‘Chapel of Love’ by The Dixie Cups is a classic song released in 1964. This song was written by Jeff Barry and Ellie Greenwich, who got married a year before they wrote it. ‘Chapel of Love’ is a song about the commitment that comes after the courtship, and there’s a promise at the end of the chorus that they’ll never be lonely anymore. This song differed from other songs about love that was popular in 1964 because it dealt with the wedding day.
The Dixie Cups are a trio from New Orleans consisting of Joan Marie Johnson and her cousins, Barbara and Rosa Hawkins. Wardell Quezergue, who knew the girls, worked up the horn arrangement, and they recorded the song a few days later. A New Orleans impresario named Joe Jones brought them to New York with other artists to audition for producers and music publishers. When Leiber and Stoller heard them, they had them record’ Chapel Of Love,’ which Ellie Greenwich taught them. The trio arranged it in the vocal style they had perfected, and everyone involved loved the result.
This song was originally intended for Darlene Love, and she recorded the first version, with Phil Spector producing as intended. However, he wasn’t happy with this recording, so he tried it with The Ronettes, who a year earlier had their biggest hit with “Be My Baby,” written by Barry and Greenwich. The Dixie Cups recorded the song, which was the first release on Red Bird, and Phil Spector was furious with Barry and Greenwich for beating him to the market with the song and took it as an act of betrayal. However, he got a songwriting credit, which he demanded when working with songwriters. He didn’t hold a grudge and teamed up with Barry and Greenwich again for the 1966 track “River Deep – Mountain High.”
Thanks in large part to The Beatles, there were plenty of love songs in 1964, but most were about some form of puppy love or the feeling of falling in love. ‘Chapel Of Love’ was a welcome departure from the usual love songs, as it dealt with the wedding day and the commitment that followed.
The song ‘Chapel of Love’ has been loved by people for generations. One of the YouTube comments mentioned that they used this song when they got married, and now they have eight kids. Another comment said the excellent video, sound quality, and the fact that Rosa Lee Hawkins has passed away.
If you’re a fan of classical music, you need to watch the music video for ‘Chapel of Love.’ This song has been beloved for decades, and a good reason. So share it with your friends because they’ll enjoy this classic song from 1964.
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