1. The Buckinghams is an American sunshine-pop band from Chicago formed in 1966. They went on to become one of the top-selling acts of 1967, charting their only five Top 40 hits in the U.S. that year. The band dissolved in 1970, but re-formed in 1980 and as of 2019 they continue to tour throughout the United States.
If everyone on the northwest side of Chicago who claims to have hung out with the Buckinghams during their heyday had faithfully bought all their releases, the rock group might have sold more records than the Beatles. Popular attractions while still in high school, the quintet changed its name from the Pulsations to the Buckinghams to reflect the British Invasion craze and signed with Chicago's USA Records in 1966. Backing Dennis Tufano's buoyant lead vocals with prominent harmonies and punchy soul-styled brass, the group came across the wistful "Kind of a Drag," and in short order, The Buckinghams had a million-selling pop chart-topper on their hands. They quickly graduated to recording for Columbia. As long as songwriter Jim Holvay supplied more material of the same high quality as "Kind of a Drag," the Buckinghams were sitting pretty. Holvay co-wrote "Don't You Care," "Hey Baby (They're Playing Our Song)," and the pseudo-psychedelic "Susan," and they all proved to be major hits for the band. The group's R&B roots surfaced on a vocal adaptation of Cannonball Adderley's jazz standard "Mercy, Mercy, Mercy," their second-biggest hit.
But the Buckinghams' fortunes soon changed drastically -- one of the top-selling rock groups of 1967, they managed only one hit after early 1968. Two original members, guitarist Carl Giammarese and bassist Nick Fortuna, have since revived the Buckinghams and began touring full-time again in 1982.
2. Not to be confused with the more famous Chicago hit-makers, The Buckinghams were a 1960s pop/beat band from Islington, North London, United Kingdom. They released two 45s on Pye Records: 'I'll Never Hurt You No More' b/w 'She Lied' (may 1965), quickly followed by 'To Be or Not To Be' b/w 'I Was Your First Guy'.
I'll Be Back
The Buckinghams Lyrics
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Like one of those bunnies out of a Playboy Club
But she got somethin' much greater than gold
Crazy 'bout that girl 'cause she got so much soul
[Chorus]
I said she got the kind of lovin'
Kissin' and a-huggin'
Glad that I'm her fellow and I know
That she knocks me off my feet
Have mercy on me
Cause she knocks me off my feet
There is no girl in the whole world
That can love me like you do
My baby when she walks by
All the fellows go, oh, and I know why
It's simply 'cause that girl she looks so fine
And if she ever leaves me
I would lose my mind
[Chorus]
Yeah, everybody in the neighborhood
Will testify that my girl she looks so good
And she's so fine
She'd give eyesight to the blind
And if she ever leaves me I would lose my mind
[Chorus]
Baby, yeah, you got that soulful feel
Yeah, it's all right
Mercy, mercy
"I'll Be Back" by The Buckinghams is a classic love song that celebrates the soulful beauty of an ordinary woman who mesmerizes the singer with her unique charm and captivating presence. The opening lines of the chorus, "I said she got the kind of lovin'/ Kissin' and a-huggin'/ Sure is mellow/ Glad that I'm her fellow," highlight the sweet and gentle nature of the love that the singer shares with his beloved. He seems to acknowledge that their love may not be flashy or intense like some other couples, but it is honest, comforting, and fulfilling in its simplicity.
The verses paint a vivid picture of the woman who has captured the singer's heart. He describes her as someone who may not fit into the conventional standards of beauty, but she possesses an intangible quality that sets her apart from the rest. Her soul, her inner beauty, is what makes her irresistible to him. The line, "There is no girl in the whole world/ That can love me like you do," highlights the depth and intensity of the love that the two share, implying that it is a rare and unbreakable bond.
The overall message of the song is about appreciating the unique beauty in everyone, especially in the person you love. The Buckinghams remind us that love cannot be quantified or measured by superficial standards, but rather it is the soulful connection between two people that makes it truly special.
Line by Line Meaning
My baby she may not a-look
Although my baby may not look like a typical Playboy bunny, she has something much greater than gold.
Like one of those bunnies out of a Playboy Club
My baby does not have the perfect appearance and figure of a Playboy bunny.
But she got somethin' much greater than gold
She possesses a marvelous quality that is far beyond any material riches.
Crazy 'bout that girl 'cause she got so much soul
I'm immensely attracted to her due to the depth of her soul.
I said she got the kind of lovin'
I have noticed that she has a unique style of loving.
Kissin' and a-huggin'
She expresses her love through physical touch.
Sure is mellow
Her style of loving is not forceful but gentle and easy going.
Glad that I'm her fellow and I know
I'm happy to be her partner and I understand this kind of love.
That she knocks me off my feet
I'm blown away by her love.
Have mercy on me
I need help as I'm struggling to cope with the intense love she gives me.
Cause she knocks me off my feet
Her love is so strong that it's overwhelming me.
There is no girl in the whole world
I have searched high and low and no other girl in the world can love me the way she does.
That can love me like you do
She loves me in a way that no other person can.
My baby when she walks by
Whenever she passes by, she attracts attention.
All the fellows go, oh, and I know why
All the guys are amazed by her beauty and I understand why.
It's simply 'cause that girl she looks so fine
The reason why everyone is staring is that she looks amazing.
And if she ever leaves me
If she ever leaves me,
I would lose my mind
I wouldn't be able to take it.
Yeah, everybody in the neighborhood
Everyone in the neighborhood
Will testify that my girl she looks so good
Will vouch for the fact that my girl looks stunning.
And she's so fine
She is exceptionally beautiful.
She'd give eyesight to the blind
Her beauty is so overpowering that it can cure blindness.
And if she ever leaves me I would lose my mind
I can't even fathom the idea of her leaving me.
Baby, yeah, you got that soulful feel
You have an amazing soulful feeling, baby.
Yeah, it's all right
Yeah, it's good.
Mercy, mercy
Please, have mercy on me.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: LENNON, JOHN / MCCARTNEY, PAUL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind