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.
Shirley Come Back To Me
Shirley & Lee Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I sit and wait in vain
I guess I'll rap on your door
Tap on your window pane
I want to tell you baby
The changes I've been going through
Missing you
Listen you
That's what I'm gonna do
Why did you have to decide
You had to set me free
I'm gonna swallow my pride
I'm gonna beg you to (please baby please) see me
I'm gonna walk by meself
Just to prove that my love is true
Oh, for you baby
'Till you come back to me
That's what I'm gonna do
Living for you my dear
Is like living in a world of constant fear
In my plea, I've got to make you see
That our love is dying
Although your phone you ignore
Somehow I must explain
I'm gonna rap on your door
Tap on your window pane
I'm gonna camp on your step
Until I get through to you
I've got to change your view baby
'Till you come back to me
That's what I'm gonna do
The lyrics to Shirley & Lee's song "Shirley Come Back To Me" express the desperation and longing of a person who has been left behind by their lover. Though their lover no longer calls them, they sit and wait for them in vain, hoping for their return. The singer wants to communicate the changes they've been through in their life and express their love for the person, but they can't do so without them being there. The singer has to live in a world of constant fear now that their love is dying, and they're willing to beg and plead, even camp on their lover's doorstep, until they can get through to them.
The second verse describes the singer's willingness to swallow their pride and prove their love to their lover by walking by themselves. They recognize that their lover has decided to set them free, but they are determined to change their lover's view until they come back to them. The chorus repeats the phrase "that's what I'm gonna do" to emphasize the singer's steadfast commitment to their lover and their hope for their reunion.
Line by Line Meaning
Though you don't call anymore
Despite the fact that you no longer call me
I sit and wait in vain
I wait patiently, but hopelessly
I guess I'll rap on your door
I suppose I will knock on your door
Tap on your window pane
I will gently tap on your window glass
I want to tell you baby
I need to express to you, my dear
The changes I've been going through
The transformations I've undergone
Missing you
Feeling the absence of your presence
Listen you
Hear me out, my beloved
'Till you come back to me
Until you return to my arms
That's what I'm gonna do
That's my plan of action
Why did you have to decide
What prompted you to choose
You had to set me free
Release me from your hold
I'm gonna swallow my pride
I will suppress my ego
I'm gonna beg you to (please baby please) see me
I will implore you to grant me a meeting
I'm gonna walk by meself
I will venture out alone
Just to prove that my love is true
To demonstrate the authenticity of my affection
Oh, for you baby
Oh, my darling
'Till you come back to me
Until the day you return to my embrace
That's what I'm gonna do
That's how I'll spend my time
Living for you my dear
Existing for your sake, my beloved
Is like living in a world of constant fear
Is akin to constant apprehension and anxiety
In my plea, I've got to make you see
Through my earnest request, I must make you understand
That our love is dying
That our bond is fading away
Although your phone you ignore
Even though you disregard my calls
Somehow I must explain
In some way, I need to clarify
I'm gonna rap on your door
I will knock on your door
Tap on your window pane
I will gently tap on your window glass
I'm gonna camp on your step
I will wait on your doorstep
Until I get through to you
Until I successfully communicate with you
I've got to change your view baby
I need to alter your perception, my darling
'Till you come back to me
Until the day you come back to me
That's what I'm gonna do
That's my unwavering resolve
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, O/B/O DistroKid, Sentric Music, Downtown Music Publishing, Songtrust Ave, Reservoir Media Management, Inc., Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Morris Broadnax, Clarence O. Paul, Stevie Wonder
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind