An actress, singer, talk show host, and author, the multi-talented Reese first started singing in church in her hometown of Detroit when she was six years old. By the age of 13, she was touring with gospel great Mahalia Jackson; then, at 18, she formed the Meditation Singers and became the first performer to bring gospel music to the casinos of Las Vegas. Reese expanded her musical repertoire as a vocalist with the Erskine Hawkins Orchestra and began recording albums, with such hits as "Don't You Know" and "And That Reminds Me" in the 1950s. She appeared extensively as a guest on the top television variety series, logging more than 20 appearances in one year on The Ed Sullivan Show on the CBS Television Network. Reese was nominated for a Grammy Award as Best Female Soloist in Gospel Music in 1987.
Tapping into her other skills, she was host of a television talk show in 1969-1970, then began guest-starring in such series as Sanford and Son, The A-Team, Crazy Like a Fox and Picket Fences. She starred in the CBS Network series Charlie & Co. and The Royal Family. Reese's current projects include a new album based on her 27-city tour with her revue, "Some of My Best Friends Are the Blues," as well as song on the Touched By An Angel Soundtrack. Her best-selling autobiography, "Angels Along the Way," is published by G.P. Putnam's Sons. Reese also starred in the telefilms Emma's Wish, with Joanna Kerns, and The Secret Path, with Ossie Davis.
Goody Goody
Della Reese Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
So you met someone and now you know how it feels, goody goody!
Well you gave her your heart too, just as I gave mine to you
And she broke it in little pieces, now how do you do?
So you lie awake just singing the blues all night, goody goody!
And you found that love′s a barrell of dynamite!
Hurray and halleluyah, you had it comin' to ya
Satisfied you rascal you!
Do you remember me sittin' all alone waitin' for the tinkle of the telephone?
Now the action jackson′s turned right around, goody goody!
Yes you remember me, I was all for you, sittin′ waitin' hoping like you told me
Too. Now the action jackson′s turned right around
So you met someone who set you back on your heels, goody goody!
So you met someone and now you know how it feels,
Hurray and halleluyah, you had it comin to ya.
Goody goody for her. Goody goody for me. And I hope she tans your hide you
Rascal, I hope your satisfied you rascal. So goody good good for me you rascal
You!
The lyrics to Della Reese's "Goody Goody" express a sense of schadenfreude towards someone who has been hurt in love after they had previously betrayed the singer's trust. The song starts by sarcastically congratulating the person for finding someone new who has made them feel the same heartbreak that they caused the singer. The second verse shifts to the singer reminiscing about how they used to wait for the person to call them and how the tables have now turned. The chorus repeats the sentiment of the first verse, expressing satisfaction that the person has finally received their comeuppance.
Overall, the song seems to be a cathartic release for the singer who feels vindicated in seeing their former love suffer the same pain they inflicted. The upbeat swing tempo of the song adds to the irony of the lyrics, giving the impression of a joyful celebration of someone else's misery.
Line by Line Meaning
So you met someone who set you back on your heels, goody goody!
You met someone who made you fall in love and gave you a rush of happiness.
So you met someone and now you know how it feels, goody goody!
You fell for someone and now you understand the emotions and feelings associated with being in love.
Well you gave her your heart too, just as I gave mine to you
You gave your heart to your new love just as you did to me before.
And she broke it in little pieces, now how do you do?
She broke your heart into little pieces causing you emotional pain.
So you lie awake just singing the blues all night, goody goody!
You can't sleep because you're sad and alone, which is a good thing because now you understand how it feels.
And you found that love's a barrel of dynamite!
You learned that love is explosive and unpredictable.
Hurray and halleluyah, you had it comin' to ya
Congratulations, you deserved what happened to you.
Goody goody for you! goody goody for me! ya I hope you're Satisfied you rascal you!
Good for you and good for me too! I hope you're happy, you scoundrel.
Do you remember me sittin' all alone waitin' for the tinkle of the telephone?
Do you remember how I waited patiently for you to call me?
Now the action jackson's turned right around, goody goody!
Now you're in the same situation as me and it's good to see you finally understand.
Yes you remember me, I was all for you, sittin' waitin' hoping like you told me too.
You remember when I was waiting for you, hoping you would feel the same way about me.
So you met someone who set you back on your heels, goody goody!
You fell for someone and it made you happy, but you now understand the pain that comes along with it.
Hurray and halleluyah, you had it comin to ya. Goody goody for her. Goody goody for me. And I hope she tans your hide you Rascal, I hope your satisfied you rascal. So goody good good for me you rascal You!
You deserved what happened to you because you hurt me too. Good for her and good for me too! I hope she gets back at you and you're happy with yourself, you scoundrel! Good for me for finally seeing this happen to you.
Writer(s): M. Malneck, J. Mercer
Contributed by Cole I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.