Music – Doo-Wop

Doo-Wop is a vocal sound that originated in the late 40s.  The lead singer was accompanied by three or four backup vocalists whose background harmonies became an integral part of the melody.

In fact, the backgrounds are sort of a counter-melody.  They’re usually made up of “oooo’s” and various other syllables (sometimes pretty bizarre ones) that complement or emphasize the lyrics.  The songs are generally simple in structure and feel.

From: The Doo-Wop Sing-Along Songbook.  John Javna, 1986.

The close-harmony music form is mostly associated with teenagers singing together on street corners.  One, it was a way to get together and two, your parents wouldn’t let you sing songs over and over in tightly-cramped apartments.  These groups could be persuaded for small amounts of money to record their songs for radio.

The music form is named for two of these background syllables.  The music group Sha-Na-Na was named for the background syllables in “Get a Job” by the Silhouettes.

Doo-Wop Music – the Doo-Wop Era (1954-1963)

More specifically, doo-wop is a style of music – a style of vocal music.  A song by itself according to Dr. Anthony Gribin and Dr. Matthew Schift in their 1992 book “Doo-Wop – The Forgotten Third of Rock n’ Roll” is neither doo-wop or non-doo-wop.  It can, however, be rendered in doo-wop style by a group of vocalists.

Doo-Wop music is therefore a subcategory of vocal group harmony, one that contains certain musical qualities, namely group harmony, a wide range of voice parts, nonsense syllables, simple beat, light instrumentalization and simple music and lyrics.

Songs I liked:

“Teenager in Love,” released in April 1959 by Dion and the Belmonts, a quartet of 19-21 year-olds from the Bronx, New York, named for Belmont Avenue (I was born in the Bronx!).

“16 Candles” – released in November 1958 by The Crests, a mixed group of singers, one Italian, two blacks, and a Puerto Rican from Stated Island and Brooklyn.

“At the Hop,” – released November 1957 by Danny and the Juniors – a group of 17 to 18 year-old teenagers from Philadelphia.  They also recorded the rock anthem “Rock and Roll Is Here to Stay,” in 1958.

“Little Darlin’,” released in 1957 by Maurice Williams and the Zodiacs, a group from Barr Street High School in Lancaster, South Carolina.  Zodiac was the name of a small foreign automobile.

“In the Still of the Night,” released in July 1956 by The Satins, a group from New Haven, Connecticut.

“Rockin’ Robin” released July 1958 by Bobby Day and the Satellites.  Not a true doo-wop song, but the “Tweedly Deedly Dee’s” are close enough.

“Earth Angel,” released November 1954 by The Penguins, a quartet of 18 and 19 year-olds from Los Angeles.  They reputedly got their name from the penguin which advertised Kool cigarettes.

“Barbara Ann,” released in April 1961 by The Regents, a quartet from the Bronx, New York, the same neighborhood as Dion and the Belmonts.  The Beach Boys had a huge hit with “Barbara Ann” in 1966, which reputedly included Jan and Dean.

“Speedoo,” released in October 1955 by The Cadillacs, a group of five from New York City.  Esther Navarro wanted to sign them to a personal contract, but they had to change the name of their group, The Carnations.  They were outside trying to think up a new name when a Cadillac came driving by.

“Why Do Fools Fall in Love,” released in January 1956 by Frankie Lymon and The Teenagers, five students from New York City, ages 12-16.

“Little Darlin’,” released February 1957 by The Diamonds, a Canadian quartet.  Their recording was a cover version of the song by The Gladiators.  The song was written by their lead singer, who later sang with The Zodiacs.

“Duke of Earl,” released in January 1962 by Gene Chandler, a quintet from Chicago who had been together since the late 50s.  Gene Chandler’s real name is Eugene Dixon.  Earl Edwards was the “Earl” who inspired the name of the Duke.

“Get a Job,” released January 1958 by The Silhouettes, a group of four Philadelphian in their late 20s who began in 1955 as gospel singers, moved to R & B and wound up singing rock ‘n’ roll in 1957.

“Life Is But a Dream,” released March 1953 by The Harponer, a group who practiced under the Monroe Street Underpass of the Manhattan Bridge.  The song was parodied by Stan Freberg.

“Blue Moon,” released February 1961 by The Marcels, the group organized in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Songs by The Coasters

Yakety Yak                 1958

Poison Ivy       -           1959

Along Came Jones       1959

Charlie Brown             1959

The Book of Love       The Moontones                        1958

Alley Oop        Dante and the Evergeens         1960

This Magic Moment     The Drifters     1960

Just Like Romeo and Juliet      The Reflections                       1964

He’s So Fine    The Chiffons   1963

Da Doo Run Run         The Crystals     1963

Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow      The Shirelles    1960

Run Around Sue          Dion (DiMucci)           and the Satins  1961

The Great Pretender     The Platters      1955, parodied by Stan Freberg

Love Potion No. 9       The Clovers     1959

Crying in the Chapel    The Orioles      1953

Sha-Boom        The Chords      1954, parodied by Stan Freberg

The Lion Sleeps Tonight                      The Tokens      1961

My Boyfriend’s Back  The Angels      1961

A Teenager in Love     Dion and the Belmonts            1959

Save the Last Dance for Me     The Drifters     1960

Other Doo-Wop Songs

Oh Happy Day            The Five Satins            1957

At the Hop – Danny and the Juniors    1957

Rock and Roll is Here to Stay – Danny and the Juniors           1957

Papa-Oo-Mow-Mow    The Rivertones            1962

Goodnight Sweetheart Goodnight        The Spaniels    1954 (covered by The Sha Na Nas)

Sha Na Na was formed from students at Columbia University in 1969.  They did a local show in a capalla style which was so well-received, they decided to add a rhythm section to add to their oldies selections.  Soon after, they added comedy, choreography and “costumes” of the period.

The group appeared at Woodstock in August of 1969.  In 1977 they had a syndicated television show which ran for several years.

In 1978 they appeared in the film “Grease” with John Travolta and sang four songs, including the first song they recorded, “Rock ‘n’ Roll is Here to Stay.”

“Come a Little Bit Closer,” Jay and the Americans.  This became a #3 Billboard hit and allowed them to tour with the Beatles’ first American tour in 1964, along with the Righteous Brothers.