In 1962 she began a string of successful Billboard Hot 100 Top 10 hits: "Slow Twistin'" (with Chubby Checker) (#3), "Mashed Potato Time" (#2), "Gravy (For My Mashed Potatoes)" (#9), "Ride" (#5) and "Do the Bird" (#10). Both "Mashed Potato Time" and "Ride" each sold over one million copies, and were awarded gold discs. "Do the Bird" provided her only entry in the UK Singles Chart, where it peaked at #46 in April 1963. In 1967, she married record producer Kenny Gamble and has since recorded under the name Dee Dee Sharp-Gamble.
She had a brief career resurgence during the disco era and hit the charts again with her version of 10 CC's "I'm Not In Love." She also joined Lou Rawls, Billy Paul, Teddy Pendergrass, The O'Jays and Archie Bell) as a member of the Philadelphia International All Stars, who had a minor hit with "Let's Clean Up the Ghetto." During this time she was married to Philadelphia International co-founder Kenny Gamble, and was known professionally as Dee Dee Sharp Gamble. The couple later divorced.
In 1981 she spent four weeks at number one on the Hot Dance Club Play chart with "Breaking and Entering" / "Easy Money," from her album Dee Dee.
More recent appearances included a performance at Pontins in the UK for the Northern Soul Show, and at the 2008 Detroit Jazz Festival. In May 2009, she appeared in Belgium at the Salle De L'Hotel de Ville.
Sharp and her husband Bill Witherspoon have been residents of Medford, New Jersey.
Gravy
Dee Dee Sharp Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Gimme, gimme, gimme, gimme
Gravy tonight!
I know you danced to Mashed Potato Time
But that don't show me that you're really mine
What's that dancin', without romancin'?
So put that somethin' extra on the line
Gimme (gravy)
On my mash potatoes
Gimme (gravy)
C'mon and treat me right
Gimme (gravy)
You're the greatest
So gimme, gimme, gimme, gimme, gravy tonight!
I dig this twistin' but I want some more
There's somethin' missin' while we're on the floor
C'mon baby, I want some gravy
A little kissin's what I'm waiting for
Gimme (gravy)
On my mash potatoes
Gimme (gravy)
C'mon and kiss me right
Gimme (gravy)
Baby, you're the greatest
So gimme, gimme, gimme, gimme, gravy tonight!
Work out
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Now when my mash potatoes finally through
There's lots of groovy, gravy things to do
Lot's of lovin', kiss and huggin'
I wanna ride that gravy train with you
Gimme (gravy)
On my mash potatoes
Gimme (gravy)
C'mon and hold me tight
Gimme (gravy)
Baby, you're the greatest
So gimme, gimme, gimme, gimme, gravy tonight!
Gimme (gravy)
On my mash potatoes
Gimme (gravy)
C'mon and treat me right
Gimme (gravy)
Baby, you're the greatest
So gimme, gimme, gimme, gimme, gravy tonight!
Dee Dee Sharp's "Gravy" is a playful and flirtatious song about the singer's desire for more than just dancing with her partner. She requests "gravy" on her mashed potatoes -- a metaphor for more intimacy and affection from her partner. While she enjoys dancing and twisting with him, she wants more than just physical movement on the dance floor. The song suggests that it takes more than just a shared interest in a popular dance like the Mashed Potato to establish a meaningful connection.
The lyrics make a subtle commentary about the importance of emotional connection in romantic relationships, suggesting that without romance, dancing and movement are just empty actions. The repeated plea of "gimme, gimme, gimme" emphasizes the singer's desire for more, while the upbeat tempo and lively instrumentation give the song a playful and lighthearted mood. Overall, the lyrics to "Gravy" celebrate the joy and excitement of falling in love and seeking a deeper connection with a partner.
Line by Line Meaning
C'mon baby, I need gravy
Please give me the love and attention I need
Gimme, gimme, gimme, gimme
Gravy tonight!
I want and need gravy (love) tonight!
I know you danced to Mashed Potato Time
But that don't show me that you're really mine
What's that dancin', without romancin'?
So put that somethin' extra on the line
I know we've danced before, but dancing alone isn't enough to show me you care. Put in the effort to make me feel special.
Gimme (gravy)
On my mash potatoes
Gimme (gravy)
C'mon and treat me right
Gimme (gravy)
You're the greatest
So gimme, gimme, gimme, gimme, gravy tonight!
I want your love and affection to complete me. Show me that I matter to you.
I dig this twistin' but I want some more
There's somethin' missin' while we're on the floor
C'mon baby, I want some gravy
A little kissin's what I'm waiting for
I enjoy dancing with you, but I crave more intimacy. Kiss me and show me you want me.
Baby, you're the greatest
So gimme, gimme, gimme, gimme, gravy tonight!
Work out
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
I think you're amazing, so please love me tonight. Let's work things out and make this happen.
Now when my mash potatoes finally through
There's lots of groovy, gravy things to do
Lot's of lovin', kiss and huggin'
I wanna ride that gravy train with you
Once we're done dancing, we can do more romantic activities together. Let's enjoy each other's company and affection.
Lyrics © Spirit Music Group
Written by: Kal Mann, David Appell
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Gary Edwards
It's nice to have a list of Grandma's 1960's dances...
The Aloof.
The Aqua Velva.
The Batusi.
The Bird.
The Boogaloo.
The Bossa Nova.
The Bristol Stomp.
The Camel Walk.
The Cha-Cha.
The Cha-cha-twist.
The Coo-ca-choo.
The Dirty Dog
The Escalator.
The Fish.
The Fly.
The Freddy.
The Frug.
The Funky Chicken.
The Gimme Gravy.
The Hand Jive.
The Harlem Shuffle.
The Hip-o-crit.
The Hippy Shake.
The Hitchhike.
The Horse.
The Hucklebuck.
The Hully Gully.
The James Brown.
The Jerk.
The Limbo.
The Locomotion.
The Lurch.
The Madison.
The Martion Hop.
The Mashed Potato.
The Monkey.
The Monster Mash.
The Mouse.
The Nitty Gritty.
The Peppermint Twist.
The Philly Dog.
The Pony.
The Popeye.
The Shake.
The Shimmy.
The Shu-ga-loo.
The Shy Tuna.
The Skate.
The Stomp.
The Stroll.
The Swim.
The Tantrum.
The Thing.
The Tighten Up.
The Transylvania Twist.
The Twist.
The Watusi.
The Worm.
Anacleto Rosas
Gravy
Come on baby I need gravy
Give me, give me
Give me, give me gravy tonight
I know you dance the mashed potato fine
But that don? t show me that you? re really mine
Once start dancin? we? re now romancin?
So put that sucker on extra on the line
Gravy
On my mashed potatoes, give me
Gravy
Come and treat me right
Gravy
You? re the greatest, so
Give me, give me
Give me, give me gravy tonight
I think it? s twisted but I want some more
There? s something missing now we? re on the floor
Come on baby I want some gravy
A little kiss is what I? m waiting for
Gravy
On my mashed potatoes, give me
Gravy
Come and treat me right
Gravy
You? re the greatest
Give me, give me
Give me, give me gravy tonight
Work out baby work out
All that huggin? and kissin? is why
I? ve got to have something else
Now when the mashed potato is finally through
There? s lots of groovy, gravy things to do
Lots of lovin? kissin? huggin?
I wanna ride that gravy train with you
Gravy
On my mashed potatoes, give me
Gravy
Come and treat me right
Gravy
Hey baby you? re the greatest
Give me, give me
Give me, give me gravy tonight, give me
Gravy
On my mashed potatoes, give me
Gravy
Come and treat me right
Gravy
Oh baby come on honey
Give me, give me
Give me, give me gravy tonight
Gravy
On my mashed potatoes, give me
Gravy
All that huggin? and kissin? is great
That I like
Yeah, what about gravy on it
Gravy
Vamos baby eu preciso molho
me dê, me dê
me dá, me dá molho à noite
Eu sei que você dançar a multa purê de batata
Mas que don t me mostrar que você? Está realmente meu
Uma vez que comece a dançar? nós estamos agora Romancin?
Então coloque esse otário no extra na linha
Gravy
No meu purê de batatas, me dê
Gravy
Venha e me tratar bem
Gravy
você? Re maior, por isso
me dê, me dê
me dá, me dá molho à noite
Eu acho que? S torcida, mas eu quero um pouco mais
lá? Algo faltando agora nós estamos no chão
Vamos baby Eu quero um pouco de molho
Um pouco de beijo é o que estou esperando
Gravy
No meu purê de batatas, me dê
Gravy
Venha e me tratar bem
Gravy
você? Re o maior
me dê, me dê
me dá, me dá molho à noite
Exercite bebê certo
Tudo o que huggin? e beijando? É por isso
I? Tenho que ter algo mais
Agora, quando o puré de batata é finalmente passar
lá? S lotes de groovy, molho coisas para fazer
Muita amor? Beijando? Huggin?
Eu quero montar esse trem da alegria com você
Gravy
No meu purê de batatas, me dê
Gravy
Venha e me tratar bem
Gravy
Hey baby você? Re o maior
me dê, me dê
me dá, me dá molho esta noite, me dê
Gravy
No meu purê de batatas, me dê
Gravy
Venha e me tratar bem
Gravy
Oh baby venha mel
me dê, me dê
me dá, me dá molho à noite
Gravy
No meu purê de batatas, me dê
Gravy
Tudo o que huggin? e beijando? é ótimo
que eu gosto
Sim, o que acontece com o molho sobre ele
mkl62
This hit from Dee Dee Sharp went to #9 on the Top 40 charts. It went to #11 on the Rhythm & Blues charts. It would finish at #90 for the year, 1962.
northlight1908
This is not the hit version, though. It's a remake.
Andrew Carlton
@northlight1908 This version was in SISTER ACT. I like this version better.
manoel teixeira
Uma cantora especial, possui um voz única e inimitável, era muito solicitada no seu tempo inclusive em filmes e shows. maneco - Porto Alegre-RS - Brasil
MytokyokittyStudios
“If this turns into a nuns bar, I’m outta here.”
Green eyes
I just watched sister act the bar is my favorite part that nun was getting down
Luvon Hughes
Lol
Amalia Kelemen
If people don’t think this, I would question their whole existence.
Lola Hernandez
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 one of my favorite scenes!
andy41501
lol