He was born Delecta Clark in Blytheville, Arkansas, and moved to Chicago in 1941. His mother, Essie Mae Clark, was a gospel singer and encouraged her son to pursue his love of music. Clark made his first recording in 1952 as a member of the Hambone Kids, who enjoyed some success with a recording of "Hambone" on the OKeh label. In 1953, he joined an R&B group called the Goldentones, who later became the Kool Gents and were discovered by Chicago radio DJ Herb Kent upon winning a talent competition. Kent had the Kool Gents signed to Vee-Jay label's subsidiary Falcon/Abner. The group recorded for Falcon/Abner in 1956, and also recorded a novelty record as "The Delegates".
Clark embarked on a solo career in 1957, initially following the styles of Clyde McPhatter and Little Richard. When Little Richard temporarily abandoned his music career to study the Bible, Clark fulfilled Richard's remaining live dates and also recorded with his backing band, the Upsetters. Over the next four years he landed several moderate hits, two of which ("Just Keep It Up" and "Hey Little Girl") reached the top 20 on the Billboard Hot 100). His records for Abner and Vee-Jay were orchestrated by Riley Hampton. His biggest single, "Raindrops," a power ballad augmented by heavy rain and thunder sound effects and Clark's swooping falsetto, was released in the spring of 1961 and became his biggest hit, soaring to number two on the pop chart and number three on the R&B charts. It sold over one million copies, and was awarded a gold disc. "Raindrops" was also an international success, reaching number one in New Zealand and reaching the top ten in South Africa and Belgium, and selling well in Japan. "Raindrops" remains a staple on oldies and adult standards radio station playlists to this day, and has also been covered by several other artists in the years since, including David Cassidy, Tony Orlando and Dawn, and most notably Narvel Felts, who took the song to number 30 on the country chart in 1974. Clark himself recorded an updated version of "Raindrops" in 1973.
However, Clark's biggest hit was also his last. The follow-up to "Raindrops," "Don't Walk Away From Me," was a flop, and he made the pop charts in America only twice more, with "I'm Going Back to School" (1962) and "Crossfire Time" (1963). By the time "Crossfire Time" came out, Clark had moved from Vee-Jay to the Constellation label. Though he continued to record for Constellation through 1966, none of his records charted nationally. He had considerable local success in Chicago with such standout recordings as "Come Closer" (1964), the double-sided hit of "Warm Summer Breezes" and "Heartbreak" (1964), and "TCB" (1965). He later recorded for the Columbia, Wand, Liberty and Rocky labels, without success. Clark had a brief revival in 1975 when his song "Ride a Wild Horse" became a surprise Top 30 hit in the UK Singles Chart, becoming his first chart hit in the UK since "Just Keep It Up."
Afterwards, Clark performed mostly on the oldies circuit. By the late 1980s, he was in dire straits financially, living in a welfare hotel in Toccoa, Georgia. Despite suffering a stroke in 1987 that left him partially paralyzed and with a mild speech impediment, he continued to perform until his death on December 7, 1990, in Smyrna, Georgia, from a heart attack at the age of 52. His last concert was with the Jimmy Gilstrap Band at the Portman Lounge in Anderson, South Carolina.
How About That
Dee Clark Lyrics
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How about that?
It's got me reeling
How about that?
This throbbing in my brain
So strange I can't explain
But I like it (I like it)
Umm (like it)
My heart stops beating
How about that?
With every meeting
How about that?
Whenever you are near
My mind is never clear
An I like it (I like it)
I like it
How about that?
I can't control myself
Whenever you're around
When you press your lips to mine
The world turns upside down
A-baby, baby, baby, can't you see
A-what you're doing to me?
I'm all mixed up, dizzy as can be
Umm, umm, umm
Yes, I love you
How about that?
Can't do without you
How about that?
Baby won't you understand
And take me by my hand
'Cause I like it (I like it)
Umm, like it
How about that?
Baby, baby, baby, baby, can't you see
What you're doing to me?
I'm all mixed up, dizzy as can be
Umm, umm, umm-mmm
Yes, I love you
How about that?
Can't do without you
How about that?
Please won't you understand
And take me by the hand
'Cause I like it (I like it)
Umm, like it
How about that?
How about that?
How about that?
The song "How About That" by Dee Clark is a classic rock and roll love song that describes the intense feelings of being in love. The first verse describes how his love for his partner is overwhelming and he can't explain it, but he likes it. He goes on to say that whenever he is near his partner, his heart stops beating and his mind is never clear.
The chorus repeats his feelings of love for his partner, saying he can't do without them and asking how they feel about him. In the second verse, he admits that he can't control himself around his partner and he gets dizzy and mixed up when they are together. The song ends with a plea to his partner to take him by the hand and understand his love for them.
The lyrics to "How About That" show the classic themes of love and being overwhelmed by intense emotions. The simple, repetitive chorus emphasizes the singer's need for his partner and his desire for their love in return.
Line by Line Meaning
I've got a feeling
I have a strong sensation
How about that?
Isn't that surprising?
It's got me reeling
It makes me dizzy and confused
This throbbing in my brain
This pulsing sensation in my head
So strange I can't explain
It's unusual and inexplicable
But I like it (I like it)
Despite not understanding, I enjoy it
Umm (like it)
Yes, I really like it
My heart stops beating
My heart skips a beat
With every meeting
Every time we see each other
Whenever you are near
When you are close to me
My mind is never clear
I can't think straight
An I like it (I like it)
But I enjoy feeling this way
I like it
I really enjoy it
I can't control myself
I am unable to manage my emotions
Whenever you're around
Every time you're near me
When you press your lips to mine
When we kiss
The world turns upside down
Everything seems to change
A-baby, baby, baby, can't you see
Oh dear, can't you understand
A-what you're doing to me?
What effect you have on me?
I'm all mixed up, dizzy as can be
I'm completely disoriented
Yes, I love you
I have strong feelings of affection towards you
Can't do without you
I am dependent on you
Baby won't you understand
Would you please comprehend
And take me by my hand
And hold my hand
'Cause I like it (I like it)
Because I enjoy feeling this way
Umm, like it
Yes, I really like it
How about that?
Isn't that surprising?
Lyrics © DistroKid, BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: FRANK AUGUSTUS, ODIE PAYNE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind