The group came together as The Carnations, with lead vocalist Earl "Speedo" Carroll (November 2, 1937 – November 25, 2012), Bobby Phillips, Lavern Drake (bass vocalist), and Gus Willingham. As the group moved into the recording studios, James "Poppa" Clark was added as a fifth member, and the name "The Cadillacs" was given to them. The group's first recording came in July 1954, with Josie Records #765, featuring Gloria and Wonder Why.
In 1955, Willingham and Clark left the group and were replaced by Earl Wade and Charles Brooks. At this time, the group first began to experiment with choreography, suggested by manager Esther Navarro. Later that year came the group's biggest hit, "Speedoo", Carroll's nickname. Lavern Drake left the group in 1956 and was replaced by J. R. Bailey.
In 1957, differences in opinion caused the group to split. One group was initially known as The Four Cadillacs, with current bass J. R. Bailey, former bass Lavern Drake, and new members Roland Martinez and Bobby Spencer. The previous year, Bobby Spencer had written the "My Boy Lollipop" pop song shuffle for Barbie Gaye, which was played by Alan Freed and secured Barbie Gaye a spot in his 1956 Christmas Show opening for Little Richard. In 1964, an Ernest Ranglin produced ska version of the song became a multi-million seller for Jamaican teenager Millie Small and made producer Chris Blackwell rich, leading to further development of his Island Records label.
The other four current members - Carroll, Wade, Brooks, and Phillips - continued recording separately, later as Earl Carroll and the Cadillacs. Bailey's group also included former group saxophonist Jesse "Tex" Powell, and recorded in early 1958 as Jesse Powell and the Caddys. Both groups recorded simultaneously on Josie Records. Later in 1958, the groups combined back into one. Carroll's backup vocalists, Wade, Brooks, and Phillips, all decided to retire and Carroll joined Bailey, Drake, Martinez and Spencer. Carroll's lead spot had been given to Spencer and Bailey, and he left shortly thereafter, creating a new group, Speedo and the Pearls, which recorded briefly in 1959. In 1959, the Cadillacs are also featured in the movie Go Johnny, Go
The group split and re-formed in 1960, with Carroll, Martinez, Kirk Davis, and bass Ronnie Bright. Later the group was Carroll, Martinez, the returning Bobby Spencer, Milton Love, and Reggie Barnes. Martinez, Love and Barnes were all members of The Solitares at one time.
In 1961, the group began to resemble The Coasters in their music. The lineup shifted again, now with Carroll, Martinez, Curtis Williams, Ray Brewster, and Irving Lee Gail. Carroll was out by 1963 to enter the group they'd been emulating, The Coasters, with Carl Gardner, Billy Guy, and former Cadillac Ronnie Bright. 1963 also ended the group's run on Josie Records.
Brewster and Martinez brought in former members Bobby Spencer and J. R. Bailey and continued to record through 1963. The group split, with Bailey joining the Jive Five. Brewster brought in former Cadillac/Solitare Milton Love with Solitares Bobby Baylor and Fred Barksdale. This group recorded briefly in 1964. Spencer became lead vocalist, with Joey Levine (Ohio Express, Reunion) as backing vocalist, for Crazy Elephant, a bubblegum music group, in 1969.
The Cadillacs were back in 1970 with J. R. Bailey, Bobby Spencer, original member Bobby Phillips (who had retired from Speedo's group during the split), and new member Leroy Binns, of The Charts. Steven Brown later replaced Phillips. Teddy Pendergrass came on as the groups drummer. The group split into the mid-1970s and some members joined Herold Melvin and the Bluenotes, including Teddy Pendergrass as drummer. In 1979 Earl Carroll, Earl Wade, Bobby Phillips, and Steven Brown came together for a Subaru commercial.
Carroll had remained with the Coasters during this time, and left in the early 1990s to permanently re-form the Cadillacs with Phillips, Brown, Gary K. Lewis, and musical director Eddie Jones. Brown left in 2003. Phillips died in March 2011.
The Cadillacs were inducted into The Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2004.
Glória
The Cadillacs Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's not Marie
Gloria, it's not Sherie
Gloria, she's not in love with me
Well, can't you see
It's not Marie?
Gloria, it's not Sherie
Well, maybe she'll love me
How am I to know
And maybe she'll want me
But how am I to know
Gloria, it's not Marie
Gloria, it's not Sherie
Gloria, she's not in love with me
Oh Gloria, it's not Marie
Gloria, it's not Sherie
Gloria, she's not in love with me
Gloria
The Cadillacs's song Gloria is a doo-wop classic from the late 1950s that features the classic doo-wop harmonies that were popular at the time. The song is about a man named Gloria who is in love with a woman who he thinks might be interested in him, but he is not sure. He mentions two other women, Marie and Sherie, who he knows are not interested in him, and he wonders if Gloria feels the same way.
The lyrics of the song are simple but effective in conveying the uncertainty of the singer's feelings. He is hopeful that Gloria might love him back, but he is also aware that he might be getting his hopes up for nothing. The repetition of Gloria's name in the chorus is both catchy and poignant, as it emphasizes the singer's fixation on this woman who he is not even sure likes him back.
The song has endured as a classic of the doo-wop genre and has been covered by many other artists over the years. Its catchy melody and relatable lyrics have made it a favorite of fans of oldies music, and it continues to be played on the radio and in movies and TV shows to this day.
Line by Line Meaning
Gloria, Gloria
The singer repeats the name Gloria twice, setting the tone for the song and establishing the fact that this song is an ode to a woman named Gloria.
It's not Marie
The singer claims that the woman he desires is not Marie, suggesting that he has been pursuing someone else before meeting Gloria.
Gloria, it's not Sherie
The singer also mentions another woman named Sherie, implying that he has been involved with multiple women but none of them are the one he truly wants, which is Gloria.
Gloria, she's not in love with me
The singer admits that Gloria is not in love with him, hence expressing his feelings of longing and desire for her that are not reciprocated.
Well, can't you see
The singer addresses someone who might be questioning him and urges this person to understand that Gloria is not Marie, indicating that he is trying to move on from his past relationship and is now fixated on Gloria.
How am I to know
The singer expresses his uncertainty about whether Gloria will love him or not, and how he has no way to predict her feelings or actions towards him.
And maybe she'll want me
Despite his uncertainty, the singer still holds out hope that maybe Gloria will want him back, and he is willing to take a chance on this possibility.
Oh Gloria, it's not Marie
The singer repeats his statement that Gloria is not Marie, in order to reinforce his desire to move on from his past relationship and start anew with Gloria.
Gloria, it's not Sherie
The singer repeats the name of another woman, Sherie, to emphasize that Gloria is the one he wants, and that he has been chasing after her and not anyone else.
Gloria, she's not in love with me
The singer reiterates the fact that Gloria is not in love with him, perhaps indicating that despite his repeated declarations of love and desire, he still feels rejected by her.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Leon Rene
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@rhino
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@Gabriel_Rojas_Arena
This is for you Laura for a new decade the 2020's
@tziviamargolis9388
Happy new year here's to 2020 new year new era new beginnings with a lot of crazy shit going on let's not hate on each other let's learn to get along with one another no matter what our race religion or ethnicity is all the best for 20 peace on earth
@Adara007
Happy New Year! All the best, from Australia - and thank you for these great songs from the 80s! I used to dance and figure skate to this, and still do!
@nathanielskeen2887
I'm 18 year's old and I was playing nothing but '80s on New Years Eve, because 99% of the music now days is crap. Jealous of past generations.
@tziviamargolis9388
@ Michael savin thanx luv back @ ya have an amazing awesome weekend cheers
@matthewbittenbender9191
This song always reminds me of my mother. She had a pretty hard life, 2 divorces one from an abusive alcoholic, raised 4 kids, and died at 42 of cancer. But on occasion this song would play on the radio and she'd forget her worries for just a moment and sing it like Laura Brangahan herself. My best memories was when I was in college and we went to 2 weddings within 2 years and we danced to this practically clearing that dance floor. I just remember her wide smile and how happy she was in the moment. After the 2nd wedding, she was gone by the following year, but before she went I played this for her in the hospital and tho she couldn't sing, she flashed that signature smile. This song will forever and always be her song to me.
@AliceP.
What a beautiful story! Thank you for sharing. My mother has passed too. These memories are worth more than pure gold, I do know :)
@deanmccauley1356
This song makes me smile, and reading this story made me smile also. God bless your mother, sir.💚
@dukebmxrider
Time is eternal, those moments where unforgettable for your mom. God bless you.