The band was formed in 1973 by the amalgamation of two groups, Choise and The Golden Hammers. This led to an eight member band, with the unusual feature of having two vocalists, two drummers, two bassists and two guitarists. Their first single, Hey Rock 'n' Roll (written by the band), was released in April 1974. It reached number two in the UK singles chart. Showaddywaddy then went on to have a further 22 UK hits from this point until late 1982. The first few singles were all written by the band and these generally reached the top-20. However they had most of their biggest hits with pop versions of old '50s US rock 'n' roll songs, catchy tunes backed up by their colourful image, dance routines and numerous television appearances. Some of their best known covers are Three Steps To Heaven, Heartbeat, Under The Moon Of Love, You Got What It Takes, Blue Moon (based on the Marcels' interpretation), and I Wonder Why.
In total they had ten Top Ten singles, a Number One, and spent 209 weeks in the UK singles chart. At the peak of their popularity, this tally included having seven successive Top Five entries. Their biggest selling single was the aforementioned "Under The Moon Of Love", which sold 985,000 copies and gave the group its only UK Number One.
Band members
Current members
Romeo Challenger (born 19 May 1950, St John's, Antigua, West Indies) — drums (1973–present)
Rod Deas (born 13 February 1948, Scarborough) — bass (1973–present)
Ray Hatfield — guitars / vocals / (2017–present)
Rob Hewins — drums / guitars / vocals (2012–present)
Dean Loach — keyboards/ guitar / backing vocals (2012–present)
Andy Pelos — vocals / guitar (2012–present)
Billy Norman — bass guitar/ backing vocals (2018–present)
Former members
Paul Dixon — guitars / vocals / (2008–2017)
Dave Bartram (born 23 March 1952, Leicester) — vocals (1973–2011)
Trevor Oakes (born Trevor Leslie Oakes, 9 September 1946, Leicester) — guitars (1973–2008)
Al James (born Geoffrey Betts, 13 January 1946, Leicester - 16 November 2018) — bass (1973–2008)
Buddy Gask (born William George Gask, 18 December 1945, Leicester – 7 June 2011, Spain) — vocals (1973–1987)
Russ Field (born James Lewis Russell Field, 1 September 1949, Berwick-upon-Tweed) — guitars (1973–1985)
Malcolm "Duke" Allured (born 27 August 1945, Leicester) — drums (1973–1984)
Ray Martinez — guitars (1985–1995)
Danny Willson — guitars (1995–2009)
David Graham — saxophone (2009–2011)
You Got What It Takes
Showaddywaddy Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You don't look a-like a movie star
And on your money we won't get far
But baby, you got what it takes, to satisfy
You got what it takes to set my soul on fire
Whoa-oh, whoa-oh whoa-oh-oh yeah
You got what it takes for me
And you don't dress in the best of taste
And nature didn't give you such a beautiful face
But baby, you got what it takes, to satisfy
You got what it takes to set my soul on fire
Whoa-oh, whoa-oh whoa-oh-oh yeah
You got what it takes for me
Now when you're near me, ooo-wee
My head goes around and around
And when you kiss me,
My love comes tumblin' down, you send me
You don't live in a beautiful place
Oh, you don't dress in the best of taste
And nature didn't give you such a beautiful face
But baby, you got what it takes, to satisfy
You got what it takes to set my soul on fire
Whoa-oh, whoa-oh whoa-oh-oh yeah
You got what it takes for me
Now when you're near me, mmm-mmm
My head goes around and around and around and around
And when you kiss me, a-little girl
My love comes tumblin' down, you send me
You don't live in a beautiful place, no
You don't dress in the best of taste
And nature didn't give you such a beautiful face
But baby, you got what it takes
Yeah, yeah, yeah
Yeah, you got what it takes
Baby, I'm tellin' you
You got what it takes
Hey! hey! hey!
The lyrics to Showaddywaddy's song "You Got What It Takes" speak to a universal theme that true beauty is beyond skin-deep. The song is a tribute to a woman who, on the surface, may not possess the assets traditionally associated with female beauty, but who possesses a magnetism that sets the singer's "soul on fire." The singer lists the qualities that the woman lacks--a big car, movie-star looks, and money--but emphasizes that she has something just as valuable: the power to satisfy him and make him feel complete. He suggests that she may not live in a beautiful place or have the best fashion sense, but she has a quality that resonates with him personally.
The chorus of the song often repeats the phrase "you got what it takes," emphasizing that the special quality the singer sees in the woman is something intangible but incredibly important to him. The descriptions of how the woman affects the singer demonstrate the power of true attraction that goes beyond physical appearance. He notes the way his "head goes around and around" and how his "love comes tumbling down" when she is near, making it clear that her effect on him is not just superficial.
In summary, "You Got What It Takes" is a song that champions inner beauty and the power of attraction that goes beyond physical appearance.
Line by Line Meaning
You don't drive a big fast car, no
Your possessions may not be grand
You don't look a-like a movie star
Your physical appearance may not be striking
And on your money we won't get far
We may not be financially prosperous
But baby, you got what it takes, to satisfy
But you have qualities that satisfy me
You got what it takes to set my soul on fire
You have attributes that excite me greatly
Whoa-oh, whoa-oh whoa-oh-oh yeah
Expressing excitement and enthusiasm
You got what it takes for me
You possess what I am looking for
Now you don't live in a beautiful place
Your living arrangement may not be outstanding
And you don't dress in the best of taste
Your fashion sense may not be the most fashionable
And nature didn't give you such a beautiful face
Your appearance may not be naturally attractive
Now when you're near me, ooo-wee
Expressing delight when around the person
My head goes around and around
The person causes confusion or disorientation
And when you kiss me,
Expressions of physical attraction
My love comes tumbling down, you send me
Their attraction is too intense to ignore
You don't live in a beautiful place
Your living arrangement may not be outstanding
Oh, you don't dress in the best of taste
Your fashion sense may not be the most fashionable
And nature didn't give you such a beautiful face
Your appearance may not be naturally attractive
Now when you're near me, mmm-mmm
Expressing pleasure of being around the person
My head goes around and around and around and around
The person's effect is overwhelming
And when you kiss me, a-little girl
Expressions of affection and desire
My love comes tumbling down, you send me
Their attraction is too intense to ignore
Yeah, yeah, yeah
Expressions of enthusiasm and excitement
You got what it takes
Reiterating the statement of possessing desirable qualities
Baby, I'm tellin' you
Stressing their point
Hey! hey! hey!
Expressions of excitement and enthusiasm
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Tyran Carlo, Gwen Fuqua, Berry Gordy Jr.
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@colinparks7297
Great group, great song 70s was a great decade
@jamesnairn2780
Simply the best 👏👏👏
@TheRomper55
Rip Billy 🙏
@hadrianbriggs9506
Loving this version. Thank you
@deisegallego5595
Tempo maravilhoso. Músicas e bandas de qualidade.
@BoB4jjjjs
I remember them well. Was it that long ago? Heavens!
@talyman589
unfortunately it was. I
@BoB4jjjjs
@@talyman589 Oh go on, rub it in!!!
@lynngibbs2091
25th of May 2021.. coming out of lockdown.. YGWIT ♡
@chopchung
could never claim to be a fan of this lot but YGWIY certainly hits the mark as a pop gem. Loved from then till now.. thanks for the post and the good sound quality too!.