The Chantels
The Chantels were the second African-American girl group to enjoy nationwide success in the United States, preceded by The Bobbettes. The group was established in the early 1950s by students attending St. Anthony of Padua School in The Bronx. The original five members consisted of Arlene Smith (lead), Sonia Goring, Rene Minus, Jackie Landry Jackson and Lois Harris. They derived their name from that of a rival school, St. Frances de Chantal.
Career
In 1957 the Chantels, then in high school, had been singing as a group for several years. Unlike some black groups whose influences were based in gospel, the quintet was influenced by classical music and Latin hymns. Lead singer Arlene Smith had received classical training and performed at Carnegie Hall at age 12. She provided both lyrics and music. The girls were discovered by Richard Barrett, lead singer of The Valentines, and by the summer of 1957 they were signed to End Records, owned by George Goldner. Their first single was "He's Gone" (Pop #71) in August 1957, written by Arlene Smith. Released in December 1957, their second single, "Maybe," was a hit (#15 Billboard Hot 100; #2 R & B chart) in January 1958. It sold over a million copies and was awarded a gold disc. The following releases were less successful but End did release an album originally titled We Are the Chantels. The original cover had a photo of the group. That album was soon withdrawn and repackaged with a picture of two white teenagers picking out a song; the title was shortened to The Chantels.
Podcasts:
The Chantels
ALBUMS
- We Are the Chantels / There's Our Song Again released: 1998
- The Best of the Chantels released: 1990
- There's Our Song Again released: 1961
- The Chantels released: 1958
We Are the Chantels / There's Our Song Again
Released 1998- Maybe
- The Plea
- Come My Little Baby
- Congratulations
- Prayee
- He's Gone
- I Love You So
- Every Night (I Pray)
- Whoever You Are
- How Could You Call It Off?
- Sure of Love
- If You Try
- I Can't Take It (There's Our Song Again)
- Never Let Go
- Believe Me My Angel
- C'est Si Bon
- Ific
- My Darlin'
- I'm the Girl
- I
- My Memories of You
- I'll Walk Alone
- I'm Confessin' (That I Love You)
- Goodbye to Love
-
by Rains
-
by Chantels
-
by Crystal Ball
-
by Obie Trice
-
by Three Degrees
Look In My Eyes
by: RainsI know you're waiting and you're so damn nervous
I know you're hoping that I could explain this
Look in my eyes
I will try and show you
I know you think I am the devil in this
I know you're thinking that you don't deserve this
Look in my eyes
I will try and show you
What did you want me to be
When I see you falling
How did you want me to see
Your life and your lying
How did you want me to feel
when I see you trying
Trying so hard to fit in
To the world you are buying
I know you're thinking that you should have been there
I know you're thinking that no one cares
Just look in my eyes
I will try and show you
I know you think I should be saying sorry
You arent the person I thought you'd be
Just look in my eyes
I will try and show you
What did you want me to be
When I see you falling
How did you want me to see
Your life and your lying
How did you want me to feel
when I see you trying
Trying so hard to fit in
To the world you are buying
Just take a look at who you are
Dont blame me for the Hardest part
I told you when the
Rain starts falling it all starts crashing
Down and life will run you right into the ground
Just take a look at who you are
What did you want me to be
When I see you falling
How did you want me to see
Your life and your lying
How did you want me to feel
when I see you trying
Trying so hard to fit in
To the world you are buying
What did you want me to be
When I see you falling
How did you want me to see