Lay a Little Lovin' On Me

Lay a Little Lovin' On Me

Try to keep still when you hear this one playing! Robin McNamara's "Lay A Little Lovin' On Me" is both quintessential Bubblegum rock, and quintessential Jeff Barry. The ditty that would become his biggest hit single was halfway written when Jeff first heard it in his office. His key contributions provided that extra little something that enabled the song to land on national Top Ten playlists in the summer of 1970. A very important after-the-fact contribution was the solid production values Jeff gave Robin's record. The rhythm section alternates between a shuffle and a boogaloo beat, and thundercrack handclappings (Jeff's trademark) ring out at just the right intervals. While Robin's lyrics amount to an open plea for sexual gratification, the addition of Ellie Greenwich and the Broadway cast of Hair on backing vocals camouflage the subject matter quite effectively. Despite whatever bare-bottomed mischief the cast may be up to on stage every night, they lend the tune a wholesome air. They turn it into a feel-good, Mitch Miler-style singalong, perfect for the Family Values crowd. Make no mistake, it's a spicy dish, all right, but not so spicy that parents objected when their seven-year-olds eagerly ate it up. People tend to think of Bubblegum rock songs as one-trick ponies, but the ones Jeff Barry wrote performed surprisingly well over time. "Lay A Little Lovin' On Me" kicked up its heels all the way to Nashville, where cowgirl Jody Miller rode it onto the Country charts in a 1979 cover version.

Lay A Little Lovin' On Me
Words and Music by Jeff Barry, Jim Cretecos and Robin McNamara

Can't you see that I am hung on your love?
Can't you see? Can't you see?
Can't you see how much you need some more love?
Can't you see? Can't you see?

Ever since we kissed that night
Ever since I held you tight
I just don't want nobody else
So put your lips on mine
Leave 'em there 'til the mornin' shine
Lord, don't leave me by myself

Lay a little lovin' on me, lay a little lovin' on me,
Honey, doggone it, I depend upon it
So lay a little lovin' on me

Every day is not enough for you, babe
I say every day, every day
I need the day and every nighttime, too, babe
Every day, every day

Don't you know what I got inside?
A love too big to hide
A love that's growin' day by day
You're such a pretty child
You're 'bout to drive me wild
Come on, baby, what ya say?

Lay a little lovin' on me, lay a little lovin' on me,
Honey, doggone it, I depend upon it
So lay a little lovin' on me

Honey, I want you
(Shooby bop bop, shooby shooby bop bop)
Baby, I need you
(Shooby bop bop, shooby shooby bop bop)
I love you, I love you

Lay a little lovin' on me
Honey, doggone it, I depend upon it
So lay a little lovin' on me

Lay a little lovin' on me, lay a little lovin' on me,
Honey, doggone it, I depend upon it
So lay a little lovin' on me

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