After an unsuccessful first single, the group were signed to Laurie Records. Their breakthrough came when "I Wonder Why" made # 22 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, and the group appeared for the first time on the Dick Clark TV show. They followed it with the ballads "No One Knows" (#19) and "Don't Pity Me" (#40).
This success won Dion and the Belmonts their first major tour in late 1958, with The Coasters, Buddy Holly and Bobby Darin, and this was followed up by the "Winter Dance Party" tour with Holly, Ritchie Valens and The Big Bopper. On 2 February 1959, after playing at Clear Lake, Iowa, Dion decided that he could not afford the $36 cost of a flight to the next venue. The plane crashed, and Holly and the other stars were killed. However, the tour continued, with Jimmy Clanton and Bobby Vee being added to the bill.
In March 1959, Dion and the Belmonts’ next single, "A Teenager in Love", was released, making #5 in the Billboard Hot 100 and #28 in the UK Singles Chart, and this was followed by an album, Presenting Dion and the Belmonts. Their biggest hit, "Where or When", was released in November 1959, and reached #3 on the U.S. chart.
However, in early 1960, Dion checked in to hospital for heroin addiction, a problem he had had since his mid-teens. Further single releases for the group that year were less successful, there were musical and financial disputes between Dion and members of the Belmonts, and in October 1960 Dion decided to quit for a solo career. The Belmonts also continued to release records, but with less success.
Dion and the Belmonts reunited in 1966 for the unsuccessful album Together Again on ABC Records, and again in 1972 for a one-off show at Madison Square Garden, recorded and released as a live album.
This Little Girl
Dion & The Belmonts Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I know what love's all about
Ah, this little girl won't make a fool out of me
'Cause I'm gonna straighten her out
(Ba-ba-ba-oh-oh-oh-oh-sha-la-la-la)
(Oh-oh-oh-oh-sha-la-la-la) oh, yeah
(Oh-oh-oh-oh-sha-la-la-la-wo-wo-wo-wo-wo)
Ah, this little girl is just about as mean as they come, she is now
She don't even act nice once in a while like some, oh yeah
Whoa, trouble is her middle name
But I'm glad that's the way she came
I can be the one to tame this little girl, oh yeah
Ah, this little girl won't like me much at first, she won't now
And after a while she's gonna think that I'm the worst, oh yeah
Well, I won't treat her with kid gloves
And I won't shower her with lots of love
But I'll make an angel of this little girl
Oh, this little girl tries to make every guy slave, oh yeah (make every guy her slave)
But this little man is gonna take her by the hand
And I'm gonna show her the way to behave
Ah, this little girl is kinda used to gettin' her way, but no more now
There'll be some changes made, startin' today
Whoa, I said now everyone will be surprised
When I cut her down to size
And no one's gonna recognize my little girl
Tell you again now, this little girl
I'm a man now, this little girl
I'll tell you again now, my little girl
The lyrics to Dion & The Belmonts's song "This Little Girl" describe the singer's confidence in his ability to handle a difficult girl he is interested in. He assures his friends that he knows what he is doing and he will not be made a fool of. The girl is described as mean and someone who tries to make every guy her slave, but the singer is willing to take her on and straighten her out. He is not planning on treating her with kid gloves or showering her with love, but instead, he will be the one to tame her and make an angel out of her.
The song showcases an interesting gender dynamic, as the singer is taking control of a situation that traditionally would fall on the woman to change her behavior to fit societal norms. It also highlights the idea of the "bad boy" who can reform a "bad girl" and the belief that love can change someone's behavior. This is a common theme in many love songs, but it is interesting to see it from the perspective of the man trying to change the woman.
Line by Line Meaning
People, don't you worry, I know what I'm doin'
Don't worry, I'm experienced in matters of love.
I know what love's all about
I understand what love is and how it works.
Ah, this little girl won't make a fool out of me
This girl won't take advantage of me.
'Cause I'm gonna straighten her out
I'll correct her behavior.
Ah, this little girl is just about as mean as they come, she is now
This girl is very unpleasant.
She don't even act nice once in a while like some, oh yeah
She rarely behaves in a nice way.
Whoa, trouble is her middle name
She is constantly causing problems.
But I'm glad that's the way she came
I can handle her difficult personality.
I can be the one to tame this little girl, oh yeah
I can change her behavior for the better.
Ah, this little girl won't like me much at first, she won't now
She will not be fond of me at the beginning.
And after a while she's gonna think that I'm the worst, oh yeah
Eventually, she will have negative feelings towards me.
Well, I won't treat her with kid gloves
I won't handle her with extreme care.
And I won't shower her with lots of love
I won't show her excessive affection.
But I'll make an angel of this little girl
I'll make her a better person.
Oh, this little girl tries to make every guy slave, oh yeah (make every guy her slave)
She tries to control every man she meets.
But this little man is gonna take her by the hand
I'm going to guide her.
And I'm gonna show her the way to behave
I'll teach her proper behavior.
Ah, this little girl is kinda used to gettin' her way, but no more now
She is accustomed to doing as she pleases, but that will end.
There'll be some changes made, startin' today
Things will be different from now on.
Whoa, I said now everyone will be surprised
People will be surprised at the changes she undergoes.
When I cut her down to size
When I get her to behave properly.
And no one's gonna recognize my little girl
She will have changed so much that no one will recognize her.
Tell you again now, this little girl
This is about that girl.
I'm a man now, this little girl
I'm ready to face this challenge as a man.
I'll tell you again now, my little girl
I'm emphasizing that this is about that girl.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: CAROLE KING, GERRY GOFFIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind