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.
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.
Substitute
LaVern Baker Lyrics
We have lyrics for 'Substitute' by these artists:
- The Who You think we look pretty good together You think my shoes…
Absynthe Minded There is a sticky feeling 'Bout that pleasant evening A red …
Angelheart Sam You've been waiting much too long now it looks like …
Bai Kamara Jr Did he say he loved you? Did he say he wanted…
Bai Kamara Jr. Did he say he loved you? Did he say he wanted…
Billy Forrest Girl You've been waiting much too long now It looks like he'…
Blur You think we look pretty good together You think my shoes…
Bombay Rockers I got a girl but she's not enough, So i have…
Clout Sam You've been waiting much to long Now it looks like she's…
DeeCRACKS I feel a little helpless I don’t know what to do I…
Dogfight You drain me You drag me You put me down in here I…
El Caco I am the puppeteer the lord of string a king controll See…
Frank Turner The first girl that I fell for was a fair…
frnd Am I some sort of distraction, babe For filling the need…
Gloria Gaynor Say You've been waiting much too long now Don't know when sh…
Great White You think we look pretty good together? You think my jeans…
Gregory Isaacs suzan told me to leave saying she's a woman who…
Gregory Isaacs & Roots Radics Suzan told me to leave saying she's a woman who's…
Her Sound Still, remember the text you sent me Half a lifetime ago A…
Ilanga Ah huh, ah huh yeah yeah Ah huh, ah huh, I…
James Last Sam You've been waiting much to long Now it looks like she…
Kido Baxter You tip toe my head like you a ballerina Spin my…
Liquid Gold Ooh, baby, baby Ooh the way you need that lady Ooh you've…
LIVING ROOM - The Who You think we look pretty good together You think my shoes…
Nina Las Vegas Walk me in and turn around and then you walk away leave…
Per Gessle She says what? She doesn't like your new haircut? Way too lo…
Pete Townshend You think we look pretty good together You think my shoes…
Pia Zadora Sam, you've been waitin' much too long now It looks like…
Queen Key Chorus: Bitch I'm Coolin and crusin, choosin, allergic to lo…
Ramones You think we look pretty good together You think my shoes…
Red Cell I can't raise my voice until I understand what is under the…
Rini You think we look pretty good together You think my shoes…
Sex Pistols You think we look pretty good together You think my shoes…
Shine DJs vs. Clout Sam You've been waiting much to long Now it looks like she's…
Son Of A Plumber She says what? She doesn't like your new haircut? Way too lo…
The Ashqelon Quilt Find yourself a substitute, consider anything Seek it in the…
The Litter You think we look pretty good together You think my shoes…
The Oppressed You were born with a yellow streak down your back And…
The Ramones You think we look pretty good together You think my shoes…
The Righteous Brothers Girl You've been waiting much too long Now it looks like h…
The Who You think we look pretty good together You think my shoes…
The Who f/ Kelly Jones You think we look pretty good together You think my shoes…
The Who feat. Kelly Jones You think we look pretty good together You think my shoes…
The Who_(p) You think we look pretty good together You think my shoes…
This is Not a Business I knew that blind man. come with us too much pain. I…
TNT There's something deep in your.. That's playing games with …
Trapland Pat I Substitute the stealin wit the dealin Countin up chillin …
Various Artists You think we look pretty good together You think my shoes…
Who You think we look pretty good together You think my shoes…
We have lyrics for these tracks by LaVern Baker:
A Little Bird Told Me A little bird told me that you love me (That…
After You After you've gone and left me cryin', After you've gone…
After You've Gone After you've gone and left me cryin', After you've gone…
Baby Doll Honey, there's a funny feeling 'round my heart, And it's bou…
Back Water Blues When it rains five days and the skies turn dark…
Body and Soul My heart is sad and lonely For you I sigh, for…
Bop Ting a Ling And these girl's 'bout to drive me wild Ya, I'm just…
Bop-Ting-a-Ling And these girl's 'bout to drive me wild Ya, I'm just…
Bumble Bee I'm gonna have to put you down You been treating me…
Dix-A-Billy San Francisco To Chicago Right through Philly New York's doi…
DON Don't let the stars get in your eyes Don't let the…
Don Juan Don Juan, your money's gone And when your money's gone, Don…
Don't Let the Stars Get in Your Eyes Don't let the stars get in your eyes Don't let the…
Don't You Know I Love You Your love is like a see-saw baby, see-saw Your love is…
Eager Beaver I don't know how it started, I don't know what…
Empty Bed Blues I woke up this morning with a awful aching head I…
Endless Love Jim Dandy to the rescue Jim Dandy to the rescue Jim Dandy…
Eternally I'll be loving you eternally With a love that's true,…
Everybody Is Somebody's Fool Everybody's somebody's fool The world is the biggest school …
Everybody's Somebody's Fool The tears I've cried for you could fill an ocean But…
Fool That I Am Fool that I am, For falling in love with you. And, fool…
For Love of You For love of you, my heart is aching now For love…
Gimme a Pig Foot Twenty-five cents, hah, no, no I wouldn't pay twenty-five c…
Gimme a Pigfoot Twenty-five cents, hah, no, no I wouldn't pay twenty-five ce…
Harbor Lights I saw the harbor lights They only told me we were…
Hey Memphis Hey Memphis, won't you? Hey Memphis, won't you? Hey Memphis…
Humpty Dumpty Heart Who's giving that line to you? You think it's divine, do…
I I cried a tear because of you I cried a tear…
I Ain Let me tell you daddy, Momma ain't gonna sit here…
I Can I can't turn you loose, if I do I'm gonna…
I Can't Love You Enough Your love is like a see-saw baby, see-saw Your love is…
I Can't Turn You Loose I can't turn you loose, if I do I'm gonna…
I Cried a Tear I cried a tear because of you I cried a tear…
I Waited Too Long I waited too long, and now we're apart. I never told…
I'll Never Be Free Each time I hold someone new My arms grow cold aching…
I'm in a Crying Mood Woe is me, I'm as blue as anyone can be, I feel…
If You Love Me If you love me, if you love me If you love…
it's so fine You don′t a wanna me It's a fantasy I can tell by…
Itty Bitty Girl All I want, itty, bitty boy All I want, itty, bitty…
Jim Dandy Jim Dandy to the rescue! Jim Dandy to the rescue! Jim Dandy…
Jim Dandy Got Married Jim Dandy done fell in love Jim Dandy done fell in…
Jump Into The Fire You can climb a mountain You can swim the sea…
Just a Closer Walk With Thee Just a closer walk with Thee, Grant it Jesus, if you…
Knock on Wood I don't want to lose you, this good thing That I…
Loads of Love I never have been handed much I never have demanded much I…
Love Me Right No more frustration let's relax Give me every pleasure to th…
Lucky Ol Sun Up in the mornin' out on the job, work like…
Manana The faucet she is dripping and the fence she's fallin'…
Misty Blue Looks like I kept you off my mind But I cannot Just…
Money Blues Daddy, I need money, give it to your honey Daddy, I…
My Time Will Come You're treating my heart just like it was dirt As though…
Nobody Knows You When You Once I lived the life of a millionaire Spending my money,…
Nobody Knows You When You're Down and Out Once I lived the life of a millionaire Spending my money,…
Play It Fair Give your heart to the one Who gave her heart to…
Precious Memories Precious memories, how they linger How they ever flood my so…
Romance in the Dark In the dark It's just you and I Not a sound There's…
Saved I used to smoke I used to drink I used to smoke,…
See See Rider Well See, See See Rider Just see what you have a-done Yeah,…
Shadows of Love I was standing on the road of despair And I figured…
Shake a Hand Just leave it to me, now don't you ever be…
Slow Rollin But don't you let it break 'Cause I need every ounce…
So High So Love You must come into my heart I'm begging You must come into…
Somebody Touched Me (Bop-ba-do, bop-ba-do-be-do) (Bop-by-do, bop-ba-do-be-do) …
Soul On Fire Well I could play with Tom, Dick and Harry But for…
St Louis Blues I hate to see that evening sun go down I hate…
Still I'm still, still, still, still I'm still in love with you An…
Story of My Love Forever my darling our love will be true Always and forever…
Tennessee Waltz I was dancin' with my darlin' to the Tennessee Waltz When…
That To spend one night with you in our old rendezvous, And…
That Lucky Old Sun Up in the mornin' out on the job, work like…
That's My Desire To spend one night with you in our old rendezvous, And…
The Game of Love The purpose of a man is to love a woman,…
The Story of My Love Forever my darling our love will be true Always and forever…
The wheel of fortune The wheel of fortune Goes spinning around Will the arrow poi…
There'll Be a Hot Time in the Old Town Tonight Come along, get you ready Wear your bran', bran' new…
Tiny Tim Girls, his name is Tiny Tim And if go out with…
Touch Me Lord Jesus Touch, touch me Lord Jesus, please Touch, touch me Lord Jes…
Tra La La (Rock-bop-bop-dee-bop-bop-dee-bop) (Rock-bop-bop-dee-bop-bop…
Trouble in Mind Trouble in mind, I'm blue But I won't be blue always, 'Cause…
Tweedle Dee Tweedlee tweedlee tweedlee dee I'm as happy as can be Jimmin…
Tweedle Dee Dee Tweedle dee dee, Tweedle dee dee Tweedle dee dee, Tweedle de…
Tweedlee Dee Tweedlee tweedlee tweedlee dee I'm as happy as can be Jimmin…
Voodoo Voodoo I thought I was a snake, I started crawlin' on…
Wheel of Fortune The wheel of fortune Goes spinning around Will the arrow poi…
Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow Tonight you're mine, completely You give your soul so sweetl…
You I need you so To keep me happy If I can't have…
You Don't Tell Me You don't teach a kid to drink milk Or a mackerel…
You Set My Soul On Fire I let it fall, my heart And as it fell, you…
You're the Boss With Jimmy Ricks Well, when it comes to bopping And natural…
You've Got a Friend When you're down and troubled And you need a helping hand An…
The lyrics are frequently found in the comments by searching or by filtering for lyric videos
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@Bill-jc1fy
One of the most underrated singers of all time...My favorite song of hers is Jim Dandy
@ceeceetracey9839
I dont think she was underrated. We just didnt get the credit we deserved during this era. She's got a great song called "I Waited Too Long that I love. Thats probably my favorite but "I Cried A Tear" is amazing too.
@teagiagiteakarotu7027
Yep underrated like All black in this era and now
@BRONXGIRL10
Thanks for posting all of these great r 'n b and doo-wopp (i.e., The Wanderers, The Platters, etc.) performances!
@haraldtrittner4396
One of the VERY BEST ever Lavern Baker...👌 absolutely great and fantastic i love her voice and energy👏👏👏
@that70sgirl90
Fantastic... There ain't no "Substitute!" Happy Easter Monday! 🕊 🙏 🐰 Thank you for sharing! 💖
@Christian-rj2yc
Ahhh, Lavern Baker, I just love her.
@henrysonnemann2597
A great voice from a great SINGER.❤❤❤🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉😊
@OnlyLoveCan38
Priceless!!!
@ceeceetracey9839
GREAT PERFORMANCE!!