Little Bitty Pretty One
Frankie Lymon The Teenagers Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Little bitty pretty one
Come on and talk-a to me
A-lovey dovey dovey one
Come sit down on my knee

Tell you a story
Happened long time ago
A-little bitty pretty one

I've been watchin you grow

Overall Meaning

The song “Little Bitty Pretty One” by Frankie Lymon & The Teenagers is a classic love song that speaks to the emotions of the singer who is expressing his love for a little girl whom he has been watching grow. The lyrics suggest that the girl is still very young, perhaps in her pre-teen years, and the singer is inviting her to come talk to him, sit on his knee and listen to his story. The song speaks to the innocence of young love, where the singer expresses his admiration for the little girl’s beauty, which he describes as a “little bitty pretty one.”

The lyrics suggest that the singer has been watching the little girl grow for a long time, and he wants to get to know her, to hold her close and tell her his story. The song captures the essence of young love, where the singer longs for the affection of his beloved. The song is sentimental and nostalgic and is a reminder of the innocence and beauty of young love.

Line by Line Meaning

Little bitty pretty one
Addressing someone who is small and beautiful.

Come on and talk-a to me
Please, communicate with me openly.

A-lovey dovey dovey one
Expressing affection for someone.

Come sit down on my knee
Making space for you to spend time together.

Tell you a story
Sharing an experience to create a bond with you.

Happened long time ago
Describing a past event that is still relevant.

A-little bitty pretty one
Repeating the nickname given earlier to show endearment.

I've been watchin you grow
Observing you develop into a young adult.

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC
Written by: Robert Byrd

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

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Comments from YouTube:

@brycebreaux6435

4y↑9.3K

“I mustn’t let father know I enjoyed the colored boy’s performance.”

@idekkiyla

4y↑158

😂😂😂😂

@nmartin5700

4y↑44

Lol

@lastgirlstandin

4y↑39

😂😂😂

@stevenstubby8632

4y↑40

ahahah bahahaha you're a mad man!! :D

@czarkhan3679

4y↑16

😭😭😭😭😭😭

212 More Replies...

@Abc123______

3y↑2.7K

I absolutely love the cameraman.

@jacobblaylock4942

3y↑321

He wasn’t having non of the audience’s shit, put them on BLAST

@D_Antagonist

3y↑13

@@jacobblaylock4942 bruh 🤣🤣🤣

@San-br4qv

3y↑70

The cameraman is the best part of this kind of shows, he decides what want to do. Or put in infraganti people being racist or put away those things.

@alexandria5547

3y↑11

@Fackyou69 Fooku calm down , you typing paragraphs for a comment that wasn’t even deep🤣

@alexandria5547

3y↑5

@Fackyou69 Fooku you mad ash aw 🤣

16 More Replies...

@taylorp535

16w↑256

I showed my grandpa this video, he said “sadly this is how it was perceived back then by some. I always loved this music, but others, they didn’t appreciate the amazing genius of it.” We both jammed out to this. He remembers watching American bandstand, but he loved all the music! This song is awesome! RIP! ❤❤❤❤

@jimbean7652

10w↑1

back then and still now sadly

@Sgt.chickens

9w↑2

The girls chewing didn't not like it. They were product placement for chewing gum. It was the Execs that didn't like him and the crowd didn't give 2 shits because Frankie was Crazy talented

@jimbean7652

@@Sgt.chickens big lies

@Sgt.chickens

9w↑2

@jimbean7652 it's recorded history. The show was sponsored by a chewing gum company. The executives Hated that The show was Booking loads of Black acts. And they were getting really good viewers hip out of it.

The reason most of the crowd is clapping here is they were told by executives and the police not to leave their seats. They clapped constantly to show support for Frankie and his performance,

All the girls not clapping are chewing gum. Obvious product placement

@flowrepins6663

@@Sgt.chickenshe didnt invent the song and he wanst even singing. Its lip sync. Anyone can do it

1 More Replies...

@rlittlefield2691

22w↑66

This kid was a complete, musical genius. At 12 years old he had written, recorded on TV his song "Why do fools fall in love."
You can not tell, me, this same Frankie Lymon, was recorded on TV in the 1948 at 12 years old, singing a song that you have probably heard today.
Why do Fools Fall in Love
This kid lived to 25, got a heroin overdose and died.
Go on line, watch him on TV singing the song he wrote, at 12 years old.
This kid has always been one of my favorites. Only to find out he died at 25?

@rachaelnichter5525

and ten years later the ninja dead..hooked on drugs like a typical ghetto ninja and dead as a mf

@ipostup4youty432

no one knows for sure he died to an overdose some people said the needle wasnt in him but it was near him and i think they said a couple days before or week i dont really remmeber they said he was beat up so i dont know but they think his death was staged

@BrianBlock

FYI, "Why do fools fall in love" was recorded in 1956, when Frankie was 14 years old. He was born in '42, he certainly wasn't recording anything in '48 :) . He joined The Teenagers in '54 (they weren't named that yet) and recorded this with them 2 years later for Gee Records. His life was a mess from 15 until his death, his music honestly became more famous posthumously, with a big resurgence decades later. Pretty sure he didn't have a top 10 (barely any top 50) hit after 1957 when he left The Teenagers. Very sad that he was pulled into a life of drugs at 15 by an adult and couldn't get out :( .

@psamanda1010

😭😭😭😭😭😭

@picklesthewise

4y↑6.1K

God, this kid deserved better. This song is was and is still a major banger.

@miltonbu764

4y↑14

Cant hate on this 4sure...
Lol Banger 🔥🔥🔥🔥

@ethanyule2713

4y↑11

What? Did this guy not get fame or money or am i missing something lol what in this video points to him deserving better?

@picklesthewise

4y↑339

@@ethanyule2713 I don't think you're aware of this man's history. Frankie Lymon lived during a time of heavy racism and segregation in America. Despite achieving nominal and financial success with his music, he was still looked down upon by people because he was black, and was not allowed because of racism to have the same status in people's eyes as white performers.

Even in the music industry, performers were segregated. Rock and roll was not allowed on the radio for a long time because it was seen as "black music" (which it was; black people created it just like they made jazz, gospel, and the blues). When it was allowed, white groups would be the only ones allowed to perform the songs. It would take a quiet revolution to make any sort of real breakthrough. Motown in Detroit was in part responsible for that, which I know because it's where I'm from.

Lymon was needless to say unappreciated in his time, as we see in the video here with the (white) teenagers looking sullen and at times angry to see a black man on stage performing for them. Meanwhile these same teenagers would be screaming their heads off for Paul Anka or the Beatles.

And he unfortunately died young at 25, so he never got to live to see a future where his work was fully valued.

@napakamu9670

4y↑7

tbh the song is shit

@miltonbu764

4y↑79

@@napakamu9670
As is not good? Or as in the Shit
Cause I find hard to believe someone to hear this and not give it its respect.

85 More Replies...

@user-wt7ps7dq5h

16w↑55

His voice is amazing. Some people were genuinely smiling especially towards the end & having fun. The others can suck it.

@Lauren.Elllizabeth

They were told not to smile or clap dummy. The studio was threatened by the KKK.

@skittles5703

36w↑148

RIP Frankie. Thank you for the music. They might not have appreciated you back then based on the faces but We’re listening to your music to this day. This is my 2 year old’s daughter’s favorite song (she dances, claps, and sings along).

@takoyakicxnt1979

32w↑1

i think you just drop your 🧢 queen

@xlich5817

30w↑6

@@takoyakicxnt1979kids dance to anything so I believe it buddy

@flowrepins6663

Is lip sync. Also audience isnt real also is commercial for chew gum. Also weird how you could tell so much for those faces

@SCRIZZZY

7w↑1

@@flowrepins6663are you serious rn? Holy shit you have to so dense its amazing. This was JIM CROW ERA. Regardless of if the crowd was real or not why did they portray it like this? Wow

@jonathancunningham8739

Uh no one back then really smiled for concerts it was rare check many signer of back then like Dion many looked like they hated him yet he was beloved.

@nomiwilliams6195

5y↑3.4K

The audience absolutely freaks me out... imagine standing in front of them performing gosh... Frankie was simply fantastic non the less and so handsome.

@steveom59

5y↑52

this was not a performance. it was an artist near the end of his life, suffering physical effects of drug abuse, lip-syncing to a record he released several years earlier at the height of his success. It was part of his last ditch effort to restart his career. It had to be painful to be in the audience and see this "live".

@nomiwilliams6195

5y↑168

@@steveom59 regardless of his personal deficiencies this was indeed a performance. All artists lip synced to tracks on these kinds of shows.. that was indeed the dynamics of these broadcasts. Furthermore, I won't judge him on his personal demons, I made my statement based on the performance and I thought it was great given the circumstances, he was an outstanding performance regardless of his personal life.

@rob_3417

5y↑111

@@steveom59 you're very upset, leaving the same comment everywhere. Go have a drink

@TheIrishrogue68

5y↑16

steveom59 How's your wife Debby Downer doing these days?

@jonnychingas5757

4y↑22

@@rob_3417 He's 100 correct but apparently these morons who didn't live this are attributing the audiences reaction to racism. It's stupid and ignorant

25 More Replies...

@yoselinruiz354

3y↑4.7K

He definitely killed this performance the audience didn’t deserve him

@danielbooneify

3y↑58

You’re right they didn’t deserve him however he didn’t sing it live because it wouldn’t of sounded nearly as good. Frankie’s voice was completely changed at this point

@garrett4726

2y↑57

yep sadly he died in age 25 :(

@montre6381

2y↑4

At all

@pariss3921

2y↑17

Yep all of them was racist anyways

@ashtonfranklin4620

2y↑20

Agreed that's just the society we still live in today, but i bet you they wont be looking like that when they here there grandchildren listening to Beyonce, Lil Nas X, Megan Thee stallion, Doja cat, Dababy, ect but real talk though the only way we could come together is that if we stop judging eachother

65 More Replies...

@420blazechucky9

4y↑8.8K

The way he was still smiling and enjoying himself as much as he possibly could amidst some faces of judgement.... 😔🥺🤍

@andrewcart8117

4y↑146

quirkins He’s used to the huge cameras of that era, while the audience isn’t.
This performance has serious close ups of the audience too.

@shaunlopez8942

4y↑27

Boy you are dumb

@danielcallahan4825

4y↑46

@@shaunlopez8942 why is he dumb?

@cameronbaylie9654

4y↑108

Were you there in the audience? How do you know that they are judging him? Seems to me that you are the one judging?

@ericluker5601

4y↑26

thicc buttowski yup they were clapping.

227 More Replies...

@osamuelcostajr

34w↑185

Como combater a desigualdade, mostre seu talento para que todos possam apreciar♥️

@silvyta2309

31w↑11

No tiene nada que ver con el talento, esa época la persona de color no tenia derecho a nada. Ame su carisma en frente de esas miradas

@fernandomendes6120

28w↑12

@@silvyta2309 ,talvez o que o samuelcosta5414 quis dizer é que independente da platéia ser RACISTA nesta época ,ainda sim ,tiveram que engolir a maravilhosa apresentação de um jovem e fenomenal talento, kkkkkk ,morram racistas!!!!!!

@violetlunna

28w

@@silvyta2309mds q burr

@SanSan-kf5qr

24w↑3

Al final todos y todas gritaron y aplaudieron

@toscaris.3265

24w

JAJAJAJAJA LO AYUDARON LOS BLANCOS A SER FAMOSO ... JAJAJAJAJAJA INCLUSO EL BAULE Y LA ROPA ES DE ESTILO BLANCO ... CUAL TALENTO????

9 More Replies...

@thetinoshow6719

35w↑19

Such a talented kid. Gone way too soon. Imagine another 50 years of music.

@ynazzra

3y↑11.6K

Don’t worry ladies, he wasn’t singing about you anyway. 🙃

@dwayneking2186

3y↑202

😂😂

@ibonnett29

3y↑88

😂😂😂😂

@ellacherie9171

3y↑421

It’s not their fault they was afraid to smile incase they got attacked or hated on it’s just what it was like in them days

@playerone6672

3y↑145

Fuck that was funny

@richardgalvan19

3y↑35

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤭💀💀💀

378 More Replies...

@ITGirlll

3y↑2.6K

Talk about being fed to the lions. His courage and that smile were at 100 though!

@antoniocamacho7843

3y↑22

Lmao fr only the kids liked it pretty much

@justasimplemanworkinghiswa1569

3y↑18

I.T. Girl i need that confidence.

@enzieofficial4429

3y↑2

💯💯💯🤟🏾

@giannamokoka8212

3y↑38

Racist faces🤨

@BarefootIguana

3y↑37

@@giannamokoka8212 cmon now....you have no idea if they were racist or not. They came to hear the man sing! They’re just teenagers who came to listen to music and they obviously liked frankies by that applause. Don’t turn everything into a race issue!

44 More Replies...

@RebornAudio

26w↑33

His voice was just incredible

@Risteard-1686

26w↑8

Maybe gone, but not forgotten.
The good old days 1960s ❤

@kingsora6352

4y↑903

Shout out to that one lil boy enjoying himself

@rachelledorsey5356

4y↑4

crow yeah..those were some horrible times

@jonathannewman132

King Sora he was an adult at the time.

@kthekid03

King Sora and the pretty blonde lady Infront of him smiling

@MASTEROFEVIL

He's probably an old man by now

@paleriedove3333

4y↑1

They all were enjoying themselves they was raised by racist and couldn't show there inner happiness!

@amrayabaptiste2933

3y↑7.2K

He still went out and did his thing. Wasn't put off at all. What an entertainer. Your music lives on king.

@areiaaphrodite

3y↑118

The sad part is that you could see he had talent, stage presence and the makings of an even greater entertainer than he was. The drugs just held him back basically...

@jamesalbertt1516

3y↑1

Hello Amraya, how are you doing?

@ebonyharris980

Thank you!

@derekduvall6482

3y↑22

I love Frankie and his music, makes me sad whhat happened to him

@moonoggin

2y↑20

My babysitters brought this music to my house. They'd have the biggest parties when my parents were out. They didn't make us go to bed .. just let us dance and taught us all the latest ones

38 More Replies...

@deborahtuggle1370

25w↑18

So tragic how he died,so much talent!RIP Frankie!!!!🙌🌹🌹

@soniaweisman1183

9w↑2

I love this type of music memories of Dad n mom....their jams! Much respect to Mr. Lyman a talented soul!❤

@nitrofish1974

3y↑5.1K

They looked so scared of having fun ,frankie was free in his heart and was a talent beyond measure 👏

@princess-nia

2y↑106

I’m glad he was enjoying himself

@jimhandler1129

2y↑175

They were scared of what their parents would say if they saw them on tv.

@JonJurgenstein

2y↑260

They aren't scared of having fun. The 1960's was a very racist time to be alive.

@vince7735

2y↑15

I thought it was more that they were on TV.

@lettiegrant9447

2y↑79

They probably would have gotten into trouble with their parents and everybody else if they had showed they enjoyed it. That was the 1950's.

137 More Replies...

@sandramatthews9556

5y↑1.4K

Forget that stiff audience...😦🙁 Frankie had swag..😎🤗😍

@terrybryant1796

5y↑1

Sandra Matthews

@MJ-kx8yq

5y↑11

Sandra Matthews He was so cute and his voice was amazing

@mh-zq2fm

👍❤

@benitocamelastoda2074

5y↑4

Yeah they are more stiff than my morning wood ok I'm going now 👌

@kuttlikethat9984

No kap

2 More Replies...

@wallyaller

36w↑5

His happiness is infectious!

@Jrock3000

35w↑26

So we just gonna ignore Moloch in the background 😳

@ericmurcia8077

8w↑8

I thought the same thing too 😂

@Lance-rz7yl

4w↑2

😂 I don't know if that's moloch or Diana with horns and hooves.

@chantel385

3w↑1

I was looking for this comment, lol

@tanijag8057

@@chantel385me too

@vaper1986

4y↑5.9K

Such brave souls performing in those horrific racist lynch era times.

@Kanzau

4y↑155

Channel Yay no lynchings that year but there was one the next. You know what he meant.

@isaacnewton5740

4y↑52

Everything is the same nowadays ..

That's sad

@herni187

4y↑29

Isaac Newton how?

@jamez2fly92

4y↑60

@Channel I bet there was a bunch no one heard about

@jamez2fly92

4y↑19

@Channelhmmm I mean scientist across all levels guess all the time lol and they have a pretty good pay grade. What I said was a logical statement factoring in how blacks were mistreated during that area. 1960s I can almost bet my last dollar a black man was lynched somewhere in the United States!

105 More Replies...

@sarahmcgee6269

5y↑2.5K

If that was a Black audience, they'd be dancing ALL OVER THE PLACE!!

@MrTravisLOVESsarah

5y↑75

Sarah McGee they also wouldn’t have been allowed in

@michaelramos810

5y↑19

They allowed frankie

@bighands69

5y↑15

+Sarah McGee
The show was a seated audience. It was not intended to be some trash fake nightclub set up.

@mr.steelroots335

@@MrTravisLOVESsarah true unfortunately

@BigTony-bf5jr

Bruh moment

43 More Replies...

@nestorchikoti

10w↑3

Hate can’t take away good music, 60 years later we loving this performance

@aaronmoran7195

9w↑6

The contrast from his performance to the audience, they look like they’re at a conference for cement making! What a voice, history has shown he will live beyond his death and racism.

@NPSantaTracker

4y↑3.4K

He's sooo brave for performing during that time

@cateatinrat78

4y↑134

And he started so young. Such talent and courage!

@meakley1

4y↑93

I was saying the same thing do you not see there faces

@vadamsable

4y↑143

Black performers endured a lot of hated on the road. That's probably why Nat King Cole died so young, stress will take you out!

@gooseman7737

4y↑42

Vickie Adams Frankie died even younger, I think he was 26 years old when he died
Nat king cole died of lung cancer and Frankie died of a drug overdose though.

@michelledilligard1131

4y↑52

@@meakley1 it's the same shit we dealing with in 2020.

103 More Replies...

@christopherperrin7984

4y↑985

Them white girls minds we’re blown asf when they realized they had been dancing and singing to a black mans song in their room.

@cutieunknown6704

4y↑14

Lol right

@makerofthings5199

4y↑20

He was already famous for many years.

@GETFITFORLIFE

4y↑20

They look like i want my money back.

@shawn5260

4y↑6

NO one liked this version of this song. Lymon hated it to. The audience sure loved hits by sam cook, the coasters, drifters and others. This song sucked and everyone knew it.

@rohidnablayy6060

4y↑7

SHAWN owen fuck u

13 More Replies...

@Q-vo

36w↑9

Plain art... BEAUTIFUL PERFORMANCE.

@julieford8788

18w↑4

Wow! Such a presence. Truly talented. ❤️❤️

@evansaifman1497

5y↑4.9K

I feel like they didn’t expect him to be black

@ethanshaw1978

5y↑268

Evan Saifman nah, they were to scared to enjoy the music cause of the time

@angelv5170

5y↑443

they actually didn’t! they only heard him on the radio and a lot of people were p upset to learn he was black

@ThomasPartida

5y↑73

Evan Saifman crazy how that was the first thing that popped in my head too.

@markk2101

5y↑20

Evan Saifman How? He only sounds black

@filthyanimal874

5y↑12

Evan Saifman you “feel” too much. Get lost with your race baiting crap.
Long live Rock’n Roll!!!

99 More Replies...

@robsycannonball414

4y↑5.6K

The expression of these women shows the racism of that time

@Lagart0Rei

4y↑183

EUA is the most racist country in the whole world. And Always will be.

@WombaK7S

4y↑65

*and today

@krisnite05

4y↑241

Cameras were new back then. Watch the crowd in all the other videos of him performing back then, not everyone was racist. Don't feed into the corporate media's bullshit.

@Lagart0Rei

4y↑36

@Pointless Productions Okay, man, the cop guy didn't kill Jorge Floyd with his knees. He was just resting...

@dodafocus5371

4y↑23

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e72tG80LmsU same expressions in this video, i think they're not racist

149 More Replies...

@fareezgulzar8572

34w↑5

Who is still listing in this song at 2023?

@debrashaw6411

37w↑7

Love this song! What a great artist.

@zoedominique1209

4y↑436

They wanted to enjoy his beautiful singing, but were too scared. Just sad. He kept smiling through it all too. A truly blessed man indeed ✊🏽

@RedVelvetBlackleather

Zoë Dominique
They just didn’t like the song 👍🏻

@maybewise

4y↑4

Seemed like they just wanted NOT to.

@AfroCentauri

4y↑3

Either scared or experienced white guilt

@jimdoire2177

Zoë Dominique - A blessed man? He was already using heroin for two years when this was taped. The guy was dead at 25.

@SLuMberMoOn7

4y↑1

Yea there was a reason for that. Just like there’s a reason for everything. The pressures of the music business or even just living as a colored man during that era, and having certain things expected of him to stay afloat.. yea not easy. These could’ve been some of the reasons he was using heroin, you never know what someone’s going through mentally, even when they have a big smile on their face. That’s just to mask the pain.

3 More Replies...

@fsumpter

4y↑2.1K

Never seen so much gum chewing in all my life.

@kedanpie4409

4y↑11

fsumpter 😂😂😂😂 makes you wonder

@MRj0hnny5

4y↑81

Found out why, the show was sponsored by Beechnut gum. The show was even known as "The Saturday Night Beechnut Show". So I guess they gave all the audience gum to show "how good it was" or something.

@Tico30532

4y↑4

Lmfao

@youresoakinginit2113

4y↑22

fsumpter--
When i was a kid in the 60s my friend's mom told us, "a lady never chews gum in public, looks trashy." LoL I followed her advice and it has served me well.

@vijaynair2403

4y↑5

That’s that Wrigley’s Doublemint gum!
It’s the bee’s knees!

43 More Replies...

@JIMMYDIVIRGILIO

30w↑4

Absolute legend

@amosthescrewball3240

7w↑5

Thank you Frankie. Rest in peace brother🙏

@sucramlove1677

3y↑1.9K

The very first girl seemed to be enjoying herself then once she realized the camera was on her she looked all nervous and stopped lol.

@MidNight-co1rv

3y↑22

That's because she was in the platters and Frankie ex wife

@sucramlove1677

3y↑104

@Fackyou69 Fooku I know but it’s just so surreal to see how young white girls couldn’t even enjoy music coming from a Black artist. It’s like if you enjoy something you shouldn’t let your racist family from stopping you from enjoying music you enjoy.

@marlist1

3y↑14

@@sucramlove1677 Hello! Black music/singers were enjoyed, respected. MotownRecords/Detroit startd in '59 & enlightened teens (& closed minded whts)Favs-TheSupremes, GladysKnight&Pips, SmokeyR, Aretha, MarvinGaye, JohnnyWalker&Allstars, etc. Bandstand/DClark, EdSullivan- presented lots of new music. Opened ppl's minds. (unlike propaganda now) A '60s kid-Detroit, Chicago...Atlanta in'68 before MLK was shot 4/68. (noticed subtle racism in S, then)

@IskateUphill

3y↑30

The boy at 2:25 didn't seem to mind

@MxrkJJ

3y↑30

@Kordei - it’s cos they enjoyed the music but didn’t want to be judged by the fellow whites for enjoying a songs from a black guy it’s messed up

43 More Replies...

@nasaranasamu8136

4y↑3K

They didn’t expect him to be black, Imagine the pain he felt but he kept dancing, Rest in peace king

@vanillajack5925

3y↑104

You idiot. They knew he was black, Frankie Lymon was one of the biggest stars of that era. People loved him.

@ThatFilmisGnarly

3y↑100

bruh, they saw his picture on the album covers and posters... why is everybody so convinced that ALL white people are racist?

@joaquina3968

3y↑139

@@ThatFilmisGnarly it’s just because of the way they all look. Nobody looks like they’re having a good time.

@TrevorToonArt

3y↑44

@@lifewithzinnah White people created racism?! WTF? How can you be this stupid??

@TrevorToonArt

3y↑49

@@joaquina3968 I've seen a number of these videos with people of all colors and the audience always acts like this. It was a different time and people were expected to act more reserved. Look at how nice everyone dresses. Now people act like jackasses in the audience because parenting has taken a nose dive in the last 30 years.

103 More Replies...

@OttomanFloppa

32w↑4

He was 17 during this time and died when he was 25 :(

@vanngd3669

23w↑5

WOW!!! el simplemente sonríe y canta cuando sabe que su alrededor esta a su contra!

Realmente una Gran Persona

@Saammu23

5y↑707

With that innocent face and all that stuff you would never think that he died of an overdose of heroin...he had three wifes too...amazing

@doc-holliday-

5y↑60

If you listen to the lyrics you wouldnt be surprised he had 3 wives

@markdavenport8977

5y↑36

Frankie was a player for damn sure...my god he had it going on!!!

@foresthills731

5y↑35

cualkiera2 3
What’s more disturbing is the audience faces.

@myzettisimmons

Doc Holliday p

@MrMelvin20

5y↑16

He paid his due to the devil.

9 More Replies...

@cgrogers96

2y↑2.7K

RIP Frankie. Thanks for the music❤🕊

@ash_tray_6

1y↑24

Yes, rest in peace. 🤍💗

@ismaelidabderrahim3106

1y↑24

Died so young.. God bless his soul

@relmiii4280

1y↑6

@@ismaelidabderrahim3106 the best ones die young

@MegaRamon1985

28w

@djdimigaming5324

22w

@@ismaelidabderrahim3106 cause of his heroin addiction.

2 More Replies...

@tylerallgeier3746

6w↑2

Frankie lymon. Every performance he gives is haunting. I swear the humming he does in this song. Ive heard it. I just dont know where. I hope god has this young gifted child.

@TyeArtisik

Yup

@danieljohnston1914

35w↑3

Great tune! Great time to be alive! Little bitty pretty one!

@raspec07

5y↑2.7K

All them sour white faces 🤣😂😂🤣🤣 frankie you legend

@tavaresmelton5709

5y↑1

lol

@tieratolliver4619

5y↑5

Right 😂

@dreambig9522

5y↑35

Jacob Damato 😂😂 I swear, the rhythm of them white folks

@terryhonor6865

5y↑18

Jacob Damato omg i thought i was the only one notice that... all of them was!!

@Diabetic_Chicken69

5y↑34

Y'all racist ugly asses. If they was complaining about black people you'd lose your shit

40 More Replies...

@anthonycarrion875

3y↑1.5K

i couldn’t imagine being judged that hard by so many and he still smiling enjoying himself as he shoulddd

@AnimeArt628

3y↑4

Really he was judged? How so

@anthonycarrion875

3y↑35

@@AnimeArt628 u didn’t see the way the audience was look at him what?

@AnimeArt628

3y↑4

I see that now they are probably thinking this is weird a concert full of white people and a black.kid on stage

@melanielazare9

2y↑27

@@AnimeArt628 don't be naive

@vxy357

2y↑4

probably because he is the one getting the last laugh.

19 More Replies...

@abbyjohnson7863

28w↑1

I’ll come back to this video when I’m feeling sad. Thank you, Frankie Lymon ❤

@bigmike676767

3y↑811

Most of our grand parents lived during this time and people really act like it was so long ago

@rodo4246

3y↑24

@Kordei - no it's not a circle, it's indeed a generational problem, that's why racism still exist right now, and won't disappear right now, it will slowly decrease after each generation, we can stop it, not right now, but helping the next generations

@tahamohammad1741

3y↑3

People still do these days trust me it has gotten better since but racism isn’t completely gone yet

@samjlee1092

3y↑5

@@tahamohammad1741 it will never be gone, as I pass down the tradition to my children

@jake3938

3y↑2

@@samjlee1092 lmaooo

@BeckiiCruelFan

3y↑23

@@samjlee1092 which is why I will pass down the tradition of knocking out racists to my children

34 More Replies...

@Mr66route

5y↑629

They were simply too scared to enjoy the song, see how they are all looking around too see others reactions, SAD.

@bullseye334

5y↑1

AJ Smith I noticed that too

@maya-de1te

4y↑8

They’re not scared nor sad they’re racist

@melvinwillis5037

4y↑4

That's what I saw, they were scared to like him, if the others didn't, so sad

@juninhoelijah6200

It didn't happen only to him. I have watched other videos from other artists from that time such as Neil Sedaka and Paul Anka and many girls act at that same way, looking around without any smile.

@bleujetti2341

30w↑1

I pray no one ruins this video 💯🙏

@marhidalgo1411

28w↑2

Hermosa canción

@lowqualityvids5129

5y↑842

He still managed to keep smiling even with that sour audience. I love that about him

@Annuii.i

5y↑5

He was still getting paid and performing on stage what does he had to be upset for just because a few(lot of) people have stiff sticks in their ass

@lameechcurry1675

5y↑2

Autum you sure are prety

@jonnychingas5757

4y↑8

@@Annuii.i You don't know what your talking about like most posters on here. Dick Clark did NOT pay anyone to appear on his show, They all performed pro bono and they even paid their passage, They appeared on the show to boost their record sales as appearing in the most popular teenage show in the country usually did that

@stellaa302

4y↑2

junky Smile

@eduaguirre5482

4y↑2

@Luis Martinez they were clapping and you heard mostly females cheer at the end

11 More Replies...

@cmcarlile

5y↑2.4K

An entire roomful of girls thinking "Gee, I thought he was white."

@eddielombera5862

5y↑111

No, it was more like they didn’t want to be recorded enjoying a black man singing.

@OwenOwenT

5y↑23

Eddie Lombera nah they noticed he was lip syncing and it looked funny and weird because it was obvious his mouth movement and audio were off and didn’t sync.

@wes209

4y↑15

They are just afraid to boogie and bee branded as nogga lovers..they'll bee aiiight

@wes209

4y↑2

@@eddielombera5862 bingo!!!

@excuseme5086

4y↑3

@@OwenOwenT Hahhaha yeah

38 More Replies...

@jorgeher8238

35w↑2

Que caras tan sonrientes

@lanigrace9195

34w↑1

Such an amazing voice

@madelainewinger7014

4y↑2.2K

Those girls are so afraid to enjoy the performance....how messed up.

@cristianorozco6226

4y↑113

They are worried about there peers seeing them be happy because of this black mans talent

@cristianorozco6226

4y↑8

I understand that but fear of the crowd doesnt trump love and truth .. If the world lived like this we would all be free

@MatthewC137

4y↑15

that's complete bs. I've never seen so many ignorant comments. Everyone commenting must be under 35 and very dumb.

@cristianorozco6226

Im not saying they are all racists if not they wouldnt be there what im saying is dont be scared of the truth coming out .. you must want to stay stagnant too

@cristianorozco6226

Time isnt a factor here same stuff has been going on and still is .. quit tryna scare away from the topic and get in to irrelevant details

34 More Replies...

@willbarnett3939

5y↑1.4K

Must be the year gum came out LMAO everybody chewing lmaoo

@macdilly

5y↑3

Haha

@JimmyRynn-nv3oq

5y↑11

I rember it well, we used to stick rats to poles and feed it to our children what fun times

@Allentaorluath

5y↑1

lol not all are chewing, but a one is singing ..

@princessdiana8698

5y↑2

💀💀🤣🤣😂😂

@Zlervo

5y↑16

They're chewing like cows in the field 😂

10 More Replies...

@budykkk

34w↑2

he went on and did his thing and killed it...mic drop!

@gabrieldiasmartins

19w↑4

Look at he, all beatiful. When i look at black artists i feel proud.

@ModernBarbarian187

1y↑1.6K

Six decades later it still sounds awesome. A great talent.

@alfredthegreatkingofwessex6838

32w↑6

He’s obviously lip syncing

@getoffmydonglosers

31w

@@alfredthegreatkingofwessex6838and?

@abdielnava4776

30w↑14

@@alfredthegreatkingofwessex6838doesnt mean he didnt sing just as good. It was pre recorded so the audience could hear. Think before you type

@alfredthegreatkingofwessex6838

30w↑7

@@abdielnava4776 that is an excellent point. You’re absolutely right, the fact that his voice was prerecorded to make it easier for the audience to hear (specially in a venue that was probably not fitted for a live performance) doesn’t negate that he was incredibly talented. Thank you.

@laydoe

⁠you don’t think he sung this wow the hate you people feel about us is heartwarming glad we’re in your mind
@@alfredthegreatkingofwessex6838

@johnnydangerous5971

5y↑1.3K

The Moment You Realize Your Favorite Song Was Sung By A Black Person..... Those Faces Were Priceless

@ShawnLamont1997

5y↑26

Johnny Dangerous nah I think it was cause of those big ass cameras in they faces 😂😂😂 I mean no doubt some was pissed that he was black but u think most knew

@mounts655

5y↑5

Johnny Dangerous 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

@jonnychingas5757

4y↑11

Everyone that was into Rock n Roll music during this era knew Frankie Lymon was black. Frankie was at the top of his game from 1955-1957, By 1960 Frankie was a washed up has-been singing cover songs of past rock and roll hits, Nothing to be enthusiastic about.

@moonrocked

4y↑3

jonny chingas oh so like elvis’s whole career lol.

@jonnychingas5757

4y↑2

@@moonrocked You dumb-ass what does Elvis have to do with a Frankie Lymon video?

24 More Replies...

@Gwyndalyn

24w

Talent, looks and personality, he had the whole package ❤

@gisaor2435

38w↑2

Una leyenda ese chico 😇👍😊

@Runconna

2y↑4.7K

This is a very interesting video. The audiences excitement during the introduction vs the confused faces during the performance. Given that this was before music videos and during the radio era, they must not have know he was black. He still killed it!

@lilly5195

2y↑277

I hadn’t thought about that before, it’s a good point! I was wondering why they were excited to hear the song and then just got very unexcited. We take knowing what singers look like for granted now.

@jerico9263

2y↑44

Some enjoyed it

@daved2352

2y↑91

I hadn't ever seen him before the video showing the racist girls reactions went around social media, but I don't remember ever nit knowing this song and had always assumed he was black.

@moe4meswtdg

People have to realize that during the 60"s and earlier, blacks and whites did not mix. So the audience is probably a little confused. Thanks to Robert Kennedy and the Civil Rights Movement, relations have improved.

@mud6866

You guys are so stupid... research a bit. This show was popular for playing black artists, those people would not have been there by accident. They were nervous about looking proper on camera which was important in culture at the time. You guys are ridiculously out of touch with reality. This is why old people complain about schools failing our children, because you guys make up history instead of actually learning it. Disgusting

100 More Replies...

@mischiefmakerstudios9900

4y↑1.2K

Anybody member this song from the movie called “Matilda?”

@MASTEROFEVIL

4y↑3

Yes

@jojonottet4110

4y↑3

Yes

@erickamerico8704

4y↑3

Yep

@Nick-co1dy

4y↑2

Yes

@briaunabenson6056

4y↑4

That’s when I first heard it

30 More Replies...

@richrasheed3550

5w↑1

The whoa whoa whoaaa before the ohhhh ohhhh my GOD🔥🔥❤️❤️. Long live my cousin Frankie

@jtv1972

10w

Que valentía del amigo de mostrarse porque su voz es estupenda.

Las personas que brillan su luz llega a cualquier lugar.

@Ashleybmakingvideos

1y↑1.1K

His voice is so CLEAR

@user-qw6pb4ub8p

1y↑6

Hello Ashley, how are you doing today, hope you’re fine and safe from the Virus??

@scottmiller3363

1y↑48

Unfortunately most performances on TV in the 60s were mimed (lip-synced) due to poor audio quality in the equipment.

@omarionstormer2618

1y↑15

@@scottmiller3363 surprised most people don’t know like how in the movie it’s lip-synched then audio played over

@extropiantranshuman

1y↑5

luckily this video's from 1960, not 1930.

@extropiantranshuman

1y↑1

@@omarionstormer2618 oh I knew

9 More Replies...

@EpicWarPony

3y↑4K

Imagine hearing an absolute banger and being more bothered by who's singing it

@KingOfPopStars

3y↑46

Who is bothered by it? Why are all these comments about the women in the audience?

@kaaay0313

3y↑238

@KingOfPopStars stop acting ignorant and dumb you see the video and there faces they didn’t like him cause he was black which was obvious just stop this was the 1960s so it’s not shocking but you acting like you don’t see it is what’s sad

@thepersonwhoasked540

3y↑26

@@KingOfPopStars because he was black

@JohnAdams-mu7xd

3y↑8

@@kaaay0313 your not racist or anything...

@JohnAdams-mu7xd

3y↑22

@@kaaay0313 does it fuck with your narrative that a black singer was famous in the 1960's and that white people liked him???

71 More Replies...

@gigicloud9989

32w↑6

Look at the set behind Frankie on the thumbnail 😟

@jeanheard4615

25w↑1

Thanks for the music Frankie rip

@liziya86

6y↑670

What a brave boy 💕

@jessewise9004

5y↑7

liz torres too bad he died at a young age of drug overdose

@richardburnside8299

5y↑4

For real! So brave!..

@curtisbrowne4570

@@richardburnside8299 dhuoy.

@clowntrooper61

He's lip syncing it as well.

@SpursFanForLyfe100

5y↑20

That's a grown ass MAN

6 More Replies...

@dreamshore_music

39w↑1.1K

This episode is from August 1960 and is an interesting piece of music history. Those girls were told to stay in their seats by ABC execs. This is Dick Clark's Saturday Night Beechnut show. It aired on ABC from 1958-1960. BeechNut is a chewing gum company. That's why all the "teens" are chewing gum, it's product placement.

In 1959 Dick started booking black talents despite objections from ABC national offices. He started with the doo-wop group The Coasters, then Chuck Berry, then Little Anthony and The Imperials. ABC national claimed the show was causing problems with viewers. But TV ratings continued to soar in 1959. And BeechNut stood by Clark and the showed went on.

More black acts followed in 1960. Enter Frankie Lyman. Frankie was on the downside of his career here due to a building heroin addiction by age 15, but he was having the biggest success of his solo career with Pretty Little Bitty Pretty One. Minutes before Frankie came on. The audience was warned by ABC executives NOT TO LEAVE their seats. Cops were present but no threats of arrest were made. So the audience defiantly CLAPPED for Frankie's performance.

@NateVlogz

28w↑97

Yeah, I never thought they hated Frankie. They look mainly unsure how to react and do to enjoy the song without getting up and dancing

@heliopessoa9855

27w↑6

@@NateVlogzas drogas sempre drogas

@ron-om1qh

26w↑7

yea look what they did to music and America and neighborhoods.

@alyndagarcia3952

25w↑44

Thank you for that information. I appreciate the facts and of course the beautiful music, despite the ladies faces 😊

@JoseCruz-tw9oo

25w↑2

Is this all a lie ? Like wow

49 More Replies...

@emmanuelumoren5230

37w

Absolutely brilliant musician. Rip great one.

@pauloswat1085

16w↑2

😃❤Bravíssimo !❤👍 Happy Xmas and Happy New Year ( 2024 ) ! ❤👏👏👏

@Thatslaw

3y↑723

That statue behind him is unsettling.

@evongilford392

3y↑20

What is it? A lady with horns?

@m.ahio3659

3y↑94

Hes always been there in plain sight, here he is ushering in the new pop music culture.. the devil himself

@wingman4668

3y↑101

Satanic symbolism...not even trying to be discreet.

@DB-115

3y↑4

@@m.ahio3659 wait is it? Can someone explain. I don't know much about religion.

@m.ahio3659

3y↑6

@@DB-115 if I told you it would virtually be unbelievable ,

70 More Replies...

@adell8299

3y↑766

The expressions on their faces said everything! The eyes don’t lie!

@MsBhappy

3y↑19

That's why they cheer and clap both when he comes on and goes off strange right? C'mon.

Humans aren't inherently racist. Racism is taught. These children lived in the north. Frankie Lymon was a celebrity at the time. Tweens and teens are by nature self conscious and awkward, not to mention cameras and cameras in this setting, without their parents around, would be a new experience.

@hwoods01

3y↑8

Are you easily duped? You dont even know what sequence the video was filmed. They can cut in shots of girls watching anything or during a break.

Keep in mind that this was TV infancy and production standards were no where near as polished as today's.

Dont be such a simp.

@jamestheladd3195

3y↑11

@@hwoods01 that’s not how you use simp my guy

@marlist1

3y↑4

@@MsBhappy Yes! Esp in 1960 when so much was new. The teens here arent racist.

@ebw16256

3y↑7

Omg is was so cringy

9 More Replies...

@omarcapistran2524

11w

one of the best voices I have ever heard in my life

@wasawasa9528

35w

Baaaaaannnngggerrrrr!! RIP KID❤

@project45yt

4y↑371

This man is a legend, a real human. All he does is what he loves even if he’s not really liked by everyone else.

@anniethornton6742

I AGREE!!

@jrsmith1998

@F u c o dude. U do realize that the Boomers are not all dead. They were born between 1946-1965So more are Alive than are dead.

@musinex3211

4y↑2.9K

There are a lot of baby Karens in that audience... 😬

@jonplaud

4y↑152

They wanted to see the manager after the performance.

@marymae1906

4y↑77

They're probably old/ dead Karen's now

@Amy-fe6pk

4y↑40

mary mae thank god now they cant vote for trump

@S.P.E.A.R.

3y↑9

Buncha Susans Now!

@lareelowman6597

3y↑2

Lol

44 More Replies...

@elizascutelnicu6223

Minunată muzică,adevărată muzică americană a oamenilor de culoare, iubesc muzica lor ❤❤❤❤

@abcdefg792

10w↑1

17 years old and a great talent

@_The_Journey

3y↑796

And this some of y’all memaws 😭

@jeancartrer6871

3y↑17

NOT MINE!! I was raised around music and I know how to clap And YELL!!!!!

@_The_Journey

3y↑4

@@jeancartrer6871 respect

@KingOfPopStars

3y↑1

What's wrong with them?

@_The_Journey

3y↑28

@@KingOfPopStars in previous interviews with him and his family decades after the crowd didn’t realize he was a black man and were caught very off guard by it and many as seen in the video didn’t know how they should react as states were still very segregated In the south at the time as well

@kellyprice8718

3y↑1

😂😂😂😂😂😂

9 More Replies...

@Zlervo

5y↑2.8K

Too scared to enjoy the song because America was so damned prejudiced at the time. So sad.

@Jay_Sullivan

5y↑18

You’re so stupid.

@lendrury2771

5y↑141

You know what gets me about late 50s early 60s bandstand when these marginally talented white teen idols perform on the show the crowd goes fuckin bananas yet when a dynamic performer like frankie lymon is on the show they don't even give him the fuckin respect he deserves

@user-wt1od5gz6d

5y↑49

GlinxJayz nowadays US still have a lot prejudices

@floo1465

5y↑53

They’re too scared to enjoy the song because of the fricken devil statue behind him.

@guslaberge

5y↑18

Was prejudiced? America voted in the most outspoken bigot!

92 More Replies...

@aviles6079

24w↑1

Es brutal este video. Cuánto coraje tenía este hombre.

@maribelpalacioscampos8012

25w↑4

EL UN FENOMENO Y UN TEMAZO ❤👏👏👏👏👏👏

@1wiilover802hater

2y↑1.7K

Knowing what happened to Lymon makes this video so much harder to watch. He smiled and performed like a champ but I can’t even imagine the type of pain he was feeling. Knowing that everyone hates you for reasons outside your control, even though you are very talented and objectively an amazing singer and performer. This truly is one of the saddest videos on the internet.

@kilz3522

2y↑46

Would you mind explaining what happened to him in further detail ?

@domso1o

1y↑117

@@kilz3522 he died of a heroin overdose

@TyeArtisik

1y↑3

@@domso1o oh

@yippyfknskippy7340

1y↑141

@@kilz3522 the music industry chewed him up and spit him out....
Just like it's done to so many others ☹️

@jon368100

1y↑76

Agreed…struggled with heroin in his teens. This was one of his first comeback tour/solo career performances where he’s lip syncing to a track of The Teenagers (and from when he was 12/13)

56 More Replies...

@duriandance

4y↑227

I love this kid. I wish he was still alive. He’s such a great singer. Giving such great vibes even though he’s facing these people. There was a scene where he looked a bit concerned but he still ends up looking like he had fun.

@secretmelody7727

17w

They were trying so hard not to enjoy it but they loved every moment of it, music is universal sends a message and your soul gets a beautiful sensation in it’s lyrics and rhythm no matter the ethnicity of the person

@user-bj8mq4iv6p

R.I. Heaven little bitty man who had a big heart.

@williamhaguewood1561

2y↑1.6K

Love frankie! The dummies in the audience had no clue they were witnessing a legend! Wish i could've seen him live!

@MrMarlonDR

2y↑60

I think they were scared to show true feelings...

@LionheartNh

2y↑13

Don't forget this is a different era....not that todays standards leave anything to be desired.

@deionamariemuhammad628

2y↑1

It's wild seeing little haters try to hold in their amazement. Lil ugly girls'

@rogerdodger8415

2y↑5

YEAH DEY RASIST TOO!!

@17thwboy

You mean racist

34 More Replies...

@NahVeA

5y↑354

His dimples give me life

@Movieclips15890

24w

Love his music I grew up listening to this song😊

@natashaavaleryn5198

29w↑1

He’s iconic 😍😍

@nathanbrooker9378

2y↑489

I do like that no matter the audience response he kept a smile on his face. That right there gives me inspiration

@mlaforce321

1y↑17

It wasnt that they were being cold to Frankie. Know your history before you assume. They had all come there to see him, after all.

@cooldude6678

1y↑8

@@mlaforce321 no one assuming

@humantacos9800

37w↑5

The applause was loud. Most likely told to not scream like banshees. Teen girls did that at all shows in early 60s. It pissed off producers and musicians alike