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.
The Loco-Motion
The Chiffons Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(Come on baby, do the Loco-motion)
I know you'll get to like it if you give it a chance now
(Come on baby, do the Loco-motion)
My little baby sister can do it with me
It's easier than learning your A-B-C
So come on, come on, do the Loco-motion with me
You gotta swing your hips, now
Come on, baby
Jump up
Jump back
Well, now, I think you've got the knack
Wow, wow
Now that you can do it, let's make a chain, now
(Come on baby, do the Loco-motion)
A chug-a chug-a motion like a railroad train, now
(Come on baby, do the Loco-motion)
Do it nice and easy, now, don't lose control
A little bit of rhythm and a lot of soul
Come on, come on
Do the Loco-motion with me
Ye-ye-ye-yeah
Move around the floor in a Loco-motion
(Come on baby, do the Loco-motion)
Do it holding hands if you get the notion
(Come on baby, do the Loco-motion)
There's never been a dance that's so easy to do
It even makes you happy when you're feeling blue
So come on, come on, do the Loco-motion with me
(Come one)
You gotta swing your hips, now
(Come one)
That's right (do the Loco-motion)
You're doing fine!
(Come one, do the Loco-motion)
Come on, babe
(Come one, do the Loco-motion)
Hm-hm-hm, jump up
(Come one)
Jump back (do the Loco-motion)
You're looking good
(Come one, do the Loco-motion)
Hm-hm-hm, jump up
(Come one)
Jump back (do the Loco-motion)
The Chiffons' hit song "The Loco-motion" is an upbeat, fun dance track that encourages listeners to join in on the dance craze. The lyrics describe the steps of the dance and encourage everyone to give it a try, stating that it's easier than learning your A-B-C. The song also suggests that doing the Loco-motion can lift your spirits when feeling down.
The chorus of the song repeatedly urges listeners to "come on baby, do the Loco-motion", with the verses describing the dance steps and encouraging everyone to join in. The second verse also suggests making a chain dance like a railroad train, adding a fun and interactive element to the dance.
Line by Line Meaning
Everybody's doing a brand-new dance, now
The Loco-Motion is a popular new dance that everyone is doing.
I know you'll get to like it if you give it a chance now
If you try the Loco-Motion, you'll end up enjoying it.
My little baby sister can do it with me
The Loco-Motion is easy enough for even a young child to learn and do.
It's easier than learning your A-B-C
The dance is so simple that it's less challenging than learning the alphabet.
You gotta swing your hips, now
To do the Loco-Motion, you need to move your hips in a swinging motion.
Jump up
As part of the dance, you need to jump up off the ground briefly.
Jump back
The Loco-Motion involves moving your feet backward as well as forward.
Well, now, I think you've got the knack
After some practice, the singer believes the listener has learned the steps correctly.
Now that you can do it, let's make a chain, now
Since you know the dance, let's try doing it in a linked chain with other dancers.
A chug-a chug-a motion like a railroad train, now
The linked dancers move like a train in a chugging, rhythmic motion.
Do it nice and easy, now, don't lose control
When dancing, it's important to stay relaxed and not get too carried away with the movements.
A little bit of rhythm and a lot of soul
To really do the Loco-Motion well, you need to feel the rhythm and put your own soul into the dance.
Move around the floor in a Loco-motion
The dance involves moving around the entire dance floor in the distinctive Loco-Motion style.
Do it holding hands if you get the notion
For added fun and connection, dancers can try doing the Loco-Motion while holding hands.
There's never been a dance that's so easy to do
According to the singer, the Loco-Motion is easily the simplest dance ever created.
It even makes you happy when you're feeling blue
Doing the dance can be a mood-booster, particularly when you're feeling down or sad.
That's right (do the Loco-motion)
The singer confirms that the listener is doing the steps correctly.
You're doing fine!
The singer offers encouragement to the listener, indicating they are doing a good job with the dance.
You're looking good
The listener is performing the dance with style and skill, according to the singer.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Carole King, Gerry Goffin
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Zeus & Athena
This is the best version of this song
ildibildi53
Golden Oldies... Timeless beauties
AMNON SUODAI
THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMENT, & IT'S MY PLEASURE ,
James Vignali
Another classic.
MartyMcFly -
Crystals “Doo Ron Ron” is superior
James Vignali
The Chiffons were great.
Alissa Reminiec
I agree
Nicola Brooks
Miss those days
Wxsa Wxsa
THANKS AMNON SUDDAI 70 NOW IM STILL ROCKING TO CHIFFONS LOVE YOU MIX USAF(ret) ENJOYED ON DANCES WITH My TEEN Sweet Hart Faaithfull still in 2022!
Henri Choubascol
The title of the song is "Loco-motion", not "The locomotion".
Just saying...