Guitarist/vocalist Brian O'Hara and best friend guitarist/vocalist Joey Bower (born Joseph Bower, 17 November 1939, Dingle, Liverpool, Lancashire) formed the Two Jays in 1957. The group changed its name to the Four Jays in September 1959 when bass guitarist/singer Billy Hatton and drummer Brian Redman (born 21 June 1941, Huyton, Liverpool, Lancashire) joined the group. The Four Jays played at the Cavern Club on 1 March 1961, nearly three weeks before the Beatles. Rhythm guitarist/singer Mike Millward (ex-the Undertakers) joined the Four Jays in November 1961, followed by drummer/singer Dave Lovelady in September 1962. The band changed its name to the Fourmost in October 1962. On 30 June 1963, the group signed a management contract with Brian Epstein. This led to their being auditioned by George Martin and signed to EMI's Parlophone record label.
With Epstein as their manager, the Fourmost (like Cilla Black, Billy J. Kramer with the Dakotas, Peter and Gordon and Tommy Quickly) had access to early Lennon–McCartney compositions. The Fourmost's first two singles were written by John Lennon. "Hello Little Girl", one of the earliest Lennon songs (written in 1957) was released on 30 August 1963 and reached No. 9 in the UK. Their follow-up single, "I'm in Love" (Lennon–McCartney), was released on 15 November 1963 and reached No. 17 in the UK. It was also notable as one of the earliest Beatles-penned songs to be released in the United States but, as with the Fourmost's other singles, it failed to chart there.
Their biggest hit followed. "A Little Loving", written by Russ Alquist, reached Number 6 in the UK Singles Chart in mid 1964. From then on, none of the group's singles cracked the Top 20 in the UK. "How Can I Tell Her", was followed by a cover version of the Four Tops' "Baby I Need Your Loving", sung by Millward, while Hatton took lead vocal on "Everything in the Garden", and "Girls Girls Girls" (originally recorded by the Coasters and a hit for Elvis Presley). Brian O'Hara composed most of their original songs, which were used as 'b' sides including 'Waitin For You', 'That's Only What They Say', 'He Could Never', and 'You Got That Way'.
On the group's only sixties album, First and Fourmost, from September 1965, they covered Jackie DeShannon's "Till You Say You'll Be Mine". Other tracks included "My Block" sung by Hatton and written by Jimmy Radcliffe, Carl Spencer and Bert Berns (originally a hit for the Chiffons in 1963), Millward sang a re-make of "The In Crowd" which featured the brass section from Sounds Incorporated, and Hatton sang two cover versions of Little Richard's "The Girl Can't Help It" and "Heebie-Jeebies". The band appeared in the 1965 film, Ferry Cross the Mersey and on the soundtrack album of the same name singing 'I Love You Too' (which appeared in two totally differing versions mono to stereo).
In early 1966 the band were rocked by the sudden death of rhythm guitarist/vocalist Mike Millward, a featured lead vocalist. They recruited George Peckham as replacement. In August 1966, the Fourmost covered another Beatles' song, "Here, There and Everywhere", followed by a cover of George Formby's "Auntie Maggie's Remedy" in November 1966. The latter song was representative of a comedic element to some of the group's recordings. George Peckham wrote and sang The country-influenced "Turn the Lights Down Low" (the b-side of "Auntie Maggie's Remedy"), a short-lived effort to branch out to less pop-oriented fare.
In 1968, now on the CBS record label, they recorded "Apples, Peaches And Pumpkin Pie", an R&B hit by Jay & the Techniques, followed by "Rosetta" (suggested by Paul McCartney, who played piano on it), and "Easy Squeezy". The group soon stopped recording, and became popular on the cabaret circuit. George Peckham left the band in 1969 to run a recording studio. Original member Joey Bower returned to the band as replacement, a later private pressing album; The Fourmost - featured O'Hara, Hatton, Lovelady and Bower - which included covers such as "Without You", "I've Got You Under My Skin", "Rag Doll" and "Save The Last Dance For Me" was sold at their shows in 1975. Hatton, Lovelady and Bower all left in 1980 while O'Hara continued the group with new members, although a version of the band featuring O'Hara and older members Hatton and Lovelady did once perform at the new Cavern Club. O'Hara eventually dropped out selling the band's name. A later line up featuring longtime later member bassist/singer Bill Haisman (who had been in the later group alongside Brian O'Hara) plus John Richards (lead guitar, vocals), Gary Pearson (guitar, vocals) and Kevin Clarkson (drums, vocals) released a DVD and CD titled, The Fourmost Live at The Club Tropicana, featuring recording of a show recorded in Skegness on 7 April 2007. They performed both "Hello Little Girl" and "A Little Loving" among other covers of 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s hit songs. Bill Haisman later retired. A touring version of the band continued led by drummer/vocalist Kevin Clarkson, with Alex Leyland (rhythm guitar, vocals), Colin Walsh (lead guitar, vocals) and Lee Clarkson (bass guitar, vocals).
Charley Records later issued a 20 track compilation album also titled First and Fourmost, while EMI Records later released a CD stereo/mono version of the original 1965 album in 1999. In 2005, they also released a 33 track CD compilation The Best of The Fourmost, which included the stereo version of "I Love You Too", and four previously unreleased songs with booklet notes written by Billy Hatton.
Mike Millward died from leukaemia in 1966. Brian O'Hara took his own life in 1999. Billy Hatton died in 2017.
Original band members
Brian O'Hara, born 12 March 1941, Dingle, Liverpool, died 27 June 1999, Wavertree, Liverpool (suicide), vocalist/lead guitarist, from June 1962
Mike Millward, born Michael Millward, 9 May 1942, Bromborough, Cheshire, died 7 March 1966, at Clatterbridge Hospital, Bebington, Cheshire, rhythm guitarist/vocalist, from June 1962
Billy Hatton, born William Hatton, 9 June 1941, Dingle, Liverpool,, bassist/vocalist died 19 September 2017, Liverpool
Dave Lovelady, born David Lovelady, 16 October 1942, Litherland, Liverpool, drummer/vocalist, from September 1962
Discography
Singles
Year Single Chart positions
UK[6] AU US
1963 "Hello Little Girl" 9 - -
"I'm In Love" 17 - -
1964 "A Little Loving" 6 98 -
"If You Cry" (US Only) - - -
"How Can I Tell Her" 33 - -
"Baby I Need Your Loving" 24 63 -
1965 "Everything in the Garden" - - -
"Girls Girls Girls" 33 21 -
1966 "Here, There and Everywhere" - - -
"Auntie Maggie's Remedy" - 43 -
1968 "Apples, Peaches, Pumpkin Pie" - - -
"Rosetta" - - -
1969 "Easy Squeezy" - - -
Baby I Need Your Loving
The Fourmost Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Baby, I need your lovin'
Although you're never near
Your voice I often hear
Another day, 'nother night
I long to hold you tight
'Cause I'm so lonely
Got to have all your lovin'
Baby I need your lovin'
Got to have all you lovin'
Some say it's a sign of weakness
For a man to beg
Then weak I'd rather be
If it means having you to keep,
'Cause lately I've been losing sleep
Baby, I need your lovin'
Got to have all your lovin'
Baby I need your lovin'
Got to have all you lovin'
Lonely nights echo your name
Oh, sometimes I wonder
Will I ever be the same?
Oh yeah! When you see me smiling
You know things have gotten worse
Any smile you might see has all been rehearsed
Darling, I can't go on without you
This emptiness won't let me live without you
This loneliness inside, darling
Makes me feel half alive
Baby, I need your lovin'
Got to have all your lovin'
Baby I need your lovin'
Got to have all you lovin'
Baby, I need your lovin'
Got to have all your lovin'
Baby I need your lovin'
Got to have all you lovin'
Baby, I need your lovin'
Got to have all your lovin'
Baby I need your lovin'
Got to have all you lovin'
The Fourmost's song Baby I Need Your Loving portrays a narration of a lonesome man yearning for love from his faraway partner. The lyrics convey how the man feels in her absence but how her voice lingers on in his head. The plea for her love is so intense that he delves into how he has been experiencing sleepless nights and rehearsing smiles to hide his agony. Even though some might view begging as a sign of weakness, the singer says he would rather be perceived as weak if it meant he would get to keep his cherished love.
The song's themes revolve around love, loneliness and the longing for a lover's touch. The lyrics emphasize that without love, life seems lifeless and empty. The song's tone is mellow, and the chorus is repeated throughout the song, each time with more passion and fervor, adding to the song's emotional intensity. The lyrics are relatable and bring forth the pain of separation that most people can relate to.
Line by Line Meaning
Baby, I need your lovin'
The singer deeply desires the love and companionship of their romantic partner.
Although you're never near
Although the singer's partner is physically absent, their memory and voice still lingers in their mind.
Your voice I often hear
The singer frequently recalls the sound of their partner's voice in their mind when they are apart.
Another day, 'nother night
The passage of time feels slower and lonelier for the artist without their partner.
I long to hold you tight
The artist yearns for physical closeness and intimacy with their partner.
'Cause I'm so lonely
The singer feels intense loneliness and emotional isolation without their partner to confide in.
Got to have all you lovin'
The singer feels a strong need to receive all the love and affection their partner has to offer.
Some say it's a sign of weakness
Some people believe that asking for love or showing vulnerability is a sign of weakness.
For a man to beg
Specifically, people regard begging for love as unmanly.
Then weak I'd rather be
However, the artist would rather be labeled 'weak' than live without the love of their partner.
If it means having you to keep,
The singer values their partner's love above their reputation or pride.
'Cause lately I've been losing sleep
The artist can't stop thinking about and missing their partner, leading to sleepless nights and fatigue.
Lonely nights echo your name
During lonely nights, the singer's thoughts frequently turn to their partner, replaying memories and moments shared together.
Oh, sometimes I wonder
The singer is plagued with doubts about whether they will ever be reunited with their partner or be whole again.
Will I ever be the same?
The singer longs to return to a time when their happiness was not dependent on their partner's presence.
When you see me smiling
The artist is forcing a smile to pretend that everything is alright when it is not.
You know things have gotten worse
Such a smile is a sign that the artist is in fact struggling and their emotional state has deteriorated.
Any smile you might see has all been rehearsed
The singer's public demeanor is carefully planned to disguise their true feelings and hide their pain from others.
Darling, I can't go on without you
The singer feels they cannot continue living without the love and support of their partner.
This emptiness won't let me live without you
The artist is emotionally empty and cannot find meaning in life without their partner's presence and love.
This loneliness inside, darling
The artist feels an overwhelming sense of loneliness and despair within themselves that only their partner's love can cure.
Makes me feel half alive
Without love, the artist feels incomplete and only partially alive, as if their soul is missing or incomplete.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Edward Jr. Holland, Lamont Dozier, Brian Holland
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
sevchyk
This version is better than the original. I have goosebumps during the chorus.
DRock6906
LOL!!!! You can't be serious! You and the one person who thumbed up your comment are obviously white. Or if you aren't white, you are DEFINITELY not black. Look, The Four Tops released this song in 1964. It has been covered THOUSANDS of times by different acts and NO ONE "Tops" them... Period.
dasrhinegold
sevchyk bollocks.
Potty Trained
Wow, the memories come flowing back, go the 60's best music ever :o), thanks a million
PHIL G ASHMAN
a great version by a great band
Stephen Guppy
Saw them do this on RSG. They were wheeled in on a podium which was pushed in by stage hands and when it came to an abrupt halt they nearly went arse over head! Great song though and good memories of much better times.
JANICE NICHOLLS
Saw them live in Wolverhampton Gaumont in the 1960's. They sang this song, of course. Bought it as a single too. RIP.
woffus
Love this song. RIP Mike.
MrHelios12
God I had lost the name of this song and the group. Today I found it here in Youtube. Many thanks. Fantastic song. I loved it when I was a young guy here in Germany.
JANICE NICHOLLS
Bless you sweetheart. The 1960's.