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.
You Said
LaVern Baker Lyrics
We have lyrics for 'You Said' by these artists:
112 It was you, it was me, it was love, it…
6O Don′t want you to know where I'm at in my…
AKRASIAFM You said So many wonderful things We could do wonderful thin…
Alex Edmonds Verse You said ask and you will receive whatever you need Yo…
Ana & The Changes You said I should stay Stay away and watch my own I…
Angeloh Yeah yeah It's Angeloh You said that you will never let me…
Audra Hardt He said he would and he didn't. He promised me…
austin skinner You said, you said, you said some things I don’t really…
Avery Raquel Maybe I’m a mess Or maybe it’s just stress But then…
Bed & Breakfast I woke up lookin' for a smile Upon your face But all…
Blue On Blue You once said you could read my mind So I thought…
blue on blue feat. LISA You once said you could read my mind So I thought…
Blue Rodeo You once said you could read my mind So I thought…
Busted Your so fit, And you know it, And I only dream of…
Chikinki You said you've been waiting all alone in my bed. But…
Connor Price You said It's a little late for apologies Would never…
D.Polo You said You've been on the brink So slow down Don't got…
Darlene Zschech You said, "ask and you will receive whatever you need." You…
Darlene Zschech/Hillsong You said, "ask and you will receive whatever you need." You…
Die Happy (Music: T. Mewes; Lyrics: Marta Jandová) Grey and dirty…
Don Moen You said "Ask and you will receive" Whatever you need You …
Dylan Rouda Try to tell my brain you’re gone Don’t stay up…
Dylan Seeger You keep falling in love With all the people that you…
Eurielle I can bleed now See the wound now Die this time around Can't…
Evvy To the burn and turn of time close your eyes to…
False Advertising Say that I do Even when I don't Yeah I don't know…
Fat B.A.B.E Said you love me but I'm on my grind Said you…
Feline & Strange You said that you love me - Oh no no…
Folded Like Fabric No way around this hell I couldn't do it, you might…
Fontaine D.C You said You've been on the brink So slow down Don't got…
Gloriana You said I'd never regret Having you lying here in my…
Grits remember when you told me it would never end We would…
Grup Huub You said that I can come anytime Now I′m coming at…
Hillsong You said, "ask and you will receive Whatever you need" You…
Hillsong Live You said, "ask and you will receive Whatever you need" Yo…
Hillsong Music Australia You said, "Ask and you will receive Whatever you need" You…
Hillsong Worship You said, "ask and you will receive Whatever you need" You…
Hillsongs You said, "ask and you will receive whatever you need." You…
Jade Hopcroft I′ve been dreaming of you and I shouldn't be My mind…
Johnson Syleena (Woman) When I say I do, you say I don't When I…
Kelde feat. Mona Lisa So your life feels like it don't make sense And you…
KITCHEN - Fontaines D.C. You said You've been on the brink So slow down Don't got…
M&D Substance feat. Justify I'm the Snake Je te fume comme si t'étais du crack Puis…
Machel Too much on my mind made me go blind Kick out…
Madness You said you're leaving well that's okay You said you've had…
Mona Lisa You said you'd never leave me On my own You said you'd…
Purpose & B.B.Z Darney Said you love me but I'm on my grind Said you…
R.O Do you remember what you said Cause I can't get it…
R.Rocco feat. Ali J. Nasty U said slow down youngin U said just be cool U…
Reuben Morgan You said, ask and you will receive, whatever you need. You…
Rhea ~VERSE 1~ Your as good as you were, But I guess…
Ric Hassani Oh oh oh oh Yeah Can’t do this anymore our world is…
Rita Springer You said, "Ask and you will receive whatever you need." You…
Rosaire You said, you'd never run again But I knew you would You…
Rou Nouz You Said Time, I ´ve got time to get this through,…
Ryan Adams You said, gimme what you can Standing on the corner, diamond…
Sam Avry Yeah You know the lyrics pretty much speak for themselves i…
Scheer I spend Half my life Sleeping And I spend half my time…
Shane & Shane You said "Ask and you will receive" Whatever you need You …
Shane Barnard You said, "ask and you will receive whatever you need." You…
Shane Barnard/Shane Everett You said "Ask and you will receive" Whatever you need You Sa…
Shane Everett You said "Ask and you will receive" Whatever you need You …
Shane&Shane You said "Ask and you will receive" Whatever you need You Sa…
Shy-Anne Hovorka I know it's something You said you'd wait for me But you…
Style Over Substance You Said You said when I was a boy, that life…
Syd Right now here is a moment That you would fit…
Syleena Johnson (Woman) When I say I do, you say I don't When I…
Syleena Johnson Feat. Liberty City (Woman) When I say I do, you say I don't When I…
Syleena Johnson Featuring Liberty City FLA (Woman) When I say I do, you say I don't When I…
The Horrors You said I had what I came for And the whispers…
The Primitives You said you loved me All the while You said our love…
Unarmed The perfect time The perfect home I still think of it I'd te…
Valen Tell me you'll leave me now but you won't Tell me…
Various Artists You said, "Ask and you will receive Whatever you need" You s…
WE ARE TWIN Hey there I bet you'll find relief Ha Take it I never unders…
Worlds Apart Baby you got me Right between the eyes Never knew…
Young Thug So what's up with all that goddamn tough talk you…
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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