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.
If You Want My Lovin'
Gene Vincent Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Then you better take my hand
If you want my huggin'
You better understand
When the moon is high
And the lights are low
Come on pretty baby
Snuggle up real close
So if you want my lovin′
Then you better take my hand
If you want my kissin'
You better talk sweet talk
Don't know what you′ve been missing
Till we take that walk
Hand in hand down lovers lane
After one sweet kiss
You′ll never be the same
So if you want my lovin'
Then you better take my hand
If you want to keep me happy
Sit closer by my side
Cause baby when I′m happy
I let the good time fly
We were sittin' on the beach
Neath a clear blue sky
I said jump
You better say how high
Cause if you want my lovin′
Then you better take my hand.
The lyrics of Gene Vincent's song 'If You Want My Lovin'' is all about a passionate plea from the singer to his lover. He emphasizes that if she wants his love, she needs to take his hand and understand his needs. The singer wants his lover to reciprocate his love and affection by being physically close to him. He describes a romantic setting where the moon is high, the lights are low, and the couple can snuggle up together.
The singer further emphasizes that if his lover wants his kiss, she needs to talk sweet talk to him. He believes that she would not know what she's been missing until they take a walk hand-in-hand down lovers' lane. The walk will be sealed with a sweet kiss, and it would change her forever. The singer continues that if his lover wants to keep him happy, she should always sit close to him. In his final plea, he suggests they sit on the beach and enjoy the clear blue sky, and if he says jump, she should reply with how high.
In summary, 'If You Want My Lovin'' is a song about a singer asking his lover to understand his needs and reciprocate his love by being physically close to him. He romanticizes the moonlight, the darkness, and the lovers' lane while stressing the importance of reciprocity.
Line by Line Meaning
If you want my lovin'
If you want my affection and companionship
Then you better take my hand
You must hold my hand and be by my side
If you want my huggin'
If you want my embrace
You better understand
You need to comprehend my needs and desires
When the moon is high
At nighttime when the moon is visible
And the lights are low
When the environment is dimly lit
Come on pretty baby
Approach me, attractive one
Snuggle up real close
Cuddle up intimately
If you want my kissin'
If you want to be kissed by me
You better talk sweet talk
You must speak romantically and affectionately
Don't know what you've been missing
Maybe you're not aware of what you've been lacking in your life
Till we take that walk
Until we go for a stroll together
Hand in hand down lovers lane
Walking by each other's side down a romantic pathway
After one sweet kiss
Following a tender, affectionate kiss
You'll never be the same
Your outlook on love and relationships will forever change
If you want to keep me happy
If you desire to maintain my satisfaction
Sit closer by my side
Come nearer to me
Cause baby when I'm happy
Because when I'm joyful
I let the good time fly
I take pleasure in life and enjoy myself fully
We were sittin' on the beach
We sat on the sand by the sea
Neath a clear blue sky
Beneath an unclouded blue sky
I said jump
I commanded you to jump
You better say how high
You must ask me how high to jump
Cause if you want my lovin'
Because if you want my affection and companionship
Then you better take my hand
You must hold my hand and be by my side
Contributed by Alexandra M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@doowopper1964
great sound ,love it ,gene was the best 5/5
@teddyboy1000
Such a distinctive voice and sound no mistaking GV GREAT
@chehabchehab7679
And if i say jump, you'd better say how high? aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa love that one Gene
@RAMLIA1
♥♥♥