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.
More Genres
No Artists Found
More Artists
Load All
No Albums Found
More Albums
Load All
No Tracks Found
Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Search results not found
Song not found
To Love Somebody
LaVern Baker Lyrics
We have lyrics for 'To Love Somebody' by these artists:
A.M.P. Clock strikes upon the hour And the sun begins to fade Still…
Amy Vachal & Jubal and Amanda There's people walking Hand in hand Every man's got a woman …
Andreas Kümmert There's a light A certain kind of light That never shone on…
Animals You don't know what it's like You don't know what it's…
Âó¿É²®Ìض÷ Michael Bolton There's a light A certain kind of light That never shone o…
B3 There's a light A certain kind of light That never shone on…
Beyries There's a light A certain kind of light It's never shone on…
Big Brother & The Holding Company There's a light, certain kind of light Never ever, never sh…
Billy Corgan There's a light A certain kind of light That never shone o…
Billy Vera & Judy Clay I've got to love somebody's baby Somebody, somebody, somebod…
Blue Rodeo There's a light A certain kind of light That never shines on…
Bonnie Tyler (Barry Gibb/ Robin Gibb/ Maurice Gibb) Producer for Bonnie: …
Boogie Pimps Don't you want Don't you want Don't you want Don't you want …
Brazil XXI feat. Silvie There's a light A certain kind of light That never shone on…
Bronski Beat and the Communards There's a light A certain kind of light That never shone o…
Busty Brown There's a light A certain kind of light That never shone on…
Clay Aiken There's a light A certain kind of light That never shown o…
Countdown Singers I can see the path you're cutting It cost e…
D.J. Pop & Dance 互いに背を向けた 蒼ざめた夜 ため息が 時計の針 止めたまま You never let me feel you I n…
Dara Puspita There's a light A certain kind of light That never shone on…
Disco Tex & The Sex-O-Lettes You're nobody till somebody loves you You're nobody till som…
Eagle Eye Cherry There's a light A certain kind of light That never shone o…
Eric Burdon You don't know what it's like You don't know what it's…
Eric Burdon & The Animals You don't know what it's like You don't know what it's…
Eric Burdon & The Animals You don't know what it's like You don't know what it's…
Eric Burdon / The Animals You don't know what it's like You don't know what it's…
Eric Burdon and the Animals You don't know what it's like You don't know what it's…
Gary Puckett & The Union Gap There's a light A certain kind of light That never shone o…
Gibb There's a light A certain kind of light That never shone on…
Grant & Forsyth When days are long and nights are lonely And all my…
Griffin Alistair There's a light A certain kind of light That never shone o…
Hank Williams Jr. There's a light certain kind of light that never shone…
Hank Williams, Jr. There's a light, certain kind of light, that never shines on…
J. C. Lodge Uh so while the choir sings my needs To whom it…
Jackie DeShannon There's a light, A certain kind of light, That never shone…
James Carr There's a light A certain kind of light That never shone o…
Janis Joplin There's a light, certain kind of light Never ever, never sho…
Janis Joplin ( There's a light, certain kinda light, Never ever, never sho…
Janis Joplin / Kozmic Blues Band There's a light, certain kind of light Never ever, never sh…
Janis Joplin and the Big Brother & the Holding Company There's a light, certain kind of light Never ever, never sho…
Janis Joplin and the Kozmic Bl There's a light, certain kind of light Never ever, never sh…
Janis Joplin and The Kozmic Blues Band There's a light, certain kind of light Never ever, never sho…
Jessica Jay We are wicked men Looking for a proper solution By the count…
Jimmy Barnes There's a light A certain kind of light That never shone on…
Jimmy Somerville Bronski Beat and The Communards There's a light A certain kind of light That never shone o…
Jimmy Somerville feat. Bronski Beat and The Communards There's a light, A certain kind of light That's never shon…
John Craigie There's a light A certain kind of light That never shone on…
Joplin (Janis) There's a light, certain kind of light Never ever, never sho…
Jordin Sparks Theres a light A certain kind of light That never shone on…
K.u.t. Gas Clock strikes upon the hour And the sun begins to fade Sti…
Kenny Shields There′s a light A certain kind of light That never shone on…
Kim Carnes There's a light A certain kind of light That never shone o…
KITCHEN - Bee Gees There's a light A certain kind of light That never shone on…
Klarisse de Guzman "To Love Somebody" There's a light A certain kind of light …
KnightsBridge Can anybody find me somebody to love? Ooh, each morning I…
Kozmic Blues Band There's a light, certain kinda light, Never ever, never sho…
Lee Perry & Friends There's a light A certain kind of light That never shone on…
Lesley Gore There's a light, a certain kind of light That never shone…
Lex De Azevedo & His Orchestra Love somebody, yes, I do Love somebody, yes, I do Love someb…
LIVING ROOM - Bee Gees There's a light A certain kind of light That never shone on…
Lydia Loveless What's it mean to love somebody or at least hope they'll…
Melanie There's a light A certain kind of light That never shone o…
Michael Bolton There's a light A certain kind of light That never shone on…
Michael Johns There's a light A certain kind of light That never shone o…
Nick Urata There' a light A certain kind of light It's never shown on…
Nina Simone There' a light A certain kind of light It's never shown on…
Nina Simone There' a light A certain kind of light It's never shown on…
Nina Simone㈀㈀ There' a light A certain kind of light It's never shown on…
Nina Simone楄 There' a light A certain kind of light I want my whole…
P. P. Arnold There's a light A certain kind of light That never shone on…
Paul Canning There′s a light A certain kind of light That never shone on…
PP Arnold There's a light A certain kind of light That never shone on…
Rita Marley There's the light Certain kind of light That never shone o…
Roberta Flack There's a light, A certain kind of light, That never shone…
robin Paris, France to Michigan London town and through Berlin I c…
Robin Gibb There's a light A certain kind of light That never shone o…
Rod Stewart Booker T & The MG's There's a light, A certain kind a' light That never shone …
Ronan Keating There's a light A certain kind of light That never shone on…
Ronan Keating & Brian McFadden There's a light A certain kind of light That never shone o…
Ronan Keating feat. Brian Mcfadden There's a light A certain kind of light That never shone on…
Sarah Somebody loves me I wonder who I wonder who she can be; Som…
Scott Matthew There's a light A certain kind of light That never shone o…
Simone (Nina) There' a light A certain kind of light It's never shown on…
Slobberbone There's a light A certain kind of light That never shone o…
The Animals You don't know what it's like You don't know what it's…
The Bee Gees There's a light A certain kind of light That never shone o…
The Chancy Michael Group There′s a light A certain kind of light That never shone on…
The Flying Burrito Brothers There's a light, a certain kind of light that never…
The Grannies To Love Somebody, By The Bee Gees Songwriters: BARRY GIBB,…
The J.J. Band Uh so while the choir sings my needs To whom it…
The Korgis There's a light A certain kind of light That never shone on…
The Kozmic Blues Band There's a light, certain kind of light Never ever, never sh…
The Sweet Inspirations There's a light A certain kind of light That never shone on…
The Tams There's a light, A certain kind of light That never shined…
Tim Dawn There's a light A certain kind of light That never shone on…
Timoria There's a light A certain kind of light That never…
Tina and the B-Sides I know how it feels to love somebody that don't…
Tom Jones There's a light, a certain kind of light that never…
Tony Hadley Breaking my back Just to know your name Seventeen tracks And…
Tony Wilson There's a light A certain kind of light That never shone on…
v.a. I know your insides are feeling so hollow And it's a…
Various Artists There's a light A certain kind of light That never shone o…
Eagle Eye Cherry There's a light, a certain kind of light That never shone…
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
@jacegainer3841
Sing!