They were first organized in Sheboygan, Wisconsin in 1946. The original members of the group were Janet Ertel (1913-November 4, 1988), Carol Bushman (her sister-in-law), Dorothy Schwartz, and Jinny Osborn (or Lockard) (April 25, 1927-May 19, 2003). In 1952, Lynn Evans replaced Schwartz, and in 1953, Margie Needham replaced Osborn (who was having a baby), though Osborn later returned to the group. Nancy Overton also was a member of the group at a later time. Originally they sang folk music in the style of The Weavers, but eventually changed to a harmonizing style of the type known as barbershop harmony. Part of this change seems to be influenced by Osborn's father.
Jinny Osborn was born in Seattle, Washington. She was born Virginia Cole, the daughter of O. H. "King" Cole, who was president of the Barbershop Harmony Society (then known as SPEBSQSA), and Katherine Flack.
After performing locally in Sheboygan, they went on Arthur Godfrey's radio program, Talent Scouts in 1949.They went on to feature status on Godfrey's daily program, and then went on to make a number of recordings for Columbia Records.
In 1953, Godfrey's music director and orchestra leader, Archie Bleyer, founded Cadence Records. He signed a number of Godfrey regulars and former regulars, including the Chordettes, who had a number of hit records for Cadence.
Their biggest hit was Mr. Sandman in 1954. Archie Bleyer himself is on that record along with the group, Bleyer stripping the sound down the better not to clutter the girls' voices. They also hit the top twenty with 1958's "Lollipop," and also charted with a vocal version of the themes from television's Zorro (1959) and the film Never on Sunday (1961). Other hits for the girls included "Eddie My Love," "Born to Be With You," and "Lay Down Your Arms" in 1956 and "Just Between You and Me" in 1957.
Janet Ertel married Bleyer in 1954. Her daughter Jackie married another Cadence recording star, Phil Everly of The Everly Brothers. She died of cancer in 1988.
The Chordettes appeared on American Bandstand August 5, 1957, kicking off the first episode of the show over the ABC Television Network.
In 1961, Jinny Osborn left the group, and they were unable to find a replacement with whom they were happy, leading to a breakup.
The group was inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2001.
Jinny Osborn (by that time Jinny Janis) died in 2003
Born to Be with You
The Chordettes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
By your side, satisfied
Through and through
'Cause I was born to be with you
Hmm, hmm, hmm, hmm, hmm
So I knew that I was born to be with you
Hmm, hmm, hmm, hmm, hmm, hmm, hmm, hmm
Do I find
Peace of mind
Yes, I do
'Cause I was born to be with you
All life through
Yes, I was born to be with you, hmm, hmm
The Chordettes' "Born to Be with You" is a love song about the certainty of being meant for someone, and that person alone. The first verse establishes that the singer is completely satisfied with their relationship being by their loved one's side, and that this fulfillment comes naturally, as they were "born to be" with the other person. The following verse references the idea of love being able to see, highlighting that the singer knew they were meant to be with this particular person all along, as love guided them to each other. The subsequent lines express the peace of mind that comes with being with the person they're meant to be with and how this filling of inner peace and satisfaction was expected since they are meant to be together throughout their lives.
Overall, "Born to Be with You" is a romantic and intimate song that is about the idea of destiny and true love. The lyrics suggest that the singer feels like they've found their soulmate and they were always meant to be together. This makes the song a perfect choice for weddings or for a couple to share as a love song that expresses their deep connection and commitment to each other.
Line by Line Meaning
Born to be with you
Destined to spend my life with you
By your side, satisfied
Happy and content being close to you
Through and through
Completely and wholly devoted to you
'Cause I was born to be with you
I have always known that we are meant to be together
Hmm, hmm, hmm, hmm, hmm
Humming a tune that symbolizes our connection
Wondrously, love can see
Love has a magical power of bringing people together
So I knew that I was born to be with you
I felt a deep understanding that we were meant to share our lives
Do I find
Am I able to discover
Peace of mind
A sense of calm and happiness
Yes, I do
I have found that sense of peace with you
'Cause I was born to be with you
Because you are my soulmate and we are meant to be together
All life through
For the rest of my life
Yes, I was born to be with you, hmm, hmm
Our connection is strong and undeniable
Lyrics © Kanjian Music, Royalty Network, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Don Robertson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
DSC Listener
I like the single version more because the whistle break seems to flow easier for my ear.
t40onbass
What asounds me is the backing track is played by actual musicians yet it sounds like one of those auto-rhythm beat and chord mechanisms you'd find on organs and other keyboard instruments years later. The tune even ends like someone presses the "stop" button on one of them!
Billie B
My mom used to sing this.
Ki-hong Jang
It's so good to see you again