Whodunit

Tavares

About Whodunit

"Whodunit", written by Keni St. Lewis and Freddie Perren, was a hit song for American R&B/disco group Tavares in 1977. Released from their album Love Storm, it spent one week at number one on the R&B singles chart in May 1977 and peaked at number twenty-two on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart and in the UK peaked at number 5 the week ending 7 May 1977, where it stayed for 2 weeks. "Whodunit" was re-released in February 1986. The lyrical hook to the song was the repeated query "Whodunit? / Who stole my baby?" The singer then appealed to a series of famous fictional detectives to help "solve" the case, including Sherlock Holmes, Charlie Chan, Ellery Queen, McCloud, Kojak, Baretta and Dirty Harry. The gimmick was reminiscent of "Searchin'", a 1957 single by The Coasters which also invoked a series of lawmen to track down a missing love interest. 


Year:
1977
3:35
126 

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Whodunit
Who stole my baby
Whodunit
Everyone in the room looks shady
Whodunit
Who stole my girl from me (Yeah)
Whodunit
Who took my honey
Whodunit
I know the motive was not funny
Whodunit
It's a bedside mystery (Yeah, yeah)

Hey, where's the phone to call Sherlock Holmes
[Somebody took my baby]
I've been framed by what's his name
And he's gettin' away Charlie Chan, see if you can
Help me find those two, won't you
Where were you on the night of the 12th
[I was by myself]
She went dancin' in the dark,
Somebody stole her heart Ellery Queen if you're so keen
Won't you help me find my sweet thing (Yeah, yeah)

Whodunit
Who stole my baby
Whodunit
Everyone in the room looks shady
Whodunit
Who stole my girl from me (Yeah)
Whodunit
(Whodunit)
Who took my honey
Whodunit
I know the motive was not funny
Whodunit
(Whodunit)
It's a bedside mystery

The place is surrounded
[The place is surrounded]
Nobody leaves till I found her
[Nobody leaves till I found her]
Until this case is solved
It's up against the wall, you all

Whodunit
(I wonder, wonder who)
Who stole my baby
Whodunit
(Whodunit)
Everyone in the room looks shady
Whodunit
(I wonder who, was is you)
Who stole my girl from me
(Hey Baretta, won't you please go get her)
Whodunit
(For cryin' out loud)
Who took my honey
Whodunit
(Somebody call McCloud)
I know the motive was not funny
Whodunit
(Where is my baby)
It's a bedside mystery
(Yeah, Kojak won't you bring her back)
Whodunit
(Ironside, don't you let her slide)
Who stole my baby
Whodunit
(Tell Dirty Harry)
Everyone in the room looks shady
(We're supposed to get married)
Whodunit
Who stole my girl from me
(From me, from me)

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Tavares

Tavares (also known as The Tavares Brothers) are a successful American R&B, funk and soul music group, composed of five Cape Verdean-American brothers from New Bedford, Massachusetts. more »

3 fans

Written by: FREDERICK J. PERREN, KENI ST. LEWIS

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


11 facts about this song

Genre Classification
"Whodunit" by Tavares falls under the Disco genre. This was a popular genre in the 1970s combining elements of funk, soul, pop, and salsa.
Release Date
The song "Whodunit" was released in 1977, during the pinnacle of the disco era.
Songwriters
The track was written by Keni St. Lewis and Freddie Perren. Perren was a notable figure in the disco era, co-writing songs like "I Will Survive" and "Shake Your Groove Thing."
Chart Performance
"Whodunit" was a chart-topping hit. It reached No.1 in the US Billboard Hot Soul singles chart and peaked at No.22 on the US Billboard Hot 100.
Album Details
The song was from their album titled "Love Storm" which was the seventh studio album by Tavares.
Tavares Band
Tavares is a group of five brothers, all with the surname Tavares, who hailed from Massachusetts. They produced several hits in the disco era including "Heaven Must Be Missing An Angel" and "More Than a Woman."
Award Recognition
The song "Whodunit" won Tavares the Grammy for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group in 1978.
Cover Version
British comedian, Tommy Cooper, surprising covered the song "Whodunit" in 1980, reaching No. 40 in the UK pop charts.
Inspiration
The title "Whodunit" is a nod to mystery novels and films, the term being a blend of words "Who Done It?", commonly used in detective fiction.
Musical Elements
"Whodunit" makes use of typical disco era elements such as catchy melodies, exciting rhythms, and rich instrumental textures including horns and strings. The group's strong vocal harmonies are also a standout feature of this track.
Live Performances
Tavares often included "Whodunit" in their live performances due to its popularity and catchy rhythm, becoming one of the staple songs integral to their disco identity.

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    Whodunit

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    Top Hot 100 Songs 1977

    Billboard #22


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