The Bell Notes were regular performers in The Bronx in the 1950s, and performed at a bar owned by the father of Ray Tabano; he and Steven Tyler (of Aerosmith) occasionally played between Bell Notes sets and covered their song "I've Had It". "I've Had It", released on Time Records, was a nationwide hit in the U.S. in 1959, peaking at #6 on the Billboard Hot 100. They released four further singles in 1959 - "Old Spanish Town", "That's Right", "You're a Big Girl Now", and "White Buckskin Sneakers & Checkerboard Socks" - but only "Old Spanish Town" charted, peaking at #76.
In 1960, they signed to Autograph Records and issued "Little Girl in Blue"; two singles for Madison Records, "Shortnin' Bread" and "Friendly Star" followed. "Shortnin' Bread" hit #96 in the U.S. and was their last hit; they broke up by 1962.
In 1964, the group appeared in the series of Nu-Trading Rock 'n Roll Trading Cards.
Members
Carl Bonura - vocals, saxophone
John Casey - drums
Ray Ceroni - vocals, guitar
Lenny Giambalvo - bass
Peter Kane - piano
I've Had It
The Bell Notes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When I saw her on the corner
Then I knew that I was a goner
I've had it
Well I've had it
When you say that I should phone
Then I do and there's nobody home
I've had it
La la la la la...
La la la la la...
When you say that you'll keep a date
Then you show up two hours late
I've had it
Well I've had it
When you say that you love me honey
When you really need my money
I've had it
Well I've had it
La la la la la...
The Bell Notes's song "I've Had It" talks about a relationship that's falling apart. The singer gives a list of reasons why they're just over it. In the beginning, they saw a girl on the corner and knew they were done for. From there, it goes to the fact that when they're told to call, there's no answer. They're frustrated and ready to walk away. Then it goes to being stood up on a date. It seems like the relationship has been a string of disappointments and false promises. And finally, when the person says they love them, it feels like it's only because they need money. The song ends with more "la las," as if to say it's all been said.
The lyrics are meant to be relatable. Everyone has probably had a relationship that's failed for one reason or another. It could be used as a break-up song or even as motivation to end an unhealthy relationship.
Interestingly, "I've Had It" was written by one of the Bell Notes' members, Ray Ceroni. It was the group's biggest hit, peaking at number 16 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1959.
Line by Line Meaning
La la la la la...
An expression of frustration and exhaustion by the singer.
When I saw her on the corner
The singer saw someone they were attracted to on the street corner.
Then I knew that I was a goner
The singer realized that they were in love with the person they saw on the street corner.
I've had it
A phrase used to express frustration and that the artist has had enough of the situation or behavior.
Well I've had it
A repetition of the artist's frustration and exhaustion.
When you say that I should phone
Someone told the singer to make a phone call.
Then I do and there's nobody home
When the singer makes the phone call, nobody answers.
When you say that you'll keep a date
Someone promised to show up for a date with the artist.
Then you show up two hours late
The person who promised to show up for the date arrived two hours late.
When you say that you love me honey
Someone claims to love the artist and uses a term of endearment.
When you really need my money
The person who claims to love the singer is actually only interested in their money.
La la la la la...
Repetition of the earlier expression of frustration and exhaustion by the artist.
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: CARL BONURA, RAYMOND CERONI
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@daveb7811
Three chords and a cloud of dust, a killer break, and a cha-cha-cha at the end. Rock and roll at its finest.
@ronniechilds2002
How can this song be so primitive and so perfect at the same time? Love it!
@judenowak6750
The heavy bass was innovative.
@judenowak6750
The heavy bass was innovative.
@jussix48
👍🏿
@maxsavage3998
Original Garage
@richardortiz8704
❤😂🎉 I heard this song over and over I'm in Beaumont California love it too much but I had it😊❤❤
@muffs55mercury61
Superb rock and roll from early 1959. This gem reached #6 on the charts and yet today mainstream oldies radio never plays it. They do such a disservice playing the same ones all the time and ignoring 6000 other tunes.
@hectorlabbe
I hear it very often on Sirius XM 50’s! Love it even if I was born in 1973 ❤😊
@muffs55mercury61
@@hectorlabbe Sirius is different in which they still play the forgottens. Not everyone has it though.