A well remembered group, yet they only had a total of three records! Diane … Read Full Bio ↴A well remembered group, yet they only had a total of three records! Diane Taylor, Charlie Thomas, Alma Brewer, and Maxine and Elyse Hebert were under the management of Bill Downs. A connection with producers at Red Bird Records led to the group's firrst recording. "I Wanna Love Him So Bad" was a gritty pop record which struck a chord with the teen crowd in the summer of 1964. The kids, just out of high school became over night stars, and they began a gruelling tour of one nighters...

I Wanna Love Him So Bad
The Jelly Beans Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Down, down, down, down, be, doo, be, doo
Down, down, down, down, be, doo, be, doo

He lives in my neighborhood
When he walks by, he looks so good
Wanna get to know him (ooh)
(Oh yeah)
Wish that I could show him (ooh)

(I care)

I wanna love him so bad (down, down, down, down, be, doo, be, doo)
You know it's drivin' me mad (down, down, down, down)
'Cause when I look in his eyes
I can see it, paradise
So I can't help it (ooh-ooh)
I wanna love him so bad
(Love him so bad)

I know his name, his name is Jim
I can't be blamed, for lovin' him
I could make him happy (ooh)
(Oh yeah)
If he'd only let me (ooh)
(Oh yeah)

I wanna love him so bad (down, down, down, down, be, doo, be, doo)
You know it's drivin' me mad (down, down, down, down)
'Cause when I look in his eyes
I can see it, paradise
So I can't help it (ooh-ooh)
I wanna love him so bad
(Love him so bad)

I could make him happy (ooh)
(Oh yeah)
If he'd only let me (ooh)
(Oh yeah)

I wanna love him so bad (down, down, down, down, be, doo, be, doo)
You know it's drivin' me mad (down, down, down, down)
'Cause when I look in his eyes
I can see it, paradise
So, I can't help it (ooh-ooh)
I wanna love him so bad
(Love him so bad)

(Down, down, down, down, be, doo, be, doo)
(Down, down, down, down, be, doo, be, doo) yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
(Down, down, down, down, be, doo, be, doo) I wanna love you so bad
(Down, down, down, down, be, doo, be, doo) yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

(Down, down, down, down, be, doo, be, doo) you know it's drivin' me mad
(Down, down, down, down, be, doo, be, doo) yeah, yeah, yeah

Overall Meaning

The Jelly Beans' song "I Wanna Love Him So Bad" is a classic 1960s girl-group pop song that expresses a teenage girl's infatuation with a boy in her neighborhood named Jim. The singer of the song has a crush on Jim and wishes to get to know him better. She tells the listener that she knows his name and that she cannot be blamed for loving him. Her ultimate wish is to love Jim so bad, as when she looks into his eyes, she can see paradise.

Musically, the song is a prime example of the doo-wop genre, featuring harmonized vocals, simple chord patterns, and call-and-response refrains. The song's catchy melody and upbeat rhythm make it a feel-good pop hit that stands the test of time.

At its core, "I Wanna Love Him So Bad" is a song about teenage yearning, with the singer expressing her uncontrollable desire for someone she barely knows. This theme of unrequited love is familiar in many pop songs, especially in the girl-group genre of the 1960s. The longing for a romantic partner who is just out of reach was a common experience for many young adults during this era.

In conclusion, The Jelly Beans' "I Wanna Love Him So Bad" is a classic pop song about teenage infatuation that has stood the test of time. The song's catchy melody, harmonized vocals, and catchy beat have made it a beloved hit for generations of listeners.

Line by Line Meaning

Down, down, down, down, be, doo, be, doo
Repeating the same phrase repeatedly, setting the tone for the singer's obsession

He lives in my neighborhood
The subject of the singer's infatuation is a person who lives nearby

When he walks by, he looks so good
The singer finds the person they are infatuated with attractive when they see them walking by

Wanna get to know him (ooh)
The singer wants to get to know the person they are infatuated with better

(Oh yeah)
A vocalization confirming the desire to get to know the subject of the singer's affection

Wish that I could show him (ooh)
The singer wishes they could express their feelings to the person they are infatuated with

(I care)
An assertion that the singer genuinely cares about the person they are infatuated with

I know his name, his name is Jim
The singer reveals the name of the person they are infatuated with

I can't be blamed, for lovin' him
The singer believes that they should not be held responsible for their feelings toward the subject of their infatuation

I could make him happy (ooh)
The singer believes that they could bring happiness to the person they are infatuated with

(Oh yeah)
A vocalization confirming the belief that the singer could make the subject of their infatuation happy

If he'd only let me (ooh)
The singer wants the opportunity to express their feelings to the person they are infatuated with, if only they would allow it

You know it's drivin' me mad (down, down, down, down)
The singer's infatuation is causing them significant distress

'Cause when I look in his eyes
The singer experiences intense emotions when they make eye contact with the person they are infatuated with

I can see it, paradise
The singer feels a sense of intense pleasure when they look into the eyes of the person they are infatuated with

So I can't help it (ooh-ooh)
The singer feels unable to control their feelings toward the person they are infatuated with

I wanna love him so bad
The singer desires the love and affection of the person they are infatuated with with intense longing

(Love him so bad)
The singer repeats the same phrase for emphasis, underscoring their intense longing for the subject of their infatuation

(Down, down, down, down, be, doo, be, doo)
Repeating the same phrase repeatedly, emphasizing the strength of the singer's feelings

(Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah)
Vocalizations expressing the singer's strong emotions

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Ellie Greenwich, Jeff Barry

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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Steve

The correct lyric is
'CAUSE WHEN I LOOK IN HIS EYES
I KEEP SEEIN' PARADISE

Comments from YouTube:

@sallythedino

4y↑15

I'm only 12 and I'm really happy that my mom shows me her music that she listened to as a kid. This is one of my new favourite songs and I cant get it out of my head!! Nothing gets better than this. New music just gets worse and worse. But this stuff is always gold.

@gingerbread1231

3y↑5

This was a jam. This group was so under-rated. With better management and promotion, they could have been at the top of the charts for years.

@samuelgriffin4167

3y↑12

The 60s girl groups absolutely the best

@Ricopolico

2y↑1

Right on!

@davideverett9995

36w

They had 3 girls and one guy.

@billjosephson73

39w↑3

As a 71 year old listening to music back in the 50's with sisters 9 and 10 years older I'll say this, There is no beating the music between 1956-1966 starting what seemed to me Elvis, Penguins, Whispers, and Bill Haley and the Comets. There were so many excellent groups and songs. Jelly Beans right there with any of them. We only play 50's and 60's music on sirius going anywhere.

@paulschut5873

26w↑1

I'm also 71 (where did the time go?) I had this 45 and played it until the grooves were smooth. Love the chime filled bridge.

@shoppingmall4life

10y↑17

This is real singing and songwriting. As good as you can get!

@monkmchorning

2y↑1

Jeff Barrie and Ellie Greenwich were one of the top songwriting teams of the Brille Building.

@gregorywatkins7086

5y↑28

Maxine Herbert is my grandmother. Appreciate the love and appreciation for what she did

@brendaspringfield

3y↑3

@Gregory Watkins was Ms Diane Taylor singing with them in this song I know she use to sing in this group.

@Ricopolico

2y↑3

Those young women in the early '60s sang their hearts out. And, since they were ripped off, they did it for the love of singing; it shows. Thank you for bringing so much joy to my life!

@gregorywatkins7086

2y↑2

@@brendaspringfield I’m honestly not sure

@Allthisisthat31

7y↑13

Another of the many great songs from Ellie Greenwich (RIP) and Jeff Barry.

@FriendofDorothy

4y↑4

There were certain record labels that all I had to do was see the label when I was a kid and I was intrigued by the record, and Red Bird, along with Cameo, Motown, Tamla, Gordy, Chess, etc. was one of them. Maybe my fascination with Red Bird started with The Shangri-Las who were a favorite group of mine. I must've heard "I Wanna Love Him So Bad" on WLS on my little black transistor and had to have it! Great little record, and so was "Baby Be Mine".

@TheScarletwave

9y↑6

They made a great song together, Garrett. You should be proud.

@rickfisher1661

9y↑29

Summer of 64!!! Fun times and great songs.

@hcombs0104

6y↑1

I was six years old at the time and I still remember that, too.

@bigkahuna4826

6y↑3

My late wife had just graduated from high school and we'd gotten engaged. Got married the next year. This was one of the songs we danced to.

@joeperez2687

Rick fisher wasn't it

@silentstorm2239

Rick fisher And No Rap !!!

@Devin0835

2y↑1

What other great songs you remember?

@jeffdansky6353

8y↑8

Great young lovers' tune-- and that's what we were back then.

@lhasaapso3360

5y↑9

Ahhh sweet memories of 1964.

@Sheven718

9y↑3

had the single back in the day ! nice to be playing it again !

@ronaldtaylor4306

9y↑23

Takes me back to when love was sweet and the chase was exciting and the girls were all fine

@bobbiereyes1981

Omg ur an O.G. mr.Ron da Don..lol

@platoon108

6y↑2

Ronald Taylor--I'm thinking I lived the same time as you, when things were a little less complicated--though I could never say that interactions with a young woman was ever less than complicated. Maybe it was just more fun when we were thirty years(or more) younger.

@BillyT531

6y↑6

Another big hit in the summer of 1964 on the Big 8, CKLW. Along side "Mixed Up, Shook Up Girl" by Patty and the Emblems...

@billchew450

Used to get it all the way to Philly at night

@ryan9570

9y↑10

good times....great song! Summer of 1964

@FrankieMorrison

9y↑10

This song is down. Catchy lyrics. A golden oldie.

@jackmiddleton9623

8y↑2

another great song from the brill writers

@yvonnebergeron9333

5y↑1

Great song.Great Music

@Savadorason1

-1 of the sweetest cutest girl group songs from the early to mid 60s.

@1943maryellen

6y↑3

The 50’s Rock& Roll died in 1964 with the Beatles, sad for me😢 I think this will always be the best version, Jimmy Clanton did a cover of this around 1959.

@rem-so1ly

Donald Lentz Me too. The most overrated act if all time

@Virusgaming-rn9hh

Agree. Boomers suck; Must’ve been fantastic to grow up in the late 50s with wall to wall mindless repetitive doo-wop playing.... Motown and the British Invasion freed the world from that nonsense.

@bradleyscarton3931

By 1964, this song has a quite dated sound. Compared to what was coming out of Motown at this time, there was no way music like this could keep being made.

1 More Replies...

@immaggiethesenilegoldenret7918

Early childhood memories, wow...perhaps one of the last (quasi)” doo-wop” influenced songs...

@AtlantaGymFan

7y↑3

A big hit on WLS during my 8th grade at Miner Jr High

@rolandjaudes3041

Another favorite !!!

@platoon108

Music talent so grand...Bright and bad...this group is good...

@robertmasi9955

3y↑2

aka "Mad Dad" Yeah this tune received a ton of airplay here
in Southern New England back in the day. A favorite.

@lenscaparro5209

7y↑1

Wadda great record!

@jeffreyparent3915

8y↑20

The Jelly Beans were similar to the Orlons. A girl group with one guy! 😀

@TheTheedad

9y↑5

Years ago I knew this guy named Jim. he would sing along ,changing it to they want to love me so bad. They know my name, my name is Jim. ETC.

@tyroneepps3018

4y↑1

Jelly beans 4-ever !

@askovarjorinne9074

37w

So sweet!!! 👉👉💖💖💫💫

@salkurc6134

8y↑4

Jelly Beans! How cute! I remember doin' a sorta cha-cha to this.

@TheZeevik

6y↑1

marvelous

@sindymoss1718

9y↑37

Elyse herbert(lead singer) maxine herbert were my next door neighbors my cousin is the male(charles thomas) when this song came out the whole neighborhood went crazy singing this song along with Baby be mine and So long, good old days

@robertlauritsen3511

6y↑2

I loved this song, it was a big hit on Long Island. I still have the 45. Where did you live back then Sindy?

@williamsowders9488

6y↑2

Sindy Moss is this the same Charlie Thomas that was associated with the midnighters?

@jimwatson842

6y↑1

Yes, indeed; July and August 1964.

@cynthiamoss6474

6y↑1

@@robertlauritsen3511 Jersey City

@cynthiamoss6474

@@williamsowders9488 after playing with the jelly beans he on the road playing with different artists

4 More Replies...

@platoon108

4y↑1

sweet cool good sound...memory sound...

@herrams

Great!

@jaimitotrifoneguisastegui6689

nice gem

@deemcc4428

10y↑2

never heard this -- nice.

@roozterooz

Wow, this is Wild!

@garrettwatkins6248

10y↑77

This is my grandma Maxine Herbert and my aunty elyse

@garydreamlover

7y↑11

So was I. There are times when I reflect on what it means to be at my present age and how sometimes I miss being so young. However, when I pose this question to myself, "If you had a choice to be born in any year subsequent to 1949, what would it be?" the answer is always the same: The 1960s was the most interesting decade in which to be a teenager and I wouldn't want it any other way. The music played a big part in all this, what with the emergence of "soul," the reaffirmation of rhythm and blues and of course, the British Invasion. It was unique, to say the least, and still, this music maintains its niche within the music genre pantheon.

@robertcruice1801

7y↑3

i agree up till the late 60s no all 60s were great pysadellic was terrible

@Goupul7

6y↑2

WOW!!!, Very Nice.. This song is one of my great memories of growing up!!!!...

@shelleylyme6402

6y↑3

Garrett Watkins It's a wonderful record! 🤗

@gregorywatkins7086

5y↑1

Mimi was and still is the bomb ✊🏾🙏🏾

6 More Replies...

@jeffreyparent3915

8y↑23

Down down, Down down bee dooby doo, down down, down down bee dooby doo oo ooh. ☺ They don't write lyrics like that anymore. Better than the trash called music these days. 😝

@williamsowders9488

6y↑1

Jeffrey Parent great comment!

@tessaanngr.7271

Thanks for Caring and sharing 💕

@chris9323

Tku. Every now & then 1 of mom's oldies comes 2 mind.

@drrusty2325

9y↑5

Still have the 45!

@ayelinda311

so do i lol

@jagpitt17

9y↑2

Was #1 for two weeks on CKLW--Windsor

@jeffreyparent3915

Hey! Someone remembers the Big 8

@jagpitt17

+Jeffrey Parent Remember Pat St. John? He's the host of 60s on 6 on XM radio. Tune in at 1:00PM weekdays to hear the old CK jingle!

@jimscofield6857

7y↑2

Are these folks still around ?

@gregorywatkins7086

This was my grandmas group. She still around and kickin haha but sadly not doing music anymore

@kevinsullivan136

@@gregorywatkins7086 They just posted about her group on Facebook in The FB group WE GREW UP in Jersey City I'm commenting by placing this clip. Good Song!