This all got started when the girls met at James Monroe High School in the Bronx, New York. Lead singer Judy Craig was a mere 14-year-old while Patricia Bennett and Barbara Lee were both only 13, all of them facing a lot of challenges if they wanted to be stars. Yet they felt enough determination to hook up with writer/manager Ronnie Mack and sign with Big Deal Records. Though still an embryonic group, their version of "Tonight's the Night" went up to #76 in September 1960, showing the group's potential. Soon their trademark tight harmonies, coupled with their high-stepping confidence and the production duo Gerry Goffin and Carole King writing for them, earned the Chiffons had popular success in song after song.
Made up of the aforementioned Judy Craig, Patricia Bennett, and Barbara Lee at first, Sylvia Peterson of Little Jimmie And The Tops came into the group in 1963. That year, their song "He's So Fine" was the #1 record on both the Billboard Pop and R&B charts. The Chiffons' seemed to have completely 'made it', appearing on programs such as 'American Bandstand'.
British singer-songwriter George Harrison's 1971 song "My Sweet Lord" was musically almost identical, prompting a copyright infringement claim. A judge later found that the ex-Beatle had unintentionally plagiarized the earlier song. The Chiffons went on to record a competing version of "My Sweet Lord" in 1975. The case is often cited as one of the most famous and influential legal cases in the music industry.
The Chiffons' initial run at success was followed by other notable tunes such as the aforementioned "One Fine Day" as well as the songs "Sweet Talkin' Guy", "A Love So Fine", and "I Have a Boyfriend". Although many of their recordings were derivative of the period, fans appreciated their take on the contemporary pop sound. Their Top 40 single "I Have A Boyfriend" was notably playing on Dallas station KLIF on November 22, 1963 and was interrupted by the first radio bulletins of the JFK assassination.
The group also released material under the title 'The Four Pennies' that explored different musical styles. Though finding some fans, the phantom artist failed to break through commercially. The Chiffons themselves faced changing musical tides with the British invasion and the rise of many different trends, and their run of popular success appeared to have pretty much come to an end when the 70s began.
Though Craig left the Chiffons, they continued on as a trio. As the years passed, the group toured in the 'oldies circuit'. In 1992, Lee died from a heart attack the day before her 45th birthday. While that seemed to have put an end to the group, Craig decided to return. Peterson retired shortly thereafter and was replaced by Connie Harvey. Harvey has since left to pursue a solo career with Bennett also retiring. Craig continued on with replacement backup singers. After the turn of the millennium, Craig has still been touring as the Chiffons with her daughter and her niece by her side, performing at select shows throughout the U.S. and internationally.
He's So Fine
The Chiffons Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Do-lang, do-lang
He's so fine
(Do-lang, do-lang, do-lang)
Wish he were mine
(Do-lang, do-lang, do-lang)
That handsome boy over there
The one with the wavy hair
(Do-lang, do-lang, do-lang)
I don't know how, I'm gonna do it
(Do-lang, do-lang, do-lang)
But I'm gonna make him mine
(Do-lang, do-lang, do-lang)
He's the envy of all the girls
(Do-lang, do-lang, do-lang)
It's just a matter of time
(Do-lang, do-lang)
He's a soft spoken guy
(Do-lang, do-lang, do-lang)
Also seems kinda shy
(Do-lang, do-lang, do-lang)
Makes me wonder if I
(Do-lang, do-lang, do-lang)
Should even give him a try
(Do-lang, do-lang, do-lang)
But then I know he can't shy
(Do-lang, do-lang, do-lang)
He can't shy away forever
(Do-lang, do-lang, do-lang)
And I'm gonna make him mine
(Do-lang, do-lang, do-lang)
If it takes me forever
(Do-lang, do-lang)
He's so fine
(Oh yeah)
Gotta be mine
(Oh yeah)
Sooner or later
(Oh yeah)
I hope it's not later
(Oh yeah)
We gotta get together
(Oh yeah)
The sooner the better
(Oh yeah)
I just can't wait, I just can't wait
To be held in his arms
If I were a queen
(Do-lang, do-lang, do-lang)
And he asked me to leave my throne
(Do-lang, do-lang, do-lang)
I'll do anything that he asked
(Do-lang, do-lang, do-lang)
Anything to make him my own
(Do-lang, do-lang, do-lang)
For he's so fine
(So fine)
So fine
(So fine)
He's so fine
(So fine)
So fine
(So fine)
He's so fine
(So fine)
Oh yeah
(He's so fine)
He's so fine
The Chiffons' classic hit "He's So Fine" is a soulful and joyful love ballad that celebrates one's infatuation with a handsome man with wavy hair. The song opens with the signature "do-lang, do-lang" backup vocals that were a hallmark of many early girl group songs. The lead singer longs for this handsome guy and dreams of being with him. Despite feeling uncertain of how she will win his heart or overcome his shyness, the singer's confidence is evident as she declares that she is determined to make him hers.
The singer seems to be smitten with just the man's appearance alone, as she describes him as "handsome" and "so fine." She even claims that she would be willing to give up her throne if he asked her to. This love ballad, like many songs from the girl group era, is relatively simple in its lyrics, but it nevertheless conveys a strong sense of emotion and longing.
Overall, "He's So Fine" is a classic and lighthearted love song that epitomizes the innocence and charm of the early girl group era of the 1960s.
Line by Line Meaning
Do-lang, do-lang, do-lang
A repeated vocal sound, used as a musical filler
He's so fine
A description of the good-looking man she is admiring
Wish he were mine
Desire to have a romantic relationship with the man she is admiring
That handsome boy over there
She is identifying the man she is admiring
The one with the wavy hair
She is using his wavy hair as a distinguishing characteristic
I don't know how, I'm gonna do it
She is uncertain how to initiate the process of getting to know the man she is admiring
But I'm gonna make him mine
Her goal is to become romantically involved with the man she is admiring
He's the envy of all the girls
Other girls also find him attractive
It's just a matter of time
With persistence, she believes she can achieve her goal of becoming romantically involved with the man she is admiring
He's a soft spoken guy
A characteristic of the man she is admiring
Also seems kinda shy
The man she is admiring appears to be reserved
Makes me wonder if I
She is questioning whether or not to pursue her goal
Should even give him a try
She questions whether or not to pursue the man she is admiring
But then I know he can't shy
She believes that he cannot be shy forever
He can't shy away forever
Her belief that he will eventually become comfortable with her and others
And I'm gonna make him mine
Her determination to make sure he becomes romantically involved with her
If it takes me forever
She is willing to wait for an indefinite amount of time
Gotta be mine
Her desire to make the man she is admiring hers
Sooner or later
Her belief that their romantic involvement is inevitable
I hope it's not later
Her desire for their romantic involvement to happen soon
We gotta get together
Her belief that they need to start a romantic relationship
The sooner the better
She desires for their romantic relationship to start as soon as possible
I just can't wait, I just can't wait
She is eager to start a romantic relationship with the man she is admiring
To be held in his arms
Her desire to be in a physical relationship with the man she is admiring
If I were a queen
A hypothetical scenario
And he asked me to leave my throne
A hypothetical scenario where the man she is admiring asks her to prioritize their relationship over her responsibilities
I'll do anything that he asked
Her willingness to prioritize their relationship over everything else
Anything to make him my own
Her desire to be in a romantic relationship with the man she is admiring
So fine
A repeated phrase that describes how physically attractive the man she is admiring is
Oh yeah
An exclamation used to emphasize her eagerness and excitement to be involved with the man she is admiring
Lyrics © Kanjian Music, BMG Rights Management
Written by: Ronald L. Mack
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind