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.
Rock All Nite
Shirley & Lee Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A guy there said I could become a star.
I told him, I didn't care if I went real far.
But it's all right, cause I'll rock all night!
When I got home, I heard my mom say,
"Better take that thing back, better take it away!
You're not gonna sit on your butt and play all day."
Gonna rock, gonna rock, gonna rock all night!
Gonna rock, gonna rock, gonna rock alright!
Gonna rock, gonna rock, gonna rock all niiiiight
I got an amp and I play real loud.
If Hendrix could see me now, I know he'd be proud!
Kids playing in the evening, the crowd goes wild!
But it's alright, cause I'll rock all night!
My best friend bought himself a bass,
He plays real well, he could melt your face!
He's not allowed out, during the day.
But it's alright, cause we'll rock all night!
Gonna rock, gonna rock, gonna rock all night!
Gonna rock, gonna rock, gonna rock alright!
Gonna rock, gonna rock, gonna rock all niiiiight
So me and my buddy started a band
Pretty soon we had a couple of fans.
We started selling cds and t-shirts out of my mom's van.
We released a couple cds.
Went back and fourth between different record companies.
We started to tour... but lost all of our money.
The lyrics to "Rock All Nite" by Shirley & Lee depict the journey of two aspiring musicians who are determined to pursue their dreams of becoming rockstars. The song begins with the singer buying a guitar from a pawn shop, guided by the belief that they have the potential to achieve stardom. Despite their nonchalant attitude towards success, they are confident in their ability to rock all night.
Upon returning home, the singer faces the disapproval of their mother, who urges them to abandon their musical ambitions. However, this doesn't deter them, as they continue to embrace their passion for music and rock all night long, much to their mother's dismay.
The story takes a turn when the singer's best friend joins the band as a bassist, adding a new layer of musical talent to their endeavors. Together, they become a force to be reckoned with, playing loud, captivating performances that ignite the crowd and earn them a growing fan base.
The lyrics also touch upon the challenges faced by aspiring musicians in the industry. The band releases CDs and merchandise, determined to make a name for themselves. They navigate through various record companies, seeking support for their music, but the dream quickly turns sour as they experience financial setbacks during their tours.
Overall, "Rock All Nite" captures the spirit of perseverance and determination in the face of obstacles, reflecting the journey of two musicians who are unyielding in their pursuit of success.
Line by Line Meaning
I went to a pawn shop and I bought a guitar.
I visited a pawn shop and acquired a guitar.
A guy there said I could become a star.
An individual at the shop expressed that I had the potential to achieve stardom.
I told him, I didn't care if I went real far.
I conveyed to him that I had no concern about attaining great success.
But it's all right, cause I'll rock all night!
Nevertheless, it is acceptable because I will passionately perform music throughout the night.
When I got home, I heard my mom say,
Upon arriving home, I overheard my mother utter the following words:
"Better take that thing back, better take it away!
"You should return that musical instrument, you should remove it from here!
You're not gonna sit on your butt and play all day."
It is not acceptable for you to idle around and engage in constant play.
But it's all right, cause I'll rock all night!
However, it remains acceptable because I will showcase my musical prowess throughout the entire night!
Gonna rock, gonna rock, gonna rock all night!
I am absolutely determined to perform rock music incessantly throughout the night!
Gonna rock, gonna rock, gonna rock alright!
I am resolute in my decision to rock with excellence!
Gonna rock, gonna rock, gonna rock all niiiiight
I am decisively committed to passionately performing rock music throughout the entirety of the night.
I got an amp and I play real loud.
I obtained an amplifier, and I play music at a significantly high volume.
If Hendrix could see me now, I know he'd be proud!
If the legendary Hendrix were able to witness my musical abilities at this moment, I am confident he would express pride!
Kids playing in the evening, the crowd goes wild!
As the children engage in play during the evening, the audience becomes incredibly excited and enthusiastic!
But it's alright, cause I'll rock all night!
Nonetheless, it remains satisfactory because I will deliver an exceptional rock performance throughout the night!
My best friend bought himself a bass,
My closest companion acquired a bass guitar for himself.
He plays real well, he could melt your face!
His musical proficiency is genuinely remarkable, to the extent that it could astound and overwhelm you!
He's not allowed out, during the day.
He is not permitted to venture outside during daylight hours.
But it's alright, cause we'll rock all night!
However, it remains acceptable as both of us will deliver an electrifying rock performance throughout the entire night!
Gonna rock, gonna rock, gonna rock all night!
We are absolutely determined to perform rock music relentlessly throughout the night!
Gonna rock, gonna rock, gonna rock alright!
We are resolute in our decision to rock with excellence!
Gonna rock, gonna rock, gonna rock all niiiiight
We are decisively committed to passionately performing rock music throughout the entirety of the night.
So me and my buddy started a band
Therefore, my friend and I initiated a musical group together
Pretty soon we had a couple of fans.
In no time, we acquired a small number of enthusiastic supporters.
We started selling cds and t-shirts out of my mom's van.
We commenced selling compact discs and t-shirts from my mother's van.
We released a couple cds.
We successfully published a few compact discs.
Went back and forth between different record companies.
We engaged in a process of alternating between various record companies.
We started to tour... but lost all of our money.
We embarked on a touring endeavor, but unfortunately, we lost all of our monetary resources.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Paul Riofski
Shirley's vocals always get me, Choock! Cool post.
Bianca Bagnolet
c'est toujours aussi génial
Ray Szymarek
This is the kind of music your buddy Boom loves. thank you Choock
Choock5219
My Pleasure Boom!
bluenote824 jones
Shirley shame shame shame years later great