Just like when you were watching the Jackson 5, the person who stood out was Michael, it was the same for the Osmonds. The star of the group was clearly Donny and it made sense that they give him his own solo record. The song producer Rick Hall picked for Donny was a remake from 1962, “Go Away Little Girl,” which was originally done by Steve Lawrence. Another plus for this song was that it was written by Carole King and she was as hot as it could get in 1971. This would be the third time this year that a Carole King song hit the top of the charts.

Donny was born Donald Clark Osmond to George and Olive Osmond in Ogden, Utah in 1957. He was the seventh son of the family. When the boys first started singing together, Donny was too young to really take part, but that didn’t last long. Soon, Donny joined the group and they changed from four-part harmony to five-part harmony. The group had their one and only number one song earlier in the year, 1971, with “One Bad Apple.”

“Go Away Little Girl” has quite a history. It probably would have supported Carole King even if she had never written anything else. It was written by the team of Gerry Goffin and Carole King, who were married at the time. The first to record the song was Bobby Vee. He did not chart with the song, however. Second was Steve Lawrence who hit number one in 1962. This was the first time in chart history that a song hit number one by two different artists. It would happen eight more times over the years, but this was the first.

Next came The Happening who recorded song in 1966 and they reached number twelve on the charts. Then it was given to Donny Osmond and we have another number one. Donny became something of a teen idol in the Seventies and Eighties. He recorded several hits, the most notable being “Hey Girl” which reached number nine and “Puppy Love” which peaked at number three.

Donny also recorded with his sister, Marie. Their biggest hit was “I’m Leaving It All Up To You” a remake of a song by Dale and Grace which hit number one in 1963. The best that Donny and Marie could do with the song was number four. They did get their own television show which was just called Donnie and Marie. It was a variety show which featured some of the rest of the Osmond family and guest stars. It ran for four seasons from 1975 until 1979. Donny and Marie never had a number one song together and “Go Away Little Girl” is the only number one Donny had as a solo artist.

In 1978, Donny married Debra Glenn from Provo, Utah and they now have five children.

“Go Away Little Girl” debuted on the pop charts on August 21, 1971 and spent three weeks at number one.