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 protégé, 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.
Yours
Frankie Lymon and The Teenagers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Stick it split, second rip it listen how I'm mold it
Lady you catch the notion of the potion
Savor, the flavor, cause it's smooth like lotion
Cool keep it flowin on the level of this speech
To play a war game, is somethin from the street
You see how I said it, now how is it is said?
Do it backwards SO I CAN EFF UP YOUR HEAD
Said it wasn't hell now, said that I ha think you
Street the from somethin is game war I play to
Speech the uh level that I'm flowin keep it cool
Lotion like smooth it's cause flavor, to savor
Potion the uh notion to catch you later
Mold it I had listen rip it second split, stick it told it
Tip can I guess kick it I when wicked flip it
The lyrics in Frankie Lymon and The Teenagers' song "Yours" are a mix of clever wordplay, catchy rhymes, and braggadocio. The rapper starts by saying that he can "flip it wicked when I kick it," meaning that he can rap with skill and flair. He then says that he can "stick it split, second rip it," which means that he can rap quickly and smoothly without stumbling. He wants the lady to catch the "notion of the potion," meaning she should understand the appeal of his words. He then boasts that his rap is "smooth like lotion," which is a metaphor for how easy it is to listen to.
The rapper then talks about "playing a war game," which is a metaphor for the competitive nature of rapping. He says that this is "something from the street," meaning that it is a part of the culture of marginalized urban communities. He emphasizes the importance of word choice by asking the listener to "see how I said it," and then suggesting that they try to "do it backwards so I can eff up your head." He ends the verse by challenging someone to "backward it do," which means to rap in reverse, and then saying that "said it wasn't hell now, said that I ha think you," which is a playful way of saying that he is better than his competition.
Line by Line Meaning
Flip it wicked when I kick it, yes I can, Tip told it
I can skillfully deliver my rhymes, as advised by Tip
Stick it split, second rip it listen how I'm mold it
Pay attention to how I craft and deliver my rhymes
Lady you catch the notion of the potion
Lady, you understand the vibe of the music
Savor, the flavor, cause it's smooth like lotion
Appreciate the vibe of the music because it is enjoyable
Cool keep it flowin on the level of this speech
Maintain the relaxed vibe and tempo of the music
To play a war game, is somethin from the street
Engaging in street-level conflict is inherent in our lifestyle
You see how I said it, now how is it is said?
Observe my delivery, now try to imitate it
Do it backwards SO I CAN EFF UP YOUR HEAD
Try rapping my lyrics backwards, it will challenge you mentally
Hey you're up and, can I so backwards it do
Hey, are you up for the challenge of rapping backwards?
Said it wasn't hell now, said that I ha think you
I do not believe you when you say it was easy
Street the from somethin is game war I play to
My lifestyle involves street-level conflict
Speech the uh level that I'm flowin keep it cool
Maintain the chilled vibe of the music, as I'm doing
Lotion like smooth it's cause flavor, to savor
The music's vibe is smooth and enjoyable
Potion the uh notion to catch you later
The vibe of the music will linger with you
Mold it I had listen rip it second split, stick it told it
I expertly crafted these rhymes, listen closely to appreciate it
Tip can I guess kick it I when wicked flip it
Tip advised me on my rapping skills, and I can expertly deliver
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@andrewajrrook
Baby-baby, how I want you
Baby-baby, how I need you
Baby-baby, you're the only one, two, three, four
Baby-baby, how I miss you
Baby-baby, long to kiss you
Baby-baby, say you want me, two, three, four, five
You're my favourite number, all that counts is you
I'm so glad it's you I want
I'm so glad you want me too
Baby-baby, want to bring you
Baby-baby, a wedding ring too
Baby-baby, soon will be three, four, five, six
Stop!
Baby-baby, when I'm near you
Baby-baby, I go right to
Baby-baby, heaven number seven, eight, nine, ten
Baby-baby, in your arms dear
Baby-baby, all your charms dear
Baby-baby, I appreciate nine, ten, eleven
You're my favourite number, all that counts is you
I'm so glad it's you I want
I'm so glad you want me too
Baby-baby, hold me tight dear
Baby-baby, with all your might dear
Baby-baby, till the clcok strikes nine, ten, eleven, twelve
Go home!
That's all, bye-bye
I love you Rachel!!!!!!!
@tonysloan892
One of the most gifted singers of all time, phenomenal........Our loss was Heaven's gain. RIP Frankie Lymon....an incredible talent.
@chadthundercock455
What do you guys think the odds are that "Tariq Nasheed" knows who Frankie Lymon is?🤣
@jones2277
Why isn't anyone else impressed by the bass in that kid's voice?
@ThisIsWEB
I am. :)
@carloslee2360
The dude from the temptations had his range since 13.. not impressed
@mialong2679
Carlos Lee still impressive hater
@fncz
SHerman was pretty amazing for a 15 year old!! Hell, he was better than most of the bass singers of the day!
@djdatdude129
Who isn’t
@Queenchaya
Frankie had an old soul..His songs are still good to hear in 2016...
@grindking3840
True