You Got What It Takes
Marvin Johnson Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Some boys say they like your eyes
I heard some boys say
They love the way they hypnotize
Oh honey, I don't know
What it is you got
All I know is that you got what it takes
Um, to take what I got

Oh now some boys say
They love your walk
I heard some boys say
Just the other day
They love your sweet baby talk
Oh, I don't know
I can't see what it is you got
All I know is that you got what it takes
Ooh, to take what I got
Hah hah, yeah

Some boys say they love your smile
I heard some boys say
They love the way you just drive 'em wild
Oh, I don't know
I'm tryin' to figure out what it is you got
All I know is that you got what it takes
Ah, to take what I got

Hah hah, you can get anything I got

Flashin' your pretty eyes
You drivin'

Overall Meaning

Description:

Marvin Johnson's song You Got What It Takes is a song about a boy who is smitten by a girl and is trying to understand what it is about her that makes him feel this way. The song speaks of how her eyes, walk, and smile all drive the boys crazy. He is unable to pinpoint what it is she has but knows that she has what it takes to take what he has. It is a love song that celebrates the beauty of the girl, who seems to have the power to captivate the boys.

The song is written in a straightforward and jazzy melody accompanied by trumpets, drums, and piano. The instrumentation enhances the swing vibe of the song, giving it a happy feel. The lyrics are playful and flirty, exploring the complexities of attraction and desire. The song's main message is that sometimes, you cannot put your finger on what makes a person irresistible to you, but you know they have "got what it takes."

Line by Line Meaning

Some boys say they like your eyes
Some guys talk about liking your eyes

I heard some boys say They love the way they hypnotize
I've heard people say they love how your eyes captivate

Oh honey, I don't know What it is you got
I can't quite put my finger on what makes you so attractive

All I know is that you got what it takes Um, to take what I got
All I know is that you have the qualities to capture my heart

Oh now some boys say They love your walk
Some guys even talk about loving the way you walk

I heard some boys say Just the other day They love your sweet baby talk
I heard someone say they loved your cutesy way of talking

Oh, I don't know I can't see what it is you got
I can't quite place what it is about you that drives people crazy

All I know is that you got what it takes Ooh, to take what I got Hah hah, yeah
What I do know is that you have what it takes to win me over

Some boys say they love your smile
Guys talk about loving your smile

I heard some boys say They love the way you just drive 'em wild
I've heard guys say that you drive them crazy

Oh, I don't know I'm tryin' to figure out what it is you got
I am still trying to understand what makes you so amazing

All I know is that you got what it takes Ah, to take what I got
But what I do know is that you have the qualities to win my heart

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: CLYDE LOVERN OTIS, MURRAY STEIN

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

TRACKS

Genre not found

Artist not found

Album not found

Search results not found

Song not found

Comments from YouTube:

@Dagot1948

44w↑8

I'm 75 years old and I still remember the lyrics to this song!

@marycallender5200

26w

Grooving in 2023. Still singing along. Be safe.

@lordelpus6571

28w↑3

This brings back SO MANY memories!! Love it.

@davidwalsh3439

50w↑7

A brilliant track from a great time to be young. It brings me great joy to hear this song again.

@leaholson2548

3y↑13

I’m twelve and I love this song... it really speaks to me. You don’t need to be perfect for someone to love you. :)

@derekmyers3258

2y↑1

I used to be cute. Now I'm just grouchy but lovable. 😝

@paddyeejit1954

51w↑3

Well said

@leaholson2548

50w↑1

@@paddyeejit1954 thank you.. i forgot i made this comment lmao. :D glad you responded, it reminded me of this epic song lol !

@stephenbrooks6174

47w↑1

But it helps.

@ohyesitsyouagain

4y↑42

These comments are cracking me up. He’s not saying “you’ll do” and the lyrics aren’t “abusive.” He’s saying despite not checking all the boxes of being the perfect girl, he likes her and accepts her anyway. I never saw the song any other way.

@roadmaster720

4y↑6

if a guy can find a gal like this, he'd better hang on to her. she will go anywhere with him.she will love him and do anything he wants within reason. they will grow old together in love.

@scoopmcg

3y↑5

the song is incrediblely hooky but you're right - it's kind of the R&B version of My Funny Valentine ('your looks are laughable, not photographable')

@lindabranigan2460

2y↑3

ohyesitsyouagain
The theme is very similar to Jimmy Soul's, "If you want to be happy." Today, PC, marginalization, objectifying, body shaming(includes face) would ban this song, or at least make a big fuss. These called, "fun" with no cursing, no lewdness,
and a driving beat that was great to dance to.
(primarily the jitterbug.
So, where did everyone's sense of humor go? Obviously, if they had one, it would produce uproarious
laughter, of music today.

@lindabranigan2460

P.S.
ohyesitsyouagain
Love your handle!

@harrodsfan

27w

Well said.

@rickraber1249

1y↑1

I remember this song from an LP my mom bought in the early 60's. Great music.

@warrenwilson1437

4y↑5

Practically every morning I wake up with a song in my head...Happy to be alive and to have (still) remember all these great early songs. This morning it was this ditty by Marv Johnson. And, if the song is a fave, I'll sing it to my wife. She'll tell me what a great guy I am and I start the day with a burst of energy that anyone can envy...today, it was Marv. Tomorrow?

@aaronbunch1194

2y↑1

I wake up with a different song in my head every day as well! That’s a great way to start the day👊🏼

@lopony7944

1y↑2

National anthem for the girls out here with dreamboat bodies but with shipwreck faces
...

...love y'all TOO!
Yall do the MOSTEST!!🥰✌🏽
Word to Hostess🍰🧁

@georgepeace3791

4y↑2

I heard this first as a youngster at the fairground, never forgot it. Still enjoy it and l am 73 regards George Peace.

@thomasgalanek7096

4y↑3

I like this song you got what it takes. Marv Johnson 1959 I have a 45's record. I keep playing the song. I like it

@bburke9244

3y↑1

Many more happy birthdays to my dear friend Loretta!

@darrylevans4401

3y↑5

Such a great song by the late and great Marv Johnson. Play this on my internet radio show Classic Soul me the Masterblaster RIP brotha.

@johnwilliams3197

1y↑1

Good song with lyrics that hit home.

@Jojomiko62

Memories ❤😢

@MagicGary1960

11y↑4

Marv Johnson and Jackie Wilson are my two favorite Detroit Boys man could they both sing talking about being Soulful, Detroit sure had alot of great singers In the 50's and 60's Male and Female Long live the Detroit sound.

@rickraber1249

Amen!

@TheDaniel2483

9y↑20

this song went to #10 on the pop charts in 1960!!!

@themanfromaspen7073

9y↑24

I really liked Marv Johnson thanks for posting

@MrJsmith49

6y↑8

One of the 1st records I remeber my brother playing in the morning before going to school, still love it....

@pamelacosel5197

Same for me. I used to listen to it on the radio when I was age 5 and sang along!

@acquanellaogbemudia9930

5y↑3

Memories my Mom played this and the Jukeboxes too Thanks

@caspercasper896

2y↑1

this was in the uk top 40 charts of saturday 13 february 1960

@eurotechcabinets4511

3y↑1

Solid early rock and roll

@rfileger

13y↑2

This was the song I sang and sang along with to my wife before she was my wife

@poopstain565

11y↑2

This looks like American Bandstand in the 50's. This takes me way back to my child hood. CARL

@bburke9244

Me too! Coming home from third grade and watching American Bandstand on TV!

@paulakpacente

6y↑4

Another classic in my book!

@jeanmegane

9y↑6

# 46 on Billboards Hot 100 of 1960

@kenadams591

11y↑3

Happy B-Day Marv....R.I.P.

@rosariomartinez3870

Ilove the OLDIES i was sixteen now iam 77 still ENJOYING it .

@leannophat53

11y↑6

RIP Marv Johnson

@seanmontgomery801

Was the great Marv Johnson between 50 and 60 years of age,when he left us?

@clearthinker43

13y

Brings back lots and lots of memories when we would rush home from school to tune in to American Bandstand. Boy! Those were the days when music was music. This stuff will be played for ten more generations....if they are not destroyed the current music trends.

@SarahKayeRen

7y↑36

11 people don't have what it takes.

@scottyd8900

5y↑1

Amen 😂

@roadmaster720

shut up, nature didn't give you such a beautiful face either, sweetie pie.

@cynthia6637

12y↑2

FANTASTIC, OH YEAH! LOVE IT! DANCE TO THIS IN THE 60'S AT THE TEEN CLUBS!!

@ozrock17

13y↑4

this has an extended ending to the 45 version WHICH IVE ALWAYS DREAMED OF!!!!!!!!!!!! <3

@DubbyDominate

11y↑6

I do enjoy 50s -60s music :) i'm 21 and this is well before my time but damn it's so good

@theyluvTikTokEdits

6y↑1

DubbyDominate i'm 32 and i agree. I love old music. It's so much better and has meaning unlike music today.

@alexkije

2y↑2

Love It! Thanks for sharing. Dave Clark 5 has similar, but not the same groove, as this guy! Best version here!

@fabriciavincle

7y↑11

I've been searching for this song for a long time...but I didn't even knew what name it was...so I remembered its chorus then I've found!

@paddyeejit1954

51w↑1

Showaddywaddy!!!

@richardgreiner9264

Haven’t heard that song in years

@tonynobo4524

7y↑1

Thank you for sharing this extensive history

@mkl62

6y↑2

This hit from Marv Johnson went to #10 on the Top 40 charts. It also went to #2 on the Rhythm & Blues charts and to #7 in the United Kingdom. It would finish at #46 for the year, 1960.

@harrodsfan

27w

👍

@clivepresley2907

6y↑2

She's amazing for her age, a true lady.

@sauquoit13456

11y↑1

On this day in 1959 {October 26th} Marv Johnson performed "You Got What It Takes" on the late Dick Clark's American Bandstand One month later on November 2nd it entered Billboard's Hot Top 100 chart; eventually it peaked at #10 and spent 22 weeks on the Top 100 Co-written by Berry Gordy, Jr. Eight years later in 1967 the Dave Clark Five covered it; their version reached #7 on the Top 100 Marv Johnson passed away on May 16th, 1993 at the age of 54 {a stroke} R.I.P. Mr. Johnson and Mr. Clark

@joniachenbach410

6y↑1

Thanks John...love it!!!

@sauquoit13456

8y↑7

On this day in 1960 {February 27th} Marv Johnson performed "You Got What It Takes" on the ABC-TV program the 'Dick Clark Saturday Night Beech-Nut Show'...
At the time the song was at #15 on Billboard's Hot Top 100 chart; two weeks earlier it had peaked at #10 {for 1 week} and it stayed on the chart for 22 weeks...
On January 11th it reached #2 {for 2 weeks} on Billboard's R&B Singles chart; the two weeks it was at #2, the #1 record for both those weeks was "Smokie (Part Two)" by the Bill Black Combo...
Between 1959 and 1961 he had nine Top 100 records; two made the Top 10, his other Top 10 record was "I Love the Way You Love Me", it peaked at #9 later in 1960...
Just over seven years later on March 26th, 1967 the Dave Clark Five's covered version of the song entered the Top 100, it would peak at #7 on May 7th, 1967 {lucky sevens} ...
Marvin Earl Johnson passed away on May 16th, 1993 at the young age of 54...
May he R.I.P.

@John1948NineB

8y↑2

+sauquoit13456 Thank you my friend. I always enjoy the information you post!

@gilbertcordero2761

9y↑4

awesome song

@gilbertcordero2761

7y↑1

Great music good old days

@Sheven718

9y↑4

had the single back in the day , great track

@pjf654

another nice one Dave and great video

@Sheven718

nice to see you peter , yes one of my old favourites , have a nice day !

@deannafuller5624

My grandfather i miss u dearly

@MagicGary1960

10y↑6

***** I agree Sarah Vaughn, Brook Benton and Dinah Washington were among some of my faves growing up near Detroit. In the early 60's Dinah Washington was Married to former Detroit Lions star Dick Night train Lane But Jackie Wilson will always have a special place in my heart. The Cemetary where Jackie Wilson Is buried was right across the street from the hospital where my mom had worked.

@maxb6057

9y↑3

Gary VanDecar Detroit is one of my favorite cities in the United states. Great history, great music, great people. I'm from Toronto. God bless.

@larrystimely5628

8y↑2

+Max B I worked for there for about a year (2013-2014) on an IBM project at a bank and fell in love with the place. They liked me, too.

@paulakpacente

6y↑1

I loved Jackie Wilson too!

@stephanieyeshuaislife7236

10y↑6

So Nice!

:-)

@acquanellaogbemudia9930

Memories Jukeboxes n Juke Joints Thanks

@acquanellaogbemudia9930

Great Song great Singer

@noogieboy555

4y↑1

You send me! BTW, thanks for the bio above. Tres cool.

@gilbertcordero2761

Awesome classic music

@sauquoit13456

11y↑4

On this day in 1967 {March 26th} the Dave Clark Five performed "You Got What It Takes" on the late Dick Clark's 'American Bandstand'... Six days later on April 1st it entered Billboad's Hot Top 100 chart; eventually it peaked at #7 and spent 10 weeks on the Top 100... It reached #28 on the United Kingdom Singles chart... Two other versions have charted; Marv Johnson {#10 in 1960} and Showaddywaddy {#2 in the UK in 1977} Was originally recorded in 1958 in Bobby Parker, his version didn't chart

@billmiller2988

I played this song on WGRA radio Cairo Ga Wild BIll Miller rock on...

@melomanedame

12y

love it you got it nice songs yippies

@jimbomacaroni

12y↑1

The Brits appreciated him. The Dave Clark 5 did a credible redo in their wonderfully loud and heavily instrumentalized style (that's how I found out about Marv Johnson)

@John1948NineB

12y↑2

@jimbomacaroni I love the DC5 too!

@cynthiaanderson3742

😎 😎 😎 😎 😎.

@Playbyplaymedia

From the time I noticed it, I've admired the baritone sax and flute doubling up in the arrangement- simple but contrasting and innovative enough. Don't know if that's Thomas H. "Beans" Bowles playing but seems likely. I've been told that Marv Johnson's dancing rivaled the more famous, even the legends.

@pinchold

11y↑5

another song worth checking out is "A littla bit of soap" by Jarmels.

@clydep9870

5y↑1

About January 1960.

@pinchold

11y

You are right. "Handy man" bears greater resemblance. Another good song from that era is "Itty bitty pieces" by James Ray

@clydep9870

9y↑1

Popular about January 1960.

@thomascaampbell4415

I know nothing about Marv Johnson but I soon will. I heard the song when The Dave Clark Five covered it. In this clip, I can't believe we had a generation that danced and dressed so badly, but that 1960 clip is interesting for all that.

@johnmichalski1253

5y↑1

one of the greats.....way before marvin gaye etc.

@sauquoit13456

12y

Marv Johnson passed away on this day in 1993 {May 16th} at the young age of 54... May he R.I.P. *** "And nature didn't give you such a beautiful face" ***

@saragreen9008

From people who knew, respected...and loved him; "his face remains in their hearts"!!!

@John1948NineB

12y

Opinions do vary. I guess I prefer this version instrumentally but the vocals by Marvin and Tammi are wonderful.

@John1948NineB

10y↑13

What are you talking about? The lyrics are in no way abusive. I think you may have problems of your own.

@FamilyHistoriandude

5y↑3

Please sing this to your girlfriend and then ask her if she feels complimented. Come on, "nature didn't give you such a beautiful face". Maybe not abusive, but definitely not very complimentary.Still a great song.

@keithharvey7230

I wonder if they are dancing to this.

@marjorieknapper7207

LIKE THIS TUNE LOVELY TO LISTEN TOO NICE TO DANCE TOO Marjorie Knapper

@josephkane2852

7y↑1

Angie got what it takes to just love with all of her heart as I will do the same for her also

@dancollins5194

1y↑1

Loved this in my youth, just played it to my girl/partner !!! Imagine saying this to your girl nowadays 😆 “you don’t dress with the best of taste and nature didn’t give you such a beautiful face” 😮 OMG …. WTF 😅

@bennythered78

Come on and stop, is one of his songs that gets played at Northern Soul venues

@John1948NineB

13y↑2

@andrea2222ize Yeah and no one knows what strolling means like we do having danced the stroll to the Diamonds.

@sarahgale9238

5y↑1

Bobby Parker’s song. Shame on you Gordy for song writing credits due to Parker. Truly sad. Marv did a great job thankfully. Gordy- RIP -Rest In Plagiarism.

@U4Know2

11y↑1

Welcome to the world of Berry Gordy. As the GREAT DAVID RUFFIN sang, "ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS". While Marv Johnson was KNOWN to help Gordy launch MOTOWN, we see that most every talent that made Gordy rich resulted in them being broke.

@lscarver5

Jan Keen you noticed that too? The only Motown artists that seemed to not have died broke and penniless are Diana Ross, Stevie Wonder and Smokey Robinson. Gladys Knight and the Pips are also an exception.

@Bubbsmaster

4y↑2

The most unromantic love song ever

@torsteinhamme1515

Greatest song ever, allways come back to it. Ends up on 9 of 10 cds burned, and everybody nags about killing the stereo at every party. People sure acts crayzy. I mean, Adolf Hitler and Saddam Hussain would not kill this tracks, and that shows what crazy people are walking besides us. Our friends, family and public broadcasters are worse than Hitler, and that says a whole helluvalot about the world. I call it musical genocide.

@williambaker2963

18 PEOPLE DO NOT HAVE WHAT IT TAKES.

@pinchold

11y

I'm puzzled. Do you know of Jimmy Jones or did you mean that anybody can sing it like Marv Johnson? Have a listen to "Good timing" by Jimmy Jones

@carlosarturosousagarridole9361

This song was written and originally recorded by Bobby Parker.

Bobby Parker: “I wrote 'You've Got What It Takes,' that was MY song. Even had the Paul Hucklebuck Williams band playing on it behind me... And then Berry Gordy just stole it out from under me, just put his name on it. And what could I do? I was just trying to make a living, playing guitar and singing, how was I going to go on and fight Berry Gordy, big as he was, and Motown Records? There wasn't really nothing I could do about it - it was just too big and I didn't have any way to fight them...”

@BroccoliBeefed

Are Diana Ross and the Supremes backing him up on this track?

@jennifursun3303

9y↑1

singer, songwriter pianist born 10/15/1938 died 5/16/1993 age 54

@JBCo2012

8y↑1

Hi +Jennifur Sun
You sure have splendiferous tastes!

@jennifursun3303

+MusicMC1 thanks

@cyrilcarrnz

10y

Istil gota van so my bed travelswith us too awesome Van etc etcv

@johnmichalski1253

the original DETROIT sound.

@lindsayfarrbonsai

Beans Bowles playing flute???

@pinchold

11y

I wonder how Jimmy Jones would sing it

@neurofire

And James Taylor? He liked 'Good Timin' too...

@monsterharp

That was a Bobby Parker song

@dalebrooks2583

Hi All!!!!…..I’m Mr. Dale, Frederick Brooks: Bka: …”🎼💀🐆🐎⭐️⭐️⭐️💕”Spookum”!!!!!!!-….Stay “Spiritually On Course Y’all!!!!!!!!!!!-🌎💕🇨🇱.

@jimlefty3409

35w

🤣🤣🤣🤣

@user-dg6yg2kn9j

🎵「カムトゥミー」しか知らない。

@wadayaduin5517

In truth, this song was written by the late, great Bobby Parker, and stolen by Berry Gordy. Parker, at the time a 21 year old, hand-to-mouth working musician, didn't have the time, knowledge, or resources to fight a powerhouse businessman like Gordy.

@John1948NineB

7y↑2

I have no use for Gordy. The way he treated Flo Ballard, The Marvelettes and other is a sin. The dispute between Gordy and Parker can not be proved. It's all he said/she said. However, based on what we know about Gordy I have no trouble believing Parker.

@2027850

Here's the irony: You put up an early Dick Clark American Bandstand when Black kids weren't allowed on the show and playing a song by a Black singer. In the early '60s, Black singers had to come in by the back door to perform.