Doo Wop

This classic doo wop golden oldie was released at the end of 1957, and in 1958 it went to #2 on the R&B Chart and #15 on the U.S. Pop Chart. The Chantels were a girl group from The Bronx, who formed in the early 1950s while students at St. Anthony of Padua school. They took their name from a rival school, St. Frances de Chantal. The Chantels have had numerous personnel changes over the years, but for this recording the members were Arlene Smith, Lois Harris, Sonia Goring, Jackie Landry, and Rene Minus. Arlene Smith had classical music training and had performed at Carnegie Hall at the age of 12. Singer, songwriter, and arranger Richard Barrett of The Valentines (e.g., “Lily Maebelle”) discovered them, and George Goldner signed them to End Records. Barrett is credited as the writer of “Maybe,” but it possibly was written by Arlene Smith.

The Chantels recorded and performed songs in a number of styles, including doo wop, rock and roll, and pop. They had another top 20 hit with “Look in My Eyes,” which went to #14 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #6 on the R&B Chart in 1961. The Chantels, preceded by The Bobbettes, were an inspiration as well for other girl groups, including The Ronettes, The Crystals, and The Shangri-Las.

Here are the lyrics to “Maybe” by The Chantels:

“Maybe, if I pray every night
You’ll come back to me
And maybe, if I cry everyday
You’ll come back to stay
Oh, maybe

Maybe, if I hold your hand
I’d be at your command
And maybe, if I kissed your lips
You’ll be at my command
Oh, maybe

I’ve prayed and prayed to the Lord
To send you back, my love
But instead you came to me
Only in my dreams

Maybe, if I pray every night
You’ll come back to me
And maybe, if I cry every day
You’ll come back to stay
Oh, maybe
(Maybe, maybe baby)

Maybe
(Maybe, maybe baby)
Maybe
(Maybe, maybe baby)
Maybe
(Maybe, maybe baby)”

For another song by The Chantels: “Look in My Eyes.”

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 Juke Box Saturday, and the juke box is full of song requests from the 1950s and 1960s.

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