Gerry Marsden (1942-2021) formed Gerry & The Pacemakers in the late 1950s with his brother, Fred Marsden (died 2006), Les Chadwick (1943-2019) and Arthur Mack. They rivalled The Beatles early in their career, playing in the same areas of Hamburg, Germany, and Liverpool, England, and being from Liverpool, managed by Brian Epstein, and recorded by George Martin. Mack was replaced on piano by Les Maguire ()born 1941) around 1961. They are known to have rehearsed at Camell Laird shipping yard at Birkenhead.
They began recording in early 1963 with "How Do You Do It?", a Mitch Murray written song that both Adam Faith and The Beatles had turned down (in the latter case because they wanted to record their own material, specifically "Please Please Me"). The song became a number one hit, until being replaced at the top by The Beatles' third single, "From Me to You".
Gerry & the Pacemakers next two singles, Murray's "I Like It" and Rodgers and Hammerstein's "You'll Never Walk Alone", both also reached number one in the UK Singles Chart. Never before had the first three singles by a performer all reached the top spot (the feat would not be duplicated until Frankie Goes to Hollywood did it in the 1980s).
Despite this early success, Gerry & the Pacemakers never had another number one single in the U.S. Gerry Marsden began writing most of their own songs, including "It's All Right", "I'm the One", and "Ferry Cross the Mersey", as well as their first and biggest U.S. hit, "Don't Let the Sun Catch You Crying". All of these represented the band's light, poppy, enjoyable sound. They also starred in a moderately successful early 1965 film called Ferry Cross the Mersey, for which Marsden wrote much of the soundtrack.
By later in 1965, though, their popularity was rapidly declining on both sides of the Atlantic. They lacked the innovation of the Beatles and did not have the rawer musical and visual edge of some of the other British Invasion groups, and they soon seemed un-hip. They disbanded in October 1966 with much of their latter recorded material never released in the UK.
Gerry Marsden became a popular cabaret and children's TV entertainer. He reformed the band in 1972 with prominent Liverpool musicians Jose McLaughlin, Billy Kinsley and Pete Clarke. In April 1973, this second version of the group became the only Merseybeat band to ever record for the John Peel Show on BBC Radio. The tracks from that show have now been included on the album Gerry & the Pacemakers Live at the BBC, released on Parlophone Records in October 2018. Subsequently, Marsden occasionally toured with various line-ups of the band on the oldies circuit. Gerry Marsden announced his retirement on 29 November 2018.
The band is probably best remembered for their version of "You'll Never Walk Alone," which has become the anthem for Liverpool Football Club in England. Liverpool's fans sing the song before every match at Anfield, their home stadium.
I like It
Gerry & The Pacemakers Lyrics
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The lyrics of Gerry & The Pacemakers's song "I Like It" express the singer's unequivocal adoration for his romantic partner. The song's playful and innocent tone evokes the giddy excitement of young love, as the singer recounts all the things he likes about his special someone. He enjoys the way she runs her fingers through his hair, the way she tickles his chin, and the way she allows him to come over when her mother is not around. He is smitten with the things she says and does, including straightening his tie and winking at him. As the song progresses, the singer becomes increasingly enamored with his partner, thrilled by the "funny feelings" she produces in him and encouraged by her reciprocated affection.
Many listeners interpret the lyrics of "I Like It" as being emblematic of the early 1960s Merseybeat sound that Gerry & The Pacemakers helped popularize in Liverpool. The song's catchy melody and upbeat rhythm capture the youthful enthusiasm and energy of the genre, as well as the ebullient optimism of the time period. The song's refrain of "I like it, I like it" also reinforces this idea by emphasizing the pleasure and enjoyment inherent in the young romance described in the lyrics.
Overall, "I Like It" is a charming and sweet love song that represents a particular moment in music history when rock and roll was beginning to be infused with the sounds and rhythms of British pop.
Line by Line Meaning
I like it, I like it
I enjoy being with you and all the things you do.
I like the way you run your fingers through my hair
I appreciate the way you touch me and show affection.
and I love the way you tickle my chin
I am fond of the way you playfully interact with me.
and I like the way you let me come in when your mommy's not there
I am pleased that you trust me and enjoy spending time together without interference.
I like the things you say and all the things you do
I am attracted to your personality and actions towards me.
and I like the way you straighten my tie
I appreciate your attention to detail and efforts to make me look nice.
and I like the way you're winking your eye
I find your playful behavior and flirtatious gestures endearing.
and I know I like you
I am certain that I have feelings for you.
Do that again you're driving me insane
I am so enamored with you that I cannot get enough of your affection and attention.
kiss me once more that's another thing I like you for
I enjoy your physical displays of affection and it strengthens my feelings for you.
I like the funny feelings when I'm with you
I experience pleasant and exciting sensations when in your company.
and I like you more with every day
My feelings for you are growing stronger as I get to know you better.
and I like to always hearing you say you're liking it too
I am glad that you also enjoy being with me and it deepens our connection.
whoa, I like it
I am completely enjoying our time together and my attraction to you is undeniably strong.
are you liking it too?
I am curious if you feel the same way about our relationship and want to ensure that we are both happy.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, O/B/O DistroKid, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: CHRISTIAN BALLARD, ERNESTO J BAUTISTA, KEVIN BROWN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind