Black Pearl
Sonny Charles & The Checkmates Ltd. Lyrics
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Hey, hey, my-my-my-my
Black pearl, precious little girl
Let me put you up where you belong
Black pearl, pretty little girl
You've been in the background much too long
You've been workin' so hard your whole life through
Hey, how bout something for me and you?
Here in my arms you're gonna reign supreme
No more serving, baby, they're gonna serve my queen
It's our turn for happiness and our day has come
Living for each other and answering to no one
Black pearl, precious little girl
Let me put you up where you belong because I love you
Black pearl, pretty little girl
You've been in the background much too long
Together we'll stand so straight and so tall
Created by love to love one and all, hey
Heart-to-heart, soul-to-soul
No other one could ever take your place
My world is built around the very smile that's on your face
You'll never win a beauty show, no, they won't pick you
But you're my Miss America and I love you
Black pearl, precious little girl
Let me put you up where you belong, I will lead you
Black pearl, pretty little girl
You've been in the background much too long
Ooh-ooh, yeah-yeah-yeah, my-my-my-my-my baby
You know I need you, you know I want you, want you for myself
I don't want nobody else, oh babe I love you, you know I need you
You know I got to-got to-got to have you
Come on baby, come on, come on and be my baby
You know I love you, ooh-ooh
Be mine, nobody else have you, come on baby love
Ah, I love you, and I need you and I want you, want you for myself
Come on baby, I love you, hey-hey-hey
I really need you baby love and I want you
Sonny Charles and the Checkmates's song Black Pearl is a heartfelt love song that speaks to the value of black women and the devaluation they have faced in American society. The lyrics are a celebration of a black woman, referred to as a "black pearl" who has worked hard her whole life taking care of other people's homes and children. The singer recognizes all that she has given and now wants to give her the happiness she deserves. He promises to put her "up where she belongs" and cherish her as his queen. The song is a call to value and honor black women who have been overlooked and undervalued in American society.
The theme of the song was important when it was released in 1969, at a time when American society was undergoing massive political, social and cultural shifts. It was a time of civil rights activism, growing feminist movements, and a questioning of traditional gender roles. The song stood out as it celebrated black women in a society that had long excluded and marginalized them. The song was a hit, reaching number 13 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1969.
Line by Line Meaning
Ooh-ooh
Expression of excitement and anticipation
Hey, hey, my-my-my-my
Expression of enthusiasm and eagerness
Black pearl, precious little girl
Refers to the woman he loves as a rare and valuable gem
Let me put you up where you belong
Wants to elevate his lover's status and give her the recognition she deserves
Black pearl, pretty little girl
Reinforces his admiration for her physical beauty
You've been in the background much too long
Believes society has not given her the fair recognition she deserves
You've been workin' so hard your whole life through
Acknowledges his lover's hard work and effort in the face of adversity
Tending other peoples houses, raising up their children too
Refers to the fact that she has been working hard to serve others all her life
Hey, how bout something for me and you?
Wants to pursue his own happiness alongside hers
Here in my arms you're gonna reign supreme
Wants to make her feel like royalty and be her protector
No more serving, baby, they're gonna serve my queen
Wants to reverse roles and have society serve his lover
It's our turn for happiness and our day has come
Believes that they deserve to be happy and finally have their moment
Living for each other and answering to no one
Desires a life where they only answer to each other and no one else
Together we'll stand so straight and so tall
Wants them to stand together and be unbreakable and resilient
Created by love to love one and all, hey
Believes that their love was meant to be shared with everyone they encounter
Heart-to-heart, soul-to-soul
Wants to be intimate with her both emotionally and spiritually
No other one could ever take your place
Believes that no one could replace the person he loves
My world is built around the very smile that's on your face
Acknowledges that her happiness is important to him and that her smile brings joy to his life
You'll never win a beauty show, no, they won't pick you
Acknowledges that she may not fit society's standard of beauty
But you're my Miss America and I love you
Tells her that she is the most beautiful person to him and that he loves her for who she is
Black pearl, precious little girl
Reinforces his admiration for her physical beauty
Let me put you up where you belong because I love you
Wants to elevate her status because of his deep love for her
Black pearl, pretty little girl
Reinforces his admiration for her physical beauty
You've been in the background much too long
Believes society has not given her the fair recognition she deserves
You know I need you, you know I want you, want you for myself
Expresses his strong desire to be with her and to have her all to himself
I don't want nobody else, oh babe I love you, you know I need you
Reiterates that he only wants her and loves her deeply
You know I got to-got to-got to have you
Emphasizes his need and desire for her
Come on baby, come on, come on and be my baby
Wants her to be his partner and be with him forever
Be mine, nobody else have you, come on baby love
Wants her to be exclusive to him and no one else
Ah, I love you, and I need you and I want you, want you for myself
Reiterates his intense feelings for her and his desire to be with her exclusively
Come on baby, I love you, hey-hey-hey
Reiterates his love for her and urges her to be with him
I really need you baby love and I want you
Expresses his feelings of need and desire for her
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, CTM Publishing
Written by: IRWIN LEVINE, TONI WINE, PHILLIP SPECTOR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@l.angellove15
NOW AS A VERY YOUNG GIRL I RECALL HEARING THIS BEAUTIFUL SONG AND MASTERPIECE ON
THE RADIO AND THIS SONG WAS MADE TO PERFECTION SONG BY
SONNY CHARLES AND
THE CHECKMATES
AND THIS CLASSIC HIT SONG WAS
PRODUCED BY THE LATE AND GREAT
PHIL SPECTOR.
@myradixon6347
This song helped me make it through the 60 s and 70s. Always thought I was to dark. But my husband married me in 1983. Stayed married untill my husband passed away in 2003. He always played this song to me. He always told me I had the prettiest bedroom eyes 👀
@angelaalbury986
Very good❤❤
@johnsilverman2538
While I am not a man of color this song just personifies true soul to me. One of my all time favorite love songs.
@cindye7916
This song makes me cry. What a beautiful song and message.
@marktemsic7457
bringing tears to my eyes...50 years later.. Thank You...👍
@billeybop
One of the most beautiful songs I've ever heard! The meaning and singing out of this world.
@StratBurst92
Absolutely!
@joannemarquez2085
Yes. The lyrics so true we are all equal in the eyes of my/our lord unfortunately some have had to fight for that equality. Help us all! I'm trying to teach my grand babies they are no better than any race. I hope I'm doing it right!
@claytonmcarthur6907
I had the luck to see him perform this song when it was released and I had the experience of seeing him play with Joe Cocker
@electlady2010
I heard this when I was 17. I am now 67. This is one of my favorite songs. I'm so glad I found it.