In 1966, the band toured the Pacific Northwest without Wheatbread, who was recruited as the house drummer on the television series, Where the Action Is; he later rejoined the line-up. Under manager Dick Badger, the band were renamed The Union Gap in early 1967, and fitted themselves out with Union Army-style Civil War uniforms as a visual gimmick. They then recorded a demo, which was heard by CBS record producer and songwriter Jerry Fuller. Impressed by Puckett's baritone voice and the band's soft rock leanings, Fuller signed them to a recording contract with Columbia Records.
The band recorded their first single, "Woman Woman", a song written by Jim Glaser and Jimmy Payne, in August 1967. It became their first hit, reaching #4 on the Billboard Hot 100 and being certified as a gold disc. This was followed during the next two years by "Young Girl" (#2), "Lady Willpower" (#2), "Over You" (#7), and "Don't Give In To Him" (#15). All were produced by Fuller, who also wrote "Young Girl," "Lady Willpower," and "Over You". Although the band never had a #1 record in the United States, "Young Girl" reached #1 on the UK singles chart, and #6 when it was reissued in the UK six years later. Controversial at the time and later for its risqué lyrical references to underage romance, Allmusic labeled the groups lyrics "bizarrely pedophilic". "Young Girl" was the second million selling disc for the band, which it reached less than two months after issue; "Lady Willpower" and "Over You" also won gold discs. The band headlined at a White House reception for Prince Charles and at Disneyland in 1968, and were nominated for a Grammy Award for Best New Artist in 1969, losing out to José Feliciano.
The band, however, wanted to write and produce its own material, and Puckett resented singing the power ballads written by Fuller. In 1969 Fuller prepared a 40-piece studio orchestra to record a new song he had written, but Puckett and the group refused to record it, the session was canceled, and Fuller never again worked with the group. The band returned to the charts with "This Girl Is a Woman Now," produced by Dick Glasser, but later releases failed to make the Billboard Top 40. Chater and Withem left the band; Bement took over on bass guitar and keyboardist, Barry McCoy, and horn player, Richard Gabriel, were added. In 1970 Puckett began recording as a solo act, but with limited success; the Union Gap remained his live backing band until they were dismissed following an appearance at the 1971 Orange County Fair. Puckett's recording contract was terminated one year later.
In 2009, Gary Puckett & The Union Gap were inducted into the Hit Parade Hall of Fame.
Young Girl
Gary Puckett & The Union Gap Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
My love for you is way out of line
Better run, girl
You're much too young, girl
With all the charms of a woman
You've kept the secret of your youth
You led me to believe
To give me love
And now it hurts to know the truth, oh oh oh
Young girl, get out of my mind
My love for you is way out of line
Better run, girl
You're much too young, girl
Beneath your perfume and make-up
You're just a baby in disguise
And though you know
That it is wrong to be
Alone with me
That come on look is in your eyes, oh oh oh
Young girl, get out of my mind
My love for you is way out of line
Better run, girl
You're much too young, girl
So hurry home to your mama
I'm sure she wonders where you are
Get out of here
Before I have the time
To change my mind
'Cause I'm afraid we'll go too far, oh oh oh
Young girl, get out of my mind
My love for you is way out of line
Better run, girl
You're much too young, girl
Young girl, get out of my mind
My love for you is way out of line
Better run, girl
You're much too young, girl
The song "Young Girl" by Gary Puckett is a cautionary tale about a man's love for a young girl who appears to be much older because of her womanly charms. However, he eventually discovers that she is much too young for him, and he urges her to "run" and "get out of my mind" before they go too far. In the first verse, the singer acknowledges that his love for her is "way out of line," and he tells her that she is "much too young," emphasizing the age difference between them.
The second verse compares the girl's outward appearance to a woman, but reveals that she is actually just a "baby in disguise." The singer says that he knows it is wrong to be alone with her and that she should go home to her mother. He fears that if they continue, they will "go too far," and he urges her to leave before he changes his mind.
The chorus repeats the central message of the song, with the singer pleading with the young girl to get out of his mind and run away before they do something that they both will regret. The song's lyrics suggest that the singer is aware that what he feels for the young girl is inappropriate, and he is trying to resist his temptation.
Line by Line Meaning
Young girl, get out of my mind
I cannot stop thinking about you, but I know that my love for you is wrong.
My love for you is way out of line
My feelings for you are inappropriate because you are too young for me.
Better run, girl
You need to leave before we do something that we will regret.
You're much too young, girl
You are not old enough to understand the implications of a relationship with someone like me.
With all the charms of a woman
Despite your youthful appearance, you possess maturity and allure beyond your years.
You've kept the secret of your youth
You have not revealed your true age, making it difficult for me to discern your suitability for a relationship.
You led me to believe
You gave me the impression that you were mature enough to handle a relationship with me.
You're old enough
You made me believe that you were of legal age for a romantic relationship.
To give me love
You made me believe that you were capable of reciprocating my feelings.
And now it hurts to know the truth, oh oh oh
Learning that you are not old enough for a relationship has caused me emotional pain.
Beneath your perfume and make-up
Your external appearance camouflages the fact that you are still very young.
You're just a baby in disguise
Despite your physical appearance, you are still quite immature and not ready for an adult relationship.
And though you know
You understand that our relationship is inappropriate and wrong.
That it is wrong to be
We both know that it is immoral and illegal for us to engage in a romantic relationship.
Alone with me
We should not be left together unsupervised, as it could lead to inappropriate behavior.
That come on look is in your eyes, oh oh oh
Your eyes suggest that you are interested in me, despite knowing that our relationship is unacceptable.
So hurry home to your mama
You should go home to your parents, who are responsible for your safety and well-being.
I'm sure she wonders where you are
Your mother is likely concerned about your whereabouts and safety.
Get out of here
You need to leave immediately to avoid any further inappropriate behavior on our part.
Before I have the time
I fear that we may become involved in a romantic relationship if you stay any longer.
To change my mind
I worry that I may become tempted to pursue a relationship with you against my better judgment.
'Cause I'm afraid we'll go too far, oh oh oh
I fear that we may engage in inappropriate behavior that will have dire consequences for both of us.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Royalty Network, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JERRY FULLER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@luannebednar2371
Probably the best voice of the 60's. Music like this doesn't exists anymore. Those of us who were around in the 1960's are so lucky!!!
@FelipeHernandez-me9cz
Completamente de acuerdo
@maryboyer9355
The 60,s was my best, young, free my life ahead of me , lovely memories, oh to have it all back
@dianeleary2779
Roy Orbison?
@evybastiaens5666
PJ proby?
@AnneCherch
We sure are lucky to have had the 60s music. I was a teenager growing up in London in the 60s which is my era. Just love 60s music.
@margaretswanagan8237
2022 who’s still listening to this beautiful song besides me ?
@margaretswanagan8237
Okay thanks
@liserousseau4655
Me
@DiannaUrbigkit
Never tire of the oldies. Those were the days of good music!😊