Neo Doo Wop

A golden oldie from the early 1960s is “Denise” by Randy & the Rainbows. By 1961 it appeared that doo wop might have run its course. However, in 1962 it came roaring back. This period, for those who are finely attuned to musical genre categories,  is known as “neo doo wop” and was kicked off with songs that included “Imagination” by The Quotations and “Remember Then” by The Earls. “Denise” was among the last of this period and peaked a few months before America met The Beatles and the music changed. In the following years, other records certainly showcased elements of doo-wop, but it wasn’t their primary signature sound.

Randy & The Rainbows formed in 1962 in Queens. Group members for this track were Dominick Safuto, Frank Safuto, Mike Zero, Sal Zero, and Ken Arcipowski. Earlier in 1960, the Safuto brothers had recorded as The Dialtones. They then formed a quintet and called themselves Junior & The Counts. An affionado of doo wop music (and former Director of A&R at EMI special markets) Bob Hyde wrote: “When ‘Denise’ was placed with independent label Laurie Records, some genius renamed them Randy & The Rainbows, though no one in the group was named Randy; of such things is the legacy of pop music built.” They recorded with the producers of The Tokens and released the single “Denise” in 1963. The song went to #10 on the Billboard Hot 100. Neil Levenson wrote “Denise” with his childhood friend Denice Lefrak in mind.  The song later became a European hit for Blondie, titled “Denis.”

Here are the lyrics to “Denise” by Randy and The Rainbows:

“Oh Denise, scooby-doo
I’m in love with you, Denise scooby-doo
I’m in love with you, Denise scooby-doo
I’m in love with you

Denise, Denise, oh, with your eyes so blue
Denise, Denise, I’ve got a crush on you
Denise, Denise, I’m so in love with you

Oh, when we walk, it seems like paradise
And when we talk, it always feels so nice
Denise, Denise, I’m so in love with you

Your my Queen and I’m in heaven
Every time I look at you
When you smile it’s like a dream
And I’m so lucky ’cause I found a girl like you

Oh Denise, scooby-doo
I’m in love with you, Denise scooby-doo
I’m in love with you, Denise scooby-doo
I’m in love with you

Denise, Denise, oh won’t you hold me tight
Denise, Denise, oh can we kiss goodnight
Denise, Denise, I’m so in love with you

Oh Denise, shooby doo
I’m in love with you, Denise scooby-doo
I’m in love with you, Denise scooby-doo
I’m in love with you, Denise”

For More Golden Oldies Music

The Daily Doo Wop Rec Room has daily featured doo wop music, rock and roll hits, 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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