The group was founded in the early 1960s in Jersey City, New Jersey, USA by Michael Arnone, Joe Santollo, John Salvato, Tom Bialoglow, and lead singer Joey Canzano (later known as Joey Vann). George Paxton, a former big band leader was impressed by the group's style and signed them to his Coed Records label. Their first single "You Belong to Me" had previously been a hit for Jo Stafford in 1952. The Duprees' version was given a big band backing by Paxton and reached the US top ten in 1962.
The band had more top 40 hits in the next few years. "My Own True Love" was a vocal adaptation of "Tara's Theme" from the soundtrack of Gone with the Wind and became the group's second hit. "Have You Heard" and "Why Don't You Believe Me" also reached the Top 40 charts and, like "You Belong to Me," were originally early '50s female vocal hits (Joni James, in this case). The band became known for mixing doo-wop vocals with big band arrangements. Tom Bialoglow left in 1963. Mike Kelly, who had recorded on the group's original demos for George Paxton, replaced Joey Vann as lead vocalist in 1964.
Despite becoming unfashionable after the Beatles spearheaded the British Invasion in 1964, the Duprees continued to record, turning in a more "pop" direction, and reaching the Top 100 as late as 1975. The group still performs today on the oldies circuit, but with no original members. Joe Santollo died in 1981, Joey Vann died in 1984 and Mike Arnone died in 2005.
Richie Rosato, who sang lead for the Duprees throughout much of the '80s and '90s, left the group in 2002. Michael Kelly sang with The Chaperones for a brief stint in 2006. Tommy Bialoglow has his own group called Twilight Time. John Salvato is a booking agent and no longer performs. The group currently consists of Tommy Petillo (with the group since 2002), Jimmy Spinelli, Phil Granito, and Tony Testa.
Have You Heard?
The Duprees Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Who's kissing her now
Do you think she's blue
Did she say we're through
Has she found someone new
Have you seen
The way she looks now
When she hears my name
Does she say who's to blame
My arms are empty
My nights are long and lonely
I miss her so (miss her so)
Each new tomorrow can only bring me sorrow
I love her so
Have you heard
Of their wedding day
Rumors come and go
Still I'd like to know
If it's true won't you tell me
Have you heard
Have you heard
Of their wedding day
Rumors come and go
Still I'd like to know
If it's true won't you tell me
Have you heard
The Duprees's song "Have You Heard" is a ballad about a man who is heartbroken after a breakup with his lover. He is curious about whether she has moved on and found someone new or if the rumors of her upcoming wedding are true. The song's lyrics express the singer's loneliness and his longing for his lost love. The first verse of the song talks about whether the girl in question has found someone new and the second verse talks about how she looks and behaves now that he is no longer in her life. The chorus is a plea for information, asking if anyone has heard about their rumored wedding day.
The song uses vivid language and sensory details to evoke the emotions of the singer. The lyrics "my arms are empty, my nights are long and lonely, I miss her so" convey the depth of his sorrow and the intensity of his feelings. The song's title, "Have You Heard," is a rhetorical question that the singer is asking of anyone who might know about his former lover's current situation. The final repetition of the chorus adds to the sense of urgency and desperation in the singer's voice.
Line by Line Meaning
Have you heard
Hey, have you heard anything lately?
Who's kissing her now
Tell me who's kissing her right now?
Do you think she's blue
Do you think she's sad about our breakup?
Did she say we're through
Did she tell you that we're done for good?
Has she found someone new
Has she found somebody else to replace me?
Have you seen
Have you seen her around lately?
The way she looks now
Does she look happy or sad when you see her?
Does she act the same
Does she behave towards you the same way she did when she was with me?
When she hears my name
When you mention my name, how does she react?
Does she say who's to blame
Does she blame me for our breakup?
My arms are empty
I feel lonely and helpless without her.
My nights are long and lonely
My nights feel long and lonely without her by my side.
I miss her so (miss her so)
I miss her with all my heart, deeply and very much.
Each new tomorrow can only bring me sorrow
I dread every day that will come because I know I'll be sad without her.
I love her so
I still love her so much even though we're not together.
Have you heard
Hey, have you heard anything lately?
Of their wedding day
Have you heard they're getting married?
Rumors come and go
I hear a lot of rumors, but I don't know if they're true.
Still I'd like to know
I'm curious and interested to find out.
If it's true won't you tell me
If it's true, can you please tell me?
Have you heard
Hey, have you heard anything lately?
Lyrics © MUSIC SALES CORPORATION, BMG Rights Management
Written by: Frank Lavere, Leroy Rodde, Lew Douglas
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@georgelaconga1493
Have you heard
Who's kissing her now
Do you think she's blue
Did she say we're through
Has she found someone new
Have you seen
The way she looks now
Does she act the same
When she hears my name
Does she say who's to blame
My arms are empty
My nights are long and lonely
I miss her so (miss her so)
Each new tomorrow can only bring me sorrow
I love her so
Have you heard
Of their wedding day
Rumors come and go
Still I'd like to know
If it's true won't you tell me
Have you heard
Have you heard
Of their wedding day
Rumors come and go
Still I'd like to know
If it's true won't you tell me
Have you heard
@anthonyperez7758
This kind of music will never die. It relaxes you from all what's going on in today's world🌎
@timothythornburgh9515
how true
@frankmartinez3020
It really does.😊🍁🌻🍂 60 yrs after the good 'ol U.S.A. died morally these songs sound better than ever.
@woodygray2428
Survives the test of time Have you heard is One of my favorites by this group. None other takes me back like this one. Impeccable!
@joefavata315
This will never grow old. I still get chills. If I could only back one more time.
@marvinrusso6446
I'm still listening to this great sound in 2023....and will be listening to it forever!!!❤
@MarkSmith-hf5nh
The harmony here is spectacular. Every time they hit the title phrase, it's just classic.
@joegnfishn
This music will never be duplicated. There is no one today who can even approach the sound, the harmony, the tightness, the togetherness of the Doo Wap era groups. It's too bad because today's ears are missing out on some great, timeless music.
@todd48182
It’s sad the best era in music had to end this is true talent no electronics just heart felt vocals
@57highland
Vocal music at its very best. Joey Vann, wherever you are in time and space, thanks for this performance.