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.
Oh Happy Day
The Five Satins Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
No more troubles and no skies are gray-ay
Ever since you said those words to me
Doo-doom, dah-doo-dad-doo-dah-doo-doo
You said you loved me, I know it's tru-ue
My life's complete, dear, for now I have you-ou
Oh, happy day-ay for-o-o-or lucky me
You said you loved me, I know it's tru-ue
My life's complete, dear, for now I have you-ou
Oh, happy day-ay for-o-o-or lucky me
Doo-doom, dah-doo-dad-doo-dah-doo-doo
Oh, happy day for-o-o-or lucky me-ee
The song "Oh Happy Day" by The Five Satins is a classic love song that uses simple and repetitive lyrics to convey feelings of joy and happiness. The song begins with the line "The sun is shining, oh, happy day," which sets the tone for the rest of the piece. The singer is celebrating the fact that their troubles have disappeared and that there is no sadness or pain in their life anymore. This is all because someone they love has told them that they love them back.
The second verse continues the theme of joy and appreciation for this newfound love. The singer says their life is now complete because of this person and they consider themselves lucky to have them. The repetition of the line "You said you loved me, I know it's true" reinforces the idea that the singer's doubts and fears have been put to rest, and they are now able to fully enjoy their relationship without reservation.
Overall, the song is a celebration of love and happiness. It conveys a sense of relief that the singer has found someone who truly loves them and has brought an end to their troubles. The repetition of the lyrics and the simple melody make it easy for listeners to sing along, which contributes to the joyful atmosphere of the song.
Line by Line Meaning
The sun is shinin', oh, happy day-ay
The sunshine represents happiness, and it's a happy day for me
No more troubles and no skies are gray-ay
With you by my side, all my problems vanished and the future looks bright
Ever since you said those words to me
You telling me that you love me, changed everything for me
Doo-doom, dah-doo-dad-doo-dah-doo-doo
The background tune used by the singer to complement his lyrics
You said you loved me, I know it's tru-ue
I believe you when you say you love me
My life's complete, dear, for now I have you-ou
I am grateful for having you in my life; you complete me
Oh, happy day-ay for-o-o-or lucky me
I feel lucky to have you, and for that reason, every day is a happy day for me
Oh, happy day for-o-o-or lucky me-ee
Life is wonderful because I have you in it
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Edwin Hawkins
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
George Quarless Quarless
Love it...a simple melody, good song ,and Dion & Del Satins also do a boss version .
billy smith
Originally recorded by Don Howard in 1951, it was Downbeats Record of the Year. The 5 Satins version added superb harmony and, imo, improved it.
Respect23
very nice song
bluenote824 jones
I believe the great bill baker on lead .
Jose Capone E
This song is Gangsta from the 50s of Doo Wop R&B
Respect23
download or find these sogs before their all gone
bluenote824 jones
Very weird . Baker won the rights to pic on album but parris won the rights to name 5 satins . Court case
Herb Jones
ditto...
bluenote824 jones
Yes that's bill.i believe . Never gets any credit . Not right
Sad Venom
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