The group, formed in New Haven, Connecticut, consisted of leader Fred Parris, Lou Peebles, Stanley Dortch, Ed Martin and Jim Freeman in 1954. With little success, the group reorganized, with Dortch and Peebles leaving, and new member Al Denby entering. The group then recorded "In the Still of the Night", which was originally released as the b-side to the single, "The Jones Girl". The single was released the following year, and "In the Still of the Night" ended up charting at number three on the R&B chart and number 25 on the pop charts. Parris entered the Army soon after, and the group reorganized again, with Martin, Freeman, Tommy Killebrew, Jessie Murphy and new lead Bill Baker. This lineup hit with another highly successful song, Billy Dawn Smith's "To The Aisle".
Upon Parris' return from the Army, a new lineup was assembled, consisting of Parris, Lou Peebles (who was in a previous incarnation of the Five Satins), Sylvester Hopkins, Richie Freeman and Wes Forbes. The group would be briefly known as "Fred Parris and the Scarlets", until the Baker-led group split up. At this point, they reverted to the Five Satins name, but had little success on the charts.
By the early 1970s the group was Parris, Peebles, Richie Freeman, Jimmy Curtis and Corky Rogers, and they continued recording into the 1980s, with Parris, Richie Freeman, Curtis and Nate Marshall. Meanwhile, Bill Baker started his own Five Satins group in 1981, with former Satin Sylvester Hopkins and Hopkins' brothers Carl and Frank. By the late 1980s, this group consisted of Baker, Harvey Potts, Jr., Anthony Hofler and Octavio DeLeon.
Fred Parris continues to perform. Bill Baker died in 1994.
Awards and recognition:
In 2003, the Five Satins were inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame.
Present day:
One of the original members of the Five Satins now works in the cafeteria at the University of New Haven. Jim Freeman lives in Norwalk, Iowa and owns a pest control company. Wes Forbes is a psychologist in the State of California, currently employed with Alliant International University as a Training Director
Fred Parris passed away in January of 2022.
Million to One
The Five Satins Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
That's what our folks think
about this love of ours
A million to one
They say that our love will fade like yesterdays clouds
They're betting everything that our love won't survive
They're hoping in time we'll forget each other lives
A million to one
A million to one
That they've forgotten the dreams that were dreaming of
But we'll forgive them because we love them
after all that's said and done.
There's one in a million
A million to one
A million to one
They say were to young to know the meaning of love
A million to one
That they've forgotten the dreams that were dreaming of
But we'll forgive them because we love them
after all that's said and done.
There's one in a million
A million to one
A million to one, a million to one
The Five Satins's song A Million to One is a beautiful ballad about a young couple who are deeply in love but who are being doubted by their families and friends. The song starts with the line "A million to one, that's what our folks think" which sets a tone of defeat and negativity right from the start. The couple is being told that their love won't last and that they are too young to understand the true meaning of love. However, they remain optimistic and hopeful that their love will survive against all odds. The singer acknowledges that their families and friends are hoping that with time they'll forget about each other but the couple remains determined to prove them wrong. They believe that they have found their one in a million and that their love is worth fighting for.
The song touches upon the idea of generational differences and how young people are often overlooked and underestimated by the older generations. It also portrays the courage and resilience needed to go against societal norms and fight for what you believe in, even if it means going against your family and friends. This is a beautiful love song that reminds us that true love can withstand anything that comes its way.
Line by Line Meaning
A million to one
The odds are against us in our pursuit of love.
That's what our folks think
Our parents are skeptical of our relationship.
About this love of ours
They doubt the authenticity of our love for each other.
They say that our love will fade like yesterdays clouds
Our parents believe that our love will not last.
They're betting everything that our love won't survive
Our parents are so convinced that our love will end that they're even willing to bet on it.
They're hoping in time we'll forget each other lives
Our parents believe that we will eventually move on from each other.
They say were to young to know the meaning of love
Our parents believe that we are too young to understand what true love is.
That they've forgotten the dreams that were dreaming of
Our parents have forgotten what it was like to be young and in love.
But we'll forgive them because we love them
Despite their lack of faith in our relationship, we still love our parents.
After all that's said and done.
Despite our differences, our love will always remain.
There's one in a million
Our love is special and rare.
A million to one
The odds are still against us, but our love is strong enough to overcome them.
A million to one
The odds are still against us, but our love is strong enough to overcome them.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: PHIL MEDLEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
ExoDos 2
A million to one
The odds were against me
What could anyone do
When the chances at you
Were a million to one
A shot in the dark
Is all I can show, dear
Is it a tear and a sigh
The old college try
But it couldn't be done
I knew I'd never come out ahead
I should have quit but instead
I kept on playing (playing,playing,playing) just for fun
A million to one
Now I've learned my lesson
Never gamble again
When the chances to win
Were a million to one
A million to one
John Grisanti
RIP Fred, you created the greatest sound this country has produced!!!!
Sal Sofia
This is THE BOMB! Played this on my doo wop show many times because it's simply beautiful!
Brigette Gonzalez
One of my favorite songs. I love the oldies.
Harve Joel
Listen and you'll hear all those great memories, man, this was when music met feelings!
lakewoodil
What a great tune and talented group.
Laf
Definetely on my top 5 songs of all time, that is how much i love this song.
Jim Rogge
This group is one of the top five in doo wop. So underated.
ExoDos 2
A million to one
The odds were against me
What could anyone do
When the chances at you
Were a million to one
A shot in the dark
Is all I can show, dear
Is it a tear and a sigh
The old college try
But it couldn't be done
I knew I'd never come out ahead
I should have quit but instead
I kept on playing (playing,playing,playing) just for fun
A million to one
Now I've learned my lesson
Never gamble again
When the chances to win
Were a million to one
A million to one
Sweep Ted
Such great talent ❤️❤️😘😘
Elsa Lopez
Wow!! What can I say..? I'm back in Brooklyn New York, my home town!! Listening to one of my favorite Doo Wop groups 🎶🎵🎶❤️ And I'm lovin' it❤️🎶🎵🎶Thanks for bringing back these great memories ❤️