Baker was born in Chicago, Illinois. She is occasionally referred to as Delores Williams because of an early marriage to Eugene Williams; in the late 1940s she was identified in RCA Victor record company files as "D. L. McMurley." She was the niece of blues singer Merline Johnson and was also related to Memphis Minnie.
She began singing in Chicago clubs such as the Club DeLisa around 1946, often billed as Little Miss Sharecropper, and first recorded under that name in 1949. She changed her name briefly to Bea Baker when recording for Okeh Records in 1951, and then became LaVern Baker when singing with Todd Rhodes and his band in 1952.
In 1953 she signed for Atlantic Records as a solo artist, her first release being "Soul on Fire". Her first hit came in early 1955, with the Latin-tempo "Tweedlee Dee" reaching #4 on the R&B chart and #14 on the national US pop charts. Georgia Gibbs' note-for-note cover of Baker's "Tweedle Dee" reached #1; subsequently Baker made an unsuccessful attempt to sue her and petitioned Congress to consider such covers copyright violations.
Baker had a succession of hits on the R&B charts over the next couple of years with her backing group The Gliders, including "Bop-Ting-A-Ling" (#3 R&B), "Play It Fair" (#2 R&B), and "Still" (#4 R&B). At the end of 1956 she had another smash hit with "Jim Dandy" (#1 R&B, #17 pop). It sold over one million copies, and was awarded a gold disc. Further hits followed for Atlantic, including the follow-up "Jim Dandy Got Married" (#7 R&B), "I Cried a Tear" (#2 R&B, #6 pop in 1959), "I Waited Too Long" (#5 R&B, #3 pop, written by Neil Sedaka), "Saved" (#17 R&B, written by Leiber and Stoller), and "See See Rider" (#9 R&B in 1963).
In addition to singing, Baker also did some work with Ed Sullivan and Alan Freed on TV and in films, including Rock, Rock, Rock and Mr. Rock & Roll. In 1964, she recorded a Bessie Smith tribute album, before leaving Atlantic and joining Brunswick Records, where she recorded the album "Let Me Belong to You".
In 1966, Baker recorded a duet single with Jackie Wilson. The controversial song, "Think Twice", featured raunchy lyrics that were not considered appropriate for airplay at that time or even today. Three versions were recorded, one of which is the X-rated version with the raunchy lyrics.
In the late 1960s, Baker became seriously ill after a trip to Vietnam to entertain American soldiers. While recovering at the US Subic Bay Naval Base in the Philippines, her husband, Slappy White filed for a divorce. A friend recommended that she stay on as the entertainment director at the Marine Corps Staff NCO club there, and she remained there for 22 years.
In 1988 she returned to perform at Madison Square Garden for Atlantic Records' 40th anniversary. She then worked on the soundtracks to films such as Shag, (1989), Dick Tracy, (1990) and A Rage in Harlem (1991), which were all issued on CD.
In 1990, she made her Broadway debut replacing Ruth Brown as star of the hit musical Black and Blue. In 1991, Rhino Records released a new album Live in Hollywood recorded at the Hollywood Roosevelt Cinegrill, as well as a compilation of her greatest Atlantic hits entitled Soul on Fire. In 1992, she recorded a well-received studio album, Woke Up This Morning, for DRG Records. She continued performing after having both legs amputated from diabetes complications in 1994 and made her last recording, "Jump Into the Fire," for the 1995 Harry Nilsson tribute CD, For the Love of Harry on the Music Masters label.
She received the 1990 Pioneer Award from the Rhythm and Blues Foundation. In 1991, Baker became the second female solo artist inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, following Aretha Franklin in 1987. Her song "Jim Dandy" was named one of The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's 500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll and was ranked #343 on the Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.
LaVern Baker died from cardiovascular disease on March 10, 1997, at the age of 67. Originally buried in an unmarked plot in Maple Grove Cemetery in Kew Gardens, Queens, New York, her grave received a headstone on May 4, 2008, after a fundraiser was held by local historians.
Body and Soul
LaVern Baker Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
For you I sigh, for you dear only
Why haven't you seen it
I'm all for you body and soul
I spend my days in longing
And wondering why it's me you're wronging
I tell you I mean it
I can't believe it
It's hard to conceive it
That you'd turn away romance
Are you pretending
It looks like the ending
Unless I could have just one more chance to prove, dear
My life a wreck you're making
You know I'm yours for just the taking
I'd gladly surrender myself to you body and soul
My life a wreck you're making
You know I'm yours for the very taking
I'd gladly surrender myself to you body and soul
The lyrics to LaVern Baker's song Body and Soul are a testament to the intense emotional longing that can come with unrequited love. The singer's heart is sad and lonely, pining for someone who has not reciprocated her affection. She spends her days in longing, wondering why her lover has wronged her. She declares that she is all for her lover body and soul, completely dedicated and committed to this person who remains out of reach.
Despite her devotion, the singer can't believe that her lover has turned away from romance. She wonders if they are pretending, but it seems like the end of their relationship is fast approaching unless she can prove herself. The singer's life is a wreck, and she acknowledges that her lover knows she is theirs for the taking. She would gladly surrender herself body and soul to this person, despite the turmoil they've caused in her life.
Overall, the lyrics to Body and Soul are heartbreakingly poignant, describing the painful experience of loving someone who remains out of reach. Relationships can be complex, and it's all too easy to become consumed by feelings of longing and desire. The song perfectly captures these emotions, showcasing the full power of a singer who knows how to convey heartache and vulnerability.
Line by Line Meaning
My heart is sad and lonely
I am filled with sadness and loneliness in my heart.
For you I sigh, for you dear only
I long for you and only you, and it brings out a deep sigh from me.
Why haven't you seen it
I am wondering if you are not able to see my love for you.
I'm all for you body and soul
I am completely devoted to you with my entire being, both physically and emotionally.
I spend my days in longing
My days are filled with nothing but longing for you.
And wondering why it's me you're wronging
I am confused and hurt as to why you would do me wrong by not reciprocating my love.
I tell you I mean it
I want you to know that my words and feelings are genuine.
I'm all for you body and soul
Once again, I am telling you that I am devoted to you with my entire being.
I can't believe it
I am finding it hard to believe the reality of the situation.
It's hard to conceive it
It is difficult for me to comprehend and accept what is happening.
That you'd turn away romance
I am shocked that you would reject or turn away my attempts at romance.
Are you pretending
I am questioning whether your rejection of me is genuine or just an act.
It looks like the ending
It seems like our relationship is coming to an end.
Unless I could have just one more chance to prove, dear
Unless I am given another chance to prove my love and devotion, it might be over between us.
My life a wreck you're making
You are causing chaos and upheaval in my life by not returning my love.
You know I'm yours for just the taking
You are aware that I am willing to give myself fully to you.
I'd gladly surrender myself to you body and soul
I am willing and eager to give every part of myself to you, physically and emotionally.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: PAUL MICHAEL BARRY, PHIL SIMPSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@sulevisydanmaa9981
A SHALLOW, clichesque version. 2 baddd she could not cut the mustard any longer post comeback. Nearly off-key.
@JukeboxBalowski
She cut MY mustard! I thought she was still excellent!