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.
When You Wish Upon a Star
Dion & The Belmonts Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
They possess a gift or two
One of them is this
They have the power to make a wish come true
When you wish upon a star
Makes no difference who you are
Anything your heart desires will come to you
If your heart is in your dream
No request is too extreme
When you wish upon a star as dreamers do
Fate is kind
She brings to those who love
The sweet fulfillment of their secret longing
Like a bolt out of the blue
Fate steps in and sees you through
When you wish upon a star
Your dreams come true
The lyrics above are from Dion & The Belmonts's song, "When You Wish Upon a Star." The song is an inspirational tune about the power of hope, faith, and the ability to have one's dreams come true. The song begins with a reference to stars being born with a gift and power to make wishes come true. This sets up the central theme that no matter who you are, what you wish for, or how impossible it might seem, it can come true if you believe in it and have pure intentions. The song goes on to talk about how fate is kind to those who love and brings the fulfillment of secret longings. The message of the song is that dreams, however out of reach they may seem, can indeed come true, and all it takes is the courage to believe and the willingness to put your heart and soul into the effort.
Throughout the song, there is a sense of optimism, hope, and inspiration. The melody and vocals combine with the lyrics to create an uplifting and powerful message that, no matter where you are in life or what your struggles may be, there is always a chance for positive change and transformation. The lyrics are a testament to the strength of the human spirit and the enduring power of hope, even in the face of adversity.
Line by Line Meaning
When a star is born
At the moment of a star's creation
They possess a gift or two
The star has certain abilities
One of them is this
One of their abilities is
They have the power to make a wish come true
They can grant wishes
When you wish upon a star
If you make a wish on a star
Makes no difference who you are
It doesn't matter who you are or what you've done
Anything your heart desires will come to you
Your deepest wishes will be granted
If your heart is in your dream
If you truly desire something
No request is too extreme
There is no limit to what you can wish for
When you wish upon a star as dreamers do
If you make a wish with pure-hearted dreams
Fate is kind
Destiny is benevolent
She brings to those who love
She will give to those who cherish
The sweet fulfillment of their secret longing
Their deepest desires will be fulfilled
Like a bolt out of the blue
Suddenly and unexpectedly
Fate steps in and sees you through
Destiny will help you achieve your dreams
When you wish upon a star
If you make a wish on a star
Your dreams come true
Your deepest wishes will be granted
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Leigh Harline, Ned Washington
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@rennerbd
I lived at 179th street and Arthur Avenue in The Bronx from 1955-1962. Some of my neighbors were Carlo and Freddy and we frequented the same grocery store (Katz') on the corner of 179th and Hughes Avenue. The next cross street was Belmont Avenue. I didn't know Angelo or Dion directly. There was a luncheonette on the corner of 179th and Hughes Avenue owned by Charlie DiMucci, Dion's uncle. In 1957, he played a record on his jukebox for me and proudly announced it was his nephew Dion. The record was "The Chosen Few" by Dion and the Timberlanes (a studio group) on Mohawk Records. The Belmonts were actually on the Mohawk label at the same time and Mohawk cut a record "Tag Along"/"We Went Away" for Dion with the Belmonts doing backing vocals and it was issued as Dion with The Belmonts. They finally got together and landed a contract with Laurie - a brand new label. I did meet Dion in 1962 when I was singing in a group with a friend of his. Lots of talent in The Bronx then. Regents, Excellents, Billy & the Tremonts, Bobby Darin.
@sauquoit13456
On this day in 1940 {February 7th} the Walt Disney animated feature movie "Pinocchio" had its world premier in New York City... Sixteen days later on February 23rd it opened in theaters across the U.S.A. Featured in the movie was the song "When You Wish Upon A Star"; it won the Academy Award for 'Best Original Song' {also won the Oscar for 'Best Original Musical Score'}... In 1960 Dion & the Belmonts covered the song; their version peaked at #30 and stayed on the Top 100 for 9 weeks...
@TheKarinaMPena
Oh my!MY TWO FAVORITE THINGS!!!DION AND DISNEY!
@Analogmemories245
Also same
@gustavvson
Please Stand for the Walt Disney Anthem. In Loving Memory of Cliff Edwards 1895-1971 R.I.P.
@TGTSTS
Reportedly this version was the inspiration for Brian Wilson's creation of "Surfer Girl."
@colm144
TGTSTS oh indeed, and to a musically inclined ear it's patently obvious immediately, mind you, look at where Brian took that melody, incorporating the popular "1,6,2,5" method of the day and a killer middle 8 to boot. Rather than copying, I think of it more as redirecting a paper boat in mid stream, aren't we so lucky? 🙏🏻
@tunesmith7437
certainly sounds connected.
@rennerbd
Although the Beach Boys became famous for their surfing songs and later car songs, what they sang was basically what was later called doo-wop. They were famous for Brian's falsetto and later Carl's tenor and their close harmonies. You should hear their version of The Students' "I'm So Young". Listen to "In My Room", "Surfer Girl", "Don't Worry, Baby" even "Help Me, Rhonda"and then the later "Wouldn't It Be Nice".
@tonys9102
I was just thinking this! Angelo's falsetto definitely sounds like it inspired Brian.