Lavern Baker

Lavern Baker

4952 fans

A sassy, big-voiced soul star who was part of the early rock and roll explosion in the 1950s, LaVern Baker was a pioneer for black female singers and a charismatic performer from the golden age of R&B music. A relative of blues legend Memphis Minnie, she grew up singing in her local church choir in Chicago and by the age of 17 was singing in South Side nightclubs under the name Little Miss Sharecropper, making her first recordings for Columbia in the late 1940s. She also performed with the Eddie 'Sugarman' Penigar Orchestra and briefly went by the name Bea Baker before really catching her break with the Todd Rhodes Orchestra and touring Europe for the first time as a solo artist in 1952.

Her first big hit came two years later when the cheeky, novelty track 'Tweedle Dee' reached number 14 in the US Charts and following singles 'Bop-Ting-a-Ling' and 'Play It Fair' were popular R&B favourites of the time. She again made the US top 20 with single 'Jim Dandy' in 1956, but scored her biggest success in 1958 when 'I Cried a Tear' reached number six and became one of her signature songs. She also featured in the Alan Freed film 'Rock, Rock, Rock' and toured with Bill Haley and the Comets, before releasing albums 'Saved' and 'See See Rider' in the 1960s and recording raunchy duets with Ben E. King, Jackie Wilson and Jimmy Ricks. Her career petered out though and she spent over 20 years in the Philippines as the entertainment director at a US naval base until returning to performing in the US in the '80s. Her achievements and huge influence was marked when she was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1991 before she died aged 67 from heart failure in 1997.

Top tracks

09
Tweedle Dee
Lavern Baker
The Departed (Music from the Motion Picture)
03:06
Writer: Winfield Scott
01
See See Rider
Lavern Baker
See See Rider
02:30
Writer: G. McRainey
09
I Cried a Tear
Lavern Baker
See See Rider
02:35
Writer: Al Julia - Fred Jacobson - Julia Jacobson / Composers: Al Julia - Julia Jacobson
03
On Revival Day (Mono)
Lavern Baker
Sings Bessie Smith
03:12
Writer: Andy Razaf
01
Jim Dandy
Lavern Baker
LaVern Baker
02:10
Writer: Lincoln Chase
02
Voodoo Voodoo
Lavern Baker
Presenting LaVern Baker
01:49
Writer: Chess Avril - Andrew Coleman / Composers: Chess Avril - Andrew Coleman
18
Itty Bitty Girl
Lavern Baker
Saved
02:17
Writer: Ahmet Ertegun - L. Baker
05
Dix-A-Billy
Lavern Baker
Blues Ballads
01:52
Composers: Harris - Reardon, Evans
04
Love Me Right
Lavern Baker
Blues Ballads
01:54
Composers: Bobby Darin - Don Kirshner
08
There'll Be a Hot Time in the Old Town Tonight (Mono)
Lavern Baker
Sings Bessie Smith
02:42
Writer: Traditional
07
Empty Bed Blues (Mono)
Lavern Baker
Sings Bessie Smith
04:52
Writer: J. C. Johnson
03
He's a Real Gone Guy
Lavern Baker
See See Rider
02:17
Writer: N. Lutcher
07
Bumble Bee
Lavern Baker
Saved
02:27
Writer: L. Baker - L. Fullylove
06
Play It Fair
Lavern Baker
Soul On Fire: The Best Of LaVern Baker
02:56
Writer: Bill Campbell
01
Soul on Fire
Lavern Baker
Soul On Fire: The Best Of LaVern Baker
03:05
Writer: Jermet - Lavern Baker
14
I'll Never Be Free
Lavern Baker
See See Rider
02:22
Writer: E. Benjamin - George Weiss
19
Saved
Lavern Baker
Soul On Fire: The Best Of LaVern Baker
02:54
Writer: J Leiber - Jerry Leiber - Leiber - M. Stoller - Mike Stoller - Stoller
10
Tomorrow Night
Lavern Baker
LaVern Baker
03:15
Writer: Johnson - Sam Coslow - Will Gorsz / Composers: Johnson
02
You Better Stop
Lavern Baker
See See Rider
02:46
Writer: D. Taylor - G. Wexler - J. Stone / Composers: Stone, Taylor, Wexler
05
I Wonder, Baby
Lavern Baker
Presenting LaVern Baker
02:54
Writer: Unknown / Composers: Unknown
02
Fee Fee Fi fo Fum
Lavern Baker
The Complete Singles As & BS 1949-62, Vol. 1
02:42
14
How Can You Leave a Man Like This?
Lavern Baker
LaVern Baker
02:37
Writer: G. Wexler - L. Baker
07
I Can't Love You Enough
Lavern Baker
Presenting LaVern Baker
02:39
Writer: LaVern Baker - Dorian Burton / Composers: LaVern Baker - Dorian Burton
11
Whipper Snapper
Lavern Baker
Blues Ballads
02:12
Writer: Jerry Leiber - Mike Stoller
02
Baby Doll (Mono)
Lavern Baker
Sings Bessie Smith
03:36
Writer: Bessie Smith
12
Jim Dandy Got Married
Lavern Baker
Soul On Fire: The Best Of LaVern Baker
02:11
Writer: Lincoln Chase
22
See See Rider
Lavern Baker
The Complete Singles As & BS 1949-62, Vol. 2
02:31
12
Gimme a Pigfoot
Lavern Baker
Some Dinner Music
03:07
04
I'll Try (I'Ve Tried)
Lavern Baker
Presenting LaVern Baker
02:45
Writer: Williams / Composers: Williams
01
I Cried a Tear
Lavern Baker
Blues Ballads
02:35
Writer: Al Julia - Fred Jacobson - Julia, Jacobson / Composers: Al Julia - Julia, Jacobson
12
St. Louis Blues
Lavern Baker
Blues Ballads
02:25
Writer: W.C. Handy
09
Get Up, Get Up (You Sleepy Head)
Lavern Baker
Soul On Fire: The Best Of LaVern Baker
02:21
Writer: Jim Breedlove - Joan White
09
Humpty Dumpty Heart
Lavern Baker
Blues Ballads
02:36
Writer: H. Boyle
19
Empty Bed Blues (Remastered Version)
Lavern Baker
Hommage à Nesuhi
04:51
Writer: J. C. Johnson
16
You'd Better Find Yourself Another Fool
Lavern Baker
Presenting LaVern Baker
02:00
Writer: Tom Dowd - Ahmet Ertegun / Composers: Tom Dowd - Ahmet Ertegun
06
Bop-Ting-A-Ling
Lavern Baker
LaVern Baker
03:05
Writer: Clarence Paul - William Garrett
08
The Game of Love
Lavern Baker
Presenting LaVern Baker
02:37
Writer: Jones Baker / Composers: Jones Baker

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  • Discography
Albums
Learning to Love - Road Trip Classics
2024 Mang Pito Products Co.
02-08-2024
Learning to Love - Road Trip Classics
01
Get Up, Get Up (You Sleepy Head)
Lavern Baker
Learning to Love - Road Trip Classics
02:21
Composers: Breedlove
02
Hey, Memphis
Lavern Baker
Learning to Love - Road Trip Classics
02:27
Composers: Pomus Shuman
03
St. Louis Blues
Lavern Baker
Learning to Love - Road Trip Classics
02:30
Composers: Handy
04
Humpty Dumpty Heart
Lavern Baker
Learning to Love - Road Trip Classics
02:35
Composers: Boye
05
It's So Fine
Lavern Baker
Learning to Love - Road Trip Classics
02:22
Composers: Carlo - Gardy
06
Substitute
Lavern Baker
Learning to Love - Road Trip Classics
02:17
Composers: Benton - Otis - Stein
07
I Can't Love You Enough
Lavern Baker
Learning to Love - Road Trip Classics
02:36
Composers: Baker
Access the complete album info (11 songs)
Milestones of Legends: Kings & Queens of R&B, Vol. 7
â„— 2020 Intense Media GmbH
06-08-2021
Milestones of Legends: Kings & Queens of R&B, Vol. 7
01
Lots and Lots of Love
Lavern Baker
Milestones of Legends: Kings & Queens of R&B, Vol. 7
02:22
Writer: Lavern Baker / Composers: Lavern Baker
02
Of Course I Do
Lavern Baker
Milestones of Legends: Kings & Queens of R&B, Vol. 7
02:51
Writer: Chuck Willis / Composers: Chuck Willis
03
You´ll Be Crying
Lavern Baker
Milestones of Legends: Kings & Queens of R&B, Vol. 7
02:56
Writer: Vincent Corso / Composers: Vincent Corso
04
Miracles
Lavern Baker
Milestones of Legends: Kings & Queens of R&B, Vol. 7
02:45
Writer: Jerry Samuels / Composers: Jerry Samuels
05
I´m in a Crying Mood
Lavern Baker
Milestones of Legends: Kings & Queens of R&B, Vol. 7
02:51
Writer: Fletcher Henderson - Willmette Ward / Composers: Fletcher Henderson - Willmette Ward
06
Mine All Mine
Lavern Baker
Milestones of Legends: Kings & Queens of R&B, Vol. 7
02:13
Writer: WARREN MILLER - Billy Dawn Smith / Composers: WARREN MILLER - Billy Dawn Smith
07
Harbor Lights
Lavern Baker
Milestones of Legends: Kings & Queens of R&B, Vol. 7
02:19
Writer: Jimmy Kennedy - Hugh Williams / Composers: Jimmy Kennedy - Hugh Williams
Access the complete album info (26 songs)
Brunswick Essentials
2021 Brunswick Record Corp.
09-07-2021
Brunswick Essentials
01
I'm Gonna Get You
Lavern Baker
Brunswick Essentials
02:04
02
One Monkey (Don't Stop The Show)
Lavern Baker
Brunswick Essentials
02:03
03
Baby Don't You Do It
Lavern Baker
Brunswick Essentials
02:26
04
Born To Lose
Lavern Baker
Brunswick Essentials
03:12
05
I'm The One To Do It
Lavern Baker
Brunswick Essentials
02:26
06
Wrapped Tied & Tangled
Lavern Baker
Brunswick Essentials
02:06
07
I Need You So
Lavern Baker
Brunswick Essentials
02:11
Access the complete album info (17 songs)
Girl Power, Vol. 10
â„— 2019 Intense Media GmbH
04-10-2019
Girl Power, Vol. 10
01
I Cried a Tear
Lavern Baker
Girl Power, Vol. 10
02:34
Composers: Al Julia
02
If You Love Me
Lavern Baker
Girl Power, Vol. 10
02:37
Composers: Marguerite Monnot
03
You're Teasing Me
Lavern Baker
Girl Power, Vol. 10
02:14
Composers: Doc Pomus - Mort Schuman
04
Love Me Right
Lavern Baker
Girl Power, Vol. 10
01:52
Composers: Bobby Darin - Don Kirschner
05
Dix-a-Billy
Lavern Baker
Girl Power, Vol. 10
01:49
Composers: Paul Evans - Woody Harris - Jack Reardon
06
So High so Low
Lavern Baker
Girl Power, Vol. 10
02:04
Composers: Lavern Baker
07
I Waited Too Long
Lavern Baker
Girl Power, Vol. 10
02:30
Composers: Howard Greenfield - Neil Sedaka
Access the complete album info (28 songs)
Girl Power, Vol. 9
â„— 2019 Intense Media GmbH
04-10-2019
Girl Power, Vol. 9
01
Lots and Lots of Love
Lavern Baker
Girl Power, Vol. 9
02:20
Composers: Lavern Baker
02
Of Course I Do
Lavern Baker
Girl Power, Vol. 9
02:51
Composers: Chuck Willis
03
You'll Be Crying
Lavern Baker
Girl Power, Vol. 9
02:59
Composers: Vincent Corso
04
Miracles
Lavern Baker
Girl Power, Vol. 9
02:44
Composers: Allen Feiler - Jerry Samuels - Paul Feiler
05
I'm in a Crying Mood
Lavern Baker
Girl Power, Vol. 9
02:51
Composers: Fletcher Henderson - Willmette Ward
06
Mine, All Mine
Lavern Baker
Girl Power, Vol. 9
02:13
Composers: WIlliam Miller - Bobbie Smith
07
Harbor Lights
Lavern Baker
Girl Power, Vol. 9
02:19
Composers: Hugh Williams
Access the complete album info (26 songs)
See See Rider
2018 Warner Music Group - X5 Music Group
06-07-2018
See See Rider
01
See See Rider
Lavern Baker
See See Rider
02:29
Writer: G. McRainey / Composers: G. McRainey
02
Love Me Right
Lavern Baker
See See Rider
01:54
Writer: Bobby Darin - Don Kirshner / Composers: Bobby Darin - Don Kirshner
03
Jim Dandy
Lavern Baker
See See Rider
02:10
Writer: Lincoln Chase / Composers: Lincoln Chase
04
Dix-A-Billy
Lavern Baker
See See Rider
01:52
Composers: Reardon, Evans - Rocky Harris
05
On Revival Day
Lavern Baker
See See Rider
03:12
Writer: Andy Razaf / Composers: Andy Razaf
06
Soul On Fire
Lavern Baker
See See Rider
03:05
Writer: Jermet - Lavern Baker / Composers: Jermet - Lavern Baker
07
St. Louis Blues
Lavern Baker
See See Rider
02:25
Writer: W.C. Handy
Access the complete album info (28 songs)
Milestones of Legends: Female Blues Singers, Vol. 9
â„— 2018 Intense Media GmbH
18-03-2018
Milestones of Legends: Female Blues Singers, Vol. 9
01
Gimme a Pigfoot
Lavern Baker
Milestones of Legends: Female Blues Singers, Vol. 9
03:10
Writer: Wesley Wilson / Composers: Wesley Wilson
02
Baby Doll
Lavern Baker
Milestones of Legends: Female Blues Singers, Vol. 9
03:39
Writer: Bessie Smith / Composers: Bessie Smith
03
On Revival Day
Lavern Baker
Milestones of Legends: Female Blues Singers, Vol. 9
03:15
Writer: Andy Razaf / Composers: Andy Razaf
04
Money Blues
Lavern Baker
Milestones of Legends: Female Blues Singers, Vol. 9
02:53
Writer: Harry Eller / Composers: Dave Leader - G.M. Coleman
05
I Ain't Gonna Play No Second Fiddle
Lavern Baker
Milestones of Legends: Female Blues Singers, Vol. 9
04:06
Writer: Perry Bradford / Composers: Perry Bradford
06
Back Water Blues
Lavern Baker
Milestones of Legends: Female Blues Singers, Vol. 9
04:43
Writer: Bessie Smith / Composers: Bessie Smith
07
Empty Bed Blues
Lavern Baker
Milestones of Legends: Female Blues Singers, Vol. 9
04:54
Writer: Jay Cee Johnson / Composers: Jay Cee Johnson
Access the complete album info (24 songs)
Soul On Fire: The Best Of LaVern Baker
â„— 2005 Atlantic Recording Corp. Manufactured & Marketed by Warner Strategic Marketing.
01-01-1991
Soul On Fire: The Best Of LaVern Baker
01
Soul on Fire
Lavern Baker
Soul On Fire: The Best Of LaVern Baker
03:05
Writer: Jermet - Lavern Baker
02
Tomorrow Night
Lavern Baker
Soul On Fire: The Best Of LaVern Baker
03:15
Writer: Johnson - Sam Coslow - Will Gorsz / Composers: Johnson
03
Tweedle Dee
Lavern Baker
Soul On Fire: The Best Of LaVern Baker
03:06
Writer: Winfield Scott
04
That's All I Need
Lavern Baker
Soul On Fire: The Best Of LaVern Baker
02:35
Writer: Howard Biggs - Lavern Baker - Lincoln Chase
05
Bop-Ting-A-Ling
Lavern Baker
Soul On Fire: The Best Of LaVern Baker
03:05
Writer: Clarence Paul - William Garrett
06
Play It Fair
Lavern Baker
Soul On Fire: The Best Of LaVern Baker
02:56
Writer: Bill Campbell
07
Jim Dandy
Lavern Baker
Soul On Fire: The Best Of LaVern Baker
02:10
Writer: Lincoln Chase
Access the complete album info (20 songs)
Live In Hollywood '91
â„— 1991 Rhino Entertainment Company, a Warner Music Group Company.
01-01-1991
Live In Hollywood '91
01
Tweedle Dee (Live in Hollywood '91)
Lavern Baker
Live In Hollywood '91
03:08
Writer: Winfield Scott
02
Tomorrow Night (Live in Hollywood '91)
Lavern Baker
Live In Hollywood '91
03:53
Writer: Johnson - Sam Coslow - Will Gorsz / Composers: Johnson
03
See See Rider (Live in Hollywood '91)
Lavern Baker
Live In Hollywood '91
03:43
Writer: G. McRainey
04
Play It Fair (Live in Hollywood '91)
Lavern Baker
Live In Hollywood '91
04:29
Writer: Bill Campbell
05
Jim Dandy (Live in Hollywood '91)
Lavern Baker
Live In Hollywood '91
02:45
Writer: Lincoln Chase
06
St. Louis Blues (Live in Hollywood '91)
Lavern Baker
Live In Hollywood '91
08:02
Writer: W.C. Handy
07
What a Diff'rence a Day Made (Live in Hollywood '91)
Lavern Baker
Live In Hollywood '91
06:15
Writer: M. Grever - S Adams
Access the complete album info (17 songs)
See See Rider
â„— 2005 Atlantic Recording Corp. Manufactured and Distributed by Warner Strategic Marketing.
01-02-1963
See See Rider
01
See See Rider
Lavern Baker
See See Rider
02:30
Writer: G. McRainey
02
You Better Stop
Lavern Baker
See See Rider
02:46
Writer: D. Taylor - G. Wexler - J. Stone / Composers: Stone, Taylor, Wexler
03
He's a Real Gone Guy
Lavern Baker
See See Rider
02:17
Writer: N. Lutcher
04
Story of My Love (I Had a Dream)
Lavern Baker
See See Rider
02:04
Writer: Ahmet Ertegun
05
You Said
Lavern Baker
See See Rider
02:17
Writer: Leroy Toombs - Sara Wright
06
I'm Leavin' You
Lavern Baker
See See Rider
02:23
Writer: M. King
07
Don't Let the Stars Get in Your Eyes
Lavern Baker
See See Rider
02:34
Writer: S. Willet
Access the complete album info (12 songs)
Saved
â„— 1961 Atlantic Recording Corp.
06-12-1960
Saved
01
Saved
Lavern Baker
Saved
02:54
Writer: J Leiber - Jerry Leiber - Leiber - M. Stoller - Mike Stoller - Stoller
02
For Love of You
Lavern Baker
Saved
02:13
Writer: F. Jacobson - L. Baker
03
Manana
Lavern Baker
Saved
02:09
Writer: Dave Barbour - Peggy Lee
04
My Time Will Come
Lavern Baker
Saved
02:23
Writer: B. Benton - B. STEVENSON
05
Shadow of Love
Lavern Baker
Saved
02:19
Writer: O Blackwell
06
Must I Cry Again
Lavern Baker
Saved
02:34
Writer: J. Valentine - L. Chase - L. Pemberton
07
Bumble Bee
Lavern Baker
Saved
02:27
Writer: L. Baker - L. Fullylove
Access the complete album info (18 songs)
Precious Memories: LaVern Baker Sings Gospel
â„— 1959 Atlantic Recording Corp. Marketed by Rhino Entertainment Company, a Warner Music Group Company.
04-06-1959
Precious Memories: LaVern Baker Sings Gospel
01
Precious Memories
Lavern Baker
Precious Memories: LaVern Baker Sings Gospel
02:46
Writer: J. Wright
02
Carrying the Cross for My Boss
Lavern Baker
Precious Memories: LaVern Baker Sings Gospel
02:25
Writer: Traditional
03
Just a Closer Walk with Thee
Lavern Baker
Precious Memories: LaVern Baker Sings Gospel
03:09
Writer: Traditional
04
Touch Me, Lord Jesus
Lavern Baker
Precious Memories: LaVern Baker Sings Gospel
02:48
Writer: L. Campbell
05
Didn't It Rain
Lavern Baker
Precious Memories: LaVern Baker Sings Gospel
02:45
Writer: Traditional
06
Precious Lord
Lavern Baker
Precious Memories: LaVern Baker Sings Gospel
04:10
Writer: T. Dorsey
07
Somebody Touched Me
Lavern Baker
Precious Memories: LaVern Baker Sings Gospel
02:32
Writer: Traditional
Access the complete album info (12 songs)
Blues Ballads
â„— 2005 Atlantic Recording Corp. Manufactured & Marketed by Warner Strategic Marketing.
01-01-1959
Blues Ballads
01
I Cried a Tear
Lavern Baker
Blues Ballads
02:35
Writer: Al Julia - Fred Jacobson - Julia, Jacobson / Composers: Al Julia - Julia, Jacobson
02
If You Love Me
Lavern Baker
Blues Ballads
02:41
Writer: E. Piaf - G Parsons - M. Monnot
03
You're Teasing Me
Lavern Baker
Blues Ballads
02:17
04
Love Me Right
Lavern Baker
Blues Ballads
01:54
Composers: Bobby Darin - Don Kirshner
05
Dix-A-Billy
Lavern Baker
Blues Ballads
01:52
Composers: Harris - Reardon, Evans
06
So High, so Low
Lavern Baker
Blues Ballads
02:06
Composers: Lavern Baker
07
I Waited Too Long
Lavern Baker
Blues Ballads
02:32
Writer: Howard Greenfield - Neil Sedaka
Access the complete album info (12 songs)
Sings Bessie Smith
â„— 1988 Atlantic Recording Corporation
01-01-1958
Sings Bessie Smith
01
Gimme a Pigfoot (Mono)
Lavern Baker
Sings Bessie Smith
03:07
Writer: Wesley Wilson
02
Baby Doll (Mono)
Lavern Baker
Sings Bessie Smith
03:36
Writer: Bessie Smith
03
On Revival Day (Mono)
Lavern Baker
Sings Bessie Smith
03:12
Writer: Andy Razaf
04
Money Blues (Mono)
Lavern Baker
Sings Bessie Smith
02:50
Writer: Dave Leader
05
I Ain't Gonna Play No Second Fiddle (Mono)
Lavern Baker
Sings Bessie Smith
04:03
Writer: Perry Bradford
06
Back Water Blues
Lavern Baker
Sings Bessie Smith
04:45
Writer: Bessie Smith
07
Empty Bed Blues (Mono)
Lavern Baker
Sings Bessie Smith
04:52
Writer: J. C. Johnson
Access the complete album info (12 songs)
LaVern Baker
â„— 1957 Atlantic Recording Corp. Marketed by Rhino Entertainment Group, a Warner Music Group company
01-01-1957
LaVern Baker
01
Jim Dandy
Lavern Baker
LaVern Baker
02:10
Writer: Lincoln Chase
02
Tra la La
Lavern Baker
LaVern Baker
02:11
Writer: J. Parker
03
I Can't Love You Enough
Lavern Baker
LaVern Baker
02:39
Writer: Dorian Burton - Howard Plummer, Jr. - Lavern Baker
04
Get Up, Get Up (You Sleepy Head)
Lavern Baker
LaVern Baker
02:21
Writer: Jim Breedlove - Joan White
05
That's All I Need
Lavern Baker
LaVern Baker
02:35
Writer: Howard Biggs - Lavern Baker - Lincoln Chase
06
Bop-Ting-A-Ling
Lavern Baker
LaVern Baker
03:05
Writer: Clarence Paul - William Garrett
07
Tweedle Dee
Lavern Baker
LaVern Baker
03:04
Writer: Winfield Scott
Access the complete album info (14 songs)