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
Zorro
The Chordettes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Zorro, Zorro,
Zorro, Zorro,
Zorro, Zorro
sound of blade going through the air
sound of hoof beats again
Out of the night when the full moon is bright
He's already gave his mark of Z with his blade
A Z that stands for Zorro
Zorro, Zorro, Zorro
The fox of cunning and creed
Zorro, Zorro, Zorro
He makes the sign of the Z
Zorro, Zorro,
Zorro, Zorro,
Zorro, Zorro
He is alive let the wicked take fright
When they catch the sight of Zorro
He's a friend of the weak and the poor and the meek
This very unique Senor Zorro
Zorro, Zorro, Zorro
The fox of cunning and creed
Zorro, Zorro, Zorro
He makes the sign of the Z
Zorro, Zorro,
Zorro, Zorro,
Zorro, Zorro
sound of hoof beats
The Chordettes’ song Zorro is an ode to the iconic tale of a masked hero who fought against injustice and oppression in early California. The lyrics evoke the sound of hoof beats while chanting “Zorro, Zorro” repeatedly, building anticipation for the arrival of the hero. The sound of a blade going through the air adds to the tension, symbolizing the flash of Zorro’s sword as he battles enemies.
The first stanza sets up the image of Zorro riding out of the darkness on a full moon night, ready to use his blade to leave his mark on those who are doing wrong. The letter “Z” is associated with his name and becomes his calling card as he fights for justice. The chorus reiterates his cunning nature as “the fox of cunning and creed,” while he makes the sign of the Z, emphasizing his strength and resolve.
In the second stanza, Zorro is described as a fighter for the poor and the weak, a symbol of hope for those who had no voice. He is a unique hero, not afraid to stand up for what is right and challenge those in power. The final repetition of “Zorro, Zorro” coincides with the sound of hoof beats, an indication that he has disappeared as quickly as he appeared, leaving his mark on the world.
Line by Line Meaning
Sound of hoof beats
The sound of a horse's hooves hitting the ground
Zorro, Zorro,
Repeatedly calling out the name Zorro
Zorro, Zorro,
Repeatedly calling out the name Zorro
Zorro, Zorro
Repeatedly calling out the name Zorro
sound of blade going through the air
The sound of a sword/swashbuckling blade being swung through the air
sound of hoof beats again
The sound of a horse's hooves hitting the ground again
Out of the night when the full moon is bright
Under the cover of darkness when the moon is at its fullest
Comes a horseman known as Zorro
A man on horseback arrives, wearing a mask and known as Zorro
He's already gave his mark of Z with his blade
He has already left his signature 'Z' mark using his sword
A Z that stands for Zorro
The 'Z' mark is symbolic of Zorro's identity
Zorro, Zorro, Zorro
Repeatedly calling out the name Zorro
The fox of cunning and creed
Zorro is known for being a sly and clever figure
Zorro, Zorro, Zorro
Repeatedly calling out the name Zorro
He makes the sign of the Z
Zorro leaves his signature 'Z' mark as a calling card
Zorro, Zorro,
Repeatedly calling out the name Zorro
Zorro, Zorro,
Repeatedly calling out the name Zorro
Zorro, Zorro
Repeatedly calling out the name Zorro
He is alive let the wicked take fright
Zorro is still alive and his enemies should be afraid of him
When they catch the sight of Zorro
When they see Zorro
He's a friend of the weak and the poor and the meek
Zorro is known for helping those who are vulnerable or disadvantaged
This very unique Senor Zorro
Zorro is a one-of-a-kind figure
Zorro, Zorro, Zorro
Repeatedly calling out the name Zorro
The fox of cunning and creed
Zorro is known for being a sly and clever figure
Zorro, Zorro, Zorro
Repeatedly calling out the name Zorro
He makes the sign of the Z
Zorro leaves his signature 'Z' mark as a calling card
Zorro, Zorro,
Repeatedly calling out the name Zorro
Zorro, Zorro,
Repeatedly calling out the name Zorro
Zorro, Zorro
Repeatedly calling out the name Zorro
sound of hoof beats
The sound of a horse's hooves hitting the ground
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: NORMAN FOSTER, GEORGE BRUNS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Michael A. McCracken
ZORRO
by George Bruns and Norman Foster
🎵 Zorro. Zorro. Zorro. Zorro. Zorro. Zorro. 🎵
🎵 Out of the night when the full moon is bright, 🎵
🎵 comes a horseman known as Zorro. 🎵
🎵 This bold renegade carves a 'Z' with his blade. 🎵
🎵 A 'Z' that stands for Zorro. 🎵
🎵 Zorro. The Fox so cunning and free. 🎵
🎵 Zorro. Who makes the sign of the 'Z'. 🎵
🎵 Zorro. Zorro. Zorro. Zorro. Zorro. Zorro. 🎵
🎵 He is polite but the wicked take flight, 🎵
🎵 when they catch the sign of Zorro. 🎵
🎵 He's a friend of the weak and the poor and the meek. 🎵
🎵 This very unique Senôr Zorro. 🎵
🎵 Zorro. The Fox so cunning and free. 🎵
🎵 Zorro. Who makes the sign of the 'Z'. 🎵
🎵 Zorro. Zorro. Zorro. Zorro. Zorro. Zorro. 🎵
Michael A. McCracken
ZORRO
by George Bruns and Norman Foster
🎵 Zorro. Zorro. Zorro. Zorro. Zorro. Zorro. 🎵
🎵 Out of the night when the full moon is bright, 🎵
🎵 comes a horseman known as Zorro. 🎵
🎵 This bold renegade carves a 'Z' with his blade. 🎵
🎵 A 'Z' that stands for Zorro. 🎵
🎵 Zorro. The Fox so cunning and free. 🎵
🎵 Zorro. Who makes the sign of the 'Z'. 🎵
🎵 Zorro. Zorro. Zorro. Zorro. Zorro. Zorro. 🎵
🎵 He is polite but the wicked take flight, 🎵
🎵 when they catch the sign of Zorro. 🎵
🎵 He's a friend of the weak and the poor and the meek. 🎵
🎵 This very unique Senôr Zorro. 🎵
🎵 Zorro. The Fox so cunning and free. 🎵
🎵 Zorro. Who makes the sign of the 'Z'. 🎵
🎵 Zorro. Zorro. Zorro. Zorro. Zorro. Zorro. 🎵
James Lye
Love this song. For 2 years every Thursday night 1957-1959, all the kids watched Zorro, to laugh at bumbling Sgt. Garcia. And of course, to watch Zorro. Such good memories. Gracious thanks NRR Archives for helping me relive the dream
PinkFloyd Meddle
That's nice
Paul Thompson
These ladies were a gift from heaven sent to bless us for a time and share their beautiful voices……..they are sorely missed
2022 🔥💯❤️🎼⭐️
Robert Romero
Wow, until tonight I had no idea this version of the Zorro song existed! Thanks!
sauquoit13456
On this day in 1958 {April 26th} the Chordettes performed "Zorro" on the ABC-TV program 'The Dick Clark Saturday Night Beech-Nut Show'... One month later on May 19th it entered Billboard's Hot Top 100 chart, eventually it peaked at #17 and spent 11 weeks on the Top 100... Original members Janet Ertel (1913 –1988) and Jinny Osborn (1928 –2003) have passed away... R.I.P. Ms. Ertel, Ms. Osborn, and Mr. Clark {1929 - 2012}...
sauquoit13456
Lynn Evans Mand, the lead singer of the vocal harmony group the Chordettes, passed away on February 6th, 2020 at the age of 95...
She joined the group in 1952 when their lead singer could not make a show in Mand’s hometown of Youngstown, Ohio. She was asked to step in and was invited to join the group. After the Chordettes disbanded in the 1960s, Mand moved to Long Island and became a special education teacher...
Between 1954 and 1961 the quartet had thirteen records on the Top 100 chart, four made the Top 10 with one reaching #1, "Mr. Sandman", for 2 weeks on Billboard's Best Sellers in Stores, Most Played by Jockeys, and Most Played on Juke Boxes charts...
Besides "Mr. Sandman", their three other Top 10 records were "Born to Be With You" {#5 in 1956}, "Just Between You and Me" {#8 in 1957}, and "Lollipop"* {#2 for 1 week in 1958}...
May Ms. Mand R.I.P.
* The week "Lollipop" was at #2, the #1 record for that week was "Tequila" by the Champs...
And from the 'For What It's Worth' department, their "Zorro" peaked at #17 in 1958...
Luis Tenco
Que
Hermosa interpretación!!!
Danilo Canales
En su corcel... cuando sale la luna, aparece el bravo Zorro.. ♪♫
ROMAN VALLEJO
The fox xd
Sgt Pepper
Me encanta esta música