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.
You Better Not Do That
Dion & The Belmonts Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And just like any other boy I like to hold 'em tight
Sometimes I got resistance, but no matter how I try
When a cute little gal just looks at me with a gleam in her eye
And I say "Baby, you better not do that", and she say "Oh, why?"
And I say "Because you just better not do that"
When I went to the country school I always had a girl
And everyday at recess time they followed me outside
I'd scratch my head and wonder are they ever satisfied
I'd say "Baby, you better not do that" and she'd say "Why?"
And I'd say "Because you just better not do that"
I got a little older, and I went to the country dance
I went to have a little fun, I wasn't thinkin' about romance
But the dim lights just lured 'em on and they'd snuggle up to me
I knew I couldn't last too long, 'cos I'm human you see
And I'd say "Baby, you better not do that", and she'd say "Oh, why?"
And I'd say "Because you just better not do that", and she'd say "Oh, why?"
The lyrics to Dion & The Belmonts's song "You Better Not Do That" describe the struggles of a young country boy trying to resist temptation from the opposite sex. The singer admits to having a natural desire to hold and be near girls, but he also has a strong desire to do what's right. He finds it difficult to resist when cute girls give him significant looks or follow him around during school recess. Even when he attends a dance with no intention of seeking romance, dim lights and close proximity make it challenging for him to resist when girls snuggle up to him. However, even when he's in a compromising position, he still tries to resist and tells the girls, "baby, you better not do that."
The lyrics reflect the innocence and naivety of youth and the universal struggle to control natural desires to do what's right. The lyrics are straightforward and relatable, and the theme is portrayed in a positive light. The song empathizes with the struggles of young people who are trying to do the right thing but often find themselves in challenging situations.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm just a country boy and I like to do what's right
I am a simple guy who tries to do what is morally correct.
And just like any other boy I like to hold 'em tight
Like anyone else, I enjoy holding girls tight.
Sometimes I got resistance, but no matter how I try
At times, girls resist my advances, and I can't do much about it.
When a cute little gal just looks at me with a gleam in her eye
If an attractive girl gives me a seductive look, it is hard to resist.
And I say "Baby, you better not do that", and she say "Oh, why?"
I tell the girl that she shouldn't make advances, but she questions why.
And I say "Because you just better not do that"
I explain that it is not appropriate, and she should stop.
When I went to the country school I always had a girl
Whenever I attended school in the countryside, I had a girl with me.
They'd laugh and giggle awful cute and put me in a whirl
The girls were always adorable, and they often made me dizzy with their antics.
And everyday at recess time they followed me outside
During breaks, the girls would follow me out of the classroom.
I'd scratch my head and wonder are they ever satisfied
I would sometimes question if the girls were ever content with just following me around.
I'd say "Baby, you better not do that" and she'd say "Why?"
I would warn the girl not to do something, and she would inquire why.
And I'd say "Because you just better not do that"
I would explain that it was not appropriate, and she should avoid doing it.
I got a little older, and I went to the country dance
As I got older, I attended country dances with other youths.
I went to have a little fun, I wasn't thinkin' about romance
I went to enjoy myself, not necessarily to find love.
But the dim lights just lured 'em on and they'd snuggle up to me
The dark ambiance of the dance floor led the girls to cuddle with me.
I knew I couldn't last too long, 'cos I'm human you see
I was aware that I cannot resist the temptation of cuddling with girls for long because I am human.
And I'd say "Baby, you better not do that", and she'd say "Oh, why?"
I'd caution the girl not to continue the intimacy, and she'd ask why.
And I'd say "Because you just better not do that", and she'd say "Oh, why?"
I'd explain that it was improper, and she'd look for clarification.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Tommy Collins
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind