Da Doo Ron Ron (1963) (1977)

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By: The Crystals, a girl group produced by Phil Spector (born Harvey Phillip Spector December 26, 1940 in The Bronx, New York.)

The Crystals' previous singles, "He's A Rebel" and "He's Sure The Boy I Love," were not actually recorded by any of the Crystals, but by the Blossoms (with Blossom member Darlene Love on lead vocal). However, as the owner of the Crystals' name and, Phil Spector had the right to record anything and label it as "The Crystals".

For "Da Doo Ron Ron" Spector had Love record the lead vocal in Los Angeles, CA. Love had received session fees for her previous work with Spector, but after singing on this, she asked to be signed to an artist's contract. In response, Spector erased Love's vocal and flew in the Crystals' actual lead singer Dolores "LaLa" Brooks from New York to record the lead vocal.

When this was recorded in 1963, Dolores "LaLa" Brooks was only 15 years old. The backup vocals were provided by the Blossoms, Darlene Love, Cher, and (legend has it) Sonny Bono. Bono was a record producer and songwriter at the time and knew Phil Spector.

"Da Doo Ron Ron" features Spector's signature "Wall Of Sound" production, with lavish orchestration including cello, oboe and sleigh bells. A perfect example of what Spector called "little symphonies for the kids."

John Lennon modeled his 16th-note rhythm guitar playing on the Beatles' "All My Loving" on "Da Doo Ron Ron".

In 2004, Rolling Stone magazine ranked "Da Doo Ron Ron" at #114 on their list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.

Chart position: #3 (US), #5 (UK).

The Top Ten Songs: July 8, 1963 (US Billboard Hot 100).

1. "It's My Party" (Lesley Gore)
2. "Sukiyaki" (Kyu Sakamoto) 
3. "Da Doo Ron Ron" (Crystals)
4. "I Love You Because" (Al Martino)
5. "You Can't Sit Down" (Dovells)
6. "Two Faces Have I" (Lou Christie)
7. "If You Wanna Be Happy" (Jimmy Soul)
8. "Still" (Bill Anderson)
9. "Those Lazy-Hazy-Crazy Days of Summer" (Nat King Cole)
10. "Surfin' U.S.A." (Beach Boys)

Written by: Jeff Barry (born Joel Adelberg April 3, 1938, in Brooklyn, New York,) Ellie Greenwich (born Eleanor Louise Greenwich October 23, 1940 in Brooklyn, New York,) and Phil Spector.

The refrain of "Da Doo Ron Ron" came from nonsense syllables they stuck in as space filler.

The husband-and-wife team of Barry and Greenwich were one of the most successful songwriting duos of the 1960s, writing/co-writing such songs as "Baby I Love You", "Be My Baby", "Chapel Of Love", "Do Wah Diddy Diddy", "Hanky Panky", "I Can Hear Music", "Leader of the Pack", "Maybe I Know", "Montego Bay", "Then He Kissed Me", "River Deep, Mountain High", and many more.



Also by: Shaun Cassidy (son of actress Shirley Jones and half-brother of David Cassidy.) His version reached #1 (US, 1977). He was only 19 at the time, and it was his very first single.

It was also recorded by the Carpenters; Billy J. Kramer and the Dakotas; Jack Nitzsche; The Raindrops; The Searchers.


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