Lois Wilkinson (born 3 April 1944, Sleaford, Lincolnshi… Read Full Bio ↴Original members
Lois Wilkinson (born 3 April 1944, Sleaford, Lincolnshire, England).
Andrea Simpson (born 9 September 1946, Finchley, London).
At the time of their greatest fame, press stories told of how a blonde shorthand typist called Lois, and a brunette accounting machine operator called Andrea worked together in the same London company- and came together to play for an office party. However, in reality they were brought together by a man with an ear for talented singers called Curly Clayton- who ran a small recording Studio in Highbury, London. They were both keen to become professional singers and had both approached the studio independently. It was Clayton that suggested they might fare better as a duet. As a result of this encouragement, they learned some numbers to record as demos together- one of which was from the 'B'-side of Tennessee Ernie Ford's "Sixteen Tons"- this was "You Don't Have To Be A Baby To Cry". Clayton was sufficiently impressed with the quality of their singing that he made a demonstration recording with the intention of using it to obtain a contract with a major label. Unfortunately a deal was struck independently and consequently the small studio gained nothing from the exercise. "You Don't Have To Be A Baby To Cry" was subsequently re-recorded under the direction of bandleader Harry Robinson and taken up and promoted by Decca via an offshoot called "Ritz". The girls had by then begun calling themselves the Caravelles, taking the name from that of the French airliner of the time. The rapid sale of their first disc suddenly produced a popular demand for the two girls and they soon found themselves on their first professional engagement at a theatre in Weymouth.
Their first release became a #3 UK hit, but it was also one of the few records by female vocalists to feature in the vanguard of the "British Invasion" of the beat boom years and became a best seller in the USA too. Sadly, the Caravelles were unable to consolidate their success despite trying several different recording companies- arguably, all their subsequent output lacked the inspiration that had led to that first demo. Lois Wilkinson eventually decided that her future might be better as a soloist and broke away- shortly to take the name Lois Lane after the Superman character's girlfriend. Andrea carried on with the duet, coupling with a number of other partners- notably Lynne Hamilton- a Lancashire born Australian. Although the Caravelles never again reached the charts the duet survived well into the 1980s. Lynne also had solo success during 1989 with "On The Inside".
Lois Lane too, continued with her musical career turning towards jazz and MOR rather than Pop. She found work as a singer in BBC radio and commercial work producing 'voiceovers'.
You Don't Have To Be A Baby To Cry
The Caravelles Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Artists: The Caravelles (peak Billboard position # 3 in 1963 )
Words and Music by Bob Merrill and Terry Shand
You don't have to be a ba-a-aby to cry
All you need is for love to go wrong
You don't have to be a ba-a-aby to cry
When you leave me my golden rainbow disappears
And you leave me a broken heart that's full of tears
These ain't rainbows in my eyes, why should I lie
You don't have to be a ba-a-aby to cry
When you leave me my golden rainbow disappears
And you leave me a broken heart that's full of tears
These ain't rainbows in my eyes, why should I lie
You don't have to be a ba-a-aby to cry
You don't have to be a ba-a-aby to cry
You don't have to be a ba-a-aby to cry
The Caravelles's song "You Don't Have to Be a Baby to Cry" talks about heartbreak and the pain that comes with it. The first line of the song says, "You don't have to be a ba-a-aby to cry, all you need is for love to go wrong." This line sets the tone for the rest of the song. It means that you can be any age, no matter how old or young, to experience heartbreak and the emotions that come with it.
The song also talks about the aftermath of a breakup. When the person who you loved leaves you, your world seems to fall apart. The line "And you leave me a broken heart that's full of tears" shows the feeling of emptiness and hurt that you feel when someone you love leaves you. The line "These ain't rainbows in my eyes, why should I lie" further emphasizes the feeling of sadness and heartbreak.
Overall, the song is about the pain that people go through after a breakup, no matter what age they are. It shows that love can be hard and sometimes it's impossible to hold back the tears.
Line by Line Meaning
You don't have to be a ba-a-aby to cry
You don't have to be an actual baby to cry. Emotional pain can cause anyone to cry.
All you need is for love to go wrong
Love going wrong can cause anyone to cry.
Or to lie awake the wh-o-le ni-i-ght long
The pain of lost love can keep someone awake all night long.
When you leave me my golden rainbow disappears
When you, my love, leave me, my happiness disappears.
And you leave me a broken heart that's full of tears
Your leaving me causes my heart to break, and I cry tears because of it.
These ain't rainbows in my eyes, why should I lie
The tears in my eyes are not a sign of happiness, so there's no reason to pretend that they are.
You don't have to be a ba-a-aby to cry
You don't have to be an actual baby to cry. Emotional pain can cause anyone to cry.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@weejim48
I was 12 when this first came out. I never realised just how fantastic these girls were. It seems odd to me that people with no talent seem to get on these days and there are probably thousands of gifted people that don’t stand a chance. Bring back the old days with proper talent. 👍👍👍🙏
@ryanch8123
One of the singers is my great aunt called Andrea Mullins. I have to listen to them sing this every xmas.
@patwilliams800
(Ryan: 12 years later) I used to work with Andrea's sister Diane in Andover UK, she was beautiful, all of the sisters were. This so takes me back. 💜🌝🌷🏡
@javiercastro6747
You should be very proud!
@stefanieduplessisbarton7104
Very cool, so the other singer Lois Lane is second cousin to me on my mums side. Loved watching these old videos . Amazing singing voices.
@lindapoplin4473
WOW I remember this. My mom played it on her stereo. They have beautiful voices. I never knew who sang it cuz you didn't dare touch momma's music😂 I d love to hear the album. Wow! Love it.... Memories.
@edwardgibbons5543
Beautiful harmony by this duo!
@johnjarou2357
agreed!
@gabbyg7315
Even though the lyrics suggest sadness, the blend of these two gorgeous voices - to me - are all sunshine, rainbows, and the innocence so many of us from that time enjoyed and remember fondly.
@randyrogers8568
Soft and sweet. Can it possibly get any better?