The group's career:
Sisters Estelle (born 1941) and Veronica Bennett (born 1943), and their cousin Nedra Talley (born 1946), began singing together as teenagers in Washington Heights, Manhattan. Encouraged by their grandmother, they entered and won a talent show at the Apollo Theatre in 1959, as The Darling Sisters. Phillip Halikus saw their potential, became their manager, and promoted their early appearances at hops and charity shows.
In 1961, while standing in line at the Peppermint Lounge, they were mistaken for a singing trio that had not arrived and were ushered on stage. After performing Ray Charles' "What'd I Say", they were signed to appear regularly there and in Miami. Later that year, they danced in shows staged by disc jockey Murray the K, but, contrary to many sources, did not appear in the 1961 film Twist Around the Clock. They did get a record deal with the Colpix label, and, as Ronnie & the Relatives, released their first single "I Want a Boy". They also worked as backing singers for Bobby Rydell, Del Shannon, and Joey Dee & The Starliters. Renamed as The Ronettes, they issued several more singles with Colpix and recorded an album, unissued at the time, but had little early commercial success.
In 1963 they came to the attention of producer Phil Spector, who was looking for a new girl group to assume The Crystals' mantle. He was taken with Ronnie's voice and style, and signed The Ronettes to his Philles label. As Spector's new protégées, they were given a strong image as "bad girls", with beehive hairdos, heavy eyeliner, and tight skirts. Their first Philles single was "Be My Baby", co-written by Spector with Jeff Barry and Ellie Greenwich, and arranged and produced by Spector. It became a worldwide hit, reaching # 2 on the U.S. pop chart, # 4 on the R&B chart, and # 4 on the UK chart. The follow-up, "Baby, I Love You", had an even denser arrangement, featuring Leon Russell on piano, and backing vocals from Darlene Love and Cher, among others. It was slightly less successful, reaching # 24 in the United States and # 11 in the United Kingdom. The Ronettes also featured on Spector's album "A Christmas Gift for You".
Early in 1964 The Ronettes toured England with The Rolling Stones and met The Beatles. They continued to have hits with "(The Best Part Of) Breakin' Up" (# 39 U.S., # 43 UK), "Do I Love You?" (# 34 U.S., # 35 UK), and "Walking in the Rain" (# 24 U.S.), which won a Grammy for Best Sound Effects, the only one Spector ever received. However, their LP, "Presenting the Fabulous Ronettes featuring Veronica", only reached # 96 and other singles were less successful; musical tastes had moved beyond the girl group sound, and the Ronettes were unable to maintain their relevance. After criss-crossing the United States and Canada as one of the opening acts for the final concert tour of The Beatles, they disbanded at the end of 1966.
Later events:
Estelle Bennett and Nedra Talley each married and, in 1968, Ronnie Bennett married Phil Spector and retired from performance for several years. In 1971, under Spector's direction, Ronnie recorded "Try Some, Buy Some" for the Beatles' Apple label. This was her last charting record, reaching # 77 in the spring of 1971.
In 1973, as she and Spector were about to divorce, she returned to performing at Richard Nader's "Rock and Roll Revival" show at Madison Square Garden. Her new version of The Ronettes at that time included Denise Edwards and Chip Fields, and they issued two singles on the Buddah label.
In 1988, the original Ronettes sued Spector for nonpayment of royalties. In 2001, a New York court announced a verdict in favor of the Ronettes, ordering Spector to pay nearly three million dollars in back royalties; however, the judgment was later overturned on appeal. On February 11, 2009 Estelle Bennett was found dead at her home in Englewood, New Jersey. She was 67.
Awards and recognition:
The Ronettes were inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2004.
It was believed that Phil Spector, in his capacity as a member of the Board of Governors, deliberately prevented the Ronettes (and Darlene Love) from being nominated for induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, although they had been eligible for a considerable period. The alleged reasons included the acrimonious divorce of Ronnie and Spector, in addition to the group having (unsuccessfully) sued Spector for back royalties. While Spector was awaiting trial on a murder charge and out on $1 million bail, the Ronettes were finally inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame at the March 12, 2007, induction ceremony held at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York City. Keith Richards, a self-confessed longtime fan, inducted the trio. Ronnie Bennett (Spector) and Nedra Talley performed "Baby, I Love You," "Walking In the Rain" and "Be My Baby." Estelle Bennett was present to accept her award but did not perform.
Do I Love You
The Ronettes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Do I want you by my side
Do I want to run and kiss your lips
Say you're my loving guy, oh oh
(Do I love you) (oh, oh, oh, oh)
(Yes I love you)
Do I need your arms around me
Do I live my life for you
I look in your eyes of blue, oh oh
(Do I love you) (oh, oh, oh, oh)
(Yes I love you)
Oh Oh
And do I need you every minute of the day
And would I die if you should ever go away
And does it mean so much to feel your tender touch
Do I love you (do I love you)
Really Love you (really Love you)
Oh I swear I'm gonna get you if takes me all my life
I'll hope and pray and dream and scheme
'Cause I'm gonna be your wife, oh, oh, (oh, oh, oh, oh)
(Do I love you)
(Yes I love you)
Do I love you
Yes I love you
Do I love you
Yes I love you
Do I love you
Yes I love you
Do I love you
Yes I love you
The Ronettes’ “Do I Love You” is a beautiful love song that expresses the depths of the singer's love. The lyrics are straightforward and unambiguous, with the singer asking the object of her affection a series of yes or no questions. Each question deepens the connection between the two and expresses how much the singer loves and needs him.
The first verse starts with the question "Do I want you for my baby?" indicating the singer’s desire to be with the one she loves. The second asks whether she wants to run and kiss his lips, portraying her passion for him. The third verse expresses how much the singer needs him in her life, and the fourth verse talks about how she feels warm whenever she looks into his eyes.
In the bridge, the singer asks a series of rhetorical questions that express the depth of her love. She asks if she needs him every minute of the day and if she would die if he ever goes away. The chorus repeats that she loves him, and it is apparent that her love is pure and sincere.
Overall, the song captures the essence of pure love, and the Ronettes’ vocal performance brings out the emotions behind the lyrics. It’s a classic love song that continues to resonate with listeners to this day.
Line by Line Meaning
Do I want you for my baby
Am I attracted to you enough to want you to be the father of my child?
Do I want you by my side
Am I interested in having a long-term, committed relationship with you?
Do I want to run and kiss your lips
Am I filled with a desire to passionately express my feelings for you physically?
Say you're my loving guy, oh oh
Am I hoping that you will reciprocate my feelings and declare your love for me?
(Do I love you) (oh, oh, oh, oh)
Am I questioning whether I am truly in love with you?
(Yes I love you)
Despite my doubts, I am sure that I do indeed love you.
Do I need your arms around me
Do I require your physical presence and affection to experience a sense of security?
Do I live my life for you
Do I center my existence around you and prioritize your needs and desires?
Do I always feel so warm each time
Do I consistently experience a positive emotional response when I am with you?
I look in your eyes of blue, oh oh
Am I drawn in by your captivating blue eyes and the emotions they convey?
And do I need you every minute of the day
Do I rely on your companionship and support constantly, without exception?
And would I die if you should ever go away
Would losing you be so devastating that I'm not sure I could carry on living?
And does it mean so much to feel your tender touch
Is the physical sensation of you touching me incredibly meaningful and important to me?
Do I love you (do I love you)
I am still questioning whether or not I am truly in love with you.
Really Love you (really Love you)
But I am genuinely and deeply in love with you.
Oh I swear I'm gonna get you if takes me all my life
I am willing to pursue you with all my determination and effort until I finally win you over, even if it takes me years.
I'll hope and pray and dream and scheme
I am constantly envisioning and strategizing ways to make you mine.
Cause I'm gonna be your wife, oh, oh, (oh, oh, oh, oh)
I am so devoted to you that I am already planning to marry you and spend the rest of my life as your partner.
(Do I love you)
Despite my previous hesitations, I am absolutely certain that I do love you.
(Yes I love you)
My love for you is true and unwavering, no matter what doubts I may have had before.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc., Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: PETE ANDREOLI, VINCENT JR. PONCIA, PHILLIP SPECTOR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Ciprino Cruz
Do I want you for my baby
Do I want you by my side
Do I want to run and kiss your lips
Say you're my loving guy, oh oh
(Do I love you) (oh, oh, oh, oh)
(Yes I love you)
Do I need your arms around me
Do I live my life for you
Do I always feel so warm each time
I look in your eyes of blue, oh oh
(Do I love you) (oh, oh, oh, oh)
(Yes I love you)
Oh Oh
And do I need you every minute of the day
And would I die if you should ever go away
And does it mean so much to feel your tender touch
Do I love you (do I love you)
Really Love you (really Love you)
Oh I swear I'm gonna get you if takes me all my life
I'll hope and pray and dream and scheme
'Cause I'm gonna be your wife, oh, oh, (oh, oh, oh, oh)
(Do I love you)
(Yes I love you)
Do I love you
Yes I love you
Do I love you
Yes I love you
Do I love you
Yes I love you
Do I love you
Yes I love you
Raymond Threlkeld
I love this song so much I hate for it end. So, I just play it over and over. It touches me in a profound way!
A Attura
Me too !!
Thomas Downs
Just heard the sad news. That amazing voice of Ronnie has entered eternal rest. We were blessed to be able to enjoy her amazing sound along with her sister and cousin. RIP Ronnie Spector.
Michael Hughes
So did I, Thomas. RIP Ronnie and thanks for the great songs. You are with your sister, Estelle now in Heaven! Neda, I off you my condolences. Please stay well. I'm also sorry to hear that Ronnie had cancer!
harajukuboy20
Omg no! 😭
Michael Martinez
One of my favorite singers in this great group... Their music will definitely live-on... Because it is timeless...
Thomas Downs
@KAREN GRAY What the hell is this all about ? Please explain your comment so that it makes sense.
John Brodowski
This song will be remembered for many years to come. Never will fade away!!
raul macias
My all-time favorite Ronnettes song!
Heavenly!
I love you Ronnie!
Tommie Smith
A CLASSIC!!!!