Ernest Kador, Jr. (Feb 22, 1936 - July 5, 2001) was known as Ernie K-Doe, a… Read Full Bio ↴Ernest Kador, Jr. (Feb 22, 1936 - July 5, 2001) was known as Ernie K-Doe, a colorful performer, who became the first artist from New Orleans to have a national charting #1 hit actually recorded in New Orleans (Mother-In-Law,#1 Pop, #1 R&B 1961). Doe was a self promotor extraordinaire, nicknaming himself "Emperor of The World" and “the Greatest Boy-Child ever conceived at Charity Hospital in New Orleans”. While never to top the charts again after his 1961 hit, he toured & recorded sporadically throughout the rest of his career until his last single, an anti violence plea "Children of The world" b/w "White Boy/Black Boy" in late 2000.

His most popular works are those from his early 1960's Minit records years, when he was associated closely with producer/composer Allen Toussaint. During this period he was managed by a local radio DJ named Larry McKinley, the co-owner of Minit, whose other partner was A-1 records distributor Joe Banashak. Other tunes made during Doe's 1961 chart attempts under Toussaint's tutelage included "I Cried My Last Tear" (#69 Pop) b/w "A Certain Girl" (#71 Pop), and "Te-Ta-Te-Ta-Ta" (#53 Pop, #21 R&B. Prior to recording with Minit, Doe had started his professional career on the gospel circuit, eventually joining The Four Blazes, a gig that earned him his first recording session in late 1953 for United but the session went unreleased. His first record ("Honey Love"/"No Mercy") came in 1955 with a group called The Blue Diamonds on Savoy. Solo releases on Specialty and Ember under the surnames Kador & Kado before finally becoming K-Doe were early career moves. After his Minit deal ran out he moved to the Instant & then Duke/Peacock labels, working again with Toussaint for an LP in 1970 on the Janus label.

During his tireless touring years he performed in venues like Harlem's Apollo Theater 8 times, and Chicago's Regal Theater a dozen times. He fell into a period of substance abuse & homelessness during the late 70's, before he began hosting a radio program in on New Orleans FM station WWOZ in 1982. Eventually cleaning up & marrying, he opened his own New Orleans nightclub called the Mother-in-Law Lounge. In the mid nineties, he finally recorded another album with Milton Battiste at the helm. His widow Antoinette still maintains the bar despite heavy flood damage after Hurricane Katrina, and ran her dead husband for mayor in the 2006 elections saying he was the only qualified candidate.

A Certain Girl
Ernie K-Doe Lyrics

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There's a certain girl I've been after a long, long time
What's her name?
I can't tell you
Ahh

I can't reveal her name until I get her
What's her name?
I can't tell you

No

I've tried time and time again
Still we're introduced as nothing but friends
There's a certain girl I've been in love with a long, long time
What's her name?
I can't tell you
No

There's a certain chick I've been sweet on since I met her
What's her name?
I can't tell you
No

No, I can't tell her name, I won't reveal it until I get her
What's her name?
I can't tell you
No

One day I'll wake up and say
Just to have you, I'll be your slave
There's a certain girl I've been in love with a long, long time
What's her name?
I can't tell you
No

There's a certain girl I've been after a long, long time
What's her name?
I can't tell you
No

I can't reveal her name until I get her
What's her name?
I can't tell you
No

I've tried time and time again
Still we're introduced as nothing but friends
There's a certain chick I've been in love with a long, long time
What's her name?
I can't tell you
No

There's a certain girl I've been after a long, long time
What's her name?
I can't tell you
I can't reveal her name until I get her
What's her name?
I can't tell you

One day I'll wake up and say
Just to have you, I'll be your slave
There's a certain girl I've been in love with a long, long time
What's her name?

I can't tell you
No

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Ernie K-Doe's song "A Certain Girl" reflect a sense of admiration and infatuation with a girl whose name the singer refuses to reveal until he can win her over. The repetition of the question "What's her name?" emphasizes the singer's desperation to be with this girl, highlighting that he has been after her for a "long, long time". The repeated answer of "I can't tell you" adds a sense of mystery and secrecy around the girl's identity, while also implying that the singer cannot reveal her name until he can win her love.

The singer expresses his frustration in the lyrics, indicating that he has tried to pursue her "time and time again" but to no avail as they are only "introduced as nothing but friends". Despite this, he continues to pursue her, dreaming of the day when he can wake up and fulfill his desire to be with her, even if it means "just to have you, I'll be your slave". The song captures the feeling of longing and yearning, with the repetition of the chorus emphasizing the intensity of the singer's desire for this unnamed girl.

A Certain GirlErnie K-Doe Lyrics

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A Certain Girl
Ernie K-Doe Lyrics