Give Your Baby A Standing Ovation
The Dells Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning | Line by Line Meaning
Ladies and gentlemen
You know, we're mighty
Glad to be here today
And although we're
The stars of the show
We know that that
Ain't all there is to it
Because behind every star
As behind every great man
There is a woman
And I want to tell you out there
That if you are a man
You've got a woman
And I think you should take
A little time out to salute that woman
And give that woman a
Great big round of applause
There's a lot of plastic faces of every kind
And as you walk around the stage of life
Don't it kind of make you feel proud
You know no matter what the problems
There's one who understands
And you can rest assured, feel secure
She'll make you her only man
Give your baby a standing ovation
And she's sure to give a hand to you
Oh, give your baby a standing ovation
And she's sure to give a hand to you
When you can't get no satisfaction
And your world is full of gloom
She gives you strength and confidence
When she walks into the room
From the roar of a thousand voices
Comes a sound you've learned to know
When she calls your name
You can't feel no pain
You gotta smile and a standing O
Give your baby a standing ovation
And she's sure to give a hand to you
Oh, give your baby a standing ovation
And she's sure to give a hand to you
Stand up and give a hand
Stand up and give a hand
Stand up and give your lady a standing
Standing ovation, standing ovation
You know no matter what the problems
There's one who understands
And you can rest assured, feel secure
She'll make you her only man
So give your baby
Baby, baby, a standing ovation
And she's sure to give a hand to you
I don't know about you
But I'm gonna give my baby
A standing ovation
And she's sure to give a hand to you
Stand up and give your baby
A standing ovation
And she's sure to give a hand to you
The Dells's "Give Your Baby A Standing Ovation" is a passionate tribute to the women who support and stand by the men in their lives. The song opens with an acknowledgment that although the band might be the stars of the show, they recognize that it wouldn't be possible without the women who stood by them. The lead singer, Marvin Junior, urges men to take a moment to acknowledge the women in their lives and gives them permission to give their women a standing ovation. The lyrics describe a deep appreciation for the love and support that women offer and how they can give men the strength and confidence to face the world. The song's chorus repeats the suggestion to give a standing ovation to one's significant other, underlining the theme of appreciation and gratitude that runs through the track.
The song continues with descriptions of what the women in their lives mean to them. The lyrics highlight the role of women in providing stability and understanding, even in the toughest of circumstances. "When you can't get no satisfaction, and your world is full of gloom," the lyrics note, "she gives you strength and confidence, when she walks into the room." From there, the lyrics celebrate the power of the woman's voice, likening it to the roar of the crowd. When she calls your name, the singer explains, "you can't feel no pain," and the whole world seems to give you a standing ovation.
"Give Your Baby A Standing Ovation" is a heartfelt and impassioned song that speaks to the deep appreciation that men have for the women in their lives. It's a call to recognize all of the support and love that women offer, even when it's not obvious, and to give them the recognition they deserve. The repeated suggestion of a standing ovation feels like a fitting way to honor the women who stand by us and offer us strength and support in the face of life's challenges.
Line by Line Meaning
Thank you very much
The Dells express gratitude to the audience for being there
Ladies and gentlemen
The Dells address the audience in a formal and polite manner
You know, we're mighty
The Dells feel confident and powerful
Glad to be here today
The Dells express their happiness for being at the venue
And although we're
The Dells admit to being the center of attention
The stars of the show
The Dells acknowledge their elevated status in the concert
We know that that
The Dells acknowledge the importance of others in their success
Ain't all there is to it
The Dells recognize the role of others in their success and accomplishments
Because behind every star
The Dells recognize the importance of those who provide support
As behind every great man
The Dells draw a comparison between successful men and stars
There is a woman
The Dells point out the role of women in providing support to men
And I want to tell you out there
The Dells address the audience and express their desire to share a message with them
That if you are a man
The Dells address men directly
You've got a woman
The Dells remind men that women play an important role in their lives
And I think you should take
The Dells advise men to do something
A little time out to salute that woman
The Dells suggest men take a moment to appreciate and acknowledge the role of women in their lives
And give that woman a
The Dells encourage men to take action
Great big round of applause
The Dells suggest that men should show appreciation to the women in their lives
There's a lot of plastic faces of every kind
The Dells observe the presence of superficial people around us
And as you walk around the stage of life
The Dells use a metaphor to describe life as a stage
Don't it kind of make you feel proud
The Dells ask a rhetorical question to suggest that we should feel proud of ourselves
You know no matter what the problems
The Dells note that problems are part of life
There's one who understands
The Dells suggest that there are people who can sympathize with us
And you can rest assured, feel secure
The Dells suggest that we can feel safe and comfortable with these people
She'll make you her only man
The Dells suggest that women can make men feel special and loved
Give your baby a standing ovation
The Dells encourage men to show appreciation to the women in their lives
And she's sure to give a hand to you
The Dells suggest that appreciating women can have positive outcomes
When you can't get no satisfaction
The Dells describe a situation where a person is unhappy
And your world is full of gloom
The Dells use a metaphor to describe a dismal situation
She gives you strength and confidence
The Dells suggest that women can provide emotional support
When she walks into the room
The Dells suggest that women have a positive effect on men
From the roar of a thousand voices
The Dells use hyperbole to describe a loud sound
Comes a sound you've learned to know
The Dells use a metaphor to describe a familiar sound
When she calls your name
The Dells suggest that hearing your name being called has a positive impact
You can't feel no pain
The Dells use a double-negative to suggest that hearing your name called by a woman who cares about you is a joyful experience
You gotta smile and a standing O
The Dells use a figure of speech to describe a positive reaction to a woman calling your name
Stand up and give a hand
The Dells encourage men to show appreciation to women
Stand up and give your lady a standing
The Dells suggest men show appreciation to their significant others
Standing ovation, standing ovation
The Dells encourage men to show great appreciation to women
So give your baby
The Dells reiterate their message about showing appreciation to women
Baby, baby, a standing ovation
The Dells use repetition to emphasize the importance of the message
And she's sure to give a hand to you
The Dells suggest that showing appreciation to your partner can have positive results
I don't know about you
The Dells ask a rhetorical question to show that their message is universal
But I'm gonna give my baby
The Dells show that they practice what they preach
A standing ovation
The Dells emphasize the importance of showing appreciation
And she's sure to give a hand to you
The Dells suggest that appreciation leads to positive outcomes
Stand up and give your baby
The Dells reiterate their message about showing appreciation
A standing ovation
The Dells suggest that showing appreciation is important
And she's sure to give a hand to you
The Dells suggest that showing appreciation leads to positive outcomes
Lyrics Β© Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: SR., HENRY WILLIAMS, MARVIN EARL JOHNSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
The Dells grew up in Harvey, Illinois and began singing together while attending Thornton Township High School. Forming in 1952 under the name the El-Rays, the group initially consisted of Marvin Junior, Mickey McGill, Lucius McGill, Verne Allison, Chuck Barksdale, and Johnny Funches. Lucius soon left the group and the remaining quintet signed with Checker Records, releasing their first single, "Darling I Know," which flopped.
In 1955, the group renamed themselves the Dells and signed with Vee-Jay Records. In 1956, they recorded their first hit, "Oh, What a Nite" (a song co-written by Johnny Funches, who also sang lead on the recording alongside Marvin Junior), which hit the Top 5 of the R&B singles chart. It sold over one million copies, and was awarded a gold disc. The song is ranked #260 on the Rolling Stone magazine's list of The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. In November 1958, the Dells suffered a car accident that left McGill in a hospital in Ohio for six months. The group temporarily disbanded and Barksdale sang as a member of Harvey Fuqua's spinoff Moonglows act, Harvey and the Moonglows, which included a young Marvin Gaye. In 1961, the Dells reunited and auditioned for Dinah Washington. After Washington agreed to hire them, Johnny Funches left the group to take care of his family. Funches was replaced by Flamingos founding member Johnny Carter and sang background for Washington for two years. In 1966, they were hired to open for Ray Charles, only to be fired after a performance resulted in several standing ovations. The group would also sing background for Barbara Lewis, mainly on Lewis' 1963 hit, "Hello Stranger", while also working with Quincy Jones, who helped to fine-tune their vocals for standards and jazz material.
In 1966, the Dells returned to Chess under the label's Cadet subsidiary working with Bobby Miller and future Earth, Wind & Fire arranger Charles Stepney. In 1967, the Dells issued the album There Is which included their first R&B chart-topper in years with the title track, which showcased the sharp baritone of Marvin Junior and the harmonies with the four other Dells. The song was also their first top 20 pop hit.
Subsequent R&B hits included "Wear It on Our Face," "Always Together" (Top 20 Pop, "I Can Sing a Rainbow - Love is Blue (medley)" (UK #15), and their first #1 R&B hit and first Top Ten pop hit, 1968's "Stay in My Corner," which reached #10 on the pop chart and showcased both Carter and Marvin in lead vocals. In the following year, 1969, The Dells' soulful remake of their debut hit, "Oh What a Night" gave the group their second chart-topping R&B single and also reached the top ten on the Billboard Hot 100. For a second time, the song sold over a million copies. Subsequent hits included "Open Up My Heart," "Oh What A Day," and "On the Dock of the Bay." In 1971, the Dells' "The Love We Had Stays on My Mind" became another Top Ten hit on the R&B charts, also reaching the pop Top 30. By this time Charles Stepney had taken over production duties from Bobby Miller. 1973's "Give Your Baby a Standing Ovation" was their third certified gold record. The song was written by L.V. Johnson and produced by Don Davis.
Leaving Cadet around the end of 1974 with the parent company in financial difficulties, the group would continue recording in order under the Mercury, ABC, and Virgin labels finding some hits, including 1980's "I Touched a Dream", which returned the group to the top 40 on the R&B charts. The Dells were confined mostly to the oldies market afterwards until they were asked to be creative consultants to Robert Townsend's acclaimed 1991 film, The Five Heartbeats, which was loosely based on the lives of The Dells and other groups of its era. The group recorded a composition titled "A Heart Is a House for Love". The song reached number 13 on the Billboard R&B chart, making them only one of two groups to have hit singles in five decades. The following year, signing with PIR, they released the album, I Salute You. The Dells continued performing and recording sporadically in the early years of the new millennium. In 2004, the group were inducted to both the Vocal Group Hall of Fame and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The group continued performing until 2012.
Original Dells vocalist Johnny Funches died of pneumonia on January 23, 1998, at the age of 62.
Johnny Carter died of cancer on August 21, 2009, at the age of 75. Carter is one of the few artists to be a double Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, having been inducted with The Flamingos in 2001, and the Dells in 2004.
On May 29, 2013, founding member Marvin Junior died in his sleep at his home in Harvey, Illinois, succumbing to complications of kidney failure and a weak heart at the age of 77.
Chuck Barksdale died on 15 May 2019, at the age of 83.
Members
Marvin Junior (born Marvin Curtis Junior, January 31, 1936, Harrell, Arkansas β May 29, 2013) - lead baritone, lead vocals (1952-1958, 1960β2012)
Verne Allison (b. June 22, 1936, Chicago) - second tenor, background vocals (1952-1958, 1960-2012)
Mickey McGill (b. February 17, 1937, Chicago) - baritone, background vocals (1952β1958, 1960-2012)
Chuck Barksdale (January 11, 1935 - May 15, 2019) - bass, background vocals (1952β1958, 1960-2012)
Johnny Funches (July 18, 1935, Chicago β January 23, 1998) - first tenor, lead vocals (1952β58, 1960-1961)
Lucius McGill (b. 1935, Chicago) - second tenor, background vocals (1952β54)
Johnny Carter (June 2, 1934, Chicago β August 21, 2009) - first tenor/falsetto, lead vocals (1961β2009)
BA Jackson King
Give Your Baby a Standing Ovation by The Dells
Thank you very much
Ladies and gentlemen
You know, we're mighty
Glad to be here today
And although we're
The stars of the show
We know that that
Ain't all there is to it
Because behind every star
As behind every great man
There is a woman
And I want to tell you out there
That if you are a man
You've got a woman
And I think you should take
A little time out to salute that woman
And give that woman a
Great big round of applause
There's a lot of plastic faces of every kind
And as you walk around the stage of life
Don't it kind of make you feel proud
You know no matter what the problems
There's one who understands
And you can rest assured, feel secure
She'll make you her only man
Give your baby a standing ovation
And she's sure to give a hand to you
Oh, give your baby a standing ovation
And she's sure to give a hand to you
When you can't get no satisfaction
And your world is full of gloom
She gives you strength and confidence
When she walks into the room
From the roar of a thousand voices
Comes a sound you've learned to know
When she calls your name
You can't feel no pain
You gotta smile and a standing O
Give your baby a standing ovation
And she's sure to give a hand to you
Oh, give your baby a standing ovation
And she's sure to give a hand to you
Stand up and give a hand
Stand up and give a hand
Stand up and give your lady a standing
Standing ovation, standing ovation
You know no matter what the problems
There's one who understands
And you can rest assured, feel secure
She'll make you her only man
So give your baby
Baby, baby, a standing ovation
And she's sure to give a hand to you
I don't know about you
But I'm gonna give my baby
A standing ovation
And she's sure to give a hand to you
Stand up and give your baby
A standing ovation
And she's sure to give a hand to you!
Trevor David
One of the Greatest Songs ever written and sung. LOVE this song.
Liz Stephens
It won't ever be nothing else like this type of music.it grabs the body soul and mid.
Ralph Martin
I remember going to their concert here in Baltimore.Β I gave the lady with me a standing ovation because she deserved it and I was grateful that she wanted to be with me.Β Truly, a beautiful person!
calvinacb1
Geez Ralph you're oldπ€
Tracy Thomas
Same thing happened to me in another state.
Ralph Martin
Patricia Robertson, truly a beautiful lady, will always have my heart!Β She was with me at there concert and she deserved a standing ovation.
Daddyman G
Music from an era when it was common for people to be trustworthy and real.
gwendolyn smith
Give them a standing ovationπ!!!β€οΈβ€οΈβ€οΈπβStand up give my Dells a standing ovation, powerπ₯houses!!π€
Denise Johnson
Some of the best voices in music
marvin harden
I give my HANDS to all women...they r still the backbone in a good man