Formed in Queens, NY, in 1955, the Cleftones consisted of five friends from… Read Full Bio ↴Formed in Queens, NY, in 1955, the Cleftones consisted of five friends from Jamaica High School -- Herb Cox (lead), Warren Corbin (bass), Charlie James (first tenor), William McClain (baritone), and Berman Patterson (second tenor). Originally signed to Gee, the group released its first single, "You Baby You," late in 1955; an up-tempo doo wop song, the record became a regional hit. "Little Girl of Mine," the Cleftones' second single, broke nationally, charting at number eight R&B and number 57 pop in 1956; two other similar singles, "Can't We Be Sweethearts" and "String Around My Heart," were released the same year, yet they failed to attract national attention. "See You Next Year," a ballad the group recorded in 1957, did not earn the group an audience outside of New York. Two years later, McClain left the group and was replaced by Gene Pearson from the Rivileers. Patricia Spann was also added to the Cleftones' lineup that year, which helped nudge the band away from traditional group-oriented doo wop harmonies and towards a vocal sound that was dominated by the lead vocals. In 1961, the Cleftones realized the potential of the sound with their smash hit version of the standard "Heart and Soul;" it became the group's biggest hit, reaching number 18 on both pop and R&B charts. Later that year, the group had another hit with "For Sentimental Reasons," but the band had reached a peak with "Heart and Soul" and were never able to reach those heights again. The Cleftones broke up in 1964, three years after their greatest success. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All-Music Guide

Little Girl of Mine
The Cleftones Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Oh well now I know I love you so
I'll never, I'll never let you go
& I need your love oh so much
That I thrill to your touch

So little girl, stay true; that's all I ask of you
Be mine and mine alone, don't leave your happy home
'Cause I love you, baby, and I always will

You're my one and only thrill, my baby
My honey, my sweet thing

Overall Meaning

The Cleftones' "Little Girl Of Mine" is a classic love song that celebrates the affection and devotion a man feels for a special woman in his life. The lyrics speak directly to the object of his affection, telling her that she looks fine and that he'll never let her go. The singer emphasizes that he loves this girl with all of his heart and that he can't bear the thought of losing her to anyone else. He tells her that he cherishes every moment they are together and that nothing else matters to him - he only wants to be with her.

The lyrics also touch on the theme of envy, as the singer notes that other boys are envious of him and his relationship with the girl. He seems to relish in this jealousy, as it reinforces his status as the one who has won her heart. Throughout the song, he urges her to stay true to him and to make him her one and only love.

Overall, "Little Girl Of Mine" is a heartfelt and romantic tribute to the love shared between two people. It celebrates the joy and happiness that come with finding that special someone and holding onto them forever.

Line by Line Meaning

Oh little girl of mine, gee you sure look fine
The singer expressing admiration for the girl’s beautiful appearance.

Yes you appeal to me, I'll never set you free
The singer admitting that he is smitten with the girl and has no intention of letting her go.

'Cause you're my lovin' baby till the end of time
The singer declaring his love for the girl and that he sees her as his lifelong partner.

I can't seem to get you off my mind, my baby
The singer confessing that he's always thinking about the girl and can't stop loving her.

The boys will roll their eyes as we go strollin' by
The singer acknowledging that other men are jealous of him being with the girl.

It's not so hard to see, they all envy me
The singer recognizing that other men desire the girl, but he is the one who has her.

'Cause you're my lovin' baby, you belong to me
The singer reiterating that the girl is his and no one else's.

That's the way it was meant to be, my baby
The singer asserting that their relationship was fated to be together.

Oh well now I know I love you so
The singer becoming more convinced of his love for the girl.

I'll never, I'll never let you go
The singer making a firm promise not to leave the girl.

& I need your love oh so much
The singer expressing the depth of his need for the girl's love.

That I thrill to your touch
The singer admitting that he feels aroused and excited when he's physically close to the girl.

So little girl, stay true; that's all I ask of you
The singer making a plea to the girl to remain faithful to him.

Be mine and mine alone, don't leave your happy home
The singer asking the girl to be committed to only him and to not leave her comfortable life.

'Cause I love you, baby, and I always will
The singer proclaiming that he loves the girl deeply and will continue to do so.

You're my one and only thrill, my baby
The singer confessing that the girl is his greatest source of pleasure and happiness.

My honey, my sweet thing
The singer using endearing terms to describe the girl.

Lyrics © Kanjian Music, BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Capitol CMG Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: HERBERT COX, MORRIS LEVY

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

TRACKS

No Related Genres

More Genres

No Artists Found

More Artists Load All

No Albums Found

More Albums Load All

No Tracks Found

01Heart And Soul1:46

02How Do You Feel2:02

03100 Pounds of Clay2:23

04Please Say You Want Me2:30

05Can't We Be Sweethearts2:59

06Time Is Running Out On Our Love3:08

07Little Girl of Mine3:11

PT3M11S

The Cleftones

08Heavenly Father2:22

09Glory of Love2:18

10You and I Can Climb2:42

11You Baby You

12String Around My Heart2:44

Genre not found

Artist not found

Album not found

Search results not found

Song not found

Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@romandjma.recordplayers7806

3y↑19

Lyrics:

Oh, little girl of mine
Gee, you sure look fine
Yes, you appeal to me
I'll never set you free

Be my lovin' baby 'till the end of time
I can't seem to get you off my mi-ind

The boys all roll their eyes
As we go strolling by
It's not so hard to see
That they all envy me

Cause your my lovin' baby you belong to me
That's the way it was meant to be oh-woah

Oh, well I know
I love you so
I'll never,
Never let et you go
I need your love
Oh so much
I fell to your touch

(Bridge)

Oh, well I know
I love you so
I'll never,
Never let you go
I need your love
Oh so much
I fell to your touch

So, little girl, stay true
That's all I ask of you
Be mine and mine alone
Don't leave your happy home

'Cause I love you baby, and I always will
You're my one and only thrill, oh-woah

@gregoriusmere88

4y↑4

Oh little girl of mine, gee you sure look fine
Yes you appeal to me, I'll never set you free
'Cause you're my lovin' baby till the end of time
I can't seem to get you off my mind, my baby
The boys will roll their eyes as we go strollin' by
It's not so hard to see, they all envy me
'Cause you're my lovin' baby, you belong to me
That's the way it was meant to be, my baby

Oh well now I know I love you so
I'll never, I'll never let you go
& I need your love oh so much
That I thrill to your touch

So little girl, stay true; that's all I ask of you
Be mine and mine alone, don't leave your happy home
'Cause I love you, baby, and I always will
You're my one and only thrill, my baby
My honey, my sweet thing

All comments from YouTube:

@dantomas7764

8y↑187

My grandpa plays sax on this. Jimmy Wright. Love you Grandpa!!

@frankp3

8y↑4

Rock and Roll Royalty!

@RMS1983

8y↑1

Nice!

@mhomer4

6y↑2

,Jimmy Wright is my idol!

@monicaserra4850

6y↑6

Que legal!!!!!
Seu avô viveu numa ótima época para a música! = )

(In terrible english to understand my words: Awsome!! Your grandfather lived in a great 'era', hihi, for music!)

I am younger but love this kind of arrange and rithym(?correct?). For dance is great too!!! The foots doesn't stop to move with the "batidas" (i don't know the correct word..but i mean something like claps with our foots)

😄👏😎🎼🎷🎸

@MIDwhc

5y↑12

Jimmy Wright is my Great Uncle..My Grandfather's Brother...I carry The last name Wright..my father is a hell of a sax player also..he picked it up from them.

20 More Replies...

@richardcallaway4093

3y↑4

"It was 1960, and doo-wop was the sound on the streets.
It felt like there was a doo-wop group on every corner back then.
What a time it was. The New York Yankees were playing the Pittsburgh Pirates in the World Series...and Mickey Mantle was like a god to me. My dad would take me to Yankee Stadium and we'd watch the Yankees win..." Calogero ~ A Bronx Tale

@zxidy

11y↑11

A Bronx tale - watch it,it'll defiantly be in your top ten...it's in mine.

@pgalan

10y↑180

My dad used to be in doo wop group as a teenager in the 50's. Growing up, after a few beers he would sing "his songs". This was one of his favs! I was able to find it through the power of the internet on old napster, by googling the lyrics. When he heard that song on the computer he almost fell out of his seat! Dad has been gone for 14yrs now but I always feel he is right beside me when I hear his songs! I even sing these songs to my kids to get them to go to sleep sometimes!

@LadyBGoodWI

9y↑7

Sweet memories

@rafachrzaszcz6997

9y↑9

God bless your dad! It's so sad that more and more people that remember those times are passing away...

@richardwahl8433

9y↑9

When your Dad was growing up, as a teen in the 50's, it wasn't called 'Doo Wop' or whatever. I grew up then, and there was no such thing as 'Doo wop'. We just called it R&B. Whether it was or it wasn't, THAT, is the term we used for that music. Just how that term came into use, I have no real idea, plus I don't care anyway, for we lived in that era, and we lived that history, and I consider myself very fortunate to have experienced firsthand, all that great music and the enjoyment we got out of listening to it for the fist time, along with all the people who wrote and sang those songs and music. AND......I'm nowhere near ready to 'pass on' anytime soon.

@richardwahl8433

9y↑2

***** Well, sorry pal, that's just the way it was. Can't change something that was, I know, I lived it.

@denisjl100

7y↑7

richard wahl. the term doo wop came into being after the rock and roll rivival after american graffiti. the term comes from a song that actually used the term doo wop in the backup of the song.

14 More Replies...

@lisafoy7609

5y↑9

I know kids all around the world sang this song in 1956. I was 4 or 5 at the time and we lived in the projects in Philly. In the evening, everybody would hang outside and sing this song. And dance

@salbaca6737

3y↑5

Doo wop. I remember growing up. Listening to a show called Hot Liz. That show started off many a party back in the day. It was on Saturday nights and all he played was Doo wop so f_-($_-+ cool. God Bless you Charlie. Hope your doing ok wherever you may be.

@hillelschenker2504

11y↑28

Can't believe that this great song has gotten less than 3,000 views. As a New York teenager when this came out, this was a classic example of subway style doo-wop harmonies. Always thought that this and "Can't We Be Sweethearts" which I used to sing together with my girlfriend, were their best songs.

@albertbarese4170

3y↑9

1M+ views now, and it’s well-deserved.

@Unknownuser-ki8te

4y↑3

When you grow up in a Chicano family 💪🏼

@clydedahler8634

8y↑77

Nothing like the old 50's jams.

@bernieburris1183

6y↑2

Clyde Dahler growed up with that music and still love it never gets old

@frankwal718

9y↑67

Love this oldie. Listen to that SAX!!! Where did the sax go. No music of today has a sax in it. Darn. Oldies are the best.

@epf1961

6y↑2

Sax player was Jimmy Wright, who I like to say was the David Sanborn of the mid-50s: He was a session player who did practically all the sax solos for the Teenagers, Cleftones, Wrens, Valentines, and other groups that recorded for the Gee/Rama record company complex....Exciting player who could really blow.

@yolondamontes9549

@epf1961 Oldies #1

@michigandon

Most recent thing I can think of with any kind of cool sax in it is The Beastie Boys' "Brass Monkey"...and even THAT was 33 years ago now!

@youngmindedman

4y↑1

Bruce Springsteen w/ E Street Band had a sax player.

@FloydAandatxxteeteexx

2y↑6

I was 3years old in 1957 .I still love this song❤️thank you for the posting it.

@Chunkz55

26w↑1

i was 50 😊❤

@joestuffsda

4y↑2

I was at James P. Timilty Junior High School (they call it middle school now) when this came out. We guys all loved Karen the pretty sister of one of the members. Our quartets would stand on the corner singing this and Franky Lymon's Why Do Fools Fall in Love. Wonderful memories this brings back.

@raymondcannon4566

10y↑4

Geez, you just don't hear this one very often. Thanks.

@user-xn2xv5yd8h

33w↑1

Gives me the schills to hear this. Was the 50's, good bop!

@superhet7281

2y↑2

Great!!! There’s nothing like listening to this on a scratchy 78!

@loganhenderson9825

4y↑19

I'm a greaser and this is my favorite song dude... If u live in Lexington NC and see a greaser gang near stay on your territory .just saying,🤟👍

@michigandon

I'm in NC and would LOVE to join a greaser gang! Alas, I no longer have enough hair left for it. :(

@iriswilliams2266

8y↑44

GOOD MUSIC CAN HEAL A BROKEN SOUL..."PEACE"

@markhuddleston5810

4y↑6

That sax comes in like a tornado!!

@josephkane2852

6y↑4

Another timeless Classic hit single as it came from The Cleftones as it is Called Little Girl of Mine from 1956 such a really great sound from A Bronx Tale Soundtrack

@angelitaazuara4091

3y↑2

Who’s still here in 2021 ❤️

@josephkane2148

6y↑13

Just One Of the very best tunes of 1956 as it was in A Bronx Tale as most of the music in this movie is just so amazing

@josephkane4753

6y↑5

Another timeless Classic hit single from The Cleftones as it is Called Little Girl of Mine as it is from A Bronx Tale Soundtrack as the music from this album is just so Fantastic just to listen to even now

@donnadeckelman9803

6y↑6

This song has Great Sax!

@lindayeager3126

4y↑2

Such a cool record, I'd play it over and over again and dance the chicken to it ,so little girl stay true ,

@davidmooremoore8748

Personified professional ality class Style voices that cannot be duplicated these songs are etched in Gold they cannot be duplicated or fabricated we were Witness tool that unique Style it only comes once in their lifetime we were blessed cliftones to this day your music cannot be duplicated or authenticated cliftones you

@davidmooremoore8748

Cliftones you were class you stand alone thank you and your family God bless you

@IAM-zu9nx

2y↑1

Growing up and delivering newspapers I'd hear this great song and so many others. I went with my Mom Dad and a brother to the 1964 World Series, the Yankees and Cardinals and got to see Mickey Mantle and Roger Maris hit homers. What a great time to be young and America was sure different. Thanks

@scooterahlers6719

10y↑76

Back from the day when the Bronx was still a DECENT place to live....

@geraldshort16

9y↑8

I know right, I live in Arthur Avenue now, really crappy.

@robertjbanta831

6y↑3

Oh so true Scooter so true. :-)

@forthose_whoslept8136

6y↑2

Scooter Ahlers what!? When was that? I grew up in the south Bronx I was born in the year 1980 and it was bad! Maybe nice NOW. I have to disagree with you on this one

@robertjbanta831

4y↑2

The Bronx, home sweet home from 1945 till 1962 LOVED IT, it was the BEST, LIVED ACROSS THE STREET FROM BRONX PARK,

@joanhughes9660

6y↑9

I sure do remember this, I was 12 yrs. old, nothing like Doo Wop!!!

@josephkane2148

7y↑2

Such a timeless Classic hit single of 1956 as it is Just One of the finest singles I've ever heard as I do just love this song Very Much so and I do feel the same for My Beloved Angela to as she is the love of My Life

@krobigraubart

4y↑19

Herb Cox passed away December 7, 2019. May he rest in peace.

@kevinkealey2691

4y↑2

my wife and I would go to a concert ....JUST TO HEAR HERBIE ...RIP HERB

@Ed-jv3xu

2y↑5

Freakin fire cold rockin it ♥️

@maryscarpa2211

3y↑2

I remember dancing to this in 1956 or 7. What memories!!!

@marievilla9782

2y↑4

Oldies forever 💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖

@classicmwk

4y↑11

I can't believe how catchy this song is! I love it, could play this all day long! Wow!

@AMCmachine

7y↑23

"MARIE, GET IN THE **** CAR!!!" : D

@large_n_widetm2116

6y↑5

My grandpa and his friends would listen to these guys when he was working on his hot rod. I wish it was simple times like that still.

@turkrane12

4y↑7

I was 13, back then 20 guys could walk down the street singing this song.
Today the police state says no way punks we are now the boss.

@berniecioffoletti3398

4y↑19

DeNiro:"You don't see me going in that place, do ya'?"
C: "You mean Mom don't let you go in eitha'?"
DeNiro: "Whad am I gonna do with this kid?"
Rosa: "I don't know, I got him all day!!"

@basilmarasco1975

3y↑1

It was also in Goodfellas in the scene where Henry is supposed to go to the store but instead goes to the cabstand. "Don't forget to get milk!"

@nightstalker705

11y↑24

one of the best songs ever made!!!! doo wop at its finest!!! saw them at the Beacon theatre in New York. Fantastic!!!

@MIDwhc

5y↑4

That's My Great Uncle on Sax

@alexandraarellano8823

11y↑9

One of my favorite doo wop bands. Saw them April 2013 at Viva Las Vegas and they still rock

@josephkane7989

6y↑4

One of the finest Doo Wop singles of The 1950's as it is by The Cleftones as it is Called Little Girl Of Mine as it also came from one of my all-time Favoutite movies Called A Bronx Tale and the music within the movie is just so amazing to listen to also as it is a breathe of fresh air with the 50's music

@brianramirez4638

Defintiely a classic

@tylerbauer8702

6y↑5

Imagine if someone had the nerve to get up there and sing and play sumthin like this on America’s got talent!!!!

@josephkane3215

6y↑3

Just a Timeless Classic hit single from 1956 as it is by The Cleftone's as it is also Called Little Girl Of Mine

@josephkane8103

5y↑2

Just One Of The Greatest Singles of 1956 as it is By The Cleftones as it is called Little Girl of Mine

@danrobinson572

3y↑3

Awesome song awesome group!!

@stevenquinn4641

7y↑1

I was 2 years old A beautiful TIME The world seemed simple and innocent and people looked on the best side and wanted to be happy grew up in a particular time and place as an adult you realize the culture was mobbed up It makes me sentimental I miss everyone i lost I've gotta keep going This was for my brothers ages up he was 12 The music was in the streets What a world It wasn't all sugar but it was exciting and grownups were mysterious and interesting

@geraldseckeler27

2y↑2

Great sax solo

@groovydoobies4699

5y↑5

Now this song here, has the best intro I have ever heard in my entire life. Wow.

@frannicoletta2150

5y↑3

50's music.....LOVE ! 60's. music.....PEACE. Please introduce a youngster in ur life to DOOWOP!!!

@bobaldo2339

5y↑5

Love it! Also don't forget their first hit, "You Baby You".

@christinebarone1058

11y↑2

ONE OF THOSE SONGS YOU NEVER FORGET.

@davidmoore6112

3y↑1

The cleftones this was one of the number one groups and this song Still Stand Tall to me God bless you and your family you open the door with all the groups we miss you God bless you thank you

@doubletopsecret1

25w

I found a homemade record of my dad on drums and uncle in sax and 2 high school friends playing this song. 1955.

@josephkane392

8y↑8

This song is in One of my all-time Favourite Movies A Bronx Tale and the music in this movie is just so fantastic the movie is so good also

@josephkane2148

6y↑7

This is just one of the most wonderful songs of the 1950's as it is one of My all-time favourite singles from 1956 as it is by The Cleftones as it is called Little Girl of Mine as it did come from one of My Favourite movies Called A Bronx Tale

@bobsilverio7544

9y↑2

Great song. I am glad to have been growing up in that era

@georgeswift6292

6y↑7

Like I said before....ain't no sax..ain't rock an roll! Whoa!!

@stephenkiefer

10y↑29

I just LOVE AMERICAN music

@Target_Buster

9y↑8

*American music from 1945-1965

@irenequvus6042

T-Bus

@IchabodvanTassel98

7y↑3

T-Bus except Beatles Generation*

@robrod56

11y↑5

Cleftones ROCK!!!! Doo Wop Baby!!

@josephkane2852

7y↑2

Such an amazing song it is so good a song to dance to back in the 50's just a brilliant song to jig to

@mrooster721

11y↑3

Another prize possession in my record collection and a favorite group from the 50's.

@josephkane2852

7y↑21

This song Came from One of My Favourite Movies A Bronx Tale and the Soundtrack is so amazing fantastic music in this Movie

@johnmonaghan1800

6y↑1

That song was around long before that movie, that is why they used it!

@davidmoore6112

And that's sexophone Jimmy Wright he brought people to floor Jimmy Wright you were cold piece of work God bless you man you really brought it on in we miss you

@hauntabillykatt2480

7y↑1

I first heard this song when i was 13, and fell in love with it. i lost the cd and had not heard it in 13 years thanks to the bronx tale i was able to find it again.

@thestars386

2y↑1

I love 💕😘 the oldies. I always have something playing 🎴 on my way to wherever I'm going.

@huiokki7903

7y↑21

A bronx tale 👌

@pilottouhill

5y↑2

favorite song from this era

@hermanjondoh8410

8y↑33

it makes me laugh when the dude says yeah, it's so funny the way he says it lol.

@RMS1983

8y↑3

Yeah!

@elegeblege1618

8y↑3

Yeeeah

@michigandon

4y↑3

Isn't "the dude that says yeah" usually the best part of any doo wop song though?

@yolondamontes9549

4y↑3

Yes that's what makes the song when he said yeah👍

@loganhenderson9825

4y↑1

Yheaaa

2 More Replies...

@jasminerodriguez4001

5y↑8

LOVE THIS SONG!💋

@romandjma.recordplayers7806

3y↑19

@frankp3

11y↑11

I'm a Cleftone-head yeahhhh

@jeannemarietrotta8604

8y↑18

What a classic song! Great singers with a neat beat! Crank it up!
Tony Trotta

@maxinestannard9463

7y↑14

More than cool is The Cleftones!

@Max-my9wn

1y↑1

Bellissima!!!

@salvatorejsciaccajr.860

6y↑3

One of my all time favorites. Yes I was part of a strret corner doo wop group. Sang bass.

@amyvenegas5582

8y↑65

Bronx Tale

@sonnyfigueroa879

Amy Venegas the movie my dad named me after

@t.j.pempel5191

Jamaica is in Queens, not the Bronx

@samanthadesperate4660

4y↑3

A Bronx tail is such a classic! I least watch it! I love hearing the music and it’s such a good film

@jm818809

10y↑4

What a song,lifts ya spirit in no time!

@ELTRAVIESO0416

11y↑7

FIRME ROLA

@joer7877

1y↑1

This has always been a great song

@josephkane3215

6y↑2

Just an all-time Classic hit single as it is from A Bronx Tale soundtrack also

@andrewbean5407

4y↑1

Yes. It's because of a bronx tale, but hey i was 3 when it was released.

Now for real, that transition from i wonder why by dion and the belmonts to little girl of mine by the cleftnotes, mad props to the production team, i thought it was all one song

Wop wop wop wop wop wop-l

@aaronshaw5897

6y↑5

this one got me into DOO-WOP. thanks

@comedychris1655

6y↑2

real music

@josephkane2148

7y↑1

Just a real timeless Classic hit single from 1956 as it was also in One of MY all-time Favourite Movies as it was on the Goodfellas Soundtrack album as well in the movie to

@johnthrussell1377

1y↑1

Beautiful record nice harmony

@johnsmith-rs2vk

Pretty little angel eyes !

@kennykirschner2175

5y↑3

Thanks to everyone for the background on this classic group. I place this song on my greatest doo wops of all time list

@michaelscherb9144

I'm 18 but I gotta thanky dad fort getting me into this music love is to much

@WendyKS93

What a really great song by this great group.

@josephkane392

7y↑1

One Of My all-time Favourite songs as it came from One Of My Favourite Gangster Movies Called A Bronx Tale such a great movie also with a great soundtrack to go with it to

@loriann9673

10y↑2

Great songs, glad im with this website.

@davidmooremoore8748

Cliftones personified professional

@3351redneck

12y↑7

Thank YOU!! for uploading this treasure!!

@gregoriusmere88

4y↑4

@rabdodoggy5273

6y↑1

Take me back to the 50s & I will take you back to cool!!!

@Rwanda223

1y↑1

The sax on this is exceptional. Jimmy Wright also do the sax on Speedo? The 'oldies' versions of these songs have 'updated' sax bridges which are inferior to what your grandpa, Jimmy Wright played on the original.

@josephkane2148

6y↑1

Just One of the finest songs that I've ever heard as I do just love this very much so as I Angela just being around each other when this song is being played as w`e do love fooling around together and doing this to one another at the same time that's what love does to the both of us very much so