After singing in church choirs, Shirley recorded her first demo with a group of friends in 1950. Some months later, her solo voice caught the attention of Aladdin Records owner Eddie Messner, who tracked her down and paired her as a duo with a school friend, Leonard Lee.
As "Shirley & Lee," they recorded their debut single "I’m Gone," produced by Cosimo Matassa, which reached #2 on the Billboard R&B charts in 1952. The record contrasted Goodman’s soprano with Leonard's baritone, in a way in which subsequent songwriters have suggested was influential on the development of ska and reggae.
In their early songs, they pretended as if they were sweethearts and were dubbed "the Sweethearts of the Blues." However, they changed style in 1956 and recorded "Let the Good Times Roll," which became their biggest hit reaching #1 on the R&B chart and #20 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Although the follow-up, "Feel So Good" also made the charts, the duo’s later releases were less successful, and Goodman and Leonard split up in 1962. Leonard made some subsequent solo records with little success.
In the mid 1960s, Shirley Goodman moved to California, where she worked as a session singer on records by Sonny and Cher, Dr. John and others, and also formed a duo for a time with Jessie Hill. She sang backing vocals on The Rolling Stones’ Exile On Main Street album, but then briefly retired from the music industry.
Later in 1974, as Shirley Goodman Pixley, she was contacted by her friend Sylvia Robinson, previously of the duo Mickey and Sylvia and now co-owner of the All Platinum record label, and was persuaded to record the lead vocal on a dance track, "Shame, Shame, Shame." Credited to Shirley & Company, the record became an international pop hit, reaching #12 on the Billboard chart and presaging the disco boom. After a few further recordings and tours, Goodman finally retired from the music industry after returning to New Orleans in the late 1970s.
Baby
Shirley & Lee Lyrics
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그 날 처음 너의 옆에 앉아 나눈 얘기, 표정, 손짓, 눈빛
그 때는 몰랐는데 왜 자꾸만 나 네 생각땜에 잠이 안와
넌 생각보다 더 따뜻해
별일 아닌데도 웃어 넌 왜
괜히 가만있던 내마음에 들어와서 매일 애타게 만들어
Baby oh baby boy
You know? I need you here to stay with me
Baby oh baby boy
하루 또 하루 지나면
더 커져만 가는 맘을 어떻게 해
용기 내서 말해볼까
하다 또 겁이나서 숨게 돼
네가 내 남자가 된다면
다른건 다 필요없어
(Be my man) 내게
(Baby be my man) 어서
(Be my man) 넘어와줘
You ain't gotta go anywhere
You know why? No one can get your love but me
(Be your girl) 너의
(I'll be you girl) 여자가
(Be your girl) 되고싶어 (I'll be your girl)
어제는 너와 연인 사이가 되는 꿈을 꾸고
아침에 눈을 떴을 때
꿈이 아니길 또 눈을 감고 느껴 woo
Can you hold me in your arms and love me?
Baby oh baby boy
You know? I need you here to stay with me
Baby oh baby boy
하루 또 하루 지나면
더 커져만 가는 맘을 어떻게 해
용기 내서 말해볼까
하다 또 겁이나서 숨게 돼
The lyrics to Shirley & Lee's song "Baby" express the intense emotions and desires of being in love. The song starts off by reminiscing about the first time the singer sat next to their love interest. They mention the small gestures, expressions, and eye contact that occurred during that moment and confess that they didn't realize at the time how much they would be consumed by thoughts of this person. Despite the singer's initial hesitation, they acknowledge that their love interest is warmer and more caring than they had expected.
The chorus of the song expresses the singer's craving for their love interest's affection and companionship. They yearn for the love interest to hold them in their arms and express their love. The repetition of "baby oh baby boy" emphasizes the longing and desire present in the singer's heart. The second verse delves into the singer's fears and insecurities. They question how to cope with their growing feelings and muster the courage to express themselves. They admit that they often become silent out of fear.
In the bridge, the singer declares that if their love interest becomes their partner, nothing else will matter. They plead for their love interest to make the move and come to them. The outro paints a dreamlike scenario where the singer dreams of becoming their love interest's lover but wakes up, hoping that it's not just a dream.
Overall, the lyrics of "Baby" depict the excitement, yearning, and fears that come with falling deeply in love with someone. The song captures the vulnerability and longing for affection that is universal in romantic relationships.
Line by Line Meaning
Umm woo, woo
Expressing excitement and anticipation
그 날 처음 너의 옆에 앉아 나눈 얘기, 표정, 손짓, 눈빛
Remembering the first time we sat next to each other and shared conversations, expressions, gestures, and glances
그 때는 몰랐는데 왜 자꾸만 나 네 생각땜에 잠이 안와
Realizing now that I couldn't sleep because I kept thinking about you, even though I didn't know it back then
넌 생각보다 더 따뜻해
You are warmer and kinder than I had initially thought
별일 아닌데도 웃어 넌 왜
You smile even when there is nothing special happening, why is that?
괜히 가만있던 내마음에 들어와서 매일 애타게 만들어
Just by being there, you make my calm heart flutter and yearn for you every day
Can you hold me in your arms and love me?
Can you embrace me and shower me with love?
Baby oh baby boy
My love, my dear boy
You know? I need you here to stay with me
You know, I need you to be by my side
하루 또 하루 지나면 더 커져만 가는 맘을 어떻게 해
What should I do with my growing feelings day by day?
용기 내서 말해볼까 하다 또 겁이나서 숨게 돼
Should I gather the courage to express myself? But then fear takes over and I retreat
네가 내 남자가 된다면 다른건 다 필요없어
If you become my man, nothing else matters
(Be my man) 내게
(Be my man) To me
(Baby be my man) 어서
(Baby be my man) Quickly
(Be my man) 넘어와줘
(Be my man) Come to me
You ain't gotta go anywhere
You don't have to go anywhere
You know why? No one can get your love but me
Because, you know, no one else can have your love except me
(Be your girl) 너의
(Be your girl) Your
(I'll be you girl) 여자가
(I'll be your girl) Girl
(Be your girl) 되고싶어 (I'll be your girl)
(Be your girl) I want to be (I'll be your girl)
어제는 너와 연인 사이가 되는 꿈을 꾸고
Yesterday, I dreamt of becoming lovers with you
아침에 눈을 떴을 때 꿈이 아니길 또 눈을 감고 느껴 woo
When I woke up in the morning, I closed my eyes, hoping it wasn't just a dream and sensed it once again, woo
Can you hold me in your arms and love me?
Can you embrace me and shower me with love?
Baby oh baby boy
My love, my dear boy
You know? I need you here to stay with me
You know, I need you to be by my side
하루 또 하루 지나면 더 커져만 가는 맘을 어떻게 해
What should I do with my growing feelings day by day?
용기 내서 말해볼까 하다 또 겁이나서 숨게 돼
Should I gather the courage to express myself? But then fear takes over and I retreat
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: Hoody, Jong Won Choi, Myeong Ho Lee
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind