the same guitar riff.
In 2011, after a 39-year hiatus from recording, Cortez returned with a new album on Norton Records backed by Lonnie Youngblood and His Bloodhounds, including underground luminary Mick Collins of the Dirtbombs and the Gories.
Happy Organ
Dave 'Baby' Cortez Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But you can keep them for the birds and bees
Now give me money
That's what I want
That's what I want, yeah
That's what I want
You're lovin' gives me a thrill
Now give me money
That's what I want
That's what I want, yeah
That's what I want
Money don't get everything it's true
What it don't get, I can't use
Now give me money
That's what I want
That's what I want, yeah
That's what I want, wah
Money don't get everything it's true
What it don't get, I can't use
Now give me money
That's what I want
That's what I want, yeah
That's what I want
Well now give me money
A lot of money
Wow, yeah, I wanna be free
Oh I want money
That's what I want
That's what I want, well
Now give me money
A lot of money
Wow, yeah, you need money
Now, give me money
That's what I want, yeah
That's what I want
The lyrics to Dave 'Baby' Cortez's song The Happy Organ illustrate the basic human instinct to desire money and material possessions. The singer of the song begins by acknowledging that the best things in life are free, such as love, but dismisses them as being only valuable to birds and bees. He then declares that he wants money, which he believes is the key to happiness and freedom. The singer suggests that though love may give him a thrill, it cannot pay his bills. He again implores his listener to give him money, as it is what he truly wants.
In the second verse, the singer admits that although money may not buy everything, there are things that he cannot use without it. He repeats his refrain of "give me money" several times, emphasizing the urgency and importance of his request. At the end of the song, he concludes that he wants to be free, and that money is the key to achieving this freedom. Overall, the lyrics reflect a materialistic worldview, in which the accumulation of wealth is seen as the only path to happiness and fulfillment.
Line by Line Meaning
The best things in life are free
Even though there are some good things that can be obtained for free, this is not of interest.
But you can keep them for the birds and bees
Free things are not appropriate for humans since it is designed for animals.
Now give me money
The singer expects to be compensated for his efforts.
That's what I want
Money is the only thing that matters.
You're lovin' gives me a thrill
Romantic attention is exciting and enjoyable.
But you're lovin' don't pay my bills
Romantic attention is insufficient payment for living expenses.
Money don't get everything it's true
While money is a valuable resource, it is not an all-encompassing solution.
What it don't get, I can't use
The artist is unable to acquire or obtain things that cannot be purchased with money.
That's what I want, wah
The artist is insistent on the importance of money in their life.
Well now give me money
The artist is emphasizing their desire for financial compensation.
A lot of money
The singer desires a substantial amount of financial compensation.
Wow, yeah, I wanna be free
The artist wants to achieve freedom from financial burdens and obligations.
Oh I want money
The singer has a strong desire to earn and acquire money.
Wow, yeah, you need money
The singer is asserting that money is necessary and cannot be ignored.
Now, give me money
The singer is making a direct request for financial compensation.
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@pamalford8319
Skated to this tune at roller rinks in the early 60's. I can still feel the wind flying through my hair going around those corners. What fun!
@harryknackers7892
This song is so far ahead of its time, the world still hasn't caught up.
@theloanranger2632
Is your name really Harry Knackers?? What the frick...
@kristopherguilbault5428
@@theloanranger2632 are u really the lone ranger? My Father worked at a place where he gave out business loans so his handle on everything was always the "Loan" Ranger lol
@Luke-im8sv
@@kristopherguilbault5428 That’s quite Clever of your pops to do that… he sounds like a pleasant man ❤
@skeletonshorror5184
Totally, it’s amazing
@BlazeRobbinsForever
I literally love this music! May it live on!
@marialeblanc3434
I have loved this song since it came out in 1958 I'm 77 now and I have Alexa play it for me in the mornings.....nothing starts the day out better than a little Happy Organ......I remember sitting in History class at Queen Anne High in Seattle and hearing this song on someones car radio outside the window...everyone in the class started jiving to it .....fell in love with it the first time I heard it.....
@joanmiller2219
😂I'm 57 and remember dancing in living room with my mom and sister and brother when we were like 4,5,6!! I couldn't sit still when this came on!!
@dennishill2907
Lol, I’m 76 n remember riding my bicycle uptown to buy this song. You r right , great song!