The Chiffons are an all girl group originating from New York, New York in 1… Read Full Bio ↴The Chiffons are an all girl group originating from New York, New York in 1960, best known for their hit pop singles such as "One Fine Day" and "Sweet Talkin' Guy" that are staples of oldies radio. Foreshadowing the later success of many African-American pop and soul artists of the period, the Chiffons' sassy flair made them one of the top girl groups of the early 60s.

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.

Tonight's the Night
The Chiffons Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Said you′re gonna meet me
(Tonight's the night)
Tonight′s the night
(Tonight's the night)
Said you're gonna kiss me
(Tonight′s the night)
Tonight′s the night
(Tonight's the night)

I don′t know
Said I don't know right now
But I love you so
(Tonight′s the night)
Said you're gonna make me
(Tonight′s the night)
Turn the lights down low
(Tonight's the night)
Said you're gonna make me
(Tonight′s the night)
Feel all aglow
(Tonight′s the night)
I don't know
Said I don′t know right now

I might love you so much
You may break my heart
I may want you so much
That all my dreams may fall apart
Said you're gonna hold me
(Tonight′s the night)
Tonight's the night
(Tonight′s the night)
Said you're gonna hold me
Hold me tight
I don't know
Said I don′t know right now
But I love you so
(Tonight′s the night)
Let's take a chance
(Tonight′s the night)
Gonna be a great romance

(Tonight's the night)
Let′s start right now...

Overall Meaning

The Chiffons's song Tonight's the Night presents a conversation between two people, where one is promising the other that they will meet up and have a romantic evening. The repeated phrase "Tonight's the night" emphasizes the anticipation and excitement of the moment. The lyrics also convey a sense of uncertainty and vulnerability, with the singer expressing their love but also acknowledging that their heart could be broken. The mention of turning down the lights and feeling aglow suggests a desire for intimacy and passion.

Overall, the song captures the hope and nervousness of a budding romance, with the repeated refrain serving as a reminder that this moment is a turning point. The lyrics are simple, but they convey a powerful message about taking a chance on love and seizing the moment.

Line by Line Meaning

Said you're gonna meet me (Tonight's the night)
You promised to meet me tonight.

Tonight's the night (Tonight's the night)
This is the night we have been waiting for.

Said you're gonna kiss me (Tonight's the night)
You promised to kiss me tonight.

I don't know Said I don't know right now But I love you so (Tonight's the night)
I am unsure of what will happen, but my love for you is strong and unwavering.

Said you're gonna make me (Tonight's the night)
You promised to make me feel a certain way tonight.

Turn the lights down low (Tonight's the night)
You want the lights to be dimmed to set a romantic mood.

Feel all aglow (Tonight's the night)
You promised to make me feel warm and happy inside.

I might love you so much You may break my heart I may want you so much That all my dreams may fall apart
I am afraid that my love for you is so strong that it may lead to heartbreak or the failure of my dreams.

Said you're gonna hold me (Tonight's the night) Said you're gonna hold me Hold me tight I don't know Said I don't know right now But I love you so (Tonight's the night)
You promised to hold me tonight and I am not sure what will happen, but I love you deeply.

Let's take a chance (Tonight's the night) Gonna be a great romance (Tonight's the night) Let's start right now...
Let's take a chance on our love tonight and make it a night to remember. Let's start right now and see where the night takes us.

Writer(s): Luther Dixon, Shirley Owens

Contributed by Logan L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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Comments from YouTube:

@dovermoreno

15y↑1

I had 5 sisters growing up in the sixties and one of my fondest memories is of them puting 45's on the record player and lip syncing to the their favorites.....and Tonight's The Nighthis was definitely one of them. In my mind's eye I can still see them all holding hair brush-microphones and hamming it up in our living room back home in Illinois..... Good times ! Good times !!

@Komet67

16y

Thanks for posting this for us to enjoy. Good memories from that era no matter who is singing it.

@tas6010

13y

Boy, you learn something new every day!

@mcoldskool

16y

OMG I loved the hell outta this song!!!

@xpmark1

13y↑1

I think this version by the California Chiffons is perfect.The Shirelles are very much a favorite girl group.

@regcart

15y

Love The Chiffons another group who was amazing in its day......I love girl groups!!!!!!!!

@davidbeautifulperez2726

I LOVE THIS VERSION BY THE CHIFFONS

@dovermoreno

15y

Yesssssssss. I am now chair dancing !!!!

@sauquoit13456

11y

On this day in 1960 {September 12th} two versions of "Tonight's The Night" entered Billboard's Hot Top 100 chart; the Shirelles version peaked at #39 and spent 12 weeks on the Top 100, while the Chiffons version reached #76 and stayed on the Top 100 for 4 weeks... The Shirelles version reached #14 on Billboard's R&B Singles chart... Lead singer of the Shirelles, Shirley Alston Reeves, was the song's co-composer... Ms. Reeves celebrated her 72nd birthday three months ago on June 10th...

@POOH875

16y

BOTH SOUNDS GOOD

@peterandreasen

16y↑1

This song is out on CD just now. Early Girls vol. 5. This is actually not the "do-lang do-lang" girls, but another group called "The Chiffons" wonder if they are the same who did "doctor of hearts"

@drpesky

15y

Great its a pity they never as far as i know came to the UK

@travis7310

15y↑1

Yeah, at first, I was going to tell the person that this was the Shirelles. I'm glad that I listened before making an ass of myself!

@arunachalagirl

15y

Interesting. I thought they were all the same group. I like them both!

@zbigniewszmigiero2156

Both versions have been charted this same week. And Chiffons version has been placed a little be higher initially.

@WillerRemyMa

15y

Thanks for the comment. My thoughts exactly! :)

@chasteer

15y

Hi any cds left? charlie

@johnandlat

13y

@yellowlinda yea, but the picture is of the more popular group that we know as the Chiffons

@DonCheechio

15y

Hey, I'll meet cha @ Chookies for an egg cream. Awesome song & memories . . .

@WillerRemyMa

15y

Thanks for the heads-up! Do you know any other recordings by this group. I dig their sound so much! Is the song 'Doctor of Hearts' by this group as well?

@tjbnyc76

13y

@carlvis1 The Shirelles recorded for Scepter Records in New York, not Motown.

@nbarrett6590

Todd Brandt i

@elamite66

13y

@tjbnyc76 of course you're correct but doesn't the lead singer sound exactly like the lead singer of the Shirelles?

@JimmyBoi2

13y

Picture is of the NYC Chiffons........

@lajas46

14y

@yellowlinda THEY ALSO RECORDED AS THE FOUR PENNIES WITH THE SONG "MY BLOCK"

@paulsgamingslotchannel

That was the New York Chiffons, not this group

@WillerRemyMa

15y

No right, neither were the Shirelles who made and wrote the original. Motown or not, it's all so good! :)

@POOH875

16y

it seems like they use the shirelles intro because it sounds just like it then it change to the chiffons

@UpstateMediaNY

6y↑1

If this had been a bigger hit they would have most likely gotten sued by Scepter for the blatant theft of the Shirelles intro which was conveniently dubbed and spliced onto the Chiffon's version, but since the record bombed it was a moot point, I guess.

"We can't afford a string section....screw it...we'll just use theirs!!!!"

@jefferygoodman9928

UpstateMediaGuy: I’ve always known that they also recorded this but it’s not on my Chiffons anthology cd so never heard this before. I was also struck by the exact same intro but given how Florence Greenberg ripped off the Shirelles royalties I’m surprised that she didn’t sue....at least on ‘behalf’ of Shirley as the writer.

@WillerRemyMa

15y

Except they're not the same Chiffons. The 'One Fine Day' Chiffons formed in 1962, and are from the Bronx. This group formed in 1958, in Los Angeles, and broke up in 1961. That's why the Bronx group were able to use their name! :)

@johnandlat

15y

no I don't know any other recordings by this group

@elamite66

13y

in any case the do a very close imitation of the Shirelles hit

@JimmyBoi2

Picture is of the NY Chiffons, though ...

@WillerRemyMa

Hehe, you already gave the heads up five years ago :)

@jefferygoodman9928

RemyMartin: Um, uh, maybe he forgot his original comment....five years later.

@sharonluongo3192

10y

could have sworn the shirelles made this.

@timothythorne9464

Very similar to the Shirelles' much more popular version. Not as edgy and poignant as the Shirelles hit, but still worth a listen.

@direfranchement

11y↑5

This version is heavier and lacking the sweetness of the Shirelles' recording.

@timothythorne9464

The two recordings are very similar with nearly identical backgrounds. That being said I feel more inspired by the Shirelles sweeter, more earnest vocal delivery.

@WillerRemyMa

16y

I like the Chiffons version better, but yeah, Shirelles rock!

@illongo99

12y

Wow even Joel Whitburn's Billboard got it wrong

@POOH875

15y

hahahah me to

@carlvis1

14y

I like the Chiffons but they can't compare to the Shirelles who were one of the best motown girl groups.

@russieross

14y

I like both versions. Although the Shirelles version had better instrumentation, the Chiffons lead singer was better.

@johnandlat

16y

this group was from California. They are not The Chiffons that we think of. This group had no success on the charts and that's why The Group from NYC was able to use that name

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