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.
I'll Do It
Shirley & Lee Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
'Cause, darling, I am for you
And I'll do anything 'cause I love you, love you
No doubt about it
Darling I'm just a fool for your loving
Like a fish, ooh, that needs water
Honey, I need your kissin' and huggin'
When I'm with you my heart is bursting with pride
I'll do anything for you (I'll do anything)
'Cause, darling, I am for you
And I'll do anything 'cause I love you, love you (oh, 'cause I love you)
I'll do anything for you (I'll do anything)
'Cause, darling, I am for you
And I'll do anything 'cause I love you, love you (oh, 'cause I love you)
Now my time is your time
You can call me whenever you want me
Honey, I, I'm at your service
It's easy to do what you want to
Oh, girl I'm so in love with you
It fills my heart to know you love me too
I'll do anything for you (oh)
'Cause, darling, I am for you
And I'll do anything 'cause I love you, love you (oh, 'cause I love you, love you girl)
I'll do anything for you (I'll do anything)
'Cause, darling, I am for you
And I'll do anything 'cause I love you, love you
Ooh, there is no other
Don't want no one, you are my lover
Oh your kiss, ooh, is so tender
When you touch me, girl, I can't help but surrender
Oh, girl, I'm so in love with you
It fills me so to know you love me to
I'll do anything for you (I'll do anything)
'Cause, darling, I am for you
And I'll do anything 'cause I love you, love you ('cause I love you, love you)
I'll do anything for you (oh, but this thing you got for me)
'Cause, darling, I am for you
And I'll do anything 'cause I love you, love you (that makes me love, love, love you)
I'll do anything for you (I'll do anything)
'Cause, darling, I am for you (I'll do anything, oh)
And I'll do anything 'cause I love you, love you
I'll do anything for you
'Cause, darling, I am for you
And I'll do anything 'cause I love you, love you (yeah, ooh)
I'll do anything for you (I love the way you walk)
'Cause, darling, I am for you (love the way you talk)
And I'll do anything 'cause I love you, love you (yeah, you just blew my mind)
I'll do anything for you
'Cause, darling, I am for you
And I'll do anything 'cause I love you, love you ('cause I love you, love you)
The song "I'll Do It" by Shirley & Lee is a heartfelt expression of love and devotion. The lyrics convey the willingness of the singer to do absolutely anything for their beloved. They proclaim their unwavering commitment, stating that they are willing to go to great lengths and make any sacrifice because they are deeply in love.
The lyrics emphasize the singer's vulnerability and dependence on their beloved. They compare their need for love and affection to a fish needing water. The singer acknowledges their own foolishness in being completely captivated by the love of their partner. They express how their heart bursts with pride and their weakness when they are in the presence of their beloved.
The chorus of the song reiterates the singer's willingness to do anything for love. They emphasize their devotion by stating that their time is completely dedicated to their partner, always available and at their service. They express the joy and fulfillment they feel knowing that their love is reciprocated.
Overall, "I'll Do It" is a love song that paints a picture of complete devotion and selflessness. It portrays the depth of love and the strong desire to do anything necessary to make their beloved happy.
Line by Line Meaning
I'll do anything for you
I am willing to go to any lengths and do whatever it takes to meet your needs and make you happy
'Cause, darling, I am for you
Because, my dear, I am completely dedicated and committed to you
And I'll do anything 'cause I love you, love you
And I'm willing to do anything because I have a deep and passionate love for you
No doubt about it
There is no uncertainty or hesitation in my feelings for you
Darling I'm just a fool for your loving
My dear, I am infatuated and easily swayed by your affection and love
Like a fish, ooh, that needs water
Similar to a fish that requires water to survive, I require your love and affection to feel complete and fulfilled
Honey, I need your kissin' and huggin'
Darling, I crave your kisses and embraces as they provide me with a sense of comfort and affection
Oh, you've got me so weak inside
Oh, your love has weakened me emotionally and made me vulnerable
When I'm with you my heart is bursting with pride
Being in your presence fills my heart with joy and makes me feel a strong sense of pride and happiness
Now my time is your time
From now on, I am at your disposal and my time is dedicated to you
You can call me whenever you want me
Feel free to reach out to me at any time, and I will be there for you without hesitation
Honey, I, I'm at your service
Sweetheart, I am here to serve and fulfill your desires and needs
It's easy to do what you want to
It comes naturally for me to do whatever you desire and follow your wishes
Oh, girl I'm so in love with you
Oh, my dear, I am deeply and intensely in love with you
It fills my heart to know you love me too
Knowing that you reciprocate my love fills my heart with joy and satisfaction
Ooh, there is no other
Oh, there is no one else who can compare or compete with you
Don't want no one, you are my lover
I don't desire anyone else; you are the only one I want as my romantic partner
Oh your kiss, ooh, is so tender
Oh, your kisses are gentle and filled with affection
When you touch me, girl, I can't help but surrender
When you caress me, my dear, I cannot resist or fight against my feelings for you
Oh, girl, I'm so in love with you
Oh, my dear, I am deeply and intensely in love with you
It fills me so to know you love me too
Knowing that you reciprocate my love fills me with immense joy and fulfillment
I'll do anything for you
I am willing to go to any lengths and do whatever it takes to meet your needs and make you happy
'Cause, darling, I am for you
Because, my dear, I am completely dedicated and committed to you
And I'll do anything 'cause I love you, love you
And I'm willing to do anything because I have a deep and passionate love for you
I'll do anything for you (oh, but this thing you got for me)
I am willing to do anything for you, except for this specific thing you desire from me
'Cause, darling, I am for you
Because, my dear, I am completely dedicated and committed to you
And I'll do anything 'cause I love you, love you (that makes me love, love, love you)
And I'm willing to do anything because it reinforces my love for you, and my love for you grows stronger and stronger
I'll do anything for you (I'll do anything)
I am willing to go to any lengths and do whatever it takes to meet your needs and make you happy
'Cause, darling, I am for you
Because, my dear, I am completely dedicated and committed to you
And I'll do anything 'cause I love you, love you
And I'm willing to do anything because I have a deep and passionate love for you
I'll do anything for you (I love the way you walk)
I am willing to do anything for you, and I absolutely adore and admire the way you walk
'Cause, darling, I am for you (love the way you talk)
Because, my dear, I am completely dedicated and committed to you, and I am captivated by the way you talk
And I'll do anything 'cause I love you, love you (yeah, you just blew my mind)
And I'm willing to do anything because I have a deep and passionate love for you, and you have amazed and astonished me
I'll do anything for you
I am willing to go to any lengths and do whatever it takes to meet your needs and make you happy
'Cause, darling, I am for you
Because, my dear, I am completely dedicated and committed to you
And I'll do anything 'cause I love you, love you
And I'm willing to do anything because I have a deep and passionate love for you
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Lee McDonald
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Paul Riofski
Irresistible post, Charles! This delightful Shirley and Lee single came out shortly before their biggest hit of all time, "Let the Good Times Roll" (Aladdin 3325, which peaked at #1 on the R&B charts and reached #20 on the Hot 100 in August of 1956).
Joseph Coney
My favorite from Shirley and Lee. Not an easy single to find...
Steve
Too tired. Can't do sixty no more!
Choock5219
+srercrcr Ever hear of Geritol?