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
Humming Bird
The Chordettes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Humming bird, humming bird should be your name,
(humming bird should be your name)
Too restless to settle, too wild to tame,
(too restless, too wild to tame)
Too restless to settle, too wild to tame,
Humming bird, humming bird should be your name.
(humming, humming, humming, humming)
Humming bird, humming bird winging along
(humming bird winging along)
No tender young blossom can hold you for long
(no blossom can hold you for long)
No tender young blossom can hold you for long
Humming bird, humming bird winging along
I'd rather be lonely, I'd rather be blue
Yes I'd rather spend my whole life without you
Than feather a nest to be shattered apart
By the hum, hum of your humming bird heart.
Humming bird, humming bird feathered so fine,
(humming bird feathered so fine)
If I clipped your wings it would not make you mine
(no, no it would not make you mine)
If I clipped your wings it would not make you mine
Humming bird, humming bird feathered so fine,
(humming, humming, humming)
Humming bird, humming bird fly right on by
Some folks like to gamble but, darling, not I
Some folks like to gamble but, darling, not I
Humming bird, humming bird fly right on by
I'd rather be lonely, I'd rather be blue
Yes I'd rather spend my whole life without you
Than feather a nest to be shattered apart
By the hum, hum of your humming bird heart.
By the hum, hum of your humming bird heart.
The Chordettes’ song, ‘Humming Bird,’ is about the comparison of a person to a bird, specifically a hummingbird. The song describes how the eponymous bird is too restless and wild to settle down and be tamed despite the fact that the singer is in love with the bird. The chorus notes that "Humming bird should be your name" because of the traits of the bird that the singer wishes the beloved possessed. Even though the singer loves the bird, she’d rather be alone than try to settle down with someone who would constantly flutter away, just like the hummingbird. The hummingbird represents the unattainable love: the desire to possess that which cannot be held.
There is a sense of acceptance in the lyrics, almost as if the singer knows that this relationship is hopeless and unsatisfying. The final line, “By the hum, hum of your humming bird heart,” illustrates the heartache and disappointment that the singer experiences because of her unrequited love. By utilising the metaphor of the hummingbird's constant fluttering and inability to commit, the song emphasizes the anguish of a love that is doomed from the start.
Line by Line Meaning
Humming bird, humming bird should be your name,
The person addressed is compared to a hummingbird because they are too restless and wild to be tamed and settled like a regular human being.
Too restless to settle, too wild to tame,
The person being addressed is too restless and adventurous to be tied down or controlled by anyone.
Humming bird, humming bird should be your name.
The singer reiterates that the person addressed is akin to a hummingbird in nature and character.
Humming bird, humming bird winging along
The person being addressed is described as someone who is always on the move and never stays in one place for too long.
No tender young blossom can hold you for long
The person being addressed is so restless and uncommitted that they cannot be tied down to a romantic partner or relationship.
Humming bird, humming bird winging along
The singer once again emphasizes the restlessness and freedom of the person being addressed.
I'd rather be lonely, I'd rather be blue
The singer asserts that they would rather be alone and sad than be in a relationship with the person being addressed.
Yes I'd rather spend my whole life without you
The artist affirms their preference for being alone rather than being with the person being addressed.
Than feather a nest to be shattered apart
The artist does not want to invest time and effort into building a relationship with the person being addressed only to have it fall apart eventually.
By the hum, hum of your humming bird heart.
The artist does not want to be hurt or disappointed by the person being addressed who is incapable of commitment and loyalty.
Humming bird, humming bird feathered so fine,
The person being addressed is praised for their physical beauty and elegance.
If I clipped your wings it would not make you mine
Even if the artist tried to control or change the person being addressed, they would still remain flighty and uncommitted.
No, no it would not make you mine
The singer emphasizes that controlling or changing the person being addressed is not the solution to their relationship problems.
Humming bird, humming bird feathered so fine,
The singer once again admires the physical beauty and grace of the person being addressed.
Humming bird, humming bird fly right on by
The singer wishes the person being addressed a safe journey as they continue to wander in their life.
Some folks like to gamble but, darling, not I
The artist asserts that they are not willing to take risks or chances in relationships like some other people.
Some folks like to gamble but, darling, not I
The artist reiterates that they prefer safety and stability in relationships.
Humming bird, humming bird fly right on by
The person being addressed is again wished a safe and free journey in their life.
I'd rather be lonely, I'd rather be blue
The singer once again affirms their preference for being alone and sad rather than being with the person being addressed.
Yes I'd rather spend my whole life without you
The artist again stresses their desire to stay away from the uncommitted and restless nature of the person being addressed.
Than feather a nest to be shattered apart
The artist does not want to invest time and effort into building a relationship with the person being addressed only to have it fall apart eventually.
By the hum, hum of your humming bird heart.
The artist again cites the fleeting and uncommitted nature of the person being addressed as a reason for avoiding a relationship with them.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: LEON RUSSELL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
lancelot1953
Hi Mark, thank you so much for uploading this version which I had not heard in 40 years, thank you for the memories of a time of peace and innocence, Ciao, L
Archie Morrison
This is the first time I have heard this version. I like it very much
Mark Gallagher
THIS SONG HAS ALWAYS BEEN ONE OF MY FAVORITES WHEN SUNG BY FRANKIE LAINE, BUT THESE GIRLS DO A VERY GOOD JOB WITH IT.
Stowe
My favorite chordettes song!
whispperson
Don Robertson wrote this incredible song
Jeffrey Berkin
This version charted, but on Cash Box only, peaking at number six.
Wendell Freeman
The year was 1954...the car a '49 Ford coupe. Four kids with their favorite hep-cat aunt and her boyfriend...then this song comes on the radio..
space munky
Great name the chordettes reminds me of an advert I saw free guitar for sale no strings attached
Alissa Reminiec
Mark ,what are the lines that are sung between " winging along " & " humming bird"?
Mr. Rando
No tender young blossom can hold you for long