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
Soft Sands
The Chordettes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm alone on the shore
You're not walking with me
So the song of the sea
Isn't sweet anymore
But the soft, soft sands
Are the same soft sands
In the warm summer sunshine
There is the rock
That you dared me to climb
Darling, that was the place
Where we shared an embrace
For the very first time
Yes, the rock still stands
On the soft soft sands
And it's more than my heart can bear
Why do I still dream of that storybook ending?
When will my heart ever learn?
Why do I sit here pretending
That you will, that you will, that you will return?
Time and again, since you told me goodbye
I come back to this spot
'Cause it's all that I got to remember you by
And I run my hands through the soft, soft sands
Where you once said you'd always care
The lyrics of The Chordettes' song Soft Sands convey the feelings of a person who is heartbroken after being left alone, watching the sea and remembering the beautiful moments spent with their beloved on the soft sands. The song is a beautiful depiction of how certain places, moments, and memories can carry so much meaning for people. The singer reminisces about the time when they were happy together, and how those moments were so precious that they can't seem to let go of them. The mention of the rock where they shared their first embrace shows how even the smallest details of a moment can feel so significant when viewed through the lens of love.
The song goes on to express the singer's heartache and confusion about why they can't let go and move on. They wonder when their heart will ever learn to accept that their beloved is not returning, and they are stuck in this limbo of heartbreak. The closing lines of the song are touching, as the singer expresses their longing for the little things that remind them of their love - like running their hands through the soft sands.
Overall, the song Soft Sands is a beautiful portrayal of heartbreak, nostalgia, and the memories that tie people to one another. The use of the sea and the soft sands as the setting for the story adds to the wistful, bittersweet mood of the song.
Line by Line Meaning
Now that you're gone
Since you left me, emotionally or physically, I feel lonely and abandoned.
I'm alone on the shore
I am standing by the sea, all by myself.
You're not walking with me
You used to walk with me by the shore, but not anymore.
So the song of the sea Isn't sweet anymore
Without you, the beauty and melody of the sea seem dull, and I don't enjoy it anymore.
But the soft, soft sands Are the same soft sands
Although everything has changed, the texture of the sand which I once enjoyed with you remains the same.
Where we once had such fun In the warm summer sunshine
We used to have such a joyous time on these warm sands under the bright sun.
There is the rock That you dared me to climb
I remember the rock that you had challenged me to climb, and I had accepted it.
Darling, that was the place Where we shared an embrace For the very first time
It was at that rock where we had our first embrace, and it was a tender moment for us.
Yes, the rock still stands On the soft soft sands And it's more than my heart can bear
The rock still stands tall, and the memories of the embrace overwhelm me.
Why do I still dream of that storybook ending?
Why do I fantasize about a perfect end, like the ones we see in fairy tales, despite our break-up?
When will my heart ever learn?
When will I be able to forget the pain and heartbreak and move on?
Why do I sit here pretending
Why do I lie to myself by pretending that you'll come back to me someday, even though you won't?
That you will, that you will, that you will return?
I keep hoping, wishing, and praying for your return, even though I know it's unlikely.
Time and again, since you told me goodbye
Since you left me, over and over, I find myself revisiting this place to reminisce about us.
I come back to this spot 'Cause it's all that I got to remember you by
I come back to this same place again and again because it's the only memory I have of you.
And I run my hands through the soft, soft sands Where you once said you'd always care
At this spot, I run my fingers through the sand, hoping to feel the same reassurances you had given about your care and love for me.
Lyrics © AUSTINTATIOUS TUNES
Written by: C. COATES, L. STEIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Earthling Forever
I was in love when this song first came out. It's stayed with me all these years.
Sheila Brewster
What great Harmony. The music and Sound is so perfectly Beautiful 🦋💗
countrypaul
The Chordettes were both of and ahead of their time. I just discovered there is an Oscar Peterson jazz version - might that have been the original? I know a trend then was to add lyrics to jazz melodies, which didn't always work but it certainly does here. This track is absolutely priceless; they make it sound so easy! They had so many gorgeous songs; they could sing in so many styles and were credible in all of them. (One great forgotten one: "A Broken Vow," from 1960. They could do "girl group," too - heck, they sort of invented it!)
Jack Chen
Just came across this song. It is so beautiful. It’s a shame people often just associate the Chordettes with “Mr. Sandman” and “Lollipop”
iamtheimagedoctor
When I first took piano lessons at age 12 I learned this song. Playing those parallel thirds is still with me today. The sound is sophisticated and jazzy because it starts on the major 9th of the F major 7 chord. When it changes to the Bb7 it is not only blusey but the E natural (Lydian scale note) makes it so haunting. And the end of the bridge where the piano plays the C augmented arpegio: beautiful. The same first chords and feel as "I'll Remember April" If you like this song, check this out: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kh0mKN5dDfE
Jymster46
Yes, that video is mine. I love The Four Freshmen and have several of their songs posted in my channels. Thanks for your comment.
double oh pipe
I never heard this but I've listened at least 25 times so far. Great song. Thanks...
Jymster46
Rick Croucher You are very welcome. This song was the "B" side of their hit "Just Between You and Me" from 1957. Great song, for sure. Thanks so much for listening and commenting!
Jim
double oh pipe
@Jymster46 I come back often to listen.
double oh pipe
Back again.