This New Orleans-based duo comprised Shirley Goodman (b. 19th June 1936, Ne… Read Full Bio ↴This New Orleans-based duo comprised Shirley Goodman (b. 19th June 1936, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.A. d. 5th July 2005, Cedar Sinai Hospital, Los Angeles, California, U.S.A.) and Leonard Lee (b. 29th June 1936, d. 23rd October 1976).

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.

Everything
Shirley & Lee Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

She rattled the ice in my plastic cup
I said "yes m'am", fill her up
Tell me something good that I don't know
'Cause this world's been kicking my behind
Life ain't been a friend of mine
Lately I've been feeling kinda low

And she looked back over her shoulder

Pointed at the sign hanging up on the wall
It said

Everything's gonna be alright
Everything's gonna be alright
And nobody's gotta worry 'bout nothing
Don't go hittin' that panic button
It ain't worth spilling your drink
Everything's gonna be alright
Alright, alright

So I nodded my head and said, "that's for sure"
Dropped a few bucks in the mason jar
Felt those good old neon vibes on me
And whatever monkey that was on my back
He jumped off just like that
Right into the deep blue sea

And I looked back over her shoulder
Thinking 'bout the sign hanging up on the wall
That said

Everything's gonna be alright
Everything's gonna be alright
Nobody's gotta worry 'bout nothing
Don't go hitting that panic button
It ain't near as bad as you think
Everything's gonna be alright
Alright, alright

There ain't no doubt it's gonna work out
Come on, sing it with me
There ain't no doubt it's gonna work out
Come on and sing it with me

Everything's gonna be alright
Everything's gonna be alright
And nobody's gotta worry 'bout nothing
Don't go hitting that panic button
It ain't near as bad as you think
Everything's gonna be alright
Alright (is gonna be alright), alright (is gonna be alright)
Everything's gonna be alright
Alright (is gonna be alright), alright (is gonna be alright)
(Everything's gonna be alright)
(Is gonna be alright, is gonna be alright)

(Everything's gonna be alright)
(Is gonna be alright, is gonna be alright)

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Shirley & Lee's song "Everything" revolve around finding solace and reassurance in the face of life's challenges. The singer describes feeling burdened and downtrodden by the difficulties they have been facing, but encounters a woman who offers them words of comfort and hope.

The opening lines describe the singer's interaction with this woman. She rattles the ice in their drink, symbolizing a playful and lighthearted gesture. The singer responds respectfully, indicating their willingness to listen and engage with her. They express a desire to hear something positive and uplifting because the world has been tough on them lately.

The woman then directs the singer's attention to a sign on the wall that says "Everything's gonna be alright." This simple message serves as a reminder to remain optimistic and not give in to worry or despair. It reassures them that they don't need to panic and that the difficult times they are experiencing are temporary.

As the singer reflects on the sign, they start to feel a shift in their mindset. They let go of their worries and anxieties, symbolized by a symbolic monkey jumping off their back into the sea. This signifies a release of burdens and a newfound sense of freedom and lightness. They realize that despite the challenges they face, everything will indeed be alright.

The repeated refrain further emphasizes this message of hope and reassurance. It encourages the listener to believe that everything will work out in the end. The lyrics also invite everyone to join in, suggesting that singing and embracing this positive outlook can provide collective strength and support.

Overall, "Everything" conveys a message of resilience, reminding us not to lose hope in difficult times and to trust that things will eventually get better.

Line by Line Meaning

She rattled the ice in my plastic cup
She playfully stirred the drink in my cup, grabbing my attention

I said 'yes m'am', fill her up
I politely agreed and asked her to refill the cup

Tell me something good that I don't know
Share a positive insight or information that I haven't heard before

'Cause this world's been kicking my behind
I have been struggling and facing many challenges in this world

Life ain't been a friend of mine
Life has not been supportive or kind towards me

Lately I've been feeling kinda low
Recently, I have been experiencing sadness or a lack of motivation

And she looked back over her shoulder
She turned her head to face me and made eye contact

Pointed at the sign hanging up on the wall
She directed my attention towards a sign displayed on the wall

It said
The sign displayed the following message

Everything's gonna be alright
The situation will improve, and things will turn out fine

And nobody's gotta worry 'bout nothing
There is no need to stress or be concerned about anything

Don't go hittin' that panic button
Avoid letting fear or panic take control of your actions

It ain't worth spilling your drink
The situation is not significant enough to let it ruin your mood or peace

So I nodded my head and said, 'that's for sure'
I agreed with her statement and acknowledged its truth

Dropped a few bucks in the mason jar
I placed some money into the tip jar as a gesture of appreciation

Felt those good old neon vibes on me
I experienced a familiar and comforting energy in the atmosphere

And whatever monkey that was on my back
The burden or problem that was causing me trouble

He jumped off just like that
It disappeared or resolved suddenly and unexpectedly

Right into the deep blue sea
It vanished completely, as if it went underwater and no longer existed

Thinking 'bout the sign hanging up on the wall
Reflecting on the message displayed on the wall sign

That said
The sign conveyed the following message

There ain't no doubt it's gonna work out
There is absolutely no uncertainty or doubt that things will resolve positively

Come on, sing it with me
Encouraging others to join in singing the optimistic message

There ain't no doubt it's gonna work out
There is absolutely no uncertainty or doubt that things will resolve positively

Come on and sing it with me
Inviting others to join in and express their belief in a positive outcome

Alright (is gonna be alright), alright (is gonna be alright)
Reiterating the message that everything will be okay

Everything's gonna be alright
The situation will improve, and things will turn out fine

Alright (is gonna be alright), alright (is gonna be alright)
Reiterating the message that everything will be okay

(Everything's gonna be alright)
The message emphasizes that everything will be fine

(Is gonna be alright, is gonna be alright)
Assuring that there is no doubt that everything will turn out fine

(Everything's gonna be alright)
The message emphasizes that everything will be fine

(Is gonna be alright, is gonna be alright)
Reiterating the assurance that there is no doubt things will work out

Lyrics © CAPITOL CHRISTIAN MUSIC GROUP, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Capitol CMG Publishing
Written by: Chris Stevens, David Lee Murphy, Jimmy Yeary

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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