Doo Wop Classics
The song “Book of Love” by The Monotones is a doo wop classic and one may wanted to sing or dance to. The Monotones were from Newark, New Jersey, and formed in 1955. They grew up in the Baxter Terrace projects and sang in the New Hope Baptist Church choir. (Other notable singers from that church throughout the years were Cissy Houston and Dionne Warwick.) Group members for The Monotones included Charles Patrick, Warren Davis, George Malone, Frank Smith, John Ryanes, and Warren Ryanes. In 1956, they appeared on Ted Mack’s Amateur Hour and won first prize. Inspiration for songs comes from all sorts of places. One story says that Patrick heard the line “wonder where the yellow went” in a Pepsodent toothpaste commercial and developed the lyrics: “I wonder, wonder, wonder who, who wrote the book of love.” Davis and Malone worked helped him work the idea into a song. Another story is that during a practice session a ball thrown by some kids playing outside hit the window (some versions of the story say garage) during the “who, who, who wrote the book of love” part. When The Monotones listened to the playback of the tape, they liked the thumping sound and recreated it with a bass drumbeat.
Anyway, “Book of Love” went to #3 on the R&B Chart and #5 on the Billboard Top 100 in 1958. And we never do actually find out who wrote the book of love…
