The Essex were 1) an R&B vocal group.

Formed in 1961, The Essex even… Read Full Bio ↴The Essex were 1) an R&B vocal group.

Formed in 1961, The Essex eventually included Anita Humes, Walter Vickers (guitar), Rodney Taylor (drums), Billy Hill (who went by the name of Billy Proctor) and Rudolph Johnson. Vickers and Taylor started the group while they were with the United States Marine Corps, stationed in Japan.

"Easier Said Than Done", which climbed to the top of the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, was performed by four Marines, not including co-writer William Linton, stationed at Camp LeJeune in North Carolina. Linton said that the beat was inspired by the sound of multiple teletype machines, noisy mechanical beasts pounding out copy in the base's communications room. In 1962, a demo scored them a recording contract with Roulette Records. Recruiting lead singer Anita Humes, they recorded the song (Roulette 4494) in less than five minutes.

Three months after "Easier Said Than Done" charted in June, The Essex had another top 20 hit with the follow-up song, "A Walkin' Miracle" (Roulette 4515) in September 1963. "She's Got Everything" was another charting song. Their Marine duties made it hard for the group to take advantage of their hits; for example, before long, Johnson was shipped to Okinawa.

The vinyl recordings are collector's items. A "best-of" CD was released by Sequel Records in 1995

The Essex were 2) a little known surf band with a lone masterpiece single "Cemetary Stomp" b/w "Pray for Surf" (1963).

She's Got Everything
The Essex Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

She's got everything
That's what all the fellas say
At the party here tonight
Your eyes keep drifting her way

Yes, she's prettier than I am
And there's nothing I can do
She's got everything

And pretty soon, she'll have you

She's got everything
And she causes quite a stir
Just by walking in the room
Oh, how I wish I were her

Now you're dancing very near her
Just like sweethearts do
She's got everything
And pretty soon, she'll have you

Somebody, show me the door
Can't take this heartache no more
It's like I'm left alone
I might as well start walking home

She's got everything
And it makes me wanna cry
Just to think that I
Can't even kiss you goodbye

Why did I take you to the party
I knew she'd be here too
She's got everything
And pretty soon, she'll have you

She's got everything
And pretty soon, she'll have you

I have nothing

But she's got everything
I have nothing

Overall Meaning

The song "She's Got Everything" by The Essex is a classic tale of jealousy and insecurity in a romantic relationship. The opening verse establishes the central conflict of the song - the singer's belief that her partner is more attracted to another woman who seems to have everything that she doesn't. She feels inferior to this woman and is unable to compete with her charms, as everyone else at the party seems to be under her spell.

As the song progresses, the singer becomes increasingly distraught and desperate. She wishes she could be like this other woman and have the same kind of hold over her partner. But as he dances with the other woman and pays her more attention, she realizes that she is losing him to her. The chorus repeats several times throughout the song, emphasizing the extent of the singer's fear and anxiety.

The bridge of the song is particularly poignant, as the singer contemplates leaving the party and walking home alone. She feels isolated and alone, as everyone around her seems to be having a good time and finding love while she is left behind. The final verse brings the song full-circle, with the singer lamenting her own shortcomings and the fact that she cannot measure up to her rival.

Overall, "She's Got Everything" is a powerful and relatable song that deals with themes of insecurity, jealousy, and fear of abandonment in relationships.

Line by Line Meaning

She's got everything
The girl being described has all the desirable qualities and possessions.

That's what all the fellas say
The guys at the party are all attracted to her and acknowledge that she has everything they want.

At the party here tonight
The events described are happening at the current social gathering.

Your eyes keep drifting her way
You can't help but look at her and are drawn to her presence.

Yes, she's prettier than I am
The artist feels inferior to the girl and recognizes that her physical appearance is more attractive.

And there's nothing I can do
The singer is helpless in terms of changing her own appearance to be more desirable.

And pretty soon, she'll have you
The girl's attractiveness will ultimately lead to her getting the attention of those around her, including the person being addressed.

And she causes quite a stir
The girl creates a commotion and catches the attention of everyone in the room simply by being present.

Just by walking in the room
The girl's mere presence is enough to make an impact on others.

Oh, how I wish I were her
The artist envies the girl's qualities and wishes she could possess them as well.

Now you're dancing very near her
The person being addressed is now in close proximity to the girl and is potentially becoming more interested in her.

Just like sweethearts do
The way the person is dancing with the girl implies a romantic connection or interest.

Somebody, show me the door
The singer is feeling overwhelmed and distressed and wants to leave the situation.

Can't take this heartache no more
The singer is experiencing emotional pain and cannot endure it any longer.

It's like I'm left alone
The singer feels abandoned or unimportant in the presence of the girl.

I might as well start walking home
The artist is considering leaving the party entirely.

And it makes me wanna cry
The artist is experiencing overwhelming sadness at the thought of losing the person being addressed to the other girl.

Just to think that I, can't even kiss you goodbye
The singer is heartbroken at the realization that the person being addressed will likely choose the other girl over her.

Why did I take you to the party
The singer regrets bringing the person being addressed to the party and exposing them to the other girl's allure.

I knew she'd be here too
The artist was aware in advance that the girl would be present and still chose to bring the person being addressed.

I have nothing
The artist feels inadequate and inferior compared to the other girl.

But she's got everything
The other girl possesses all of the desirable qualities that the artist lacks and that others are attracted to.

Writer(s): JIMMY RADCLIFFE, ORA MAY DIAMOND

Contributed by Lillian M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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