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.
Tweedlee Dee
LaVern Baker Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm as happy as can be
Jimminy cricket jimminy jack
You make my heart go clickety-clack
Tweedlee tweedlee tweedlee dee
Tweedlee tweedlee tweedlee dot
How you gonna keep that honey you got
I'm gonna see my honey tonight
Tweedlee tweedlee tweedlee dot
Tweedlee dee tweedlee dee
Give it up give it up
Give your love to me
Tweedlee dot tweedlee dot
Gimme gimme gimme gimme
Gimme all the love you got
Hump-be-ump-bump-bump
Tweedlee tweedlee tweedle doe
I'm a lucky so-and-so
Hubba hubba honey dew
I'm gonna keep my eyes on you
Tweedlee tweedlee tweedlee doe
Tweedlee doe tweedlee doe
Give that kiss to me before you go
Tweedlee dum tweedlee dum
Lookie lookie lookie lookie
Look at that sugar plum
Hump-be-ump-bump-bump
Tweedlee tweedlee tweedlee dum
You're as sweet as bubble gum
Mercy mercy pudding pie
You've got something that money can't buy
Tweedlee tweedlee tweedlee dum
Owww, tweedlee tweedlee dum
Owww, tweedlee tweedlee dum
FADE:
Owww, tweedlee tweedlee dum
Owww, tweedlee tweedlee dum
Owww
LaVern Baker's song "Tweedlee Dee" is a classic example of the upbeat, fun, and playful sound of early rock and roll. The song is essentially a love letter to a significant other, with the lyrics expressing joy and excitement about being in love. The repetitive nature of the lyrics, especially the phrase "tweedlee tweedlee tweedlee," adds to the playful and almost childlike quality of the song.
The first verse sets the tone for the entire song, expressing the singer's happiness and the effect her significant other has on her heart. The second verse incorporates a bit of playful teasing, with the singer asking how her significant other plans to keep her. The third verse is more direct, with the singer asking for her significant other's love and attention. The final verse expresses the singer's admiration for her significant other, suggesting that she will keep her eyes on them.
The lyrics to "Tweedlee Dee" are simple but effective, emphasizing the carefree and joyful nature of early rock and roll. The repetition of certain phrases helps to create an infectious and catchy melody, perfect for dancing and singing along.
Line by Line Meaning
Tweedlee tweedlee tweedlee dee
I am extremely happy
Jimminy cricket jimminy jack
You make my heart beat faster
Tweedlee tweedlee tweedlee dee
I am extremely happy
Tweedlee tweedlee tweedlee dot
How will you keep your lover?
Hunkies hunkies fishes bite
I am going to see my lover tonight
Tweedlee tweedlee tweedlee dot
How will you keep your lover?
Tweedlee dee tweedlee dee
Give me your love
Tweedlee dot tweedlee dot
Give me all of your love
Hump-be-ump-bump-bump
I am so in love
Tweedlee tweedlee tweedle doe
I feel lucky
Hubba hubba honey dew
I will keep my eyes on you
Tweedlee tweedlee tweedlee doe
I feel lucky
Tweedlee doe tweedlee doe
Give me a kiss before you go
Tweedlee dum tweedlee dum
Look at that attractive person
Lookie lookie lookie lookie
Look at that attractive person
Hump-be-ump-bump-bump
I am so in love
Tweedlee tweedlee tweedlee dum
You are as sweet as bubble gum
Mercy mercy pudding pie
You have something special
You've got something that money can't buy
You are priceless
Tweedlee tweedlee tweedlee dum
You are as sweet as bubble gum
Owww, tweedlee tweedlee dum
Expressing excitement and joy
Owww, tweedlee tweedlee dum
Expressing excitement and joy
Owww, tweedlee tweedlee dum
Expressing excitement and joy
Contributed by Adalyn Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@paulkersey1007
Honestly, it's because of Uncle Buck that I know this song. She is amazing!
R.I.P LaVern Baker and thank you.
@dannythomas417
Don't forget The Candy Man.
@pessimystica
Also don't forget La Bamba!
@Windinhisface
RIP John Candy 😢❤
@candacetyndall6142
Ray Charles "Mess Aroynd".
" Planes, Trains & Automobiles".
@candacetyndall6142
*Mess Around"
@dominickc.
In1954 I was walking to school a car passed me playing loud tweedle Dee I never heard that kind of music And im77 now and still amazed by it!!Thank you Laverne
@halloweensoul
Uncle Buck - 80s Classic Family Movie ❤️❤️
@Doobie1975
Great song that I've discovered off of the movie "Uncle Buck" when he is making breakfast for the kids, definitely a classic scene!
@robertturner402
Me Too!😍😍😍🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣