Their most successful record was with their novelty composition, "Mockingbird". Released in 1963, it made the Top 10 on both the rhythm and blues and pop charts; the song was later covered by James Taylor and Carly Simon, as well as Dusty Springfield and more recently by country music artist Toby Keith (featuring his daughter, Krystal). Other notable recordings were "Hurt by Love," "Ask Me," and "(1-2-3-4-5-6-7) Count the Days."
They were known for their exciting live performances, of which a highlight was Inez's rendition of "I Stand Accused", which finished with a supposedly distraught Inez singing the last verse, while being carried offstage by Charlie. They toured extensively in Europe and their music played a key role in the development of the Northern Soul movement.
Inez also had some success recording on her own, beginning in 1969, but her popularity faded in the 1970s. Charlie was already working as a record producer when they finally disbanded their act.
Charlie Foxx died in 1998, at the age of 58
Mocking bird
Inez & Charlie Foxx Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ing (Yeah)
Bird (Yeah)
Yeah (Yeah)
Mockin'bird, now
Everybody have you heard
He's gonna buy me a mockingbird
He's gonna buy me a diamond ring
And if that diamond ring won't shine
He's gonna surely break this heart of mine
And that's why I keep on tellin' everybody
Say yeah, yeah whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, uh, oh
Hear me now and understand
He's gonna find me some piece of mind
And if that piece of mind won't stay
I'm gonna find myself a better way
And if that better way ain't so
I'll ride with the tide and go with the flow
And that's why I keep on shoutin' in your ear
Say yeah, yeah whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, uh, oh
Now, everybody have you heard
She's gonna buy me a mockingbird
Yeah if that mockingbird don't sing
She's gonna buy me a diamond ring
And if that diamond ring won't shine
Yes, it'll surely break this heart of mine
And there's a reason why I keep on tellin' everybody
Say yeah, yeah no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no
Listen now and understand
She's gonna find me some piece of mind
Yeah if that piece of mind won't stay
I'm gonna get myself a better way
I might rise above, I might go below
Ride with the tide and go with the flow
And that's the reason why I keep on shoutin' in your ear...
No, no, no, no, no, no, no, now, now, baby
The song “Mocking Bird” by Inez & Charlie Foxx is a classic example of soul and R&B music from the 1960s. The lyrics describe an individual’s desire for love and validation, and their willingness to go to any lengths to achieve it. The first verse describes the singer’s plan to have their lover buy them a mockingbird, with the caveat that if it doesn’t sing, they will be given a diamond ring instead. The next verse talks about the singer’s search for peace of mind and self-improvement. They state that if they cannot find a better way, they will simply “ride with the tide and go with the flow,” indicating that they will take whatever comes their way. The overall theme is one of resilience and determination, with the singer declaring that they will not give up until they achieve their goals.
Line by Line Meaning
Everybody have you heard
Attention, attention, listen up everyone
He's gonna buy me a mockingbird
He's promising to give me a special gift
And if that mockingbird don't sing
If the gift doesn't deliver as promised
He's gonna buy me a diamond ring
He'll make up for the disappointment by giving me an even bigger gift
And if that diamond ring won't shine
If the bigger gift doesn't work out either
He's gonna surely break this heart of mine
He'll have broken my heart, and I'll be crushed
And that's why I keep on tellin' everybody
And that's why I keep sharing this story with everyone
Say yeah, yeah whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, uh, oh
So, listen closely to what I'm saying
Hear me now and understand
Listen carefully to what I'm saying
He's gonna find me some piece of mind
He's promising me some peace of mind and happiness
And if that piece of mind won't stay
If the happiness doesn't last,
I'm gonna find myself a better way
I'll find my own way to happiness
And if that better way ain't so
If my path to happiness doesn't work out
I'll ride with the tide and go with the flow
I'll go with the flow of life and accept what comes
And that's why I keep on shoutin' in your ear
And that's why I keep sharing this message with you
Say yeah, yeah whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, uh, oh
So, listen closely to what I'm saying
Now, everybody have you heard
Attention, attention, listen up everyone
She's gonna buy me a mockingbird
She's promising to give me a special gift
Yeah if that mockingbird don't sing
If the gift doesn't deliver as promised
She's gonna buy me a diamond ring
She'll make up for the disappointment by giving me an even bigger gift
And if that diamond ring won't shine
If the bigger gift doesn't work out either
Yes, it'll surely break this heart of mine
She'll have broken my heart, and I'll be crushed
And there's a reason why I keep on tellin' everybody
And that's why I keep sharing this story with everyone
Say yeah, yeah no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no
So, listen closely to what I'm saying, even if it's not what you want to hear
Listen now and understand
Listen carefully to what I'm saying
She's gonna find me some piece of mind
She's promising me some peace of mind and happiness
Yeah if that piece of mind won't stay
If the happiness doesn't last,
I'm gonna get myself a better way
I'll find my own way to happiness
I might rise above, I might go below
I'll face whatever comes my way
Ride with the tide and go with the flow
I'll go with the flow of life and accept what comes
And that's the reason why I keep on shoutin' in your ear...
And that's why I keep sharing this message with you
No, no, no, no, no, no, no, now, now, baby
Even if you don't want to hear it, I'll still keep on shouting this message to you
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: CHARLIE FOXX, INEZ FOXX
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@robinprescod
Who is appreciating this in 2023 😅❤🎉
@55102
2024
@bszwed
me
@amandaschultz8867
Obviously you
@ladymax23
🔥💯🥰
@jenniferrose779
2024 if you please !!
@geraldpain7915
Fabulous song and expertly sang. RIP. Charlie & Innes Fox
@tonyknowles9194
This was made 9 years before I was born.....I'm rocking this in 2023!!....they don't make it like this anymore 😢
@maryguy-fo2qk
listening on December 29, 2023. 50's and 60,s music is the best
@TheGrandmom8
2024 here ..still rocking! (75 yrs old)