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.
I Can't Love You Enough
LaVern Baker Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Your love is like a see-saw, baby, see-saw
First it's up and then it's down
It changes so fast, it never hits the ground
It goes up, down, and up Like a see-saw
When you said you'd be my baby, see-saw
When you said you'd be my baby, see-saw
I thought your love was sincere
But at this rate, it won't last a year
It goes up, down and up, like a see-saw
Monday it's a huggin and a kissin
And Tuesday somethin' I've been missin'
Wednesday ev'rything is fine
Thursday you done changed your mind
Friday it's the day we make up
Saturday the day we break up
Sunday things are goin all right
Monday you want to start up fightin'
Your love is like a see-saw baby
Your love is like a see-saw baby
First you're glad and then yo're mad
You're the strangest girl I ever had
It goes up, down and up, like a see-saw
In LaVern Baker's song "I Can't Love You Enough," the lyrics compare the singer's love interest to a see-saw, constantly going up and down and never hitting the ground. The verses describe the fluctuating nature of their relationship, with the singer expressing her confusion and frustration over her partner's indecisiveness and changeable moods. The chorus repeats the analogy of the see-saw and emphasizes the unpredictability of the situation.
The use of the see-saw as a metaphor is effective in conveying the instability and insecurity of the relationship, as well as the singer's feeling of being stuck in this “up and down” cycle. The lyrics highlight how difficult it is for the singer to keep up with the flip-flopping emotions and actions of her partner, and ultimately question whether their love can last under these unstable conditions.
Overall, "I Can't Love You Enough" is a poignant and relatable portrayal of the challenges of navigating an unpredictable relationship, and the lyrics and metaphor used are both clever and effective in conveying these feelings.
Line by Line Meaning
Your love is like a see-saw, baby, see-saw
The singer compares their lover's affection to a see-saw, constantly fluctuating between highs and lows.
First it's up and then it's down
The intensity of the lover's emotions towards the singer shifts rapidly from positive to negative.
It changes so fast, it never hits the ground
The emotional changes are too quick to settle, never fully reaching a stable level.
It goes up, down, and up Like a see-saw
Reiterating the comparison of the relationship rollercoaster to a see-saw.
When you said you'd be my baby, see-saw
Originally, the singer believed their lover's promises of love and commitment were genuine and solid.
I thought your love was sincere
The singer had genuine feelings for their lover and believed their love was true at one point.
But at this rate, it won't last a year
Due to the constant emotional changes and lack of stability, the singer realizes the relationship won't survive long term.
Monday it's a huggin and a kissin
The beginning of the week is filled with affection and closeness.
And Tuesday somethin' I've been missin'
Tuesday reveals a lack of something important in the relationship.
Wednesday ev'rything is fine
The middle of the week sees a return to normalcy in the relationship.
Thursday you done changed your mind
Towards the end of the week the lover's emotions towards the singer have drastically shifted, causing conflict.
Friday it's the day we make up
Friday is a time for reconciliation and forgiveness after the prior day's argument.
Saturday the day we break up
Saturday brings about another significant shift in the relationship, ultimately leading to its end.
Sunday things are goin all right
Sunday is a brief moment of calm before the cycle of emotional changes begins again.
Monday you want to start up fightin'
The start of the week brings about more conflict and instability in the relationship.
First you're glad and then yo're mad
The lover's emotions towards the singer are erratic, rapidly fluctuating between positive and negative.
You're the strangest girl I ever had
The singer acknowledges their lover's unique and unpredictable personality, leading to a tumultuous relationship.
It goes up, down and up, like a see-saw
The song ends by reiterating the unstable and tumultuous nature of the relationship, constantly fluctuating between highs and lows like a see-saw.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Delores Evans, Marvin Gaye
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Margaret Crew
I recently heard this song for the first time on Sirius XM and was thrilled to fine it here. Great song with great lyrics and beat.
J. L.
Thank you Laverne, for this beautiful music.
Bryan Brazell
Have also heard this song on sirius XM-Thank God they are around to keep the great music from the 50's alive.GREAT SONG
J.L.
So beautiful, only 27 when she sang this. So sad that she died at 67. Once again This song reminds me wonderful Childhood Days.
Daphne Lewin
A pleasant reminder of my teenage years!
Ahsatan 821002141
I, too, heard this on Sirius XM, but I was in a little diner the other day. I was surprised to find a diner that plays only music from the 1950s, but I'm not complaining either! The other song I heard that I liked enough to Google the lyrics of was Kisses Sweeter than Wine.
CHARVONAY
♾🌹♾ NEVER FORGET 🌟 THE LEGENDS 💕
Wendy Jones
Love music from way back
Garrett Morgan
Big big hit after thses music music stop and in the mofern era is peer croppp