The Co… Read Full Bio ↴Earl-Jean McCree was the original lead singer of The Cookies.
The Cookies' story begins in the 1950's. Recordings for Lamp Records and Atlantic went unnoticed for the most part, then Gerry Goffin and his new wife Carole King produced a record called "It's Unbearable" for one Dorothy Jones. Released on Columbia Records, it was a valiant effort, but ultimately it failed to draw attention to the young singer. Dorothy, however, had made some valuable connections in the music business, including a friendship with Earl-Jean McCree, and Margaret Ross.
The group, known as the Cookies, began singing back-up for several Aldon artists like Tony Orlando, Connie Francis, and Neil Sedaka. Meanwhile, McCree had recommended Eva Boyd as a baby sitter for Goffin and King. Boyd, soon christened Little Eva, went on to become the fourth, and alternate, Cookie.
Moving on to 1962, Goffin and King were inspired to write "The Loco-motion" when they saw Eva dancing to the raido. With the Cookies strong back-up, the song powered up the charts to eventually reach number one. Another Eva song, "Keep Your Hands Off My Baby," soon was scratching just outside the Top 10; Mel Torme also used the group on his hit "Comin' Home Baby."
Singing back-up was fine, but the Cookies craved the big time, and Don Kirshner, owner of Dimension Records, gave them their chance. The girls released the sweet rhythm ballad, "Chains," later covered by the Beatles. It had all the elements of hit girl group record of the time, and soon, it launched itself into the Top 20. The record actually included Carole on back-up!
The Cookies continued their Top 20 success with the rollicking "Don't Say Nothing Bad About My Baby." The monster hit eventually traveled to number 7 on the pop charts. The Cookies brand of pop had made one of the hottest girl groups around; so much so, that their first two A-sides and two new sides, "Foolish Little Girl," and the original version of "On Broadway," were included in the LP The Dimension Dolls. Little Eva and Carole King rounded out the album.
By mid-1963, the Cookies were at it again. "Will Power" b/w "I Want A Boy For My Birthday," rose to place at number 72 pop. A mild disappointment, the girls soon blazed back in to the top 40 with "Girls Grow Up Faster Than Boys." A new raunchier style brought them to number 33, but the British Invasion would soon bring their success to a halt.
Although Earl-Jean usually fronted the group, Dorothy Jones was prominently featured on the group's final single. "I Never Dreamed" was by far the best record released under the Cookies' name. Produced in a brilliant faux-Spector style, the song was an unexplainable miss. The flip, "The Old Crowd," was a quintessential piece of girl pop, later covered by Leslie Gore. It too failed to generate much excitement.
By May, 1963, Earl-Jean had left the Cookies to pursue a solo career. Her first release, the original version of "I'm Into Something Good," was impeccably produced by Gery Goffin, and it soon blistered to number 38.
Meanwhile, a mysterious group known as the Cinderellas put out a superior double-sided single entitled, "Baby Baby (I Still Love You)/Please Don't Wake Me." Although it is almost certain that Dorothy Jones is on lead, the gals on back-up are less clear-cut. Some theories put the tune as merely a leftover Cookies' cut, still othes feel that this was a completely new backing line-up. Whatever the particulars, the song only topped out at number 117. (Other Cinderellas' recordings appeared on several labels during the sixties, but it is not known if these relate to the group that recorded this single.)
Earl-Jean followed up her hit with the glorious "Randy," but it didn't make a good impression. That coupled with the the even more successful cover of her first hit by Herman's Hermits (they brought it into the Top 20) spelled the end of all the girl's musical aspirations.
The Cookies apparently went into semi-retirement during the mid sixties, but by late 1966 they had signed to Warner Brothers Records. In April 1967 the group released a 2 minute and 51 second piece of pop which can only be described as one of the best examples of the era. Incredibly sophisticated, it was an unexplainable miss, save the fact that very few girl group releases were gaining much attention in those days. And that's the way the Cookies crumbled.
You're No Good
Earl-Jean Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Feeling better, 'cause I'm over you
I've learned my lesson, it left a scar
And now I see how you really are
You're no good, you're no good, you're no good
Baby, you're no good
I'm gonna say it again
Baby, you're no good
Broke her heart, was gentle and true
I left a girl for someone like you
I'll beg her forgiveness on bended knee
But I wouldn't blame her if she said to me
You're no good, it's no good, it's no good
Baby, it's no good
I'm gonna say it again
It's no good, it's no good, it's no good
Baby, it's no good
Mm, no good
If she'll have me, we'll start anew
It'll be easy forgetting you
You're no good, you're no good, you're no good
Baby, you're no good
I'm gonna say it out loud
You're no good, you're no good, you're no good
Baby, you're no good
Oh oh oh
I'm putting you down, baby, and I'm going away
Forget about you, baby, I'm a-leaving to stay
You're no good, you're no good, you're no good
Baby, you're no good
Hey hey hey
You're no good, you're no good, you're no good
Baby, you're no good
The lyrics to Earl-Jean's song "You're No Good" convey a sense of liberation and empowerment following the end of a toxic relationship. The singer expresses relief at finally being free from their partner and feeling better now that they have moved on. They acknowledge that the relationship has left them with emotional scars and a newfound understanding of their partner's true nature.
The repetition of the phrase "you're no good" emphasizes the singer's conviction that their ex is not deserving of their love or trust. This repetition serves as a cathartic release, allowing the singer to assert their newfound independence and assertiveness. The lines also highlight the contrast between their previous belief in the ex's goodness and the reality of their deceit and harm.
The second verse introduces another character, a girl who was left by the singer for their ex. The singer expresses regret for their past actions and acknowledges the hurt they caused this girl. However, they also recognize that they have learned from their mistakes and are ready to move on and start anew.
Overall, "You're No Good" is a song that celebrates the end of a toxic relationship, where the singer gains clarity and strength by realizing their partner's true nature and deciding to leave them behind.
Line by Line Meaning
Feeling better now that we're through
I am relieved and happier now that our relationship is over
Feeling better, 'cause I'm over you
I am feeling better because I have moved on from you
I've learned my lesson, it left a scar
I have gained wisdom from the pain you caused, and it has left a lasting mark on me
And now I see how you really are
I now understand your true nature and character
You're no good, you're no good, you're no good
You are not a good person, you are unreliable and untrustworthy
Baby, you're no good
My dear, you are not worth my time or affection
I'm gonna say it again
I will reiterate my point
Broke her heart, was gentle and true
I caused someone's heartbreak, even though I was kind and sincere
I left a girl for someone like you
I ended a relationship with a good person to be with someone like you
I'll beg her forgiveness on bended knee
I will humbly ask for her forgiveness, showing my remorse
But I wouldn't blame her if she said to me
I would understand if she refused to forgive me
It's no good, it's no good, it's no good
This situation is not beneficial or satisfactory
Mm, no good
This is unsatisfactory and disappointing
If she'll have me, we'll start anew
If she is willing to give me another chance, we can begin fresh
It'll be easy forgetting you
Moving on from you will be a simple task
I'm gonna say it out loud
I will express this openly and without hesitation
Oh oh oh
Expressing frustration or disappointment
I'm putting you down, baby, and I'm going away
I am rejecting you, my dear, and I am leaving permanently
Forget about you, baby, I'm a-leaving to stay
I am determined to forget about you and leave for good
Hey hey hey
Expressing a sense of urgency or importance
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ANOUSHKA VANDEVYVERE, BUTCH WALKER, JAKE SINCLAIR, KATTY BESNARD, LOUISE BASILIEN, MARINE NEUILLY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Susie196921
Love this song - so early 60's - and everything that was written by Carole king and Gerry Goffin is a winner!
@williedunaway
One of the sexiest and smoothest voices ever. Lead singer of the Cookies. Easily the best version.
@paulinek9764
Far better than Herman's Hermits.
@lagerhound
Denny Seyton and the Sabres were doing this song at The Cavern before Herman recorded it, one of their best numbers and always went down very well. Then became debut single and a No.1 for Herman's Hermits who also appeared at The Cavern, ( just before they got famous, but not the same line-up).
@Wolfsky9
This version is by far THE best ! OMG I loved this Back in the day. ----------------WolfSky9
@josephroache3176
Loved it back in the day also………and love it just as much today !
@Themaddprof
No comparison. Better than Herman's Hermits version by a mile.
@paulinek9764
Easily.
@josephroache3176
@Pauline K I’m in total agreement with your comment. The original is the better version of the song. No contest really.
@miketheshanmanmangan
When Earl Jean McKree left The Cookies as lead singer this was her initial 1964 release that came right out of The Brill building on 49th street.Though WABC never played this it got a bunch of airplay on WINS,WMCA,WWRL and WNJR.Classic Hot Wax!