The founding members of the group were Conleth (Con) Cluskey (born 18 November 1941; died 8 April 2022), Declan (Dec) Cluskey (born 23 December 1942), and John Stokes (Sean James Stokes) (born 13 August 1940). In 1957 they formed their first band together, "The Harmonichords" (also seen as "The Harmony Chords"), a classically styled instrumental harmonica-act.
As The Harmonichords, they appeared on Hughie Green's 'Opportunity Knocks' on Radio Luxembourg[1] and on the 'Ed Sullivan' TV Show St. Patrick's Day Special (filmed in Dublin, broadcast 15 March 1959), where they played "Danny Boy."[2] They also played background music plus featured pieces in a 25 week radio comedy series called 'Odd Noises' on Radio Éireann featuring Eamonn Andrews.[3] They changed their name to "The Bachelors" in 1962 at the suggestion of Dick Rowe, A&R at Decca Records, who reportedly recommended the name "because that’s the kind of boy a girl likes."
During the 1960s, they had many successful songs in music charts in Europe Australia, South Africa, South America, parts of the USSR, and the United States. Some of the most successful were "Diane" (1964), "Marie" (1965), "I Wouldn't Trade You For the World" (1965), and "In the Chapel in the Moonlight" (1965). In 1965 they had the 'most played juke box track' with "The Stars Will Remember" from a film they made with then-current DJ Sam Costa.
Live work carried them into the 1970s with record breaking theatre season shows, but after a successful start to the decade with the album World of the Bachelors hitting the top 5, the band became less and less dominant in the music industry. Along with singers like Tom Jones they found themselves stuck in a decade of Glam Rock, unable to change with the times. They remained successful recording artists and moved to the Pye label, which contracted easy listening stars like Frankie Vaughan and Max Bygraves. Despite their last chart single being in 1967, they continued to play the cabaret circuit, still maintaining the original line-up until 1984, when there was "a messy split" between the Cluskey brothers and Stokes.
Following the split, the Cluskey brothers appeared as "The New Bachelors" and Stokes as "Stokes & Coe", Stokes allegedly also then appeared as "The New Bachelors" so the Cluskey's now perform as "Con & Dec The Bachelors"
In 2008 a compilation CD, "I Believe - The Very Best of The Bachelors," featuring the 60s hits together with two new songs recorded by Con and Dec Cluskey, was released through Universal who had acquired the Decca catalogue (available in the US as an import from Uni Classics Jazz UK), reached #7 in the UK Radio One album chart 27 July - 2 Aug 2008. Con and Dec Cluskey appeared on TV and radio to promote the album.
Diane
The Bachelors Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Smile for me, my Diane
And though every thing's dark all the while
I can see you, Diane
You have lighted the road leading home
Pray for me when you can
But no matter wherever I roam
I'm in heaven when I see you smile
Smile for me, my Diane
And though every thing's dark all the while
I can see you, Diane
You have lighted the road leading home
Pray for me when you can
But no matter wherever I roam
Smile for me, my Diane
The Bachelors' "Diane" is a love ballad that speaks about the deep affection the singer has for a lover named Diane. The song transports the listener to a place of profound joy where the sight of Diane's smile gives the singer a feeling of being on Cloud 9. The song speaks about how even in the darkest moments of life, when everything seems bleak and hopeless, Diane is a ray of light that guides the singer back to the bright path.
The lyrics of the song are simple, yet powerful in their ability to convey the purest form of love. The singer wants Diane to be happy and joyful always, just as her smile makes him. The line "Pray for me when you can" indicates that the singer is aware of the many hardships he may face, but his faith in Diane's love keeps him going.
Overall, the song is a timeless classic that speaks about the beauty of love, proving that love can illuminate even the darkest of paths, making it a must-have for anyone looking to serenade their loved one.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm in heaven when I see you smile
Your smile is the source of my happiness and contentment
Smile for me, my Diane
Your smile is important to me and it brings joy to my heart
And though every thing's dark all the while
Even when everything seems difficult and uncertain, thinking of you brings me light and hope
I can see you, Diane
I can visualize you in my mind and that gives me comfort and strength
You have lighted the road leading home
You guide me to a safe and happy place where I belong
Pray for me when you can
Your prayers and good wishes mean a lot to me and help me in difficult times
But no matter wherever I roam
Even though I may be far away, I still hold you close in my heart
Smile for me, my Diane
Your smile is a reminder of our bond and love, and it brings me peace and joy
Lyrics © Kanjian Music, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Erno Rapee, Lew Pollack
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@deniseangelasmith5408
My Aunty Diane passed away in December 2021. This Lovely song was played at her funeral. REST IN PEACE 🙏
@geraldmontreuil1623
Good idea of playing this nice song.
I have a cousin named Diane.
@andrew4x4au666
My Dad who is 76 loves singing this song. It's grown on me over the years and I love it :-)
@tarbaby2ya
I have a sister Diane and she was daddy's girl I sent it to her.
@diden3527
I play this heaps - love it - my Diane passed in 2015 after 34 years of enjoying her beautiful company, and raising a lovely family. Was 8 years ago, and cancers a real bast@#@d......and she fought it for 13 years. As for The Bachelors - absolutely a brilliant collaboration of harmonies on multiple tunes. So sad to hear that Con had passed.
@bluebird3042
❤
@MikeBlitzMag
Reprising their 1964 monster classic. One of the most impeccable singles ever made. Absolute, utter, jaw dropping perfection.
@dianeharris4002
My Dad use to sing this to me,so special to me
@audreysandbach637
Great voices X
@vilstef6988
This song is something of an anomaly for 1968! It sounds like more of a song from ten years earier. Still enjoyable and well sung.