Little Richard, The Girl Can’t Help It | Throwback Vibez

In the 158^th edition of Throwback Vibez (2025), we recollect and reflect on “The Girl Can’t Help It” by Little Richard.

The vibes, the vibes, those Throwback Vibez! Throwback Vibez is a column that celebrates awesome songs from the past.  The records that grace this column are older, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they’re ancient – no fossils 🦴! All genres of music are welcome. In the 158^th edition of Throwback Vibez (2025), we recollect and reflect on “The Girl Can’t Help It” performed by Little Richard.

“If she walks by the men folks get engrossed.” Oh, really, Little Richard (1932 – 2020)? Engross, according to Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary, means to take or engage the whole attention of – occupy completely. The men can’t stop looking at her! The early rock and roll, vintage R&B icon adds in the first verse of his 1956 hit, “The Girl Can’t Help It”, “If she winks an eye, the bread slice turn to toast.” Ooh-wee! This girl is something else, something Little Richard continually highlights: “The girl can’t help it, she was born to please / And if she’s got a figure made to squeeze / Won’t you kindly be aware, the girl can’t help it.” “The Girl Can’t Help It” was written by actor, jazz pianist, and singer/songwriter Bobby Troup (1918 – 1999).

“The Girl Can’t Help It” is magical for many reasons beyond its infectious lyrics.  The opening saxophone sounds set the tone.  It is distinct, likened to the engine on a car revving up.  Beyond that gritty blowing, there is a jungle-like, pummeling drum groove. The musical accompaniment is locked in and turned up, fueling Little Richard’s fire. Of course, our flamboyant, gifted, early rock and roll star is on autopilot. He delivers assertive, gritty, personality-laden vocals.  Given his dynamic performance, it sounds like he’s going to break the mic (in the most positive, 1950s way possible).  He gets an awesome assist courtesy of background vocals responding to his powerful call (“She can’t help it, the girl can’t help it”).  Following a signature howl, the listener is treated to a marvelously mean tenor saxophone solo by Lee Allen (1927 – 1994). The way he digs in matches the energy of everything else that goes down on this high-flying oldie. Although it was released in 1956, “The Girl Can’t Help It” remains fresh and timeless well into the 21^st century.  Fergie smartly sampled it in her 2006 hit, “Clumsy”.