Doo Wop Music

This doo wop golden oldie is known by many generations. Originally, Fred Fassert wrote this song around 1958, and got the title from the name of his sister. His brother, Chuck Fassert, was a member of the doo wop group The Regents, and Fred gave it to them. They did not have luck peddling their songs and disbanded. However, in 1961, opportunity came knocking, and their version went to #7 on the R&B Chart and #13 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1961. (The Beach Boys had the most famous version of the song in 1965, peaking at #2 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, #1 on Cash Box, and #3 in the U.K. Their version was also at the top of the charts in Norway, Germany, and Switzerland. Click here for “Barbara Ann” by The Beach Boys.) There were also covers by Jan & Dean and The Who.

The Regents were from the Bronx and formed in the late 1950s. They  included Guy Villari, Sal Cuomo, Chuck Fasster, Tony Gravgna, and Don Jacobucci. (An early version of the group included Ernie Maresca, who wrote became a singer/songwriter and record company executive. He wrote The Regents’ song “Runaround” as well as several for Dion, including “The Wanderer” and “Runaround Sue.”) The group had other names (i.e., The Monterays, The Desires) but settled on The Regents, the story goes,  because they had recorded a demo at Regent Sound studio and Villari smoked Regents cigarettes. The Regents had a second song that did well on the charts in 1961 with “Runaround,” which peaked at #28.

Here are the lyrics to “Barbara Ann” by The Regents:

“Bar bar bar bar Barbara Ann
Bar bar bar bar Barbara Ann

Barbara Ann take my hand
Barbara Ann

You got me rocking and a rolling
Rocking and a reeling, Barbara Ann
Bar bar bar bar Barbar Ann

Went to a dance
Looking for romance
Saw Barbara Ann
So I thought I’d take
A chance on Barbara Ann

Barbara Ann, take my hand
Oh, Barbara Ann, Barbara Ann
Take my hand

You got me rocking and a rolling
Rocking and a reeling
Barbara Ann

Bar bar bar bar Barbar Ann
Bar bar bar bar Barbar Ann
Bar bar bar bar Barbar Ann
Oh, Barbara Ann
Take my hand, Barbara Ann
You got me rocking and a rolling
Rocking and a reeling Barbara Ann
Bar bar bar bar Barbar Ann

Played our favorite tune
Danced with Betty Lou
Tried Peggy Sue but I
Knew they wouldn’t do

Oh, Barbara Ann
Barbara Ann, take my hand
Oh, Barbara Ann, Barbara Ann
Take my hand

You got me rocking and a rolling
Rocking and a reeling Barbara Ann
Bar bar bar bar Barbar Ann

Played our favorite tune
Danced with Betty Lou
Tried Peggy Sue but I
Knew they wouldn’t do

Oh, Barbara Ann
Barbara Ann, take my hand
Oh, Barbara Ann, Barbara Ann
Take my hand

You got me rocking and a rolling
Rocking and a reeling Barbara Ann
Bar bar bar bar Barbar Ann

Bar bar bar bar Barbara Ann
Bar bar bar bar Barbara Ann

Barbara Ann take my hand
Barbara Ann

You got me rocking and a rolling
Rocking and a reeling, Barbara Ann
Bar bar bar bar

Barbar Ann Barbara Ann, Barbara Ann…”

For More Golden Oldies Music

The Daily Doo Wop Rec Room has daily featured doo wop, rock and roll, R&B, or rockabilly songs that were hits during the first era of rock and roll (that is, from about 1952 until the British invasion in 1964). After a song is featured, it then goes into the juke box. You are welcome to listen to any of the 40+ selections there. Every weekend, there is a Golden Oldies Juke Box Saturday Night, and the juke box is full of song requests from the 1950s and 1960s.

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