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.
Stagger Lee
Marvin & Johnny Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴
And the leaves came tumbling down
I was standing on the corner when I heard my bulldog bark
He was barkin' at the two men who were gamblin' in the dark
It was Stagger Lee and Billy, two men who gambled late
Stagger Lee threw seven, Billy swore that he threw eight
You have won all my money and my brand new stetson hat'
Stagger Lee went home and he got his forty-four
Said 'I'm goin' to the barroom just to pay that debt I owe'
Go Stagger Lee!
Stagger Lee went to the barroom and he stood across the barroom door
He said 'Nobody move' and he pulled his forty-four
'Stagger Lee', cried Billy, 'Oh, please don't take my life
I got three little children and a very sickly wife'
(Go Stagger Lee)
Stagger Lee shot Billy, oh he shot that poor boy so bad
Till the bullet came through Billy and it broke the bartender's glass
Look out Stagger Lee!
In the song "Stagger Lee" by Marvin & Johnny, the lyrics set the scene on a clear night with a yellow moon and leaves falling. The singer describes being on a street corner when their bulldog starts barking at two men gambling in the dark. These men are revealed to be Stagger Lee and Billy, engaged in a late-night gambling session. Stagger Lee throws a seven, to which Billy claims he threw an eight.
As the tension rises between Stagger Lee and Billy, Stagger Lee refuses to let Billy leave with his winnings, including his money and newly acquired Stetson hat. Stagger Lee, feeling wronged by Billy's supposed win, retrieves his firearm, a forty-four gun, determined to settle the debt in the barroom. The narrative transitions to a dramatic moment where Stagger Lee enters the bar, wielding his weapon with a clear intention to confront Billy.
In a desperate plea for his life, Billy implores Stagger Lee not to take it, citing his responsibilities to his three children and sickly wife. Despite Billy's heartfelt plea, Stagger Lee proceeds to shoot him, inflicting fatal injuries. The violent act is depicted vividly as the bullet passes through Billy, shattering a glass held by the bartender, emphasizing the deadly consequences of Stagger Lee's actions.
As the song reaches its climax, the refrain "Look out Stagger Lee!" serves as a warning or a call to action, portraying the consequences of Stagger Lee's violent and vengeful behavior. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a man driven by pride and retaliation, ultimately leading to a tragic and irreversible outcome. Through these poignant lyrics, "Stagger Lee" captures the raw emotions and consequences of unchecked aggression and revenge.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Jerome J. Garcia, Robert C. Hunter
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind