Marvin & Johnny was the stage name of the 1950s American doo-wop duo. It fe… Read Full Bio ↴Marvin & Johnny was the stage name of the 1950s American doo-wop duo. It featured Marvin Phillips (born October 23, 1931) and Emory "Johnny" Perry (born March 1, 1928), who recorded the early doo-wop single, "Cherry Pie."
Phillips was born in Guthrie, Oklahoma and Perry in Sherman, Texas, but their impact in the music industry occurred in Los Angeles in 1954. The pair had become acquainted in 1949 when they were saxophonists for The Richard Lewis Band.
Prior to teaming up with Perry, Phillips worked with several other artists who performed under the name "Johnny." The first was Carl Green, and later Johnny Starks. Phillips also paired with the R&B singer Jesse Belvin. They charted with "Dream Girl" b/w "Daddy Loves Baby" in late 1952. "Dream Girl" received good airplay and sales in California, but Belvin had opportunities elsewhere and left Phillips to pursue a solo career. Later, Marvin "Rip" Spencer, Phillips' nephew, would perform under the Marvin and Johnny name.
Phillips then teamed up with Carl "Johnny" Green, who had been working as a duo recording as Johnny & Mack for Deluxe Records. This incarnation of the duo recorded "Baby Doll" b/w "I'm Not Your Fool" for Specialty Records in the summer of 1953. At the same time, Phillips recorded the single "Sweetheart Darling" for Swingtime Records. The next outing for the duo was "Jo Jo" b/w "How Long She Been Gone" in early 1954. "School of Love" b/w "Boy Loves Girl" was their next release. On July 13, 1954, the pair signed with the Bihari brothers and moved to the Modern Records label. At Modern, they recorded "Tick Tock" and "Cherry Pie." The record was a big seller, and both sides received airplay. As was commonplace among early doo-wop, part of its popularity rested with the double-entendre lyric.
After "Cherry Pie", the pair performed on shows and revues that traveled around the West Coast of the United States. They released "Day In-Day Out" b/w "Flip", then "Kiss Me" b/w "Sugar," and "Little Honey" b/w "Honey Girl". None of these recordings had the commercial impact of "Cherry Pie."
Aside from their doo-wop lineage, Marvin & Johnny were significant figures in the transition from West Coast jump blues to R&B. In 1955, Marvin & Johnny continued to do personal appearances and recorded singles. However, their appeal continued to be based on "Cherry Pie." They went their separate ways that year, but Marvin did not let the Marvin & Johnny name die. Jesse Belvin had received his discharge from the U.S. Army by this time and he rejoined Phillips. In July 1956, Phillips and Belvin broke up again as Phillips began a solo career billed as Long Tall Marvin. Aladdin Records released "My Dear My Darling" in September 1956 and credited it to Marvin & Johnny. In May 1958, an old Marvin & Johnny recording of "Yak Yak" b/w "Pretty Eyes" was released on Aladdin.
George Carlin performed "Cherry Pie" following a monologue on the Gladys Knight & The Pips variety show in 1975, backed by the Pips, and again on The Arsenio Hall Show on 30 November 1989.
Phillips was born in Guthrie, Oklahoma and Perry in Sherman, Texas, but their impact in the music industry occurred in Los Angeles in 1954. The pair had become acquainted in 1949 when they were saxophonists for The Richard Lewis Band.
Prior to teaming up with Perry, Phillips worked with several other artists who performed under the name "Johnny." The first was Carl Green, and later Johnny Starks. Phillips also paired with the R&B singer Jesse Belvin. They charted with "Dream Girl" b/w "Daddy Loves Baby" in late 1952. "Dream Girl" received good airplay and sales in California, but Belvin had opportunities elsewhere and left Phillips to pursue a solo career. Later, Marvin "Rip" Spencer, Phillips' nephew, would perform under the Marvin and Johnny name.
Phillips then teamed up with Carl "Johnny" Green, who had been working as a duo recording as Johnny & Mack for Deluxe Records. This incarnation of the duo recorded "Baby Doll" b/w "I'm Not Your Fool" for Specialty Records in the summer of 1953. At the same time, Phillips recorded the single "Sweetheart Darling" for Swingtime Records. The next outing for the duo was "Jo Jo" b/w "How Long She Been Gone" in early 1954. "School of Love" b/w "Boy Loves Girl" was their next release. On July 13, 1954, the pair signed with the Bihari brothers and moved to the Modern Records label. At Modern, they recorded "Tick Tock" and "Cherry Pie." The record was a big seller, and both sides received airplay. As was commonplace among early doo-wop, part of its popularity rested with the double-entendre lyric.
After "Cherry Pie", the pair performed on shows and revues that traveled around the West Coast of the United States. They released "Day In-Day Out" b/w "Flip", then "Kiss Me" b/w "Sugar," and "Little Honey" b/w "Honey Girl". None of these recordings had the commercial impact of "Cherry Pie."
Aside from their doo-wop lineage, Marvin & Johnny were significant figures in the transition from West Coast jump blues to R&B. In 1955, Marvin & Johnny continued to do personal appearances and recorded singles. However, their appeal continued to be based on "Cherry Pie." They went their separate ways that year, but Marvin did not let the Marvin & Johnny name die. Jesse Belvin had received his discharge from the U.S. Army by this time and he rejoined Phillips. In July 1956, Phillips and Belvin broke up again as Phillips began a solo career billed as Long Tall Marvin. Aladdin Records released "My Dear My Darling" in September 1956 and credited it to Marvin & Johnny. In May 1958, an old Marvin & Johnny recording of "Yak Yak" b/w "Pretty Eyes" was released on Aladdin.
George Carlin performed "Cherry Pie" following a monologue on the Gladys Knight & The Pips variety show in 1975, backed by the Pips, and again on The Arsenio Hall Show on 30 November 1989.
Melody Of Love
Marvin & Johnny Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴
Yeah
Woo
Ooh, ooh
Lord, Lord, Lord, Lord, Lord babe
Ooh
Oh Lord, yes
After many tears fall from your eyes
A thousand times you ask yourself why
The one guy you love has departed
Oh, you're left alone and broken-hearted
Oh, love just comes and goes
How long it's gonna last, nobody knows
Hey
That's the way love is, baby, ooh
That's the way love is, baby
Oh Lord, Lord
Oh, that's how it is
Yes Lord, oh, ooh
Said I wake up and I see you
Lord, you I see
Sugar, sugar in my mirror
In the mornin'
Instead of seein' me
I see you, babe
I see your face
And inside me
Is a growing need
Woo, for your embrace
Lord, Lord, Lord, Lord
In the light of day, though our faces meet
Woo, oh baby
Woo, oh darling, oh baby
Woo
I bet you're wonderin' how I knew
'Bout your plans to make me blue
Some other guy you knew before
The two of us guy, woo
Took me by surprise I must say
When I found out yesterday
Don't you know that I
Heard, heard it through the grapevine
No longer would you be mine
Honey, honey, honey I heard it through the grapevine
Just about to lose my mind
Honey, honey, honey hey
Woo, woo, woo
Yes I heard it
Through the grapevine
That no longer would you be mine, woo
Little darlin' I love you
Little darlin' I want you
Little darlin' got to have you
Whoa yeah baby, gotta have you
If it means giving up my life
I'm willing to give it up, give it up
Always one who loves more than the other, but
I don't mind, I don't mind
Little darlin' I love you
You're all I need to get bye, whoa baby
I love you so much and I gotta say
You're all I need to get by
That's why I hold onto you baby
Whoa, that's I love you sugar
You, you're all I need to get by
Alright now, woo
Ain't nothing like the real thing, baby
Ain't nothing like the real thing
Nothing like the real thing, baby
Whoa Lord, no
Nothing like the real thing
(Maurice) Maurice
You know Tammi Terrell
And I recorded a lot of love songs
Tammi used to say, "Marvin
Our message is to lovers isn't it?"
I said, "And our message is of love isn't it?"
And that's what we strove for
To sing of love and about love
We wanted to sing because we know
And we knew that love what was happenin'
We want you to reminisce a little
See if you remember this one
What you've given me
Oh I could never return
'Cause there's so much, girl, I have yet to learn
Heaven must have sent you from above, baby
Heaven must have sent your precious love
Because you, honey you are
You're my pride and joy
I love you, I love you little darlin'
Like a baby boy loves his toy
You, you've got kisses sweeter than honey, whoa Lord
And I work seven days a week to give you all my money
And that's why babe
You, you, you are my pride and joy
Don't you believe me
Sugar that's why
Honey that's why you're my pride and joy
I gotta sing one more time
I'm a stubborn kind of fellow
Yeah, I'm a stubborn kind of fellow
Got my mind made up to love you
Woo
Ooh, ooh
Lord, Lord, Lord, Lord, Lord babe
Ooh
Oh Lord, yes
A thousand times you ask yourself why
The one guy you love has departed
Oh, you're left alone and broken-hearted
Oh, love just comes and goes
How long it's gonna last, nobody knows
Hey
That's the way love is, baby, ooh
That's the way love is, baby
Oh Lord, Lord
Oh, that's how it is
Yes Lord, oh, ooh
Said I wake up and I see you
Lord, you I see
Sugar, sugar in my mirror
In the mornin'
Instead of seein' me
I see you, babe
I see your face
And inside me
Is a growing need
Woo, for your embrace
Lord, Lord, Lord, Lord
In the light of day, though our faces meet
Woo, oh baby
Woo, oh darling, oh baby
Woo
I bet you're wonderin' how I knew
'Bout your plans to make me blue
Some other guy you knew before
The two of us guy, woo
Took me by surprise I must say
When I found out yesterday
Don't you know that I
Heard, heard it through the grapevine
No longer would you be mine
Honey, honey, honey I heard it through the grapevine
Just about to lose my mind
Honey, honey, honey hey
Woo, woo, woo
Yes I heard it
Through the grapevine
That no longer would you be mine, woo
Little darlin' I love you
Little darlin' I want you
Little darlin' got to have you
Whoa yeah baby, gotta have you
If it means giving up my life
I'm willing to give it up, give it up
Always one who loves more than the other, but
I don't mind, I don't mind
Little darlin' I love you
You're all I need to get bye, whoa baby
I love you so much and I gotta say
You're all I need to get by
That's why I hold onto you baby
Whoa, that's I love you sugar
You, you're all I need to get by
Alright now, woo
Ain't nothing like the real thing, baby
Ain't nothing like the real thing
Nothing like the real thing, baby
Whoa Lord, no
Nothing like the real thing
(Maurice) Maurice
You know Tammi Terrell
And I recorded a lot of love songs
Tammi used to say, "Marvin
Our message is to lovers isn't it?"
I said, "And our message is of love isn't it?"
And that's what we strove for
To sing of love and about love
We wanted to sing because we know
And we knew that love what was happenin'
We want you to reminisce a little
See if you remember this one
What you've given me
Oh I could never return
'Cause there's so much, girl, I have yet to learn
Heaven must have sent you from above, baby
Heaven must have sent your precious love
Because you, honey you are
You're my pride and joy
I love you, I love you little darlin'
Like a baby boy loves his toy
You, you've got kisses sweeter than honey, whoa Lord
And I work seven days a week to give you all my money
And that's why babe
You, you, you are my pride and joy
Don't you believe me
Sugar that's why
Honey that's why you're my pride and joy
I gotta sing one more time
I'm a stubborn kind of fellow
Yeah, I'm a stubborn kind of fellow
Got my mind made up to love you
The lyrics of "Melody of Love" by Marvin & Johnny touch upon themes of love, heartbreak, and the ups and downs of romantic relationships. The song expresses the pain of lost love, the uncertainty of how long love will last, and the longing for a partner's embrace. It acknowledges that love can be unpredictable and fleeting, leaving one broken-hearted and questioning the reasons behind its departure. The lyrics also reflect a sense of vulnerability and a willingness to sacrifice for love, as the singer expresses a deep desire to hold onto their partner, even if it means giving up their own life.
The song transitions into a reference to Marvin & Johnny's earlier hit, "Heard It Through the Grapevine," where they acknowledge the betrayal they have discovered. The lyrics convey the shock and hurt felt upon learning that their partner had been involved with someone else. This revelation causes them to feel like they are on the verge of losing their mind, deeply affected by the news. Despite the pain, they express a continued love and longing for their partner, singing about the need to have them in their life.
Overall, "Melody of Love" explores the complexities of love, the pain of heartbreak, and the enduring desire for connection and companionship.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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fernando herrera
Ooohooohoooh ..... Oohooohoo ....
Cherry. do do do
Cherry Pie. do do do da
Cherry. do do do
Cherry Pie. do do do da
Cherry. do do do
Cherry Pie - Ooh so good -
Ah baby, ah
Sugar. do do do
Sugar Plum. do do do da
Sugar. do do do
Sugar plum. do do do da
Sugar. do do do
Sugar plum, Sweet as they come -
Ah, as they come
Like little Jack Horner
Sittin in the corner
Eatin - his cherry cherry cherry pie
Laud, Laud, Laud
Only I didn't put in a thumb
And pull out a plum
So I guess I'm not as great, great as he
Lord, Lord noooah!!
Give me. do do do
Give me some .... do do do da
Give me. do do do
Give me some. do do do da
Give me. do do do
Give me some, ....Cherry Cherry Pie -
Like little Jack Horner
Sittin, setten in the corner
Eatin his cherry cherry cherry pie
Laud, laud laud
Only I didn't put in a thumb
And pull out a plum
So I guess I'm not as great as he
Lord - Lord noooah !!
Give me. do do do
Give me some .... do do do da
Give me. do do do
Give me some. do do do da
Give me. do do do
Give me some - Cherry Cherry Pie -
Cherry Cherry Pie
Cherry Cherry Pie
Cherry Cherry Pie
PoohBearSally3
Ooohooohoooh, Oohooohoo
Cherry. do do do
Cherry Pie. do do do da
Cherry. do do do
Cherry Pie. do do do da
Cherry. do do do
Cherry Pie, Ooh so good.
Ah baby, ah.
Sugar. do do do
Sugar Plum. do do do da
Sugar. do do do
Sugar plum. do do do da
Sugar. do do do
Sugar plum, Sweet as they come,
ah, as they come.
Like little Jack Horner,
Sittin in the corner,
Eatin his cherry cherry cherry pie.
Laud, Laud, Laud.
Only I didn't put in a thumb
and pull out a plum,
So I guess I'm not as great, great as he.
Lord, Lord noooah.
Give me. do do do
Give me some. do do do da
Give me. do do do
Give me some. do do do da
Give me. do do do
Give me some, Cherry Cherry Pie.
Like little Jack Horner
Sittin, setten in the corner
Eatin his cherry cherry cherry pie,
Laud, laud laud.
Only I didn't put in a thumb
and pull out a plum
So I guess I'm not as great as he.
Lord, Lord noooah.
Give me. do do do
Give me some. do do do da
Give me. do do do
Give me some. do do do da
Give me. do do do
Give me some, Cherry Cherry Pie,
Cherry Cherry Pie,
Cherry Cherry Pie,
Cherry Cherry Pie.
Kerry McVeigh
So cool! I performed this song with my group, King Kook and the Camels, in my high school's talent show long ago. I did lead vocals and played guitar. At that time, I had never heard the lame Skip and Flip version. Our performance was based on Marvin and Johnny.
Chelmito Fierro
Mmadbdvvfbvdsnsvsnsdsamdsasmdasddaasdmmasasá
Marie Villa
Great song 💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖
Marie Villa
Great song 💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖
southie/naples
Marvin & Johnny led the way for me personally to get into R&B music with this two-sided hit...Tick Tock on the flip side.....thanks guys for getting me, this South Boston white kid, into the world of wonderful 50's black music in 1953-54...AWESOME STUFF!!
Joseph Hermosillo
southie/naples l
Bill Mackem
very very cool! brings back many memories of the 50's, wish I still had my lowered chopped merc...
Wolf251982
One of my favorite oldies to kick back to.
Marie Villa
This is the jam💖💖💖💖💖💖
star15748
I'm 63 and finally got a 59 corvette couple years ago and will finish it this summer. One trip around the block with oldies playing and I'll be ready to go. I'll go to sleep content and happy as the memories are irreplaceable and not able to be duplicated. Glad I live it.