Lee Michaels – Do You Know What I Mean

Between 1968 and 1973, Lee Michaels released six studio LPs and a live one. He only had two top 40 records. Can I Get A Witness and Do You Know What I Mean which peaked at #6 in the Billboard 100 and #12 in Canada in 1971. The song was on his fifth album appropriately named “5th” which peaked at #16 in 1971.

The one thing I noticed about Lee is what huge voice he had…it’s strange that this is the only song he had that hit big.

The song was recorded live in the studio in seven hours by Michaels on keyboards and bass pedals and Barry “Frosty” Smith on drums. The song was one of the many on the radio when I was growing up.

Australian musician Renée Geyer recorded a version in 1981. The song was released in October 1981 as the second single from her seventh studio album, So Lucky. The song peaked at number 29 on the Australian Kent Music Report and in New Zealand.

Renee Geyer’s version

Lee Michaels

Do You Know What I Mean

Been forty days since I don’t know when
I just saw her with my best friend
Do you know what I mean?
Do you know, know what I mean?

I just saw her yesterday
I just saw her, asked her to stay
Do you know what I mean?
Lord, do you know what I mean?

Her and Bobby were steppin out
Her and Bobby didn’t know I found out
Do you know what I mean?
Do you know, know what I mean?

So I asked her if she still cared
She didn’t hear me, she just stared
Do you know what I mean?
Lord, do you know what I mean?

And then she said
Lee you haven’t loved me in nearly four years
You haven’t noticed that I held back my tears
And now you have, but it’s really too late
Better find yourself another girl
Better find another girl
Better find uh, another place

She just left me yesterday
She just left me, had nothing to say
Do you know what I mean?
Oh, do you know what I mean?

She’s a dandy, yes indeed
She’s a dandy, but now she’s free
Do you know what I mean?
Lord, do you know what I mean?

Been forty days since I don’t know when
I just saw her with my best friend
Do you know what I mean?
Lord, do you know what I mean?

I just saw her yesterday
I just saw her, learn how to stay
Do you know what I mean?
Lord, Do you know what I mean?

Yeah, here comes it now…

Hoooo, help…me

Author: Badfinger (Max)

Power Pop fan, Baseball, Beatles, old movies, and tv show fan. Also anything to do with pop culture in the 60s and 70s... I'm also a songwriter, bass and guitar player.

15 thoughts on “Lee Michaels – Do You Know What I Mean”

    1. The reason I posted this song is because for some odd reason…probably because I heard both of them at the same time….Keep on Smiling and this one are linked together in my memory…must be a kid thing.

      Don’t feel bad Christian…I knew the song but not his name.

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    1. It must be a regional song for some odd reason. We get it in southern America quite a bit but I’ve heard from others who haven’t heard it. Good hook and he has a strong voice.

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  6. It is a very catchy song. To me it’s hard to connect those two hits to each other. Can I get a Witness sounds like Grand Funk Railroad to me, where this one sounds more like white soul. Nice choice for Saturday Night dancing.

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  7. I love this tune. I think I did one of my first takes on it. The song just grabs me. The groove and Lee singing it like he’s lived it. I dig Michael’s music. Another good one. You’re a hard guy to keep up with Badfinger but I’m trying.

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    1. Thanks…you have plenty yourself. I’m posting more than I usually would because I don’t have a drive time anymore since I’m working from home…it helps.
      I was surprised at how many people never heard this.

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