THE HIT HAMMER: Steve Lawrence's "Go Away Little Girl"

(The Hit Hammer is where I'm reviewing each #1 song on the Billboard Hot 100. Starting from when the chart started in 1958 and eventually working my way to the present. To see my inspiration and more information about this blog, please refer to the "Poor Little Fool" post.)

Steve Lawrence - "Go Away Little Girl"

Hit Number 1: January 12, 1963

Stay at Number 1: 2 Weeks

Even the best songwriters have occasional blunders now and then. Carole King and Gerry Goffin were the songwriting duo responsible for a few other chart-toppers that have already been covered here, and those previous songs were all at the very least, decent songs. The duo wrote a song about a man who is telling a young attractive girl to stay away from him, so that he won't be tempted to betray his present girlfriend, and kiss the other girl. It was first recorded by Bobby Vee, who was the guy who did "Take Good Care of My Baby". That should've worked out fine, since Vee was still a teen idol at this time, and it would've somewhat fit what the song was all about. That version went no where. Then Steve Lawrence, who was in his late 20s at the time, recorded the song in 1962. That should've never happened.

The main thing that's wrong with this recording is that Lawrence doesn't even sound his own age. Rather he sounds like he's 45, and just a reminder that this song is likely telling a teenage girl to stay away so the temptation isn't there to kiss her. That makes for a terrible look, and turns it into a very creepy sounding song. And Lawrence sounds like a creep on the song too! He sounds like that creepy old dude in the mall who hides in the shadows watching young women, or even kids, walking around. That's not a good thing to sound like. It also doesn't help that the song is slow and boring, with tired strings being the only real instrumentation in the song. "Go Away Little Girl" would hit #1 again in 1971, but by someone who was much more appropriate to be recording the song. As far as Lawrence's version goes, I have nothing left to say. It freaking sucks.

GRADE: 2/10