They were discovered by Richard Barrett, lead singer of the Valentines and eventually signed to End Records. Their first single was "He's Gone" (Pop #71) in August 1957. In January 1958 they released their second single, "Maybe" (#15 Pop; #2 R&B). Several other singles were released on End, though none as successful as "Maybe."
The group was dropped by End in 1959, and Arlene Smith decided to go solo. Lois left to pursue a college education. In 1960, Annette Smith (no relation) replaced Arlene and the group went to Carlton Records, where they had their second huge hit with "Look in My Eyes" (#14 pop, #6 R&B). Several other singles followed and the group switched labels several times. Personnel changed throughout the 60's, with their final single released in 1970.
Arlene fronted a new group of Chantels in the 1970s for oldies shows and continues to perform. The remaining original Chantels reformed as well and hired Noemi (Ami) Ortiz as their new lead singer. Jackie Landry died in 1997.
The Chantels were inducted into The Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2002.
So Real
The Chantels Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Just like the stars above,
I love that there's no other one.
You're real. So real to me.
I love you, like no one else could love you.
I'd give my heart just to you.
You're so real to me.
Deep as the ocean, high as the sky.
No one could love you half as much as I,
Cause you're real.
Just like the stars above,
I love that there's no other one.
You're real. Oh so real to me.
I'm so real to me. Oh so real to me.
The Chantels' song "So Real" is a heartfelt tribute to a real and true love. The lyrics are simple and direct, and they express the singer's deep and unwavering affection for her partner. The first verse sets the tone for the song, with the singer comparing her love to the stars above - something bright, shining, and eternal. She loves the fact that there is no one else like her partner, a sentiment that is repeated throughout the song. The chorus is even more explicit in its declaration of love: "I love you, like no one else could love you / I'd give my heart just to you / You're so real to me."
The second verse expands on the singer's feelings, describing her love as "deep as the ocean, high as the sky." Her devotion is total, and she tells her partner that no one else could love them as much as she does. Again, the chorus repeats the key idea of the song: that the singer's love is real, and that she treasures the fact that her partner is one-of-a-kind. The song ends with a final affirmation that the love the singer feels is real, and that it is an essential part of who she is: "I'm so real to me. Oh so real to me."
Overall, "So Real" is a beautiful and simple love song that captures the depth and intensity of real love. The Chantels' soulful harmonies and passionate delivery make the lyrics even more powerful, and it's easy to imagine couples of all ages being moved by the sentiment of the song.
Line by Line Meaning
You're Real.
I truly believe in your existence and I acknowledge your presence in my life.
Just like the stars above,
Your brightness and significance is akin to the luminosity and importance of stars in the sky.
I love that there's no other one.
I appreciate the fact that you are a unique individual and there's no one in the world quite like you.
You're real. So real to me.
I hold the belief that you are a genuine and authentic person who is very important to me personally.
I love you, like no one else could love you.
My affection for you surpasses the love anyone else could possibly have for you.
I'd give my heart just to you.
I am willing to give you everything, including my heart, because of the depth of my love for you.
Deep as the ocean, high as the sky.
The extent of my love for you is vast, spanning as deep as the ocean and as high as the sky.
No one could love you half as much as I,
I firmly believe that there is no one on this earth who can love you as much as I do.
You're real. Oh so real to me.
My opinion is that you are an authentic and genuine person that holds great importance to me personally.
I'm so real to me. Oh so real to me.
I have a strong sense of self and individuality that is very important to me.
Writer(s): Peter Gill
Contributed by William N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Pat Brown
on I Love You So (from Mean Streets)
looking for karaoke version of i love you so chantels