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.
You Belong To Me
The Duprees Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Hey, hey Paula, no one else will ever do
I've waited so long for school to be through
Paula, I can't wait no more for you
My love, my love
Hey Paul, I've been waiting for you
Hey, hey, hey Paul, I want to marry you too
Our love will always be real
My love, my love
True love means planning a life for two
Being together the whole day through
True love means waiting and hoping that soon
Wishes we've made will come true
My love, my love
The Duprees's song You Belong to Me tells the story of a couple who are deeply in love and want to be together forever. The opening lines of the song address someone named Paula, and the singer declares his desire to marry her. He proclaims that she belongs to him, and no one else will ever do. He has been waiting for school to be through so that he can marry her. The second verse is addressed to someone named Paul, who says that he has been waiting for her too. If they both love each other truly, their love will always be real. The chorus talks about the meaning of true love, which involves planning a life for two and being together the whole day through. True love also means waiting and hoping that soon, the wishes that they have made will come true.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey, hey Paula, I want to marry you
I am ready to make the commitment to spend my life with you, Paula
Hey, hey Paula, no one else will ever do
You are the only person I want to be with, Paula
I've waited so long for school to be through
I have been patiently waiting for the right time to start our lives together after finishing school
Paula, I can't wait no more for you
I am eager to start our lives together now, Paula
My love, my love
My feelings for you are intense and sincere
Hey Paul, I've been waiting for you
I have been waiting for you, Paul, to express your love and commitment to me
Hey, hey, hey Paul, I want to marry you too
I have also been wanting to spend my life with you, Paul
If you love me true, if you love me still
Our love needs to be genuine and lasting for us to build a life together
Our love will always be real
As long as our love is true, we can build a real and lasting future together
True love means planning a life for two
Real love requires planning and making a life together
Being together the whole day through
Love means wanting to be together at all times
True love means waiting and hoping that soon
In true love, there is always hope for the future
Wishes we've made will come true
If our love is true, the dreams we have for the future will become a reality
My love, my love
My love for you is strong and unwavering
Lyrics © Kanjian Music, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Pee Wee King, Chilton Price, Redd Stewart
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@garyhoogenboomsr.1140
See the pyramids along the Nile
Watch the sun rise on a tropic isle
Just remember, darling, all the while
You belong to me
See the marketplace in old Algiers
Send me photographs and souvenirs
But remember when a dream appears
You belong to me
I'll be so alone without you
Maybe you'll be lonesome too
And blue
Fly the ocean in a silver plane
Watch the jungle when
It's wet with rain
Just remember til you're home again
You belong to me
@joanschwieters8838
These guys played at our Senior Prom in NJ in 1964!
@Rogelio_007
Amazing!
@bettyferrier6122
Lucky you!
@tommyray1082
What high School? I was in NJ in 64 and Graduated in 66. Do you remember The 4 Counts? That was the band I was in back then.
@divergentsenior
👍
@enigma077
That’s just too cool
@paulgardner6239
I'm noting a lot of younger people see below are listening to our type of music. We thank you this music is magical
@ksheinz2196
I play and love retro themed games like Bioshock, Mafia, Fallout.
Thank god for my good taste.
And this song is both in Mafia 3 and Bioshock Infinite(cover version).
@heathervelasco5159
I grew up with this music with my parents this was there song 🥰😔
@NortelGeek
I wish the music now had this kind of soul.