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Music Maestro has a lot of doo wop and was able to get quite a lot a good price when it was announced they were out of business. Now there are offers at their that are not at all a bargain. Anyway

Flippers list is a good selection of 50's-60's. Some of the songs listed are no at all doo wop. "Memories Are Made of This" (correctly described by Karyoker) was not, IMHO, doo wop. It was sung by Perry Como; it didn't have an R&B feel, it had more like an island or hawaiian feel as already suggested. While Love Potion #9 was eventually covered by the Clovers (a doo wop group) in 1972, that was long after doo wop was gone!

Some doo wop songs were actually remakes of tunes from the 40's: "Goody Goody" (Frankie Lymon & Teenagers), "Pennies From Heaven" (Skyliners), "Linda" (Adorations, later covered by Jan & Dean)

Like pornography, while I can't describe it I sure know Doo Wop when I hear it!

I couldnt figure out the comments made about Memories Are Made Of This. I do the Dean Martin version. It's close to That's Amore. Imagine it with the slapback latin beat and typical doowop backup singers.

That style affected all genres and there was a time when artists genre hopped with trends. Their style actually changed through the years. Eddy Arnold was the only one that charted every decade for I think 5 decades. Listen to Room Full Of Roses by Eddy. Then listen to Mickey Gilley's version with the upbeat and hot piano rolls. I have done b oth versions several times and my mood determines which one.

Another example is Oonly You by The Platters. I sang it for years. Then one night Idiscovered Only You (and you alone) by Travis Tritt in the book. I asked Mike what the hell is this? I dont know. I sang it and after the first few beats I knew I had found something. I adapted to it in a second and the first only you was not drug out but short and crisp like Mickey Gilley would do it. I applied my own style to it and it became one of my regular songs and a crowd favorite. As with many songs I finally listened to the artists version after a year of singing it. My version doesnt even come come close to Tritt's or the Platters.

Most music I dont put into any genre. One night on a whim I did Crazy By Patsy Cline and sang it like Louis Armstrong. It is one of those joys of reaching deep inside and finding a part of self or talents you didnt even know existed. I too listen to those old themes on PBS. I have seen the Roy Orbison one several times. Now there is a guy that could sing. I can only do a few of his songs and click with them. DOO BOP BOP!!!

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"Some of the songs listed are no at all doo wop. "Memories Are Made of This"
(correctly described by Karyoker) was not, IMHO, doo wop. It was sung by Perry
Como; it didn't have an R&B feel, it had more like an island or hawaiian feel as
already suggested. While Love Potion #9 was eventually covered by the Clovers (a
doo wop group) in 1972, that was long after doo wop was gone!"

I'm an old guy and 50's-60's music has been so much a part of my life, so I really
enjoy discussing (not arguing) songs from that era. Even the British Invasion is my
"cup of tea." Based on that, I'd like to offer my comments to this thread.

For the most part, doo-wop developed from the inner-city youths of the 50's who
used harmony and their voices to imitate instruments that they could not afford.

Based on the description of what some folks think is a description of doo-wop,
I suppose "White Sport Coat (and a Pink Carnation)" by Marty Robbins (1957)
could be considered a doo-wop song too since the song contains the background
vocals of the Mitch Miller singers?

"Memories Are Made Of This" might have been sung by Perry Como, but I think
you'll find that Dean Martin is the more recognized recording artist of that song
ca. 1955. I agree, "MAMOT" is not doo-wop.

The Clovers recorded "Love Potion #9" in 1959 which would have been near the
tail end of the doo-wop experience. The Searchers version of the song did much
better in popularity as it charted at #3 in 1965.

BTW flipper you have a great selection of songs from the doo-wop era.

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"Life is tough. It's tougher if you're stupid."

"One night on a whim I did Crazy By Patsy Cline and sang it like Louis Armstrong."

I heard a guy sing "Crazy" in the style of Willie Nelson a few years ago.
Seemed appropriate since Willie composed the song.

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"Life is tough. It's tougher if you're stupid."

Frank as always the first time I hear a song is at karaoke. One night a gal blew me away with First Time Ever I saw Your Face. I recently discovered on Youtube Johnny Cash Singing it I can t watch it without weeping. link

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Frank,

Thanks for additional input. Of course, I had a brain fart when I said Perry Como; it was Dean Martin. Either way, it still wasn't doo wop. According to some, Doo Wop existed up til the mid-sixties. Nonetheless, I have never considered Love Potion #9 to be doo wop.

I was a child of the "inner city" and sang doo wop anyplace we could find an echo, including apartment bldg lobbies, the subway, alleyways and the like. I sang with Vito from the Salutations and others.

By the time the Beatles had arrived, most black groups were morphing into the newer Motown sound, and there was also the surfer groups.

By golly, if you said Perry Como sang "Memories Are Made Of This,"
I'd have to believe you. Heck, you know those Italian crooners are
all alike !!

You young fellas of the inner city were the heart and soul of doo-wop
and the pioneers of the 60's garage bands. Be glad knowing you lived
during a better time in the history of contemporary music.
That's back when it took talent to sing as opposed to this rap stuff which
to me is nothing more than bad poetry put to percussion.

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"Life is tough. It's tougher if you're stupid."

Ironically, I was at a show last night where doo wop (and much older stuff) was prevalent. A friend of mine just started a new job and I went to support her.


Doo Wop sung (as best as I can remember):
Why Don't You Believe Me - Duprees
Smoke Gets In Your Eyes - Platters
Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow - Shirelles
Johnny Angel - Shelly Fabares
Da Doo Run Run (I Met Him On A Sunday) - Ronettes
My Boyfriend's Back - Angels
Unchained Melody - (Righteous Bros & others)
The Way You Look Tonight - Jaguars

Obviously people have a much wider definition of "doo wop" than I do, so I think I will exit this thread.

Well, opinions are like belly buttons. Everybody has one. Cheers.

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"Life is tough. It's tougher if you're stupid."

Hey, is that the one Elton John did? Thought the one he did was an original?

I don't know about Elton John's version. I'll try to check on it.

As to what's doo wop, and I'm pretty much a "purist" myself. Nonetheless, if I consider Vito's version of Unchained Melody (which a friend of mine sang on), the only song in my previous post that I would exclude as not being doo wop would be Johnny Angel!

You should have been at my "redneck" venue 2 weeks ago to hear First Time Ever I Saw Your Face. I'm sure you would have cried buckets for a different reason. It was the most monotone longest lasting song I've ever heard and one of the few times I've ever given the, "Nice Job, Soandso" hesitantly lest she come back and torture us again.

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Some amazing music - sadly not a UK thing!

You mean there is other than Doo Wop ??? ONLY Kidding... But one of my all time faves, along with the Crooners... Doo Wop, is very welcomed and sung here in the Tampa Bay Area of west central Florida.. In fact a few weeks back, I sang a Doo Wop number, and the next time I was up that's all they wanted.. Very suprised, AND very Greatful..

Hey Flipper, AWESOME list of the 90 songs, If you don't mind my asking, Where did you get that set.. Thanks..Tom

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glow=yellow][scroll][shadow=red] Correction..."LIZ" says..  :whistle: You just can't go wrong with TomTom onboard !![/shadow] [/scroll][shadow=gold][/shadow][shadow=cyan][/shadow][/shadow]

Matt:

Here is the Elton John Song:
SOMETHING ABOUT THE WAY YOU LOOK TONIGHT

There was a time
I was everything and nothing all in one
When you found me
I was feeling like a cloud across the sun

I need to tell you
How you light up every second of the day
But in the moonlight
You just shine like a beacon on the bay

And I can't explain
But it's something about the way you look tonight
Takes my breath away
It's that feeling I get about you, deep inside
And I can't describe
But it's something about the way you look tonight
Takes my breath away
The way you look tonight

With you smile
You pull the deepest secrets from my heart
In all honesty
I'm speechless and I don't know where to start

And I can't explain
But it's something about the way you look tonight
Takes my breath away
It's that feeling I get about you, deep inside
And I can't describe
But it's somthing about the way you look tonight
Takes my breath away
The way you look tonight

And I can't explain
But it's something about the way you look tonight
Takes my breath away
It's that feeling I get about you, deep inside
And I can't describe
But it's something about the way you look tonight
Takes my breath away
The way you look tonight

The doo wop song done by the Jaguars in the early 50's, was originally called

"Just the Way You Look Tonight"
music by Jerome Kern and lyrics by Dorothy Fields
written in 1936

Someday, When I'm awfully low
And the world is cold,
I will feel a glow just thinking of you
And the way you look tonight.
Yes, you're lovely
With your smile so warm
And your cheek so soft.
There is nothing for me but to love you
Just the way you look tonight.

With each word your tenderness grows,
Tearing my fear apart.
And that smile that wrinkles your nose,
Touches my foolish heart.

Lovely,
Never, never change.
Keep that breathless charm.
Won't you please arrange it, 'cause I love you
Just the way you look tonight--
Just the way you look tonight.

thanks eric! I appreciate the research!

Just the way you look tonight

1st song at my upcoming wedding