After an unsuccessful first single, the group were signed to Laurie Records. Their breakthrough came when "I Wonder Why" made # 22 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, and the group appeared for the first time on the Dick Clark TV show. They followed it with the ballads "No One Knows" (#19) and "Don't Pity Me" (#40).
This success won Dion and the Belmonts their first major tour in late 1958, with The Coasters, Buddy Holly and Bobby Darin, and this was followed up by the "Winter Dance Party" tour with Holly, Ritchie Valens and The Big Bopper. On 2 February 1959, after playing at Clear Lake, Iowa, Dion decided that he could not afford the $36 cost of a flight to the next venue. The plane crashed, and Holly and the other stars were killed. However, the tour continued, with Jimmy Clanton and Bobby Vee being added to the bill.
In March 1959, Dion and the Belmonts’ next single, "A Teenager in Love", was released, making #5 in the Billboard Hot 100 and #28 in the UK Singles Chart, and this was followed by an album, Presenting Dion and the Belmonts. Their biggest hit, "Where or When", was released in November 1959, and reached #3 on the U.S. chart.
However, in early 1960, Dion checked in to hospital for heroin addiction, a problem he had had since his mid-teens. Further single releases for the group that year were less successful, there were musical and financial disputes between Dion and members of the Belmonts, and in October 1960 Dion decided to quit for a solo career. The Belmonts also continued to release records, but with less success.
Dion and the Belmonts reunited in 1966 for the unsuccessful album Together Again on ABC Records, and again in 1972 for a one-off show at Madison Square Garden, recorded and released as a live album.
My Private Joy
Dion & The Belmonts Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
She wears gold polish on her fingernails
I ain't gonna let her meet another boy
I'm gonna keep her for my pride and joy
Yeah!
I use to go and Peggy Sue with a gingerbread
But never heard the bell ringin' in my head
You better stay away from my pride and joy
Yeah!
Oh don't you call her on a week because she won't be home
You'll waste all your money on that telephone
We're going pretty steady I'm telling you
I've built a wall of love around her so you can't break through
A package from a hip teenage dream
Her skin looks just like peaches and cream
She's got idol love every teenage boy, lucky me
She's my pride and joy
Yes!
Oh don't you call her on a week because she's not at home
You'll waste all your money on that telephone
We're going pretty steady I'm telling you
There's a wall around her so you can't break through
A package from a hip teenage dream
Her skin looks just like peaches and cream
She's got idol love every teenage boy, I'm so lucky
She's my pride and joy
Woo!
Lucky me, she's my pride and joy
Lucky me, she's my pride and joy
I'm gonna keep her for my pride and joy
The song "My Private Joy" by Dion & The Belmonts is a classic rock & roll love song that tells the story of a teenage boy who has found his true love and is determined to keep her for himself. The song features catchy guitar riffs and upbeat lyrics that capture the excitement of young love.
The first verse describes the girl, Susie, whom the singer has fallen for. She is portrayed as a popular and attractive girl with a ponytail and gold polish on her fingernails. The singer is determined not to let her meet another boy and vows to keep her as his "pride and joy".
The second verse reveals that the singer has had other girls before, but they were never as significant to him as Susie. He describes how his head is now "banging like a ding dong toy" with love for her. He warns other boys to stay away from her and not to call on her when she is not at home. He has built a "wall of love" around her to protect their relationship.
Overall, the song celebrates the excitement and passion of young love and the desire to keep that love safe from outside forces.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh well Susie is a doozy with a pony tail
Susie looks great with her ponytail hairstyle.
She wears gold polish on her fingernails
She polishes her nails with gold colored nail polish.
I ain't gonna let her meet another boy
I won't allow anyone else to talk to her or ask her out.
I'm gonna keep her for my pride and joy
I am proud to be with her and want to continue having her around.
I use to go and Peggy Sue with a gingerbread
I used to date someone named Peggy Sue who had red hair (gingerbread).
But never heard the bell ringin' in my head
I never felt excited or passionate about Peggy Sue.
But now my head is bangin' like a ding dong toy
But now I feel intense feelings of passion and excitement just like when a toy bell is rung.
You better stay away from my pride and joy
I warn others not to try and take her away from me.
Oh don't you call her on a week because she won't be home
Don't try to call her on weekdays because she's not home.
You'll waste all your money on that telephone
Calling her during weekdays is pointless and will cost you money.
We're going pretty steady I'm telling you
We are in a committed relationship.
I've built a wall of love around her so you can't break through
I've put so much effort into our relationship that nobody else can come between us.
A package from a hip teenage dream
She is like a dream come true for a teenage boy.
Her skin looks just like peaches and cream
Her skin is smooth and looks like a tasty dessert.
She's got idol love every teenage boy, lucky me
All teenage boys love her, but I am lucky to be the one she loves.
She's my pride and joy
She is someone I am very proud of having in my life.
Lucky me, she's my pride and joy
I feel fortunate to have her as my partner and someone I am proud of.
Woo!
An expression of excitement or joy.
Writer(s): Mort Shuman, Doc Pomus
Contributed by Jayce G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.