continued from last post
9)I Wonder Why- Dion & The Belmonts
They recorded this song in 1958 and it was their first hit, going to number 22 on the billboard charts that same year. Dion would go on to some make some of the greatest records ever, with and without the Belmonts, but it all starts here. Listen to the opening of this song and it's just like Sonny says to the bikers before they're massacred in A Bronx Tale, "Now you's can't leave".
10) Duke of Earl- Gene Chandler
When the drum changes rhythym at the start of the chorus it's one of the greatest moments in popular music. This rightfully went to number one on the charts in 1962 and held that spot for three weeks. The lyrics aren't serious until at the chorus when he goes "Yes and I, oh I'm gonna love you, oh oh, Come on let me hold you darlin' 'Cause I'm the Duke of Earl". And after that it's all ok and everything in the world makes sense.
Epilogue) Goodnight Sweetheart- The Spaniels
I hate to leave you but I really must say goodnight sweetheart goodnight.
Showing posts with label 10 Greatest Doo Wop Songs. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 10 Greatest Doo Wop Songs. Show all posts
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Friday, May 15, 2009
The 10 Greatest Doo Wop Songs (Part 4)
continued from last post
7)Morse Code of Love- The Capris
Released in 1982, it sounds like it was written when the first group convened on the first street corner. The last great doo wop song, and one of the best ever.
8) Everyday of the Week- The Students
Sometimes a song gets used in a movie or a tv show and it gets hard to seperate it away from that. This song from 1958 was on an episode of the Sopranos that, like Scorsese often does, opened up the brilliance and depth of a 2 minute and 26 second song that I had managed to look past. Tony beats the shit out of somebody to show that nothing's changed and nothing changes. On Sunday, on Monday, on Tuesday or Wednesday, Thursday or Friday, Saturday or Sunday; it's still a vicious world and it's still a brilliant song.
continued next post
7)Morse Code of Love- The Capris
Released in 1982, it sounds like it was written when the first group convened on the first street corner. The last great doo wop song, and one of the best ever.
8) Everyday of the Week- The Students
Sometimes a song gets used in a movie or a tv show and it gets hard to seperate it away from that. This song from 1958 was on an episode of the Sopranos that, like Scorsese often does, opened up the brilliance and depth of a 2 minute and 26 second song that I had managed to look past. Tony beats the shit out of somebody to show that nothing's changed and nothing changes. On Sunday, on Monday, on Tuesday or Wednesday, Thursday or Friday, Saturday or Sunday; it's still a vicious world and it's still a brilliant song.
continued next post
Monday, May 11, 2009
The 10 Greatest Doo Wop Songs (Part 3)
continued from last post
5) Since I Don't Have You- The Skyliners
The Skyliners came from Pittsburgh and had a #12 billboard hit with this song in 1958. The arragement is beautiful, strings were invented for teenage hooks like this. It was covered by Guns 'N Roses, but don't bothering listening to that; their Live And Let Die is good but you can't fuck with Pittsburgh. At the end of this song the lead singer, Jimmy Beaumont, makes a lasting commitment of faith to that which has gone forever, and Janet Vogel (who would later commit suicide in 1980) sings the beautiful high notes underneath it all just to let you know a pop song can be sincere.
6)Daddy's Home- Shep & The Limelites
Shep was James Sheppard, the main singer in the group and hailing from Jamaica, Queens, where my grandparents used to live. "Daddy's Home" was released in 1962 and went to number two on the billboard charts. Since then it's been covered by, among other, Jermaine Jackson, the brother of Michael, who had a top ten hit with it in 1973. All the youthful romance for the girls we love, and the longing to get home to them. "Your best friend wrote and told me you had teardrops in your eyes". Well I'm back honey, and I want to let you know that I can really shake 'em down.
continued next post
5) Since I Don't Have You- The Skyliners
The Skyliners came from Pittsburgh and had a #12 billboard hit with this song in 1958. The arragement is beautiful, strings were invented for teenage hooks like this. It was covered by Guns 'N Roses, but don't bothering listening to that; their Live And Let Die is good but you can't fuck with Pittsburgh. At the end of this song the lead singer, Jimmy Beaumont, makes a lasting commitment of faith to that which has gone forever, and Janet Vogel (who would later commit suicide in 1980) sings the beautiful high notes underneath it all just to let you know a pop song can be sincere.
6)Daddy's Home- Shep & The Limelites
Shep was James Sheppard, the main singer in the group and hailing from Jamaica, Queens, where my grandparents used to live. "Daddy's Home" was released in 1962 and went to number two on the billboard charts. Since then it's been covered by, among other, Jermaine Jackson, the brother of Michael, who had a top ten hit with it in 1973. All the youthful romance for the girls we love, and the longing to get home to them. "Your best friend wrote and told me you had teardrops in your eyes". Well I'm back honey, and I want to let you know that I can really shake 'em down.
continued next post
Sunday, May 10, 2009
The 10 Greatest Doo Wop Songs (Part 2)
continued from last post
3) I Only Have Eyes For You- The Flamingos
Recorded a number of times, like you'd expect a song this great to be, The Flamingos version came out in 1959, 25 years after the original version by Dick Powell and Ruby Keeler. There's a whole world inside here, just like there are inside certain pairs of eyes. "You are here, and so am I". And thank God you are. We all disapear from view, it was so lonely without you to look at.
4) In The Still Of The Night- The Five Satins
From 1956 and written by the lead singer of the group, Fred Parris. Nothing lasts forever but in the still of the night I promise to never let you go. Those self deceptions are what make life worth it, "so before the light, hold me again with all your might, in the still of the night". I hope this song made you rich beyond your wildest dreams Fred.
continued next post
3) I Only Have Eyes For You- The Flamingos
Recorded a number of times, like you'd expect a song this great to be, The Flamingos version came out in 1959, 25 years after the original version by Dick Powell and Ruby Keeler. There's a whole world inside here, just like there are inside certain pairs of eyes. "You are here, and so am I". And thank God you are. We all disapear from view, it was so lonely without you to look at.
4) In The Still Of The Night- The Five Satins
From 1956 and written by the lead singer of the group, Fred Parris. Nothing lasts forever but in the still of the night I promise to never let you go. Those self deceptions are what make life worth it, "so before the light, hold me again with all your might, in the still of the night". I hope this song made you rich beyond your wildest dreams Fred.
continued next post
Saturday, May 9, 2009
The 10 Greatest Doo Wop Songs (Part 1)
1)Gloria- The Cadillacs
The original version is by the Cadillacs and it's one of the greatest records ever made. A lot of groups have covered it but the message is always the same. In the words of Robert Zimmerman, "Life is sad, life is a bust, all you can do is do what you must. You do what you must do and you do it well. I do it for you honey, baby, can't you tell?" And if you can't tell with this song honey you've got a tin fucking ear. Sherie and Marie mean nothing.
2) Who's That Knockin'- The Genies
Martin Scorsese's first full length movie was called Who's That Knocking At My Door, and I assume it was named after this song because it plays in the last scene. I can't embed the original version of it by the Genies but here's the opening minutes of the movie and a link to the original version. Scorsese's the best ever and he uses music in his movies better than anyone. The best songs from that era suggest a world of possibilities that songs in later decades felt the need to narrow down until they could be seen in just one way. But songs like this leave in room to breathe; Whos That Knockin' is about the demons in your heart that won't ever be escaped, and also the girls who throw bricks through window panes. And just for the hell of it here's the opening to Mean Streets, by a man who fucking gets the Ronettes.
Link to the original Version of Who's That Knockin'
continued next post
The original version is by the Cadillacs and it's one of the greatest records ever made. A lot of groups have covered it but the message is always the same. In the words of Robert Zimmerman, "Life is sad, life is a bust, all you can do is do what you must. You do what you must do and you do it well. I do it for you honey, baby, can't you tell?" And if you can't tell with this song honey you've got a tin fucking ear. Sherie and Marie mean nothing.
2) Who's That Knockin'- The Genies
Martin Scorsese's first full length movie was called Who's That Knocking At My Door, and I assume it was named after this song because it plays in the last scene. I can't embed the original version of it by the Genies but here's the opening minutes of the movie and a link to the original version. Scorsese's the best ever and he uses music in his movies better than anyone. The best songs from that era suggest a world of possibilities that songs in later decades felt the need to narrow down until they could be seen in just one way. But songs like this leave in room to breathe; Whos That Knockin' is about the demons in your heart that won't ever be escaped, and also the girls who throw bricks through window panes. And just for the hell of it here's the opening to Mean Streets, by a man who fucking gets the Ronettes.
Link to the original Version of Who's That Knockin'
continued next post
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