R&B

People from this doo wop era probably remember the phrase “Go, Jim Dandy” from this song. After all, he rescues women in all sorts of situations. “Jim Dandy” was written by Lincoln Chase (“Such a Night,” “The Name Game,” “The Clapping Song). In 1956, the song went to #1 on the R&B Chart and #17 US Pop Chart. “Jim Dandy” sold more than one million copies and was awarded an RIAA Gold Record.

Delores LaVern Baker began singing in Chicago clubs in 1946. In 1953 she changed her stage name to LaVern Baker and signed with  Atlantic Records, where she had a succession of hits on the R&B charts over the next several years with her backing group The Gliders.  Here most successful songs, besides “Jim Dandy” were “Tweedle Dee” and “I Cried a Tear.” (We’ve always liked “Bumble Bee.”) In addition to singing, Baker also did some work with Ed Sullivan and Alan Freed on TV and in films, including Rock, Rock, Rock and Mr. Rock & Roll.

Here are the lyrics to “Jim Dandy” by LaVern Baker:

“Jim Dandy to the rescue
Jim Dandy to the rescue
Jim Dandy to the rescue
Go, Jim Dandy
Go, Jim Dandy

Jim Dandy on a mountain top
30,000 feet to drop
Spied a lady on a runaway horse
Uh huh, that’s right, of course

Jim Dandy to the rescue
Go, Jim Dandy
Go, Jim Dandy

Jim Dandy met a girl named Sue
She was feeling little kind of blue
Jim Dandy he’s kind of guy
Never like to see a little girl cry

Jim Dandy to the rescue
Go, Jim Dandy
Go, Jim Dandy

Jim Dandy to the rescue
Jim Dandy to the rescue
Jim Dandy to the rescue
Go, Jim Dandy, go

Jim Dandy in a submarine
Got a message from the mermaid queen
She was hanging from a fishing line
Jim Dandy didn’t waste no time

Jim Dandy to the rescue
Go, Jim Dandy
Go, Jim Dandy

Jim Dandy want to go to Maine
Got a ticket on a DC plane
Jim Dandy didn’t need no chute
He was hip and ready to boot

Jim Dandy to the rescue
Go, Jim Dandy
Go, Jim Dandy

Go, go, go Jim Dandy
Go, go, go Jim Dandy
Go, go, go Jim Dandy
Go on Jim Dandy”

If you are interested in reading about and listening to another song by LaVern Baker: “Bumble Bee.”

For More Golden Oldies Music

The Daily Doo Wop Rec Room has daily featured doo wop, rock and roll, R&B, or rockabilly songs that were hits during the first era of rock and roll (that is, from about 1952 until the British invasion in 1964). After a song is featured, it then goes into the juke box. You are welcome to listen to any of the 40+ selections there. Every weekend, there is a Juke Box Saturday, and the juke box is full of song requests from the 1950s and 1960s.

Please click here for the Daily Doo Wop YouTube channel, to which you can subscribe. Thank you for stopping by The Daily Doo Wop. Hope you enjoyed “Jim Dandy” by LaVern Baker.