Little Children

Billy J. Kramer

About Little Children

"Little Children" is a song written by J. Leslie McFarland and Mort Shuman. It was recorded by Billy J. Kramer & the Dakotas, and reached number one in the UK Singles Chart in March 1964, and No. 7 in the US Hot 100 singles chart later the same year. The B-side of "Little Children" in the U. S., "Bad to Me" (which had previously been an A-side in the UK which made No. 1 there in August 1963) peaked at No. 9 on the US charts simultaneously to the success of "Little Children" there. The lyric concerns a man's entreaties to his girlfriend's young siblings not to reveal his courtship of their elder sister and to leave them alone, at some points, even bribing them with things like "candy and a quarter" and "a movie", on the condition that they "keep a secret". As such, it was a departure from the traditional love songs previously recorded by Kramer (sometimes supplied by Lennon & McCartney). When offered another Lennon and McCartney song, "One and One Is Two", for his next single by the manager of both groups, Brian Epstein, Kramer turned it down and chose "Little Children" instead, after a search for suitable material from music publishers. 


Year:
2002
2:46
93 

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Little children, you better not tell on me 
I'm tellin' you 
Little children, you better not tell what you see 
And if you're good 
I'll give you candy and a quarter 
If you're quiet like you oughta be 
And keep a secret with me 

I wish they would go away 
Little children, now why aren't you playin' outside 
I'm askin' you 
You can't fool me, 'cause I'm gonna know if you hide 
And try to peek 
I'm gonna treat you to a movie 
Stop your gigglin', children do be nice 
Like little sugars and spice 

You saw me kissin' your sister 
You saw me holdin' her hand 
But if you snitch to your mother 
Your father won't understand 

I wish they would take a nap 
Little children, now why don't you go bye-bye 
Go anywhere at all 
Little children, I know you would if you tried 
Go up the stairs 
Me and your sister, we're goin' steady 
How can I kiss her when I'm ready to 
With little children like you around 
I wonder what can I do around 
Little children like you

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Billy J. Kramer

Billy J. Kramer (born William Howard Ashton, 19 August 1943, Bootle, Liverpool, England) is a British Invasion/Merseybeat singer. In the 1960s he was managed by Brian Epstein, who also managed The Beatles, and he recorded several original Lennon and McCartney compositions. more »

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Written by: J. L. MCFARLAND, MORT SHUMAN

Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


10 facts about this song

Song History Fact
"Little Children" is a song released by Billy J. Kramer & The Dakotas in 1964.
Song Writing Fact
This popular track was written by J. Leslie McFarland and Mort Shuman, and is considered one of the classic hits of the 1960s British Invasion.
Chart Performance Fact
The song reached the No. 1 spot in the United Kingdom's singles chart and peaked at No. 7 in the United States' Billboard Hot 100.
Band Fact
Billy J. Kramer & The Dakotas were managed by Brian Epstein, who was also the manager for the legendary band, The Beatles.
Beatles Connection Fact
The song's B-side, "Bad to Me", was a Lennon-McCartney composition, indicative of the close links between Billy J. Kramer & the Dakotas and The Beatles.
Award Fact
In 2002, "Little Children" was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame, a recognition reserved for recordings of lasting qualitative or historical significance.
Album Fact
The song was part of the album "Little Children", which became one of the best selling albums for Billy J. Kramer & The Dakotas.
Performance Fact
"Little Children" has a running time of two minutes and forty-eight seconds, and is performed in the key of F major.
Legacy Fact
The track's success helped solidify Billy J. Kramer & The Dakotas' place in the music industry, making them one of the British Invasion’s most popular acts alongside The Beatles and The Rolling Stones.
Cover Version Fact
The song has been covered and performed by various artists throughout the years, including The Shirelles and The Fourmost.

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    Little Children

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    Top Hot 100 Songs 1964

    Billboard #7


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