Introduction
Donny Osmond’s rendition of “Go Away Little Girl” holds a unique place in pop music lore: on September 11, 1971, the 13‑year‑old teen idol soared to his first solo No. 1 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100. It stood atop the chart for three weeks, marking his only solo pop chart-topper and notably bumping Paul McCartney’s “Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey” from the summit .
Originally penned by the songwriting powerhouse Gerry Goffin and Carole King, the tune began its life in 1962, first recorded by Bobby Vee. But it achieved major success in early 1963 when Steve Lawrence reached No. 1 with it — a rare feat, as the song later again claimed that position under Osmond’s youthful voice . Its enduring charm came full circle nearly a decade later when Osmond’s version became the first song to hit No. 1 by two separate artists.
Osmond’s interpretation, produced by Rick Hall and featured on his second studio album To You With Love, Donny (released October 11, 1971), embraced a polished blend of pop, bubblegum, and blue‑eyed soul . The record sold over half a million copies in the U.S., earning Gold certification from the RIAA by October 13, 1971 .
The song’s lyrics depict a speaker resisting temptation—seeking to move on from a charming yet dangerous attraction. While Goffin and King’s original conveyed an adult conflict, Osmond’s adolescent innocence swept any controversy aside, making it a wholesome teen anthem .
In the early 1970s, following his success with the Osmonds’ family band (whose hit “One Bad Apple” peaked at No. 1 just months earlier), Osmond capitalized on his reputation as a teen heartthrob with solo covers of classic songs. His string of hits—including “Sweet and Innocent,” “Puppy Love,” and “The Twelfth of Never”—helped cement his status in pop culture .