After Be-Bop-A-Lula had become a huge hit in 1956 (peaking at #7 and spending 20 weeks in the Billboard Pop Chart), Gene Vincent & His Blue Caps (often mis-named as 'the' Blue Caps) were unable to follow it up with the same level of commercial success, but released critically acclaimed songs like Race With The Devil (#96 in Billboard) and Bluejean Bop (#49).
Following a visit to Europe in 1959, Vincent managed to attract a new huge and discerning audience there, especially in England and France. By that time his career had mostly ended in the US. In 1960, while on tour in Britain, Vincent and songwriter Sharon Sheeley were seriously injured in a high-speed traffic accident. Vincent broke his ribs, collarbone, and added further damage to his already weak leg which he had injured in a motorcycle accident in 1955 and refused to have amputated, and Sheeley suffered a broken pelvis. Both Vincent and Sheeley survived, but the accident killed Vincent's tourmate and Sheeley's fiancé, Eddie Cochran.
Vincent subsequently moved to England in 1963. His stage shows became "must see" events and his bands through those years were to spawn some of the most respected players in the world today. It was during his early tours of Britain that he adopted the trademark leather outfit, at the suggestion of British Rock 'n' Roll impressario, Jack Good.
Gonna Back up Baby
Gene Vincent Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Well I told you baby, where I was last night
But no matter what I say baby, you can't see the light
Gotta tell you baby, promises I kept
Well, I told you baby, sorta step by step
But no matter what I say baby, I'll live without your help.
Gonna back up baby and start all over again
But even if I do, I know you're gonna make me tell you again.
(Hang on, rock blue caps, let's go now)
Gonna tell you baby, one time again
Gonna tell you every place that I've been
So listen now baby, till I get to the end.
'Cause I'm gonna keep on coming till you give in.
Well I tell you baby, gotta change your mind
Well I'm talking baby, till I'm almost blind
But no matter what I say baby, I'm just not that kind
(Rock again, blue caps)
Gonna back up baby and start all over again
Gonna back up baby and start all over again
But even if I do, I know you're gonna make me tell you
Well even if I do, I know you're gonna make me tell you
Well even if I do, I know you're gonna make me tell you again.
The lyrics to Gene Vincent's song "Gonna Back Up Baby" tell the story of a man trying to convince his lover that he has been faithful and trustworthy, despite her doubts and suspicions. The opening lines of the song speak directly to his lover, reassuring her that everything is alright and that he has told her where he was the previous night. However, the woman seems unable to trust him, as he sings "But no matter what I say baby, you can't see the light."
The chorus of the song, "Gonna back up baby and start all over again," suggests that the singer is willing to start over and rebuild the relationship from scratch. However, he also knows that his lover will make him prove himself again and again. The verse that follows continues to plead with the woman to listen and trust, promising to keep coming until she gives in.
The lyrics are simple and straightforward, using repetition to emphasize the singer's determination to win back his lover's trust. The driving rockabilly beat of the song reinforces this sense of determination, as does Vincent's raw, powerful vocals.
Line by Line Meaning
Gotta tell you baby, everything's alright
I'm reassuring my partner that everything is going well.
Well I told you baby, where I was last night
I already informed you about my whereabouts.
But no matter what I say baby, you can't see the light
My apologies and explanations are not reaching you.
Gotta tell you baby, promises I kept
I'm reminding you that I've kept my promises.
Well, I told you baby, sorta step by step
I shared the details of my actions with you.
But no matter what I say baby, I'll live without your help.
Even if you don't believe me, I will still persevere on my own.
Gonna back up baby and start all over again
I'm going to reset and try to improve our relationship.
But even if I do, I know you're gonna make me tell you again.
I'm aware that you will ask for more explanations, despite my efforts to improve things.
Gonna tell you baby, one time again
I'm going to repeat myself again for clarity.
Gonna tell you every place that I've been
I will provide detailed information about my whereabouts.
So listen now baby, till I get to the end.
I want you to listen carefully until I finish.
'Cause I'm gonna keep on coming till you give in.
I'll keep trying until you finally believe me.
Well I tell you baby, gotta change your mind
I'm telling you that you need to change your perspective.
Well I'm talking baby, till I'm almost blind
I keep talking until I'm exhausted trying to convince you.
But no matter what I say baby, I'm just not that kind
My words and actions are not convincing enough to gain your trust.
Gonna back up baby and start all over again
Once again, I'm going to reset and try to improve our relationship.
But even if I do, I know you're gonna make me tell you
I'm aware that you will make me explain myself again.
Well even if I do, I know you're gonna make me tell you
Despite my best efforts, I know you won't believe me until I explain myself again.
Well even if I do, I know you're gonna make me tell you again.
I'm aware that my explanations are not enough, and I will have to keep trying.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: D WOLFE, DANNY WOLFE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Jean Gueneron
Fabuleux morceau du très grand Gene !!
matt collier
Underplayed awesome Gene Vincent track
Janice A Stets
Love that Cliff Gallup!, 👍
60s Man 60s Guitars
Never this good after Cliff left the Blue Caps.
maxstrings1
Happy Birthday ! Sweet Virginia Whisperer .....
Thierry Richard
thanck mon idole
Thierry Richard
ecoute l intro la classe
Thierry Richard
thanck cliff gallup