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
Pink Shoe Laces
The Chordettes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
He's my guy and I love him truly
He's not good lookin', heaven knows
But I'm wild about his crazy clothes
He wears tan shoes with pink shoelaces
A polka dot vest and man, oh, man
Tan shoes with pink shoelaces
Ooh-ooh, ooh, ooh
Ooh-ooh, ooh, ooh
He takes me deep-sea fishing in a submarine
We got to drive-in movies in a limousine
He's got a whirly-birdy and a 12-foot yacht
Ah, but thats-a not all he's got
He's got tan shoes with pink shoelaces
A polka dot vest and man, oh, man
Tan shoes with pink shoelaces
And a big Panama with a purple hat band
Now Dooley had a feelin' we were goin' to war
So he went out and enlisted in a fightin' corps
But he landed in the brig for raisin' such a storm
When they tried to put 'em in a uniform
He wanted tan shoes with pink shoelaces
A polka dot vest and man, oh, man
He wanted tan shoes with pink shoelaces
And a big Panama with a purple hat band
Ooh-ooh, ooh, ooh
Ooh-ooh, ooh, ooh
Now one day Dooley started feelin' sick
And he decided that he better make his will out quick
He said
"Just before the angels come to carry me
I want it down in writin' how to bury me."
A'wearin tan shoes with pink shoelaces
A polka dot vest and man, oh, man
Give me tan shoes with pink shoelaces
And a big Panama with a purple hat band
Ooh-ooh, ooh, ooh
Ooh-ooh, ooh, ooh
Ooh-ooh, ooh, ooh
And a big Panama with a purple hat band!
The Chordettes' hit song "Pink Shoe Laces" is a playful and whimsical tune about a girl named who has found the love of her life in a guy named Dooley. Despite his lack of good looks, the lyrics convey that he has captured her heart with his quirky fashion sense. Dooley's wardrobe consists of tan shoes with pink shoelaces, a polka dot vest, and a big Panama hat with a purple hatband. The song describes Dooley as a charming eccentric with a variety of unique possessions, such as a submarine and a 12-foot yacht.
The final verse of the song takes a more serious turn, when Dooley enlists in a "fighting corps" at the start of war, only to end up in the brig for refusing to wear a uniform that was not to his liking. Dooley then makes a will, wanting to ensure he is buried in the same unique attire he is known for wearing - tan shoes with pink shoelaces, a polka dot vest, and a big Panama hat with a purple hatband.
Overall, "Pink Shoe Laces" is a light-hearted and playful song about embracing uniqueness and quirky style, and valuing those who express themselves in unconventional ways, rather than focusing solely on conventional attractiveness or societal norms.
Line by Line Meaning
Now I've got a guy and his name is Dooley
I am in a relationship with a guy named Dooley
He's not good lookin', heaven knows
Dooley is not conventionally attractive
But I'm wild about his crazy clothes
I love Dooley's eccentric fashion sense
He wears tan shoes with pink shoelaces
Dooley's footwear consists of tan shoes with pink laces
A polka dot vest and man, oh, man
Dooley wears a vest with polka dots
He takes me deep-sea fishing in a submarine
Dooley and I go deep-sea fishing in a submarine
We got to drive-in movies in a limousine
Dooley and I go to drive-in movies in a limousine
He's got a whirly-birdy and a 12-foot yacht
Dooley owns a helicopter and a 12-foot yacht
Now Dooley had a feelin' we were goin' to war
Dooley had a sense that a war was imminent
So he went out and enlisted in a fightin' corps
Dooley joined the military in preparation for the war
But he landed in the brig for raisin' such a storm
Dooley was put in prison for causing trouble
When they tried to put 'em in a uniform
Dooley refused to wear the standard military uniform
Now one day Dooley started feelin' sick
Dooley became ill
And he decided that he better make his will out quick
Dooley wanted to write his will before it was too late
A'wearin tan shoes with pink shoelaces
Dooley wanted to be buried wearing his signature tan shoes with pink laces
Give me tan shoes with pink shoelaces
Dooley's dying wish was to have tan shoes with pink laces
And a big Panama with a purple hat band
Dooley also wanted to wear his big Panama hat with a purple band
Writer(s): george garabedian, mick grant
Contributed by Lillian T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.