R&B

It seems that there are always conflicts and wars — hot and cold. The geography may change, whether it’s Germany, Korea, or Vietnam, for example, but missing those in the military when they’re away is a universal sentiment. This song is a golden oldie about a woman’s promise to remain true when the one she loves is away in the service. In 1962, this song, which was written by songwriter, producer and singer Luther Dixon and record producer Florence Greenberg, went to #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #3 on the R&B Chart. It rose to #23 on the U.K. Singles Chart. The song was featured in the films The Wanderers (1979) and Born on the Fourth of July (1989). We love our early 1960s music!

The Shirelles, from Passaic, New Jersey, consisted of schoolmates Shirley Owens, Doris Coley, Addie “Miki” Harris, and Beverly Lee. Their sweet vocals and harmonies make them one of the great girl groups of this era.

Here are the lyrics to “Soldier Boy” by The Shirelles:

“Soldier boy
Oh, my little soldier boy
I’ll be true to you

You were my first love
And you’ll be my last love
I will never make you blue
I’ll be true to you
In the whole world
You can love but one girl
Let me be that one girl
For I’ll be true to you

Wherever you go
My heart will follow
I love you so
I’ll be true to you
Take my love with you
To any port or foreign shore
Darling you must feel for sure
I’ll be true to you

Soldier boy
Oh, my little soldier boy
I’ll be true to you”

If you are interested in reading about and hearing other golden oldies from The Shirelles: “Will You Love Me Tomorrow, ” “Baby It’s You,” “Mama Said,” and “Will You Love Me Tomorrow.”

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.

Please click here for the Daily Doo Wop YouTube channel, to which you can subscribe. Thank you for stopping by The Daily Doo Wop. Hope you enjoyed “Soldier Boy” by The Shirelles.