Born in Queens, New York, Linda Scott was still in high school when she auditioned for Arthur Godfrey's radio show on CBS in 1959. After having won a place on the show, Linda and other young performers became regular guests on the show. During the show's run the young singer came to the attention of Epic records and Linda made her recording debut (singing as Linda Sampson) with the single 'In-Between Teen'.
In 1961 she signed with the Canadian-American label, a label that had struck gold with the Santo & Johnny single 'Sleep Walk'. Though still in high school, the label changed her performing name to Linda Scott producing and releasing the hit 'I've Told Every Little Star'. The song was originally written by Oscar Hammerstein II and Jerome Kern and was first used in the 1932 production of 'Music In The Air'. That year Scott had a total of 3 top 20 hits. She also wrote some of her own music, unusual for the time, including 'Three Guesses' which was the B side of 'I've Told Every Little Star' The next year she recorded for both Canadian-American records and it’s sister label Congress records. She also appeared in 'Don't Knock The Twist' starring Chubby Checker singing Yessiree'.
Though she released several more singles over the next 3 years they were less and less successful. Her last chart appearance was 'Who's Been Sleeping In My Bed' released in January 1964, the same month the Beatles made their first chart appearance.
In 1965 she became a cast member of the TV rock show ‘Where the Action is’ which she co-hosted with singer Steve Alaimo. Scott's last recording, 'They Don't Know You', was released in 1968 on RCA records and Scott quit show business soon after to pursue studies in theology. She was an army medical laboratory technician for two years and later received a degree in Theology from Kingsway Christian College and Theological Seminary in Des Moines.
The Complete Hits of Linda Scott was released by Bay area Eric records and “I’ve Told Every Little Star” was included in director David Lynch’s film Mulholland Dr..
Don't Bet Money Honey
Linda Scott Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Our love will last
Don't bet money, honey
I know the past
You lied to me before, and I know
You'll lie, yes, you'll lie again
I told you once, I told you twice
That our love could never be
Now I was right, you know I'm right
Oh, baby, how you know I'm right
Can't you see what you're doin' to me?
Don't bet money, honey
Our love will last
Don't bet money, honey
I know the past
You lied to me before, and I know
You'll lie, yes, you'll lie again
Don't bet money, honey
Our love will last
Don't bet money, honey
I know the past
You lied to me before, and I know
You'll lie, yes, you'll lie
I know I'll be right
You'll lie, yes, you'll lie again
The lyrics to Linda Scott's song Don't Bet Money Honey tell a story of a person who is given advice not to bet money that their relationship with their partner will last because the partner has lied before and will likely do it again. The overall message of the song is to not trust someone who has broken your trust multiple times before.
Throughout the song, there is a sense of warning and caution, as Linda Scott pleads with her partner not to make the same mistake again. Despite the partner's promises and affirmations, the singer is not convinced and warns that she knows the past and the same mistakes will be made. The lines "Don't bet money, honey / You lied to me before, and I know / You'll lie, yes, you'll lie again" emphasize the singer's distrust and unwillingness to make the same mistake twice.
In summary, the lyrics of Don't Bet Money Honey are about a relationship where one partner has broken the other's trust multiple times, causing the other partner to become hesitant and doubtful about the futures of their relationship. The song advises the listener not to make the same mistake again by betting on a future with someone who has already broken their trust.
Line by Line Meaning
Don't bet money, honey
Let's not gamble our money on something uncertain
Our love will last
Our romantic relationship will stand the test of time
I know the past
I'm mindful of your prior behavior
You lied to me before, and I know
You've been dishonest with me in the past
You'll lie, yes, you'll lie again
You'll deceive me again in the future
I told you once, I told you twice
I've warned you multiple times
And maybe even three times before
I've given you a fair warning more than twice
That our love could never be
I had doubts that we had a chance at a successful relationship
Now I was right, you know I'm right
My doubts were valid, and you acknowledge it
Oh, baby, how you know I'm right
You see and recognize the mistakes you've made
Can't you see what you're doin' to me?
You can convey that your deceit is causing me pain.
You'll lie, yes, you'll lie
You'll continue to deceive me
I know I'll be right
I'm sure that my doubts will come true
You'll lie, yes, you'll lie again
I'm anticipating that you will deceive me again
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Linda Scott
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Jim Hilliker
Thanks for all the details on the song and what happened to her after the hits stopped. Interesting. Not to bore you all again. But no memory of this and most 1961 hits, at 6. But, I remember it on oldies stations where I lived on and off and now through the internet. Thanks for presenting it here to enjoy again!
TheJonaco
Little Linda was only 17 when she had three straight Top 10 hits in '61. Two were old standards, but this one was her own teen tearjerker. Between the great NYC production and her thick Queens-meets-Jersey accent, it's utterly convincing that she really wanted to get rid of the guy. The hits stopped a year later, but she's still one of my favorite girls of the '60s. BTW- In '64, Linda did a beautiful Engiish version of the dramatic Italian ballad that made Gigliola Cinquetti- a fantastic Italian songstress- the youngest Eurovision winner ever at 15.
It's called :This Is My Prayer" and it's well worth checking out.
Gary VanDecar
Actually Linda Joy Sampson AKA Linda Scott was 16 years old when she had 3 straight Top 10 hits in 1961 as she was born June 1st 1945 in Queens, New York.
sstavsky
I'd also recommend her recording of a Bacharach-David song, "Who's Been Sleeping in My Bed," which she did very well.
Raymond Malcuit
THIS SONG WENT TO NUMBER 9 ON THE BILLBOARD HOT-100 CHART IN 1961.