Lymon was credited with their first big hit, Why Do Fools Fall in Love, though in the early '90s, a federal judge ruled after a lengthy trial that Lymon hadn't written "Why Do Fools Fall in Love" -- another member of the Teenagers had. Nevertheless, his wise-beyond-his-years vocal and performing abilities not only made the Teenagers a group several notches above the competition but made Lymon the first black teenage pop star. Though only together for a brief 18-month period, Lymon & the Teenagers exerted an enormous influence, spawning several "kid" vocal groups and providing initial inspiration to Berry Gordy to model his entire Motown production approach around Lymon's original vocal style. Inexplicably, the group split into two fractions at the height of their success, and neither had a hit again. Lymon died from a drug overdose at age 25. Diana Ross, Smokey Robinson, Len Barry, and his principal protรฉgรฉ, Michael Jackson (whose early recordings with the Jackson 5 are virtual re-creations of the early Lymon sound, merely updated) all show the influence of Frankie Lymon & the Teenagers' groundbreaking work.
Teenage Love
Frankie Lymon and The Teenagers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I met a cute girl who passed my way
She looked like a goodness more like a queen
She stole the hearts of every teen
I said, look here, baby, and what's with you?
She said, cool down, boy, I'm late for school
I wanted to see that girly so
We had a Coke, and furthermore
I carried her books up to the door
She said, I'll see you later, then my heart skipped a beat
Chills ran from my spine to my feet
I kissed her under the moon up above
And that was the start of a teenage love
As I was going to school one day
I met a cute girl who passed my way
She looked like a goodness more like a queen
She stole the hearts of every teen
I said, look here, baby, and what's with you?
She said, cool down, boy, I'm late for school
The time went by so very slow
I wanted to see that girly so
We had a Coke, and furthermore
I carried her books up to the door
She said, I'll see you later, then my heart skipped a beat
Chills ran from my spine to my feet
I kissed her under the moon up above
And that was the start of a teenage love
The song "Teenage Love" by Frankie Lymon and The Teenagers is a classic doo-wop love ballad that captures the excitement and intensity of young love. The lyrics describe the singer's overwhelming desire for his beloved, using number language to express the depth of his feelings. He can't get enough of her, and he wants to marry her and spend the rest of his life with her. The refrain "you're my favourite number, all that counts is you" underscores the passionate intensity of his devotion.
The use of numbers throughout the lyrics adds a playful and whimsical quality to the song, and also highlights the singer's youthfulness and innocence. The repetition of "baby-baby" underscores his childish excitement and infatuation. The song captures the essence of teen love, with all its intensity, passion, and sense of urgency. The final lines, "hold me tight dear, with all your might dear, till the clock strikes nine, ten, eleven, twelve, go home!" convey the bittersweet sense of impending departure and the need to savor every moment with one's beloved.
Overall, "Teenage Love" is a classic doo-wop ballad that captures the thrill and passion of young love through playful and poetic lyrics that still resonate with listeners today.
Line by Line Meaning
Baby-baby, how I want you
I desire and long for you deeply, my love
Baby-baby, how I need you
You are essential to me and I can't live without you, my love
Baby-baby, you're the only one, two, three, four
You are the one and only person for me, my love
Baby-baby, how I miss you
I feel your absence deeply and yearn to be with you, my love
Baby-baby, long to kiss you
I deeply desire to kiss you, my love
Baby-baby, say you want me, two, three, four, five
Show me that you want and desire me just as much, my love
You're my favourite number, all that counts is you
You are the most important thing in my life, my love
I'm so glad it's you I want
I am happy and grateful that it is you that I desire, my love
I'm so glad you want me too
I am happy and grateful that you desire me as well, my love
Baby-baby, want to bring you
I want to bring you into my life and future, my love
Baby-baby, a wedding ring too
I want to marry you and spend my life with you, my love
Baby-baby, soon will be three, four, five, six
We will soon start a family together and grow our love, my love
Baby-baby, when I'm near you
When I am close to you, I feel immense joy and happiness, my love
Baby-baby, I go right to
You have the power to take me to the most heavenly of places, my love
Baby-baby, heaven number seven, eight, nine, ten
Being with you is pure heaven, my love
Baby-baby, in your arms dear
Being held by you feels safe, comfortable and loving, my love
Baby-baby, all your charms dear
I love and appreciate everything about you, my love
Baby-baby, I appreciate nine, ten, eleven
I cherish and value all that you do for me and our love, my love
Baby-baby, hold me tight dear
Wrap yourself around me and hold me firmly, my love
Baby-baby, with all your might dear
Give me all of your strength, love and affection, my love
Baby-baby, till the clock strikes nine, ten, eleven, twelve
Hold me until the end of time, my love
That's all, bye-bye..
That is all for now, goodbye my love
Lyrics ยฉ Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Albert Cooper, Morris Levy
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Roger Auclair
These young fellows had vocal and harmonising skills of singers far beyond their years. Some years ago I heard a rocking live version of "Why do Fools Fall in Love" complete with brass instruments which I thought was the best version that I've ever heard but I've never been able to find it again. Frankie really was a special talent and I've never seen anyone on "The X Factor" come close to him.
Gunnerrich
That intro tho ๐ฅ๐ฅ
gipseyrose1
I CANNOT STOP SINGING !! I remembered every word . Amazing , yet I can't remember where I put my car keys ,, ๐๐๐๐๐๐
CB Fall
This song sounds great!!!!
Dener Mendes
Gosto muito das mรบsicas do Frankie Lymon sinto saudades dele sem telo conhecido
13loomisst
Wow, strange to hear this after all those listens to the usual version. Fabulous tune.
Craig Davis
R.I.P. Frankie Lymon!!!
Miles Hanna
Wow compared to most records of the time, the budget for this recording equipment must have been astronomical! That hifi tremolo phono stereo sax smooth color double threaded slacks.. They would have put this sound in technicolor with a hot cup of joe waiting on the side for this album if it was possible - again, W.O.W
Alex Batey
My favorite Frankie song.
Add Love!โข
Wowsers these Talented Teens; had Innumerable Recordings! Who knew?๐ฎ๐ค๐๐ผ๐ถ๐ต๐๐