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.
Stop Look And Listen
The Chiffons Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Stop, look and listen
Stop, look and listen
Before you leap
(Better stop) and think it over
(Look) into my eyes
(Listen) to what I'm gonna say
(Hey, baby) you'll never find
(A love) as good as mine
(Love) if desire's what you?
I know you've grown familiar
To her touch but she's
Still a stranger
Don't give up
The sweetness we shared
Baby (baby, baby)
You're heading for danger
(Danger, danger)
Whoo, baby (baby, baby)
You're heading for danger
(Danger, danger)
So before you leap
Before you leap
You better stop, look and listen
(Stop, look and listen)
Stop, look and listen
(Stop, look and listen, baby)
Stop, look and listen
Before you leap
You better look before you leap
The water looks shallow
But it's, it's really deep
Don't get out, out over your head
Baby (baby, baby)
You're heading for danger
(Danger, danger)
Whoo, baby (baby, baby)
You're heading for danger
(Danger, danger)
So before you leap
Before you leap
(You better stop) and think it over
(Look) into my eyes
(Listen) to what I'm gonna say
(Hey, baby) you'll never find
(A love) as good as mine
(Love) if desire's what you?
The Chiffons' song "Stop Look and Listen" is a love warning to a man who is in a relationship with another woman. The female singer is pleading with the man to stop, look and listen before he makes a decision that could put him and the woman he is with in danger. She tells him that he'll never find a love as good as hers and asks him to think it over before he leaps.
The lyrics suggest that the man is growing familiar with the touch of the woman he is currently with, but she's still a stranger to him. The singer asks him not to give up the sweetness they shared together and warns him that he's heading for danger. She tells him that the water may look shallow, but it's really deep and he shouldn't get in over his head.
The song's message is about being cautious when it comes to love and not rushing into decisions that could have serious consequences. The Chiffons' harmonious vocals add to the urgency of the message they're trying to convey.
Line by Line Meaning
Stop, look and listen
Slow down, pay attention and be aware
Stop, look and listen
Take a moment to think things through
Stop, look and listen
Don't act impulsively, consider your next move
Before you leap
Before taking action, be sure to analyze the situation
(Better stop) and think it over
It's important to pause and consider the consequences first
(Look) into my eyes
Pay attention and focus on what I'm saying
(Listen) to what I'm gonna say
Observe and hear me out
(Hey, baby) you'll never find
There's no other love that compares to mine
(A love) as good as mine
My love is incomparable to anyone else's
(Love) if desire's what you?
If you're looking for love, my love is what you need
I know you've grown familiar
I am aware you've become comfortable
To her touch but she's
Although you are used to her touch, she's still
Still a stranger
A person you really don't know very well yet
Don't give up
Don't throw away
The sweetness we shared
The beautiful moments we've experienced together
Baby (baby, baby)
Darling (dearest)
You're heading for danger
You're on the path to trouble
(Danger, danger)
Be careful!
Whoo, baby (baby, baby)
Oh dear (oh dear, oh dear)
You're heading for danger
You're heading towards danger
(Danger, danger)
Be mindful of the risks!
So before you leap
Therefore take caution before taking action
Before you leap
Prior to making any move
You better stop, look and listen
It's wise to proceed with caution, by observing and hearing
(Stop, look and listen)
Slow down, pay attention and be aware
Stop, look and listen
Take a moment to think things through
(Stop, look and listen, baby)
Slow down, pay attention and be aware, dear
Stop, look and listen
Don't act impulsively, consider your next move
Before you leap
Before taking any action, be sure to analyze the situation
You better look before you leap
You must consider the possible outcomes before taking any action
The water looks shallow
The situation may appear to be simple or easy
But it's, it's really deep
But it can reveal itself to be much more complex than it seems
Don't get out, out over your head
Don't place yourself in a dangerous or uncomfortable position
Before you leap
Prior to any action or decision-making
(You better stop) and think it over
It's smart to pause and consider the consequences first
(Look) into my eyes
Pay attention and focus on what I'm saying
(Listen) to what I'm gonna say
Observe and hear me out
(Hey, baby) you'll never find
There's no other love that compares to mine
(A love) as good as mine
My love is incomparable to anyone else's
(Love) if desire's what you?
If you're looking for love, my love is what you need
Contributed by Gavin A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Robert Knowles
Fred, I don’t sing in church or visit Baptist or Synagogue lately due to COVID, yet hymn
is there to sing along with just like what you technically have here. I slowed it 25%
and am trying to peck out the chords on my neglected piano. Mem. Day Sunday, May 31,
and enjoying hot dog cooked out-of-doors with Inky, Grey kitty, Bosco, Peaky, Hewy, and
Sylvester. Have a blessed June and upcoming summer!