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.
I Have A Boyfriend
The Chiffons Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Met him a week ago
He's my forever
Last night he told me so
He's the boy that I adore
Never felt like this before
And I know I'll never let him go
I have a boyfriend
We'll never say goodbye
He made a promise
He'll never make me cry
Every time we kiss goodnight
Feels so good to hold him tight
And I thank the stars up in the sky
And someday I know
We'll walk down the aisle
So much in love
Wearing a smile
Every time we kiss goodnight
Feels so good to hold him tight
Oh-oh, I'm so glad I have a boyfriend
I have a boyfriend
Whoa-oh-oh-oh-oh, whoa-oh-oh-oh
I have a boyfriend, yeah
The Chiffons' "I Have a Boyfriend" is a joyful celebration of new love. The singer sings about meeting her boyfriend a week ago and falling head over heels in love. She gushes about how he is her forever and how he promised to never make her cry. She is so deeply in love with him that she cannot imagine letting him go. She also sings about how every time they kiss goodnight, it feels so good to hold him tight. The love that they share is so strong that she is sure they will one day walk down the aisle, hand in hand, wearing a smile.
The lyrics of "I Have a Boyfriend" are very straightforward, and the song is a classic example of a girl group love song. The song's upbeat lyrics, catchy beat, and unapologetic sentiment make it an irresistible pop song. The song is the perfect embodiment of the early 1960s pop sound, which was characterized by upbeat melodies, catchy hooks, and optimistic, romantic lyrics.
Overall, "I Have a Boyfriend" is a fun and lighthearted song that captures the innocent, exuberant spirit of young romance. The Chiffons' simple yet effective lyrics and upbeat melody make the song a timeless classic that will never go out of style.
Line by Line Meaning
I have a boyfriend
I am currently in a romantic relationship with someone
Met him a week ago
I recently started dating him
He's my forever
I believe that he is the one I will spend my life with
Last night he told me so
He expressed his love and commitment to me recently
He's the boy that I adore
I have strong feelings of love and admiration for him
Never felt like this before
This is a new and intense experience for me
And I know I'll never let him go
I am committed to making this relationship last
We'll never say goodbye
We intend to stay together indefinitely
He made a promise
He has assured me that he will always treat me well
He'll never make me cry
He has vowed to never cause me pain or distress
Feels so good to hold him tight
Physical affection with him makes me very happy
And I thank the stars up in the sky
I am grateful for my good fortune in finding him
And someday I know
I am confident that in the future
We'll walk down the aisle
We will get married
So much in love
We will be deeply in love at that time
Wearing a smile
We will be happy on our wedding day
Oh-oh, I'm so glad I have a boyfriend
I am very happy to be in a relationship with him
Whoa-oh-oh-oh-oh, whoa-oh-oh-oh
Sound effect to add emphasis to the phrase 'I have a boyfriend'
I have a boyfriend, yeah
I do, in fact, have a boyfriend
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ELLIE GREENWICH, HANK MEDRESS, JEFF BARRY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@mistery-ed7900
One of my faves! Totally simple but that's fine with me.
@samuelgriffin4167
Girl groups of the sixties totally awesome
@raymondmalcuit8361
This Song Went To Number 36 On The Billboard Hot-100 Chart In 1964,
@beatlejim64
This song was playing on radio station KLIF in Dallas Texas when the announcer broke in to say that shots had been fired at President's Kennedy's motorcade on Friday November 22, 1963...
@RandallHamm
I have that aircheck
@JavierGodoy
The cursed song
@hcombs0104
Yes, I have heard it.
@samuelgriffin4167
The old CBS FM 101.1 takes me back listening to these great oldies 50s 60s 70s and the 80s as we remember it
@samuelgriffin4167
If you were a teenager in 1963 probably a grandma in 2022
@samuelgriffin4167
Chiffons lead singer is Judy Craig