“Go Away Little Girl” is a popular song written by Gerry Goffin and Carole King. The lyrics consist of a young man asking an attractive young woman to stay away from him, so he won’t be tempted to betray his steady girlfriend by kissing her. The song is notable for making the American Top 20 three times: for Steve Lawrence in 1962 (US #1), for The Happenings in 1966 (US #12), and for Donny Osmond in 1971 (US #1). It is also the first song, and one of only nine songs, to reach US #1 by two different artists.
In late 1962, Steve Lawrence released the original recording of this song. The single reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 in January 1963 and remained in the top position for two weeks. This recording also spent six weeks atop the U.S. Easy Listening chart. It also went to #1 on the New Zealand Lever chart and #18 in Canada.
Mark Wynter’s 1962 cover of the song on the Pye Records label also made the UK Singles Chart, reaching number six in Britain.
Donny Osmond’s cover version reached number one on the Hot 100 chart in September 1971. It remained in the top position for three weeks. Osmond’s version also went to #36 on the Australian Go-Set chart.
“Go Away Little Girl” has also been covered by numerous other artists, such as Del Shannon, Bobby Vinton, Bobby Vee, Al Jarreau, and Timex Social Club.
Marlena Shaw does a version called “Yu-Ma/Go Away Little Boy” from her 1977 album Sweet Beginnings.

By Steve Lawrence

Lyrics