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.
Tell Me Why
The Duprees Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Tell me why
Why don't you believe me
It's you, I adore
(Please believe, please believe)
(Please believe)
Can I promise more
I've told you so often
The way that I care
(Please believe, please believe)
(Please believe)
Why don't you believe me
It just isn't fair
Here is a heart that is lonely
Here is a heart you can take
Here is a heart for you only
That you can keep or break
How else can I tell you
What more can I do
(Please believe, please believe)
(Please believe)
Why don't you believe me
I love only you
Why don't you believe me
I love only you
(Please tell me why)
Tell me why
The Duprees's song "Why Don't You Believe Me" is a ballad about unrequited love. The singer expresses his deep affection for someone who doesn't seem to believe him. He pleads with them to believe the sincerity of his feelings and promises to love them forever. The singer is heartbroken that his love is not reciprocated, as he is offering them his heart and is willing to do anything to make them believe him.
The lyrics convey the vulnerability and desperation in the singer's voice as he begs his love interest to believe him. He even offers his heart, leaving it in their hands to keep or break. The repetition of "please believe" emphasizes how important it is for his love to trust him, to take him seriously and to understand the depth of his emotions.
The song's melancholic melody, backed by the soft sounds of guitars, strings, and drums, adds to the sentimentality of the lyrics. The slow tempo and the vocalist's falsetto create a romantic atmosphere that captures the essence of the heartbreak expressed in the lyrics.
Line by Line Meaning
Please tell me why
The singer is desperate to know why their partner doesn't believe them.
Tell me why
The singer is begging their partner to explain why they don't trust them.
Why don't you believe me
The singer is asking their partner why they refuse to believe in their love.
It's you, I adore
The singer is expressing their love and devotion for their partner.
(Please believe, please believe)
The singer is begging their partner to trust in their love.
Forever and ever
The singer promises to love their partner for all eternity.
Can I promise more
The singer is asking their partner if they can make any more promises to prove their love.
I've told you so often
The singer has repeated their love for their partner multiple times before.
The way that I care
The singer is trying to convince their partner of the sincerity of their emotions.
It just isn't fair
The singer feels that it's unfair that their partner won't believe in their love.
Here is a heart that is lonely
The singer is offering their heart to their partner, which feels sad and empty without their love.
Here is a heart you can take
The singer invites their partner to take their heart and love it.
Here is a heart for you only
The singer's heart belongs only to their partner.
That you can keep or break
The singer acknowledges that their partner has the power to either cherish their heart or destroy it.
How else can I tell you
The singer is at a loss for how to convince their partner of their love.
What more can I do
The singer is wondering what else they can do to prove their love.
I love only you
The singer's love belongs exclusively to their partner.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Lew Douglas, Luther King Laney, Roy Rodde
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
samurai 34fix
Please tell me why
Tell me why
Why don't you believe me
It's you, I adore
(Please believe, please believe)
(Please believe)
Forever and ever
Can I promise more
I've told you so often
The way that I care
(Please believe, please believe)
(Please believe)
Why don't you believe me
It just isn't fair
Here is a heart that is lonely
Here is a heart you can take
Here is a heart for you only
That you can keep or break
How else can I tell you
What more can I do
(Please believe, please believe)
(Please believe)
Why don't you believe me
I love only you
Why don't you believe me
I love only you
(Please tell me why)
Tell me why
paprikash
Why don't you believe me that this music doesn't get any better than this.A classic frozen in time!!!!!!!!!!!
nicky0016dd
The original Duprees!
Perfection personified!
The great Joey Vann at his best!
My favorite!!
Jim Farrell
Great music from the years as I grew up. The Duprees' lead singer in the beginning was Joey Van Canzanno--a great talent with a beautiful voice. This song and their other hits bring back those wonderful memories--I wish I could back and relive those years--the music was outstanding. Cathy Farrell
David Chernofsky
One of the greatest recordings of all time. A group largely ignored/what a shame
Pizza Rules
not quite one of the greatest recordings of all time.
Deni
@pizza I agree, but in your opinion, which song is? There were soo many great songs that I'm not sure if I know...🤗
Robert Berrios
Every time I listen to The Duprees I say, I like this song the best, then I hear another song and I say, no, I like this other one the best. They were amazing.
Lisbeth Harrell
You are so right. Every song of theirs is my favorite. They were gorgeous. Beautiful.
Vulcancruiser
Saw them live about 4 years ago......they've still got it........
Jacklyn Lopez
My favorite song from the Duprees!!