What's Your Name
DeBarge Lyrics


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Wow, there she goes again
Is she followin' me or what
She sure is pretty
Who is she
This time I'm gonna ask her

What's your name
Please tell me, baby
Pretty thing
Woo, tell me, sugar

Oh, what's your name
I saw you across the room
Pretty thing
You sure put me in the mood

What's your name
Ah, tell me, baby
Pretty thing
Tell me

Oh, what's your name
I'd sure like to know your roots
Pretty thing
You sure put me in the mood
The mood

'Cause I never seen a smile like yours before
Gleaming like the morning sun
You look so exciting
I'd like to get to know you

Ba-ba-ba-ba-ba-ba-ba-ba
Ba-ba-ba-ba-ba-ba-ba-ba
Ba-ba-ba-ba-ba-ba-ba-ba
Ba-de-ah-de-ah

Oh, what's your name
I'd sure like to know your roots
Pretty thing
You sure put me in the mood
The mood, hey...yeah...

'Cause I never seen a smile like yours before
Gleaming like the morning sun
You look so exciting
I'd like to get to know you

Ba-ba-ba-ba-ba-ba-ba-ba
Ba-ba-ba-ba-ba-ba-ba-ba
Ba-ba-ba-ba-ba-ba-ba-ba
Ba-de-ah-de-ah-de-ah

Oh, what's your name
I'd sure like to know your roots
Pretty thing
You sure put me in the mood
The mood

What's your name (Hoo...hoo...)
Pretty thing (Well, well, well, well, well, well, well)
What's your name (Mmm...oh, baby)
Pretty thing (Please tell me, baby)

What's your name
Ba-ba-ba-ba-ba-ba-ba-ba, tell me
Pretty thing
Tell me

What's your name
Ba-ba-ba-ba-ba-ba-ba-ba, tell me
Pretty thing
Tell me





What's your name

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of the song "What's Your Name" by DeBarge focus on a man who is infatuated with a woman he sees across the room. He is captivated by her beauty and the way she smiles. He is curious to know her name and where she comes from. His interest in her is persistent, and he finally musters up the courage to approach her and ask her name. The lyrics convey the excitement and anticipation of discovering someone new and the desire to make a connection with them.


The song's catchy melody and upbeat rhythm complement the playful and flirtatious nature of the lyrics. The repetition of the chorus reinforces the man's interest in the woman as he continues to ask for her name. The use of "pretty thing" throughout the lyrics reinforces his admiration for her beauty.


Overall, the song captures the feelings of infatuation and the excitement of making a connection with someone new. It is a fun and lighthearted tune that celebrates the joy of discovering new love.


Line by Line Meaning

Wow, there she goes again
The singer saw a woman who caught their attention, and it's not the first time she did.


Is she followin' me or what
The singer is unsure if the woman is intentionally following them or if it's just a coincidence.


She sure is pretty
The singer admires the woman's physical appearance.


Who is she
The artist is curious and wants to know more about the woman.


This time I'm gonna ask her
The artist plans to gather the courage and ask the woman about her name.


What's your name
The singer asks the woman to tell them her name.


Please tell me, baby
The singer is asking the woman in a sweet and affectionate way.


Pretty thing
The artist is admiring and complimenting the woman's appearance.


Woo, tell me, sugar
The artist is charmingly asking the woman to tell them her name.


I saw you across the room
The artist noticed the woman from a distance.


You sure put me in the mood
The singer finds the woman attractive, and she's making them feel romantic and interested in her.


I'd sure like to know your roots
The artist is interested in the woman's background, culture, and life story.


The mood
The singer is describing the romantic and passionate feeling the woman is giving them.


'Cause I never seen a smile like yours before
The singer is expressing how unique and beautiful the woman's smile is to them.


Gleaming like the morning sun
The singer is comparing the woman's smile to the bright sun during early hours.


You look so exciting
The artist is finding the woman interesting and exhilarating to be around.


I'd like to get to know you
The artist is expressing their desire to know the woman more intimately.


Ba-ba-ba-ba-ba-ba-ba-ba
This is a vocalization with no precise meaning, used to enhance the rhythm and melody of the song.




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ELDRA P DE BARGE, ETTERLENE JORDAN, ROBERT L. DEBARGE

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

Shamon Stone

Amen to your comment, sister. Listen for the late Bobby DeBarge on adlibs at the end. Definitely a treasure piece here. Dosent get any better... reminds me of when life was simple. Having a girlfriend was fun, listening to the radio w/ ur girlfriend on the phone and waiting for your favorite song to come on... if not, then u were calling in requesting it. RIP Bobby.

Bunny DeBarge

thanks. this song was are very first single. fresh out of church. we got outside management so motown upset about 8th a t shelved it. It on of my favorite songs not only because I co wrote it but I love the harmonies. you guys must read my book.

ANTPHRESSH

+Bunny DeBarge <3 I love you Auntie. I willl see you soon. I hope all is well.

mrinnervisionz

Hello Ms. DeBarge'  I love you & your entire family, & I thank you all for sharing your gift to the World .  How are you all doing?  I will continue to support your music, & keep you all in my prayers .  1 more thing, I keep telling people, that El is equal to both Michael Jackson & Prince vocally, musically, production & arranging .  I miss MJ & Prince, & miss Bobby, & keep you all in my prayers .  So what do you think of the comparisons ?  I would love to get a lil feedback on this, lol .  Thank you again, & thank you family, I love you all .

Bunny DeBarge

Of course i agree that El is on the same level as the Purple one and Michael J.

Bunny DeBarge

Thanks for your love and support Michelle

mrinnervisionz

Bunny DeBarge Yeah' needless to say, I agree with you 100% .  I hope that you & your family are taking care of each other .    Thank you for responding back, it is an honor . 

56 More Replies...

NIVEA SONJAY

I had forgotten about this song; until El sung it tonight on his IG live. What a gem 1/31/2021 ❤❤❤❤

akilahbee

After watching his IG Live, I subscribed to the Much Graced El DeBarge Live YT channel. Check it out!

LadyTee106

Wow...I have been waiting over 20 years to hear this song again. Thank you thank you thank you Murphytech for posting my all time favorite DeBarge love song. My best friend in high school had this album and we used to play this song over and over, crying because their harmony was so beautiful and angelic, we were in love with the DeBarges. Hearing it again brings tears even today. I wish I had bought it when it came out. Their best along with their 2nd LP. Glad El is back! Thanks again!

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