Theirs is one of the most dis… Read Full Bio ↴THE TRADITION CONTINUES ...
Theirs is one of the most distinctive and recognizable sounds in the music industry. The four-part harmonies and upbeat songs of The Oak Ridge Boys have spawned dozens of country hits and a #1 pop smash, earned them Grammy, Dove, CMA and ACM awards and garnered a host of other industry and fan accolades. Every time they step before an audience, the Oaks bring 15 years of hits and 50 years of tradition to bear on a stage show widely acknowledged as among the most exciting anywhere. And, each remains as enthusiastic about the process as they have ever been.
"When I go on stage, I get the same feeling I had the first time I sang with The Oak Ridge Boys," says lead singer Duane Allen. "This is the only job I've ever wanted to have."
"Like everyone else in the group," adds bass singer extraordinaire Richard Sterban, "I was a fan of the Oaks before I became a member. I'm still a fan of the group today. Being in The Oak Ridge Boys is the fulfillment of a lifelong dream."
The two, along with tenor Joe Bonsall and baritone William Lee Golden, comprise one of country's truly legendary acts. Their string of hits includes the pop chart-topper "Elvira," as well as "Bobbie Sue," "Dream On," "Thank God For Kids," "American Made," "I Guess It Never Hurts To Hurt Sometimes," "Fancy Free," "Gonna Take A Lot Of River" and many others. They've scored ten gold, three platinum and one double platinum album, one double platinum single, and had more than a dozen national #1 singles.
The Oaks represent a tradition that extends back to 1943, before Hank Williams had a career. The original group, based in Knoxville, TN, began performing country and gospel music in nearby Oak Ridge where the atomic bomb was being developed. They called themselves the Oak Ridge Quartet, and they began regular Grand Ole Opry appearances in the fall of '45. In the mid-'50s, they were featured in Time magazine as one of the top drawing gospel groups in the nation.
By the late '60s, with more than 30 members having come and gone, they had a lineup that included Duane Allen, William Lee Golden, Noel Fox and Willie Wynn. Among the Oaks' many acquaintances in the gospel field were Bonsall, a streetwise Philadelphia kid who embraced gospel music wholeheartedly, and Sterban, who was singing in quartets and holding down a job as a men's clothing salesman. Both admired the distinctive, highly-popular Oaks.
"They were the most innovative quartet in gospel music," says Bonsall. "They performed gospel with a rock approach, had a full band, wore bell-bottom pants and grew their hair long ... things unheard of at the time."
The four became friends, and when the Oaks needed a bass and tenor, in '72 and '73 respectively, Sterban and Bonsall got the calls. The group remained a highly popular mainstay on the gospel circuit, and it was there they refined the strengths that would soon make them such an across-the-board attraction.
"We did a lot of package shows," said Bonsall, "and there was an incredible amount of competition. You had to blow people away to sell records and get invited back."
Their gospel sound had a distinct pop edge to it, and while it made for excitement and popularity, it also ruffled purist feathers and left promoters unsure about the Oaks' direction. Then, in 1975, the Oaks were booked to open a number of dates for Roy Clark, whose manager was floored by their abilities.
"He came backstage and told us we were three-and-a-half minutes ' meaning one hit record ' away from being a major act," says Bonsall. "He said we had one of the most dynamic stage shows he'd ever seen, but that we had to start singing country songs."
They took his advice, and the result was a breakthrough.
"Those who came to country music with or after the New Traditionalists of the mid-'80s cannot possibly imagine the impact the Oaks had in 1977 when they lit up the sky from horizon to horizon with "Y'All Come Back Saloon," said Billboard's Ed Morris, who added "... the vocal intensity the group brought to it instantly enriched and enlivened the perilously staid country format. These guys were exciting."
Within a year, Paul Simon would tap them to sing backup for his hit "Slip Slidin' Away," and they would go on to record with George Jones, Brenda Lee, Johnny Cash, Roy Rogers, Billy Ray Cyrus and others. They would appear before three presidents, produce one of the first country music videos ("Easy," in 1977, which wasn't released in the U.S. but hit #3 in Australia), take part in the first headline tour of the USSR, and become one of the most enduringly-successful touring groups anywhere.
They did it with a consistently upbeat musical approach and terrific business savvy.
"We always look for songs that have lasting value and that are uplifting," says Allen. "You don't hear us singing 'cheating' or 'drinking' songs, but 'loving' songs, because we think that will last. We also don't put music in categories, except for 'good' or 'bad.' When we get through with it, it's probably going to sound like an Oak Ridge Boys song no matter what it is."
They proved their business acumen in any number of ways, including such steps as declining the chance to sit on the couch during their many appearances on the Tonight Show.
"We said, 'If you're going to give us four minutes on the couch with Johnny, we'd rather have four minutes to give you another song that lets people know what got us here,'" says Allen. "We didn't get here talking; we got here singing," They also proved themselves to be capable and tireless advocates of charitable and civic causes, serving as spokesmen and/or board members of fundraisers for the Boy Scouts of America, the National Committee for Prevention of Child Abuse, Feed The Children, and many more.
The group's first personnel change in many years occurred in 1987 when Steve Sanders, who had been playing guitar in The Oaks Band, replaced William Lee as the baritone singer. Late in '95, Steve resigned from the Oaks and exactly one minute after midnight on New Year's Eve, Duane, Joe and Richard surprised the packed house at Holiday Star Theatre in Merrillville, IN, by welcoming William Lee on stage and back in group. The hitmakers were finally together again!
The Oaks' high-energy stage show remains the heart and soul of what they do, and they refine it several times a year, striving to keep it fresh well into the future.
"We're not willing to rest on our laurels," Golden says. "That gets boring. As a group, we do things constantly to challenge ourselves, to try to do something different or better than the last time we did it."
"I feel like I can do what I do on stage just as good now as I could 20 years ago," says Bonsall. "in fact, if anything, I'm in better shape now than I was 20 years ago. I plan to be rockin' my tail off out there as long as I'm healthy and don't look stupid doing it. The people who come out, who bring their families to see us, deserve everything I've got."
"We've experienced a lot of longevity," adds Sterban, "and I think the reason is the love we have for what we do - the desire, the longing to actually get up there and do it. We love to sing together ... to harmonize together. It's what our lives are all about."
Juliet
Oak Ridge Boys Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You've got the smile that I can't forget
On the day we met I made a bet
Some day I'll win the love of Juliet
Long as the sand, bright as the sun
Where have you been since my life begun
Girl you're the one that I want to know
Friendly smile a sexy walk
A charming little accent when you talk
You're an eleven on a scale of ten
Juliet I just wanna say it again
Just a little bit shy, just a little bit quiet
I don't mind, I'm in love and I can't deny it
The Oak Ridge Boys’ “Juliet” is a tribute to the woman who has caught the attention of the singer. The lyrics begin by describing her infectious smile, which has stuck in the singer’s mind since the day they met. The song then makes a reference to William Shakespeare’s classic tale of Romeo and Juliet, as the singer compares their love story to that of Shakespeare’s iconic couple. The singer betrays his desire to win over Juliet’s heart, expressing his admiration for her beauty and personality in the process.
The second verse offers more insight into Juliet’s personality, describing her as someone who is friendly and possesses a sexy walk. Her charming accent when she talks is also a standout feature for the singer. The chorus of the song repeats the sentiment that the singer is head-over-heels for Juliet and wants to pursue a romantic relationship with her. The final verse reveals that Juliet might be a little bit shy or reserved, but that doesn’t detract from her appeal in the eyes of the singer.
Overall, the lyrics of Oak Ridge Boys’ “Juliet” paint a picture of the ideal woman from the perspective of the singer. He is enamored by her smile, personality, and accent, and he is willing to take a chance on love to win over her heart.
Line by Line Meaning
Juliet, Juliet
The singer is addressing Juliet twice, indicating how strongly he feels about her
You've got the smile that I can't forget
The singer was struck by Juliet's smile and finds it unforgettable
On the day we met I made a bet
The singer remembers the day he met Juliet and indicates it was memorable for him
Some day I'll win the love of Juliet
The singer is determined to win Juliet's affection
Long as the sand, bright as the sun
The singer is using a simile to describe Juliet's beauty as eternal and radiant
Where have you been since my life begun
The singer is expressing wonder that Juliet had not been in his life until recently
Girl you're the one that I want to know
The singer is expressing a strong desire to know Juliet better
Juliet let me be your Romeo
The singer is offering himself as a romantic partner in order to win Juliet's affection
Friendly smile a sexy walk
The singer is admiring Juliet's confident and attractive mannerisms
A charming little accent when you talk
The singer is fascinated by Juliet's unique way of speaking
You're an eleven on a scale of ten
The singer is using hyperbole to emphasize how attractive he finds Juliet
Juliet I just wanna say it again
The singer is repeating his feelings for Juliet, indicating how strong they are
Just a little bit shy, just a little bit quiet
The singer is acknowledging that Juliet may be reserved or introverted, but still loves her
I don't mind, I'm in love and I can't deny it
The singer is expressing that he is willing to accept Juliet's personality and that he cannot help but love her
Contributed by Ava L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.