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.
Saved
LaVern Baker Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I used to drink
I used to smoke, drink, and dance the hoochie-coo
I used to smoke and drink
Smoke and drink and dance the hoochie-coo
Whoa yeah
But now I'm standin' on this corner
Prayin' for a-me and you
Ah hah
That's why I'm saved (saved)
I'm saved (saved)
People let me tell you 'bout a, kingdom come
You know I'm saved (saved)
I'm saved (saved)
I can preach until you're, deaf and dumb
I'm in that soul-savin' army
Beatin' on that big a-bass drum
Whoa yeah
I used to cuss
I used to fuss
I used to cuss, fuss and boogie all night long
I used to cuss and fuss
Cuss and fuss and boogie all night long
Wah hah
But now I'm standin' on this corner
Ah-I know right-a from wrong
Uh huh
That's why I'm saved (saved)
I'm saved (saved)
People let me tell you 'bout a, kingdom come
You know I'm saved (saved)
Ah, saved (saved)
I can-a preach until you're, deaf and dumb
I'm in that soul-savin' army
Beatin' on that big a-bass drum
Whoa yeah
I used to lie (lie)
I used to cheat (cheat)
I used to lie,(lie) cheat(cheat) and step on peoples feet
I used to lie and cheat
Lie and cheat and step on peoples feet
Oh yeah
But now I'm steppin' on the glory
Sal-vation is my beat
Whoa yeah
Because I'm saved (saved)
I'm saved (saved)
People let me tell you 'bout a, kingdom come
You know I'm saved (saved)
Ah, saved (saved)
I can-a preach until you're, deaf and dumb
I'm in that soul-savin' army
Beatin' on that big a-bass drum
Whoa
LaVern Baker's song "Saved" tells the story of a person who has seen the light and turned their life around. The lyrics reference the singer's past vices, including smoking, drinking, and "dancing the hoochie-coo," which was a provocative dance popular in the 1940s and 1950s. The lyrics also mention cussing, fussing, and lying and cheating before finding salvation.
The song speaks to the theme of redemption and finding a higher purpose, as the singer is now standing on a corner, praying for themselves and others. The song also makes references to "the kingdom come" and being in "that soul-savin' army," indicating a religious or spiritual conversion.
In addition to its spiritual message, "Saved" is also a prime example of the hard-driving R&B sound that LaVern Baker was known for. The upbeat tempo, strong vocal performance, and powerful backing instruments create a sense of energy and excitement that adds to the song's message of transformation and renewal.
Line by Line Meaning
I used to smoke
I used to engage in tobacco consumption
I used to drink
I used to consume alcohol
I used to smoke, drink, and dance the hoochie-coo
I used to smoke, drink, and dance to upbeat music
I used to smoke and drink
I used to smoke and drink
Smoke and drink and dance the hoochie-coo
Smoke and drink while dancing to upbeat music
But now I'm standin' on this corner
I'm standing on this corner now
Prayin' for a-me and you
Praying for both me and you
That's why I'm saved (saved)
That's the reason I'm saved
People let me tell you 'bout a, kingdom come
Listen, let me tell you about a kingdom come
I'm in that soul-savin' army
I'm a part of the soul-saving army
Beatin' on that big a-bass drum
Playing a big bass drum while singing
You know I'm saved (saved)
You already know I'm saved
I can preach until you're, deaf and dumb
I can preach for a very long time
I used to cuss
I used to use profanity
I used to fuss
I used to quarrel
I used to cuss, fuss and boogie all night long
I used to use profanity, quarrel, and dance all night long
But now I'm standin' on this corner
I'm now standing at this corner
Ah-I know right-a from wrong
I know right from wrong now
I used to lie (lie)
I used to lie
I used to cheat (cheat)
I used to cheat
I used to lie,(lie) cheat(cheat) and step on peoples feet
I used to lie, cheat and step on people's feet
But now I'm steppin' on the glory
Now I'm stepping on the glory
Sal-vation is my beat
My beat now is salvation
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing, BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Jerry Leiber, Mike Stoller
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@angeloanello5171
We never heard stuff like this on the radio, in the 60s.
It was considered 'race music'.
This generation celebrates the mixing of the races, as 'progress'. Don't dare mention crime or disease, because that would mark you, as a 'racist'..
Unless you're 'old fashioned'; you still believe there are races?
Elvis did a version of this, but it didn't come close to the original, much like most of his stolen 'soul', marketed to a generation of rebellious white teens, as socially acceptable.
Later on, he died with a prostitute from a drug overdose. Not a great role model; he never got to play a bass drum, either:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CgyoHJWlp-8
@Wildlife_SA.
Very nice version..... Elvis also sings it in the fabulous "Gospel production number '68 Comeback Special" WOW! The dancers, singers and ofcourse Elvis are amazing! 👌👋🤜🤛🎶🎧🎤
@femmesusan1
I found myself singing this song out of nowhere!!loved her even as a kid!!!
@denisebyers7647
Me too!
@TheRadianc3
The floorboards are shakin in the house of the lord, Jesus himself is dancing the hoochie coo, repent sister! How sweet it sounds!
@henrysonnemann2597
It was,is and allways be a Great tune. I love it.❤❤❤🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉😂😂😊😊😊
@Rylosalex
Love this song. The phrase "Dance the hoochie coo" makes me laugh every time
@kayandaeddings4803
I heard this song back in 2006 on a gospel radio station on a show called gospel flashback. I couldn’t believe my ears when she said the phrase. I was laughing tickled to death.
@mistyhammond753
I had to prove to my husband this song is real!! Thank you
@davidwalsh3439
Brilliant so uplifting feel good music. This lady certainly knows how to put a song over. My spirits have been truly lifted
@boobieneedham8873
Lavern Baker was 1 of my favorite singers, from back in the day ... A few years ago my bro' went on a mission for me & got me everything he could find reissued on CD. I still have 1 of her albums with Lot's And Lot's Of Love which is my fave single...God bless her