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.
You're No Good
Dee Clark Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A-don't you know
That we could have a lot of fun?
You just moved into my neighborhood
But you oughta be in-a Hollywood
An I want this understood
You're lookin' go-oo-ood
You're not very tall
But you're stepping high
Eyeballs flashin'
As you walk by
The cats on the block
Wanna know your name
But I was here first
Ain't that a shame?
An I want this understood
You're lookin' go-oo-ood
You're lookin' good
(instrumental)
Hey!
Two an two is four
One an one is two
Ev'ryone's got their eyes on you
Look at those measurements
Man alive!
34-24-35
An I want this understood
You're lookin' go-oo-ood
You're lookin' good
FADES-
You're lookin'
Go-ooo-oo
Ooo-oo-oh
Oh-ooo.
~
The lyrics to Dee Clark's song "You're No Good" tell the story of a young girl who has just moved into the neighborhood and immediately captures the attention of the singer. The singer is completely smitten by her looks and exclaims that she should be in Hollywood, emphasizing her beauty and the impact it has on him. Despite her small stature, she carries herself with confidence, causing heads to turn as she walks by. The local boys are curious about her, but the singer claims that he was the first to notice her, expressing a sense of possession. The song ends with the repetition of how good she looks, fading out with admiration and awe.
Overall, the lyrics paint a picture of infatuation and the immediate attraction the singer feels towards this newcomer. It emphasizes the power of physical appearance and the effect it has on others. The singer's exclamation of her belonging in Hollywood suggests that he sees her as someone extraordinary and almost untouchable. The repeated mentions of her looks and measurements underscore the superficial nature of the attraction and the obsession with physical appearance. It's a classic tale of instant infatuation driven by the thrill of newness and beauty.
Line by Line Meaning
Little girl, where did you come from?
I'm curious about your background and origins.
A-don't you know
That we could have a lot of fun?
We have the potential to enjoy ourselves together.
You just moved into my neighborhood
But you oughta be in-a Hollywood
You recently moved here, but you have the charm and charisma to belong in Hollywood.
An I want this understood
You're lookin' go-oo-ood
You're lookin' good
I want to make it clear that you are incredibly attractive.
You're not very tall
But you're stepping high
Eyeballs flashin'
As you walk by
Despite your height, you exude confidence and catch everyone's attention when you pass by.
The cats on the block
Wanna know your name
But I was here first
Ain't that a shame?
The other guys in the neighborhood are curious about you, but I arrived here before them.
Hey!
Hey, I want to grab your attention.
Two an two is four
One an one is two
Ev'ryone's got their eyes on you
Mathematically, you're popular because everyone is captivated by your presence.
Look at those measurements
Man alive!
34-24-35
Your body measurements are impressive, especially the classic 34-24-35.
An I want this understood
You're lookin' go-oo-ood
You're lookin' good
Once again, I want to emphasize how incredibly attractive you are.
FADES-
You're lookin'
Go-ooo-oo
Ooo-oo-oh
Oh-ooo.
As the song fades, I can't help but marvel at your beauty.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: CALVIN CARTER, MARION OLIVER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@johnbradford4715
I love it love it love it sweet sweet sweet cutie
@Kenbramham
Great oldie I miss Dee
@soulman4692
Wonderful music !!!
@sauquoit13456
On this day in 1960 {August 15th} "You're Looking Good" by Dee Clark entered Billboard's Hot Top 100 chart at position #81; and on September 26th, 1960 it peaked at #43 {for 1 week} and spent 10 weeks on the Top 100...
Between 1958 and 1963 he had ten Top 100 records; with one reaching the Top 10, that was "Raindrops", it peaked at #2 {for 1 week} on June 26th, 1961...
The week "Raindrops" was at #2, the #1 record was "Quarter to Three" by Gary 'U.S.' Bonds...
R.I.P. Mr. Clark, born Delectus Clark, {1938 - 1990}...
@rin3guy
Just heard this tonight for the first time on WLS, Chicago! Dick Biondi has a great request show on Friday nights. Great song...
@sauquoit13456
On this day in 1960 {July 28th} Dee Clark performed "You're Looking Good" on the late Dick Clark's American Bandstand... One month later on August 15th it entered Billboard's Hot Top 100 chart; eventually it peaked at #43 and spent 10 weeks on the Top 100 chart... And one year later in 1961 he reached #2 with "Raindrops"... Sadly, Dee Clark passed away at the young age of 52 on December 7th, 1990 {heart attack}... R.I.P. to both Mr. Clarks...
@lionheartroar3104
Sounds too Much like "Hey Little Girl"
@essessessesq
agreed. often done back then on follow up records