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.
Rock Me in the Cradle of Love
Dee Dee Sharp Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(Rock me in the cradle of love)
I wanna be your baby.
(Rock me in the cradle of love)
Hug me every night
(Oh yeah)
Cuddle me real tight.
Squeeze me with all your might.
(Rock me in the cradle of love)
(Rock me...)
Oh yeah...
(In the cradle...)
(Rock me...)
Uh huh
(In the cradle...)
(Rock me...)
(Take me... take me...)
Take up to heaven above.
(Say you'll be my boy, )
(Rock me in the cradle of love.)
Today'll be my birthday,
(Rock me in the cradle of love.)
But? day,
(Rock me in the cradle of love.)
Love is crazy, they say.
(Oh yeah)
I was born today.
(Oh yeah)
Won't you skate my way,
(Rock me in the cradle of love.)
Oh baby...
(Rock me)
Oh yeah,
(In the cradle)
Uh huh,
(In the cradle)
(Take me... take me...)
Take up to heaven above.
Come on now...
Take me?
Take me?
Say you'll be my boy,
Rock me in the cradle of love.
My baby,
(Rock me)
Oh yeah,
(In the cradle)
(Rock me)
Uh huh,
(In the cradle)
(Take me... take me...)
Take up to heaven above.
Oh yeah...
Kiss me every night.
Cuddle me real tight.
Squeeze with all your might.
Rock me in the cradle of love.
Everybody...
Rock me in the cradle of love.
Come on now...
Rock me in the cradle of love.
Come on now...
Rock me in the cradle of love.
The song "Rock Me in the Cradle of Love" by Dee Dee Sharp is a love song that expresses the singer's desire for her lover to embrace her and make her feel loved. The lyrics of the song convey the singer's need for comfort and the emotional connection that exists between her and her lover. The repeated refrain of "Rock me in the cradle of love" expresses the singer's desire for her lover to hold her close and protect her from the world.
The chorus of the song expresses the physical intimacy that the singer desires, with lyrics such as "Hug me every night", "Cuddle me real tight", and "Squeeze me with all your might". The singer is asking for her lover to make her feel secure and loved, and she is willing to surrender herself completely to him. The bridge of the song introduces a note of urgency, with the singer asking her lover to take her to "heaven above". She is eager to experience the ultimate physical and emotional connection with him.
In summary, "Rock Me in the Cradle of Love" is a romantic song that expresses the singer's desire for emotional and physical intimacy with her lover. The lyrics convey a sense of vulnerability and surrender, as the singer begs her lover to rock her in his arms and make her feel loved and protected.
Line by Line Meaning
I wanna be your lady.
I want to be your romantic partner and significant other.
I wanna be your baby.
I want to be your lover and be cared for by you.
Hug me every night (Oh yeah)
Hold me tightly each night as a physical expression of love and affection.
Cuddle me real tight. (Oh yeah)
Embrace me closely to show emotional warmth and affection.
Squeeze me with all your might. (Rock me in the cradle of love)
Hold me tightly and affectionately with all your strength.
(Rock me...) Oh yeah... (In the cradle...)
Desire to be embraced and cared for closely in a metaphorical cradle of love.
(Rock me...) Uh huh (In the cradle...) (Rock me...)
Continued desire to be held and loved in a caring and nurturing way.
(Take me... take me...) Take up to heaven above.
Take me to a higher plane of existence and joy through your love and affection.
(Say you'll be my boy, ) (Rock me in the cradle of love.)
Ask for a commitment and assurance that the partner will be there to offer love and affection.
Today'll be my birthday, (Rock me in the cradle of love.)
Celebrate the singer's birthday by showing love and affection.
But? day, (Rock me in the cradle of love.)
Regardless of the day, continue to show love and affection.
Love is crazy, they say. (Oh yeah)
Love is often unpredictable and can be difficult or challenging.
I was born today. (Oh yeah)
The singer is expressing joy and gratitude for being alive and well.
Won't you skate my way, (Rock me in the cradle of love.) Oh baby...
Invite the partner to come closer and show affection by using the metaphor of skating towards them.
Come on now... Take me? Take me? Say you'll be my boy, Rock me in the cradle of love.
Request that the partner make a commitment to love and care for the singer, using repetition to emphasize the importance of this request.
My baby, (Rock me) Oh yeah, (In the cradle) (Rock me) Uh huh, (In the cradle) (Take me... take me...) Take up to heaven above.
Continued expression of passionate desire and love for the partner, using repetition to emphasize the intensity of these feelings.
Kiss me every night. Cuddle me real tight. Squeeze with all your might. Rock me in the cradle of love.
A plea for nightly affection and devotion, using repetition to emphasize the importance of these gestures.
Everybody... Rock me in the cradle of love. Come on now... Rock me in the cradle of love. Come on now... Rock me in the cradle of love.
Encourage and invite everyone to show affection and love in the same way that the partner is doing, using repetition to emphasize the importance of love and affection.
Contributed by Chloe D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.