This teen tragedy story-song “Last Kiss” was written by Wayne Cochran, Joe Carpenter, Randall Hoyal, and Bobby McGlon in 1961. Wayne Cochran recorded the song, but it did not chart well. J. Frank Wilson and the Cavaliers recorded a cover of “Last Kiss” in 1964. Their version rose to #2 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and #1 on Cash Box. They sold more than one million copies, and it earned an RIAA gold record. The song has also been covered by Wednesday and Pearl Jam.

The Cavaliers formed around 1955 and brought in J. Frank Wilson after their vocalist Alton Baird was drafted and Wilson was discharged from Goodfellow Air Force Base in San Angelo, Texas. Their song “Hey, Little One” also charted. Wilson released records with and without The Cavaliers until 1978.

Here are the lyrics to “Last Kiss” by J. Frank Wilson and The Cavaliers:

Oh, where oh, where could my baby be?
The Lord took her away from me
She’s gone to heaven, so I got to be good
So I can see my baby when I leave this world

We were out on a date in my daddy’s car
We hadn’t driven very far
There in the road straight ahead
A car was stalled the engine was dead

I couldn’t stop, so I swerved to the right
I’ll never forget the sound that night
The cryin’ tires the bustin’ glass
The painful scream that I heard last

Well, where oh, where could my baby be?
The Lord took her away from me
She’s gone to heaven, so I got to be good
So I can see my baby when I leave this world

Well, when I woke up the rain was pouring down
There were people standing all around
Something warm running in my eyes
But I found my baby somehow that night.

I raised her head she smiled and said:
“Hold me darling for a little while”

I held her close, I kissed her our last kiss
I found the love that I knew I would miss
But now she’s gone even though I hold her tight
I lost the love of my life that night

Oh, where oh where could my baby be?
The Lord took her away from me
She’s gone to heaven, so I got to be good
So I can see my baby when I leave this world

Mmmm….[fade]

Check Out The Groove Pad for More 1960s Music

The Pass the Paisley Groove Pad is a resting stop, a place to chill out and listen to the featured song on the stereo. If the mood strikes you, click on the juke box to access and listen to the 50+ free online songs there. The TV has several channels, with selections updated twice a week. Every now and then, Pass the Paisley hosts an all-request of 1960s and 1970s songs for a Be-In at the juke box in the Groove Pad. Keep on truckin’. Hope you enjoyed “Last Kiss” by J. Frank Wilson and The Cavaliers.