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.
You're the Boss
LaVern Baker Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Well, when it comes to bopping
And natural finger popping
Baby, you sure do swing
And when it comes to bopping
And natural finger popping
Daddy, you are the king
Baby, you got me beat up and down
Inside out and across
Oh, yeah
But in the middle of the night
When the moon is shining bright
You're the boss
Talking bout dancing
And down home romancing
Daddy, you make the scene
Talking bout dancing
And down home romancing
Baby, you are the queen
Man, when push comes to shove
When it comes down to love
You're a horse
Oh, but in the middle of the night
When the moon is shining bright
You're the boss
You're the best of everything
You're a peach, you're a plum
And you're a diamond, you're a pearl
You're the best of everything
And, daddy, you're my man
And, baby, you're my girl
Now when it comes to knowing
Which way the wind is blowing
Baby, you sure are wise
And when it comes to knowing
Which way the wind is blowing
Daddy, ha ha, you get the prize
Baby, you're a genius when it
Comes to cooking up some chili sauce
But in the middle of the night
When the moon is shining bright
You're the boss
You're the boss
You're the boss...
The lyrics of LaVern Baker's song "You're the Boss" are a playful conversation between a man and a woman. The two exchange compliments, with the woman telling the man that he's a great dancer and a skilled lover, while the man praises the woman for her wisdom and cooking skills. The repeated chorus emphasizes the idea that when it comes to being in charge, the man takes the lead in their relationship. The lyrics are delivered with a flirty tone, and the singers playfully interrupt each other throughout the song.
The lyrics of "You're the Boss" are filled with double entendres and innuendos. The playful banter between the two singers suggests that they have a fun and lighthearted relationship. The use of phrases like "bopping" and "finger popping" have sexual connotations, while other lines reference cooking and dancing as metaphors for intimacy. The repeated chorus, "You're the boss," emphasizes the idea that the man is in control of their relationship, although the woman seems to be in on the joke.
Overall, "You're the Boss" is a witty and fun song that highlights the chemistry between LaVern Baker and Jimmy Ricks. Their playful delivery gives the lyrics a sense of humor and lightness that makes the song memorable.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, when it comes to bopping
And natural finger popping
Baby, you sure do swing
You are great at dancing and making music with your fingers
And when it comes to bopping
And natural finger popping
Daddy, you are the king
You are the best at dancing and making music with your fingers
Baby, you got me beat up and down
Inside out and across
Oh, yeah
You have me completely under your spell
But in the middle of the night
When the moon is shining bright
You're the boss
You have complete control over me when we are together at night
Talking bout dancing
And down home romancing
Daddy, you make the scene
You are great at both dancing and intimate interactions
Talking bout dancing
And down home romancing
Baby, you are the queen
You are the best at both dancing and intimate interactions
Man, when push comes to shove
When it comes down to love
You're a horse
You are strong and determined when it comes to love
You're the best of everything
You're a peach, you're a plum
And you're a diamond, you're a pearl
You're the best of everything
You are absolutely amazing in every way possible
And, daddy, you're my man
And, baby, you're my girl
We belong together and I love you
Now when it comes to knowing
Which way the wind is blowing
Baby, you sure are wise
You are knowledgeable about life and the direction it is headed
And when it comes to knowing
Which way the wind is blowing
Daddy, ha ha, you get the prize
You are the most knowledgeable about life and the direction it is headed
Baby, you're a genius when it
Comes to cooking up some chili sauce
You are an expert at making chili sauce
But in the middle of the night
When the moon is shining bright
You're the boss
You have complete control over me when we are together at night
You're the boss
You're the boss...
You have complete control over me and I love it
Contributed by Jason W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@delphinefulljoy6810
What a duet!!! The best ever 🙏 been listening to this for ages... Can't get enough of it!
@lamedvav
I like Dinah Washington with Brook Bennett on this duet, but now I can't find it.
@scouseronthewirral
Written By Jerry Lieber & Mike Stoller
Recorded by Lavern Baker & Jimmy Ricks on 14 November 1960, it peaked at #81
Elvis Presley & Ann-Margret Recorded the Song on 11 July 1963 during the Viva Las Vegas, it was not used in the film or the EP Soundtrack, it went unreleased until April 1991 when it was featured on the Elvis Presley Sings Lieber & Stoller Reissue CD, also Featured on the Elvis: Collector’s Gold Box set in August 1991.
@ronnydooms
Great song you listening all day long to this kind of music
@petrichor649
That is a tune... I'm dancing and cooking.
@marvelousmartian5379
Again another great tune that should have been on her SOUL ON FIRE CD along with TINY TIM!!
@tinadavies4195
Good god almighty I've got chills.
@donnakeith7443
Love it. Greetings 2 all from India.
@AN-xe5ly
Je ne m'en lasse pas ! Quel délice 🖤
@Alpostpone
This is some awesome singing