Can't We Be Sweetheart's
Formed in Queens, NY, in 1955, the Cleftones consisted of five friends from… Read Full Bio ↴Formed in Queens, NY, in 1955, the Cleftones consisted of five friends from Jamaica High School -- Herb Cox (lead), Warren Corbin (bass), Charlie James (first tenor), William McClain (baritone), and Berman Patterson (second tenor). Originally signed to Gee, the group released its first single, "You Baby You," late in 1955; an up-tempo doo wop song, the record became a regional hit. "Little Girl of Mine," the Cleftones' second single, broke nationally, charting at number eight R&B and number 57 pop in 1956; two other similar singles, "Can't We Be Sweethearts" and "String Around My Heart," were released the same year, yet they failed to attract national attention. "See You Next Year," a ballad the group recorded in 1957, did not earn the group an audience outside of New York. Two years later, McClain left the group and was replaced by Gene Pearson from the Rivileers. Patricia Spann was also added to the Cleftones' lineup that year, which helped nudge the band away from traditional group-oriented doo wop harmonies and towards a vocal sound that was dominated by the lead vocals. In 1961, the Cleftones realized the potential of the sound with their smash hit version of the standard "Heart and Soul;" it became the group's biggest hit, reaching number 18 on both pop and R&B charts. Later that year, the group had another hit with "For Sentimental Reasons," but the band had reached a peak with "Heart and Soul" and were never able to reach those heights again. The Cleftones broke up in 1964, three years after their greatest success. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All-Music Guide

Can't We Be Sweetheart's
The Cleftones Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Can't we be sweethearts?
Why don't we fall in love?
Right from the start, you're the girl I'm thinking of
Oh, can't you see you're the only girl for me

Please be my sweetheart, don't you know the way I feel
Please play the part and make my dreams all real
Oh don't you know, don't you know I really love you so

We walk hand in hand, in our wonderland
The world would be our own
I'd make love to you, hug an kiss you too
If you'd be mine alone

Please be my sweetheart, don't you know the way I feel
Please play the part and make my dreams all real
Oh don't you know, don't you know I really love you so

We walk hand in hand, in our wonderland
The world would be our own
I'd make love to you, hug an kiss you too
If you'd be mine alone

Can't we be sweethearts?
Why don't we fall in love?




Right from the start, you're the girl I'm thinking of
Oh, can't you see you're the only girl for me

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to The Cleftones' song Can't We Be Sweethearts express the singer's desire for the object of his affection to reciprocate his feelings. He asks her to be his sweetheart and make his dreams come true. He knows he loves her and that she is the only girl for him. He imagines a world where they are together, walking hand in hand, and their love making everything else fade away.


The song is a classic doo-wop ballad from the 1950s, and its romantic lyrics and catchy melody made it a favorite among listeners at the time. The Cleftones were known for their smooth harmonies and soulful performances, and Can't We Be Sweethearts is no exception. The song captures the innocence and hopefulness of young love, as well as the frustration and longing that often accompany it.


Overall, the lyrics to Can't We Be Sweethearts are a plea for love and a declaration of affection. They evoke a sense of nostalgia for a time when love was simpler and sweeter, and they remind us of the enduring power of romance.


Line by Line Meaning

Can't we be sweethearts?
Asking if we can be in a romantic relationship


Why don't we fall in love?
Wondering why we haven't become romantically involved yet


Right from the start, you're the girl I'm thinking of
Thinking about this person from the very beginning


Oh, can't you see you're the only girl for me
Expressing that this person is the only one for me


Please be my sweetheart, don't you know the way I feel
Requesting for this person to be my romantic partner and expressing my feelings


Please play the part and make my dreams all real
Asking this person to play the role of my significant other and fulfill my romantic wishes


Oh don't you know, don't you know I really love you so
Expressing deep affection and love towards this person


We walk hand in hand, in our wonderland
Walking together in a beautiful, idyllic setting


The world would be our own
Feeling like we would own the world if we were together


I'd make love to you, hug an kiss you too
Wishing to share intimate moments and physical affection with this person


If you'd be mine alone
Asking this person to be exclusively mine in a romantic relationship




Writer(s): Morris Levy, Herbert Cox

Contributed by Madelyn A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

coelhovsk

Can't we be sweethearts?
Why don't we fall in love?
Right from the start, you're the girl I'm thinking of
Oh, can't you see you're the only girl for me

Please be my sweetheart, don't you know the way I feel
Please play the part and make my dreams all real
Oh don't you know, don't you know I really love you so

We walk hand in hand, in our wonderland
The world would be our own
I'd make love to you, hug an kiss you too
If you'd be mine alone

Please be my sweetheart, don't you know the way I feel
Please play the part and make my dreams all real
Oh don't you know, don't you know I really love you so

We walk hand in hand, in our wonderland
The world would be our own
I'd make love to you, hug an kiss you too
If you'd be mine alone


Can't we be sweethearts?
Why don't we fall in love?
Right from the start, you're the girl I'm thinking of
Oh, can't you see you're the only girl for me



All comments from YouTube:

likenumber23

The first time I heard this on Goodfellas I knew I had to hear it again. Great song.

Daniel Sweet

I swear, I watched good fellas for my first time and let me tell anyone who hasn't seen it, it's the most phenomenally made movie about Italian gangsters. And this music couldn't be anymore perfect for the time period

RaananVolesPianist

Just saw "Goodfellas" last night. The Cleftones were great singers, but this wouldn't be nothing without the sound of sax player Jimmy Wright and his band!

Diana McFarland

LOVE THIS SONG. DOO WOP LIVES ON FOREVER!!

M Kovac

I was the luckiest kid in the world. I could go anywhere. I could do anything. I knew everybody and everybody knew me.

let there be lamp

M Kovac I mean here I was this little kid could barely see over the steering wheel, and I'm parking Cadillacs!

Willliam Gumbrell

One day some kids carried my moms groceries all the way home. You know why? It was outta respect

Jordan Thomas

M Kovac Goodfellas, what a movie

Le toubib

@Willliam Gumbrell "One day the kids from the neighbourhood carried my mother's groceries all the way home. You know why? It was outta respect."
Nope! 'T was just mere pity of'em 'cause she couldn't afford a car, a taxi, or at least a son who would help'er... ;-)
Btw., my dearest Willie, some 3 years ago a certain _Jamie Bryant _ wrote exactly the same! Do you happen to be the 2nd Jamie Bryant?

A Gupta

Imagine someone who hasn't seen goodfellas scrolling through these comments. He'll wonder what we all are talking about

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