Fame was born in Leigh in Lancashire. At sixteen years of age he entered into a management agreement with Larry Parnes, who gave artists new names such as Marty Wilde and Billy Fury. Fame was already playing piano for Billy Fury in a backing band called The Blue Flames, which later became billed as "Georgie Fame & the Blue Flames". The band had great success with rhythm and blues. Their greatest success was "The Ballad of Bonnie and Clyde" in 1968, which was a number-one hit in the United Kingdom and in the United States; they also had UK number-one hits with "Yeh, Yeh" (1965) and "Get Away" (1966). Although he enjoyed regular chart success with singles in the late 60s, it was a peculiar quirk of chart statistics that his only three Top 10 hits all made number one.
Fame continued playing into the 1970s, enjoying a hit with Alan Price (ex-keyboard player of The Animals), "Rosetta", in 1971. He has also toured as one of the Rhythm Kings, with his friend Bill Wyman playing bass.
From the late 1980s, until the 1997 album The Healing Game he was a core member of Van Morrison's band, as well as his musical producer, playing keyboards and singing harmony vocals on tracks like "In the Days before Rock 'n' Roll", whilst still recording and touring as an artist in his own right. He frequently plays residences at jazz clubs such as Ronnie Scott's. He has also played organ on Starclub's album..
Georgie Fame's swinging, surprisingly credible blend of jazz and American R&B earned him a substantial following in his native U.K., where he scored three number one singles during the '60s. Fame played piano and organ in addition to singing, and was influenced by the likes of Mose Allison, Booker T. & the MG's, and Louis Jordan. Early in his career, he also peppered his repertoire with Jamaican ska and bluebeat tunes, helping to popularize that genre in England; during his later years, he was one of the few jazz singers of any stripe to take an interest in the vanishing art of vocalese, and earned much general respect from jazz critics on both sides of the Atlantic.
Fame was born Clive Powell on June 26, 1943, in Leigh, Lancashire (near Manchester, England). He began playing piano at a young age, and performed with several groups around Manchester as a teenager, when he was particularly fond of Fats Domino and Jerry Lee Lewis. In 1959, his family moved to London, where the 16 year old was discovered by songwriter Lionel Bart (best known for the musical Oliver). Bart took Powell to talent manager Larry Parnes, who promoted British rockers like Billy Fury, Marty Wilde, Johnny Gentle, and Vince Eager. Powell naturally had to be renamed as well, and as Georgie Fame, he played piano behind Wilde and Eager before officially joining Fury's backing band, the Blue Flames, in the summer of 1961. (The Blue Flames also included guitarist Colin Green, saxophonist Mick Eve, bassist Tony Makins, and drummer Red Reece.) When Fury let the band go at the end of the year, Fame became their lead singer, and they hit the London club circuit playing a distinctive blend of rock, pop, R&B, jazz, and ska. Their budding reputation landed them a residency at the West End jazz club the Flamingo, and thanks to the American servicemen who frequented the club and lent Fame their records, he discovered the Hammond B-3 organ, becoming one of the very few British musicians to adopt the instrument in late 1962. From there, the Blue Flames became one of the most popular live bands in London. In 1963, they signed with EMI Columbia, and in early 1964 released their acclaimed debut LP, Rhythm and Blues at the Flamingo. It wasn't a hot seller at first, and likewise their first three singles all flopped, but word of the group was spreading.
Finally, in early 1965, Fame hit the charts with "Yeh Yeh," a swinging tune recorded by Latin jazz legend Mongo Santamaria and given lyrics by vocalese virtuoso Jon Hendricks of Lambert, Hendricks & Ross. "Yeh Yeh" went all the way to number one on the British charts, and Fame started living up to his stage name (although the song barely missed the Top 20 in America). His 1965 LP Fame at Last reached the British Top 20, and after several more minor hits, he had another British number one with "Getaway" in 1966. After one more LP with the original Blue Flames, 1966's Sweet Thing, Fame broke up the band and recorded solo; over the next few years, his backing bands included drummer Mitch Mitchell (later of the Jimi Hendrix Experience) and the young guitarist John McLaughlin (Miles Davis, Mahavishnu Orchestra).
At the outset, Fame's solo career was just as productive as before, kicking off with the Top Ten big-band LP Sound Venture (recorded with Harry South's orchestra); thanks to its success, he toured with the legendary Count Basie the following year. Several hit singles followed over the next few years, including "The Ballad of Bonnie and Clyde," which became his third British chart-topper in late 1967 and, the following year, his only Top Ten hit in America. But by 1969, his success was beginning to tail off; hoping to make inroads into the more adult-oriented cabaret circuit, Fame was moving more and more into straight-up pop and away from his roots. In 1971, he teamed up with onetime Animals organist Alan Price and recorded an album of critically reviled MOR pop, Fame & Price; the partnership produced a near-Top Ten hit in "Rosetta," but ended in 1973. Fame re-formed the Blue Flames with original guitarist Colin Green in 1974 and attempted to return to R&B, but his records for Island attracted little attention. He spent much of the '70s and '80s making ends meet by performing on TV and the cabaret circuit, as well as writing advertising jingles; he also continued to make records, to little fanfare.
In 1989, Fame played organ on Van Morrison's Avalon Sunset album, which grew into a fruitful collaboration over the course of the '90s; Fame played on all of Morrison's albums through 1997's The Healing Game, received co-billing on Morrison's 1996 jazz album How Long Has This Been Going On, and even served a stint as Morrison's musical director. Meanwhile, Fame's own solo work during the '90s received some of his best reviews since the '60s, starting with 1991's jazzy Cool Cat Blues, which featured a duet with Morrison on "Moondance." 1995's Three Line Whip featured his sons Tristan and James Powell on guitar and drums, respectively, and 1996's The Blues and Me further enhanced his growing jazz credibility. In 1998, Fame split with Morrison to record and tour with former Rolling Stones bassist Bill Wyman's new group the Rhythm Kings, contributing organ and vocals to several albums. In 2000, now signed to Ben Sidran's Go Jazz label, Fame released the acclaimed Poet in New York, which established him as an impressive student of jazz's vocalese tradition.
Yeh Yeh
Georgie Fame Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I call my baby, and ask him what shall we do
I mention movies, but he don't seem to dig that
And then he asks me, why don't I come to his flat
And have some supper and let the evening pass by
By playing records besides a groovy hi-fi
I say yeh yeh, and that's what I say
I say yeh yeh
My baby loves me, she gets a feeling so fine
And when she love me, she makes me know that she's mine
And when she kisses, I feel the fire get hot
She never misses, she gives it all that she's got
And when she asks me if everything is okay
I got my answer, the only thing I can say
I say yeh yeh, that's what I say
I say yeh yeh
We'll play a melody and
Turn the lights down low so that none can see
We gotta do that, we gotta do that
We gotta do that, we gotta do that
And there'll be no one else alive
In all the world 'cept you and me
Yeh, yeh, yeh, yeh, yeh
Yeh yeh, yeh yeh
Pretty baby, I never knew such a thrill
Just thought I'd tell you, because I'm trembling still
But pretty baby, I want you all for my own
I think I'm ready to leave those others alone
Don't need to ask me if everything is OK
I got my answer, the only thing I can say
I say yeh yeh, that's what I say
I say yeh yeh, that's what I say
I say yeh yeh
We'll play a melody and
Turn the lights down low so that none can see
We gotta do that, we gotta do that
We gotta do that, we gotta do that
And there'll be no one else alive
In all the world 'cept you and me
Yeh, yeh, yeh, yeh, yeh yeh, yeh yeh
Oh pretty baby, I never knew such a thrill
Just thought I'd tell you, because I'm trembling still
But pretty baby, I want you all for my own
I think I'm ready to leave those others alone
Don't need to ask me if everything is okay
I got my answer, the only thing I can say
I say yeh yeh, that's what I say
I say yeh yeh, that's what I say
I say yeh yeh, that's what I say
I say yeh yeh
That's what I say, I say yeh yeh
That's what I say, I say yeh yeh
That's what I say, yeah
The song "Yeh Yeh" by Georgie Fame & The Blue Flames is a romantic and playful tune that describes a couple's evening together. The lyrics depict the singer's willingness to spend time with their partner and do things that they both enjoy. The opening lines of the song suggest that the singer has finished their daily responsibilities and is ready to spend some quality time with their significant other. The desire to do something together is expressed when the singer suggests going to the movies. However, the partner does not seem interested in that option, and instead offers to have some supper at his flat while playing records. The singer agrees with a "yeh yeh," indicating enthusiasm and eagerness for the idea.
The second verse describes the strong bond between the couple. The singer's partner loves them deeply, and their affection is expressed physically through kisses that make the singer feel "the fire get hot." The partner's concern is also evident when they ask if everything is okay, and the singer's response reassures them that everything is just perfect, with a resounding "yeh yeh." The bridge of the song mentions the couple playing a melody with the lights low, enjoying each other's company in an intimate setting. The final verse expresses the singer's desire to have their partner all to themselves and leave any other distractions behind. The song ends with a repetition of the phrase "yeh yeh," emphasizing the singer's approval and agreement with the wonderful time spent together.
Line by Line Meaning
Every evening, when all my day's work is through
At the end of every day, after I've finished everything I needed to do
I call my baby, and ask him what shall we do
I reach out to my significant other and inquire about our plans
I mention movies, but he don't seem to dig that
I suggest watching a movie, but my partner doesn't seem interested in that option
And then he asks me, why don't I come to his flat
My partner invites me over to his home, curious as to why I haven't come yet
And have some supper and let the evening pass by
We'll have dinner together and let time go by as we enjoy each other's company
By playing records besides a groovy hi-fi
We'll listen to music on a great sound system
I say yeh yeh, and that's what I say
I enthusiastically agree to my partner's invitation
My baby loves me, she gets a feeling so fine
My partner is deeply in love with me, it fills her with joy
And when she love me, she makes me know that she's mine
When my partner expresses her love to me, I'm assured that she's devoted to me
And when she kisses, I feel the fire get hot
When we kiss, it ignites a passionate spark between us
She never misses, she gives it all that she's got
My partner always goes all in with her love and passion
And when she asks me if everything is okay
When my partner checks in with me to make sure I'm doing alright
I got my answer, the only thing I can say
I have no doubts or concerns to raise
We'll play a melody and
We'll listen to music and
Turn the lights down low so that none can see
We'll dim the lights to create a more intimate setting
We gotta do that, we gotta do that
We must set the mood in just the right way
And there'll be no one else alive
In this moment there is no one else
In all the world 'cept you and me
The focus is solely on the connection between the two of us
Oh pretty baby, I never knew such a thrill
I'm overwhelmed with excitement and joy because of my feelings towards my partner
Just thought I'd tell you, because I'm trembling still
I feel compelled to express my emotions even though they leave me feeling vulnerable
But pretty baby, I want you all for my own
I yearn to be in a committed relationship with my partner
I think I'm ready to leave those others alone
I'm ready to focus all of my romantic energy on my current partner
Don't need to ask me if everything is okay
There are no problems or issues that need to be addressed
I say yeh yeh, that's what I say
I express my agreement and enthusiasm for my partner and our relationship
That's what I say, I say yeh yeh
My feelings are consistent and heartfelt
That's what I say, yeah
I stand by what I've expressed and feel confident in my emotions
Lyrics © THE ROYALTY NETWORK INC., Peermusic Publishing
Written by: Rodgers Lee Grant, Jon Hendricks, Pat Patrick, RODGERS GRANT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Darina-rj9ty
In case you need lyrics:
Every evening, when all my days work is through
I call my baby, and ask her what shall we do
I mention movies, but she don't seem to dig that
And then she ask me, why don't I come to her flat
And have some supper and let the evening pass by
By playing records, beside a groovy hi-fi
I say yeah yeah that's what I say, I say yeah yeah
My baby loves me, she gets me feeling so fine
And when she loves me, she let's me know that she's mine
And when she kisses, I feel the fire get hot
Se never misses, she gives me all that she's got
And when she ask me, if everything is OK
I've got my answer, the only thing I can say, I say Yeah yeah
That's what I say, I say yeah yeah
We'll play a melody and turn the lights down low
So that no-one can see
We gotta do that, we gotta do that
We gotta do that, we gotta do that
And there'll be no one else alive in all the world 'cept you and me
Yea, yea, yea, yea, yea
Yea, yea, yea, yea
Pretty baby I never knew such a thrill
Just thought I'd tell you, because I'm trembling still
But pretty baby, I want you all for my own
I think I'm ready to leave those others alone
No need to ask me if everything is OK
I got my answer, the only thing I can say
I say yeah yeah, that's what I say, I say yeah yeah
That's what I say, yeah yeah
We'll play a melody and turn the lights down low
So that no-one can see
We gotta do that, we gotta do that
We gotta do that, we gotta do that
And there'll be no one else alive in all the world 'cept you and me
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah yeah
Yea, yea, yea, yea
Pretty baby I never knew such a thrill
Just thought I'd tell you, because I'm trembling still
But pretty baby, I want you all for my own
I think I'm ready to leave those others alone
No need to ask me if everything is OK
I got my answer, the only thing I can say
I say yeah yeah, that's what I say, I say yeah yeah
That's what I say, I say yeah yeah
That's what I say, I say yeah yeah
@galileocan
Who would have thought The Queen's Gambit would not only be an entertaining series, but would introduce me to a new genre of fabulous tunes!
@ethanol1586
Same! I've been obsessed with 60s music ever since I watched it
@katnicholson253
I got this song (and many others) from the 90s tv show Heartbeat, set in the 60s.
@timburke7158
I'm here from Shanghai knights lol
@moonlightfitz
What’s that?
@riggamorrischan
@@moonlightfitz It’s a show on netflix about a girl who plays chess (I know sounds boring but it’s really good)
@sulladrum
I'm a 64-year-old American, and the first time I ever heard Yeah Yeah by Georgie Fame was at Trader Joe's about 10 years ago. I was so impressed that I remembered the melody and the words yeah yeah and found out who did it. I have a very strong knowledge of 60s music, but that song barely charted in the US. It has gone on to become one of my favorite songs from the era.
@emerybayblues
Got to #21 on Billboard's Hot 100. Ballad of Bonnie and Clyde did better.
@jonpark5203
it was a big hit in the uk though...Georgie fame was such a under-rated singer&musician, had many great hits such as sitting in the park, The ballad of Bonnie and clyde, Get Away, and many others👍
@cindyclayton4054
My boyfriend in 1965 called this our song. He worked as a dishwasher every day after high school at Howard Johnsons. Good times.