Summary

“Go Away Little Girl” stands as one of the defining pop achievements of the early 1960s and Steve Lawrence’s signature song. Written by the legendary Brill Building team of Gerry Goffin and Carole King, the song showcases the sophisticated craftsmanship that defined the pre-British Invasion pop era. Lawrence’s warm, polished vocal delivery transformed this tale of romantic temptation into a massive commercial success, topping the Billboard Hot 100 for two weeks in January 1963. The song holds the rare distinction of becoming a #1 hit twice—first for Lawrence and again for Donny Osmond in 1971—cementing its place as one of the most successful compositions of its era.

Core Facts

Timeline

• 1935 – Steve Lawrence (born Sidney Liebowitz) is born on July 8 in Brooklyn, New York.
• 1953 – Lawrence makes his television debut on Steve Allen’s Tonight Show, launching his entertainment career.
• 1957 – Lawrence marries fellow singer Eydie Gormé, beginning their legendary personal and professional partnership.
• 1962 – Gerry Goffin and Carole King write “Go Away Little Girl” at the Brill Building in New York City.
• November 1962 – Steve Lawrence records and releases his version on Columbia Records.
• December 1962 – The single enters the Billboard Hot 100, quickly climbing the charts.
• January 12, 1963 – “Go Away Little Girl” reaches #1 on the Billboard Hot 100.
• January 26, 1963 – The song completes its two-week run at the top of the charts.
• 1971 – Donny Osmond’s cover version also reaches #1, making it one of few songs to top the charts twice.

Historical Context

When “Go Away Little Girl” was written in 1962, the American pop music landscape was dominated by the sophisticated output of the Brill Building, a professional songwriting factory located at 1619 Broadway in New York City. Gerry Goffin and Carole King were among the most prolific and successful teams working in this environment, crafting hits for various artists including The Shirelles, The Drifters, and Bobby Vee.

Steve Lawrence, by this time, had established himself as a polished entertainer through his regular appearances on television variety shows, particularly his early career breakthrough on Steve Allen’s Tonight Show. His marriage to singer Eydie Gormé in 1957 created one of show business’s most enduring partnerships, and by 1962, Lawrence was seeking material that would solidify his recording career beyond his nightclub and television success.

The song arrived during a transitional period in American popular music. Traditional pop singers like Lawrence faced increasing competition from the emerging rock and roll sound, yet there remained a substantial audience for sophisticated, well-crafted pop ballads. “Go Away Little Girl” perfectly captured this moment, offering a mature lyrical theme wrapped in an accessible, radio-friendly arrangement.

The song’s theme—a man tempted by romantic attraction while trying to remain faithful—reflected the social mores of early 1960s America, where such conflicts were treated with subtlety rather than explicit expression. The protagonist’s plea for the “little girl” to leave before he loses control presented desire as something to be managed rather than indulged, resonating with contemporary audiences.

Musical Significance & Innovation

Steve Lawrence’s interpretation of “Go Away Little Girl” exemplifies the craft of early 1960s pop vocal performance. His warm baritone delivery perfectly suited the song’s emotional complexity, conveying both the attraction and the moral conflict at its center. Lawrence’s phrasing demonstrated his background in traditional pop and cabaret performance, bringing a sophisticated maturity to Goffin and King’s composition.

The arrangement, produced by Al Kasha, featured lush orchestration typical of the era, with sweeping strings supporting Lawrence’s vocal without overwhelming it. The production balanced contemporary pop sensibilities with the traditional orchestral approach that characterized Lawrence’s recording style, creating a sound that appealed to both younger listeners and the adult contemporary audience.

The song’s structure follows classic Brill Building craftsmanship: a memorable melody, an immediately identifiable hook in the title phrase, and lyrics that tell a complete emotional story within a compact running time. Goffin’s lyrics demonstrate remarkable economy, establishing the dramatic situation and the narrator’s internal conflict without unnecessary exposition.

Lawrence’s version set the template for subsequent covers, including Bobby Vee’s near-simultaneous recording and Donny Osmond’s 1971 remake. The song’s achievement of two separate #1 chart runs—a rare feat in pop music history—speaks to the enduring quality of both the composition and Lawrence’s definitive interpretation.

Cultural Impact & Legacy

“Go Away Little Girl” remains Steve Lawrence’s most commercially successful recording and one of the signature songs of the pre-British Invasion pop era. The song’s two separate trips to #1 (Lawrence in 1963, Osmond in 1971) placed it in an exclusive club of compositions that achieved this distinction, alongside songs like “The Locomotion” and “Please Mr. Postman.”

For Steve Lawrence, the song cemented his status as a major recording artist rather than solely a television and nightclub performer. It demonstrated that traditional pop vocalists could compete on the pop charts during an era increasingly dominated by rock and roll and girl groups. The song’s success helped sustain Lawrence and Gormé’s career through the British Invasion and beyond.

The song contributed to the legacy of Goffin and King as one of popular music’s greatest songwriting teams. Their ability to craft hits across multiple genres and for diverse artists—from The Shirelles’ “Will You Love Me Tomorrow” to Lawrence’s sophisticated pop ballad—established them as the Brill Building’s most versatile talents.

In the broader context of early 1960s pop, “Go Away Little Girl” represents the pinnacle of professional songwriting craft that characterized the era. The song has been covered by numerous artists across decades, appearing in film and television productions, and remains a staple of oldies radio programming. Lawrence continued performing the song throughout his career, including his concerts with Eydie Gormé until her death in 2013.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who wrote “Go Away Little Girl”?

“Go Away Little Girl” was written by the legendary songwriting duo Gerry Goffin and Carole King. At the time, they were married and working at the famous Brill Building in New York City, where they crafted numerous hit songs for various artists throughout the early 1960s.

When did Steve Lawrence’s version reach #1?

Steve Lawrence’s recording of “Go Away Little Girl” reached #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 on January 12, 1963. It held the top position for two consecutive weeks before being displaced.

How many artists have had #1 hits with “Go Away Little Girl”?

Two artists have reached #1 with this song on the Billboard Hot 100: Steve Lawrence in January 1963 and Donny Osmond in September 1971. This makes “Go Away Little Girl” one of the few songs in chart history to achieve two separate runs at #1 with different artists.

What record label released Steve Lawrence’s version?

Steve Lawrence’s version was released on Columbia Records in November 1962. Columbia was one of the major labels of the era and had signed Lawrence based on his growing television popularity.

What is the song about?

The song depicts a man asking a young woman to leave before he succumbs to romantic temptation and betrays his current relationship. The narrator acknowledges his strong attraction while pleading for the woman to go away before he loses his willpower to resist. It’s a sophisticated treatment of desire and fidelity.

Did Bobby Vee also record this song?

Yes, Bobby Vee recorded “Go Away Little Girl” around the same time as Steve Lawrence in 1962. However, Lawrence’s version achieved greater chart success, reaching #1 while Vee’s version received less attention on the pop charts.

Who was Steve Lawrence married to?

Steve Lawrence married singer Eydie Gormé in 1957. They became one of show business’s most beloved couples, performing together for decades as “Steve and Eydie” until Gormé’s death in 2013. Their partnership produced numerous successful albums and television appearances.

Sources & Verification

• Billboard Magazine – Historical chart data confirming “Go Away Little Girl” reached #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 on January 12, 1963, remaining for two weeks.
• Joel Whitburn’s Top Pop Singles – Comprehensive chart reference documenting Steve Lawrence’s chart history and the song’s peak positions.
• The Billboard Book of Number One Hits by Fred Bronson – Reference work documenting the history of #1 songs including both Lawrence and Osmond versions.
• A Natural Woman: A Memoir by Carole King (2012) – King’s autobiography providing context on her songwriting partnership with Gerry Goffin during the Brill Building era.
• Always Magic in the Air: The Bomp and Brilliance of the Brill Building Era by Ken Emerson (2005) – Comprehensive history of the Brill Building songwriters including Goffin and King.
• Allmusic.com – Artist biography and discography information for Steve Lawrence.
• The Rolling Stone Encyclopedia of Rock & Roll – Reference material on early 1960s pop music and the Brill Building sound.
• Library of Congress Copyright Records – Verification of songwriting credits for Gerry Goffin and Carole King.
• Columbia Records Archives – Original release information and catalog data for the single.