Delores LaVern Baker (November 11, 1929 – March 10, 1997) was an American r… Read Full Bio ↴Delores LaVern Baker (November 11, 1929 – March 10, 1997) was an American rhythm and blues singer, who had several hit records on the pop chart in the 1950s and early 1960s. Her most successful records were "Tweedlee Dee" (1955), "Jim Dandy" (1956), and "I Cried a Tear" (1958).

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.

Bop-Ting-a-Ling
LaVern Baker Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

And these girl's 'bout to drive me wild
Ya, I'm just a poor young boy
And these girl's 'bout to drive me wild
Ya, I'm just a poor young boy
And these girl's 'bout to drive me wild
They way they rock and roll and hold me, angel child
The way they laugh, the way they sing
Makes my heart go ting-a-ling

The way they laugh, the way they sing
Makes my heart go ting-a-ling
The way they laugh and sing
Makes my heart go ting-a-ling
Ting-a-ling, ting-a-ling, ting-a-ling, ting-a-ling, ting-a-ling
Well, I'm young and I'm free
And it's a real fine way to be
Yeah, I'm young and I'm free
And it's a real fine way to be
Ya, I'm young and I'm free
And it's a real fine way to be
I want a fine young gal that is so nice and free
The way they laugh, the way they sing
Makes my heart go ting-a-ling
The way they laugh, the way they sing
Makes my heart go ting-a-ling
The way they laugh and sing
Makes my heart go ting-a-ling
Ting-a-ling, ting-a-ling, ting-a-ling, ting-a-ling, ting-a-ling

And these girl's 'bout to drive me wild
Ya, I'm just a poor young boy

Overall Meaning

In "Bop-Ting-a-Ling," LaVern Baker sings about her desire for young and free girls who make her heart race with tingling sensations. The song speaks about the excitement of being young and carefree, and the thrill of being with girls who are just as energetic and spirited. The repetitive lyrics of "ting-a-ling" represent the physical and emotional reactions that come with being in the company of such girls.

The song reflects the time period of its release in the late 1950s when rock and roll was becoming popular and associated with youthful rebellion. The lyrics speak to the cultural shift towards teenage independence and sexual exploration. The upbeat tempo also highlights the celebratory nature of the song, with the singer rejoicing in her own youth and the company of like-minded individuals.

In light of the above, the song can also be interpreted as a commentary on empowerment and joyful self-expression. The lyrics encourage individuals to embrace their youthfulness and desires without shame, and to seek out relationships with others who share those same values. Overall, "Bop-Ting-a-Ling" is a catchy and upbeat ode to the carefree excitement of youth and the thrill of physical and emotional connection.

Line by Line Meaning

And these girl's 'bout to drive me wild
The girls are making me extremely excited and energetic

Ya, I'm just a poor young boy
I am a young and inexperienced person

They way they rock and roll and hold me, angel child
The girls' dancing and embracing makes me feel cherished and special

The way they laugh, the way they sing
The girls' joyous laughter and singing are very enticing to me

Makes my heart go ting-a-ling
The girls' actions make me feel excited and thrilled

Ting-a-ling, ting-a-ling, ting-a-ling, ting-a-ling, ting-a-ling
A repeated expression of the excitement I feel

Well, I'm young and I'm free
I am enjoying my youth and freedom

And it's a real fine way to be
Being young and free feels great

I want a fine young gal that is so nice and free
I desire a young woman who is kind and enjoys her freedom

Contributed by Emma N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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