In 1955, the members of the group were high school students attending Jamaica High School in Queens, New York. The group initially formed around the idea of writing a political campaign jingle for Jamaica High School's Independent Party, an unpopular group of students "made up of people who were typically also-rans in all the school activities", which included future members of The Cleftones. With this aim, Herbie Cox (lead singer), along with classmates Charlie James McGhee (first tenor), Berman Patterson (second tenor), Warren Corbin (bass) and William "Buzzy" McClane (baritone), changed the lyrics to "Gee", a then-popular rhythm-and-blues song by The Crows. Performing their version of "Gee" resulted in making the Independent Party popular and winning the school elections. The group began performing locally as "The Silvertones" in a variety of neighborhood concerts, such as at Hillcrest Jewish Center Day Camp in Queens. The hit song "Gee" was originally produced by "gruff music industry legend" George Goldner, who also signed the group, now renamed "The Cleftones", to a recording contract in 1955.
In their first effort as professional musicians, Corbin and Patterson wrote "You Baby You," which became a hit in 1955. Herb Cox then wrote "Little Girl of Mine" and "Can't We Be Sweethearts," for the group. However, after a few minor hits ("Why You Do Me Like You Do" & "See You Next Year") their next major hits would not come until years later. In 1961 the second generation of The Cleftones included Herb Cox, Charlie James, Warren Corbin, Gene Pearson (baritone from The Rivileers who replaced baritone William "Buzzy" McClane) and new addition Pat Spann, the first and only female to sing with the group. In 1961 they reached #18 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart with "Heart and Soul," a rearrangement of the 1938 song of the same name (a Number #1 by Larry Clinton and his orchestra, with Bea Wain on vocals). The group followed that song with "For Sentimental Reasons" (1962), a rearrangement of a 1936 song of the same name. However, the British Invasion of the mid-1960s took the audiences of The Cleftones and other doo-wop groups. Gene Pearson left to sing with The Drifters from 1962 to 1966. The Cleftones broke up in 1964, three years after their "Heart and Soul" greatest success.
In 2000, tenor Berman Patterson characterized his experience with The Cleftones:
"It seemed like everybody and his brother had a singing group back in the '50s. I think we caught on because we didn't have that stereotypical rhythm-and-blues sound. We were bubblegum. Something bouncing and refreshing. But I'll tell you this: Once you got popular, you were expected to work. I can remember playing five shows a night at the Apollo Theater. We went on every hour and were paid $500 to split five ways."
Lead singer Herb Cox (born Herbert Alexander Cox on May 6, 1938) died in Fayetteville, Georgia on December 7, 2019, at the age of 81.
Songs featured in selected films
"Can't We Be Sweethearts" appeared in the film Goodfellas.
"Heart and Soul" appeared in the films American Graffiti, Mischief and Family Guy.
"Little Girl of Mine" appeared in the film A Bronx Tale.
"Lover Boy" appeared in the film Drive.
"My Angel Lover" appeared in the film Susie Q.
Can't We Be Sweethearts
The Cleftones Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Why don't we fall in love
Right from the start,
You're the girl I'm dreamin' of
Oh can't you see
You're the one and only girl for me
Please by my sweetheart;
Don't you know the way I feelDon't play the part;
Please make my dreams come real
Oh don't you know,
Don't you know I really love you so
We'd walk hand in hand in our wonderland
The world would be our own
I'd make love to you, lovin' kisses too
You'd be mine alone
Can't we be sweethearts
Don't you know the way I feel
Don't break my heart;
Please make my dreams all real
Oh don't you know,
Don't you know I really love you so
The Cleftones's song "Can't We Be Sweethearts" is a classic love song that captures the essence of falling in love for the first time. The singer is pleading with their potential partner to give their love a chance and to reciprocate the same feelings. It's a story of vulnerability, hope, and the fear of rejection. At its core, the song expresses the desire for companionship and the journey of two individuals who are meant to be together.
Throughout the lyrics, the singer expresses their love and their wish to start a relationship in a gentle and sincere way. The song opens with the plea of "Can't we be sweethearts? Why don't we fall in love?" The singer then continues to express their dreams of being together, hand in hand, in their little wonderland. The lyrics are characterized by the singer's need for acceptance and assurance that their love is reciprocated.
Furthermore, the refrain repeats the phrase, "Don't you know the way I feel?" The singer implores their potential sweetheart to understand the depth of their feelings, to not take them lightly, and to not play with their heart. The song is a testament to the vulnerability of being in love and the fear of having that love rejected.
Overall, "Can't We Be Sweethearts" is a romantic and heartfelt song that captures the essence of falling in love, the journey that comes with it, and the vulnerability that it entails.
Line by Line Meaning
Can't we be sweethearts
Asking if the person can be their significant other
Why don't we fall in love
Questioning why the person doesn't want to be in a romantic relationship
Right from the start,
From the beginning of their meeting
You're the girl I'm dreamin' of
The person is the subject of their romantic dreams
Oh can't you see
Asking the person to recognize their feelings
You're the one and only girl for me
The person is unique and irreplaceable in their romantic desires
Please by my sweetheart;
Asking the person to be their significant other
Don't you know the way I feel
Questioning if the person understands their romantic emotions
Don't play the part;
Asking the person to not pretend or be insincere in their romantic interactions
Please make my dreams come real
Asking the person to fulfill their romantic desires and make them a reality
Oh don't you know,
Asking again if the person recognizes their romantic feelings
Don't you know I really love you so
Expressing their deep and genuine romantic love for the person
We'd walk hand in hand in our wonderland
Describing a shared romantic and wonderful world together
The world would be our own
Emphasizing the idea of exclusivity and shared ownership in the relationship
I'd make love to you, lovin' kisses too
Expressing their desires for physical intimacy and affection
You'd be mine alone
Reiterating the idea of exclusivity and possessiveness in the relationship
Don't break my heart;
Asking the person to not hurt them emotionally
Please make my dreams all real
Repeating the request for their romantic desires to be fulfilled
Oh don't you know,
Asking again if the person recognizes their romantic feelings
Don't you know I really love you so
Reaffirming their deep and genuine romantic love for the person
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: HERBERT COX, MORRIS LEVY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@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
@RicardoGomez-sr6ix
Can't we be sweethearts
Why don't we fall in love
Right from the start,
You're the girl I'm dreamin' of
Oh can't you see
You're the one and only girl for me
Please by my sweetheart;
Don't you know the way I feel
Don't play the part;
Please make my dreams come real
Oh don't you know,
Don't you know I really love you so
We'd walk hand in hand in our wonderland
The world would be our own
I'd make love to you, lovin' kisses too
You'd be mine alone
Can't we be sweethearts
Don't you know the way I feel
Don't break my heart;
Please make my dreams all real
Oh don't you know,
Don't you know I really love you so
@mkovac6177
I was the luckiest kid in the world. I could go anywhere. I could do anything. I knew everybody and everybody knew me.
@lettherebelamp5102
M Kovac I mean here I was this little kid could barely see over the steering wheel, and I'm parking Cadillacs!
@willliamgumbrell309
One day some kids carried my moms groceries all the way home. You know why? It was outta respect
@jordanthomas7798
M Kovac Goodfellas, what a movie
@letoubib21
@@willliamgumbrell309 "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?
@agupta9097
Imagine someone who hasn't seen goodfellas scrolling through these comments. He'll wonder what we all are talking about
@theblackbull55
Here I am, this little kid, I can't even see over the steering wheel and I'm parking Cadillacs.
@ilanazargari1542
Hahah :)
@rafachrzaszcz6997
Fabulous movie :)
@Theevil6ify
YA WANNA GROW UP TO BE A BUM?!