Del-Vikings – Come Go With Me

This is one of those songs that is a mile marker for the 1950s. When I think of the 1950s I think of dairy dips, sock hops, and Come Go With Me. I always feel better after hearing this song. It’s one of the most famous doo-wop songs ever. 

They were formed in 1955 by a group of U.S. Air Force servicemen stationed at the Pittsburgh Air Force Base. The original lineup included Cornell Gunter, Clarence Quick, Kripp Johnson, Don Jackson, Bernard Robertson, and Norman Wright. Clarence Quick, the group’s bass singer, also served as their main songwriter. He wrote the song while still in the U.S. Air Force, where the original members of The Del-Vikings were stationed. 

With their name…there are different answers. Some say Clarence Quick knew a basketball team out of New York and they used the Vikings name. Some say the group was reading about Vikings and took that name…and the books were the company Viking Press. The “Del” or “Dell” part happened because they wanted to add a bit of mystery to the name. Some say it was because some of them had been stationed in Delaware and that might be where they got the name. Either way the Del-Vikings came up with a signature song of the 1950s. 

Due to contract disputes, some members later formed a separate group called The Dell Vikings (with two “L”s), while others continued under the original Del-Vikings name. Despite this, both versions of the group were recorded and performed in the late 1950s.

Clarence Quick wrote this song for his band and it was their debut single. The song was released on the small Fee Bee label before being picked up by Dot Records. The song peaked at #5 on the Billboard 100 in 1957… and it became one of the most recognizable doo-wop songs of all time. That same year they would have two more top twenty hits with Whispering Bells and Cool Shake. 

It’s been featured in classic films such as “American Graffiti” (1973) and “Stand by Me” (1986). It’s been covered by several artists, including Dion, Cliff Richard,  The Beach Boys, and The Excellents.

Come Go With Me

Well I love, love you darlin’Come and go with meCome home with meWay beyond the seaI need you darlin’So come go with me

Come, come, come, comeCome into my heartTell me darlin’We will never partI need you darlin’So come go with me

Yes, I need youYes, I really need youPlease say you’ll never leave meWell, say you neverYes, you really neverYou never give me a chance

Come, come, come, comeCome into my heartTell me darlin’We will never partI need you darlin’So come go with me(Yeah)

Yes, I need youYes, I really need youPlease say you’ll never leave meWell, say you neverYes, you really neverYou never give me a chance

Love you darlin’Come and go with meCome home with meWay beyond the seaI need you darlin’So come go with me

Come on go with meCome on go with meCome on go with me

…

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Author: Badfinger (Max)

Power Pop fan, Baseball, Beatles, Alternative music, 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. Not the slightest bit interested in politics at all.

25 thoughts on “Del-Vikings – Come Go With Me”

  2. Great choice Max, this is one of my favourite songs. I posted on this last year. I understand that the song was recorded twice, the first with Norman Wright singing lead but it wasn’t a hit outside of Pittsburg. The second version lead was by new member Gus Backus, that’s the one we all know and love. This song was also featured in American Hot Wax.

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  9. Pingback: Del-Vikings – Come Go With Me – MobsterTiger

  11. Heard this quite a bit when I was listening to a lot of oldies radio in the 80’s/90’s. Looks like an integrated group which is cool. Never heard their other songs.

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  12. Did not know this song by its title at all, but from the first couple of beats immediately recognized it and also the video from American Graffiti. You’re right, it does transport this listener to a particular era and way of looking at the world that, for the most part, has passed on. I do love both the song and the movie. So many stars sprang from that film!

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  14. While I recognized the name Del-Vikings right away, I wasn’t sure about the song until started playing the clip – yep, I knew it. Great doo-wop song! And, yes, in addition to early rock & roll by Elvis, Buddy Holly and Bill Haley, to name a few, I will always associate the ’50s with doo-wop.

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    1. Yes it is now that you say that. I never noticed it before.
      It was also the song that John Lennon was singing when Paul walked into the Church Fete where he heard John for the first time…making up words as he went.

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