Sh-Boom - The Chords

Sh-Boom - The Chords

2:25

single, 1954

Written by James Keyes, Claude & Carl Feaster, Floyd F. McRae, and William Edwards

A rocking doo-wop declaration of love: "If only all my precious plans would come true / If you would let me spend my whole life lovin' you."  Sure, that's all well and good, but luckily they had the presence of mind to include the immortal words "Bom ba / Hey nonny ling long, alang alang alanga / Oh oh a dip, a bibba do a dip."  The Chords begin with a cappella harmonies before the band eases in, giving the song the feeling of a neighborhood street-corner performance that suddenly blossoms into a full production. The lead vocal has an easy, conversational warmth, while the full vocals brim with an irresistible excitement.  A sultry bass bridge takes center stage, the calm before the whole band takes over again .  Later in 1954, a palatably white version was recorded by the Crew-Cuts, but history has favored the original.