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.
How Does It Feel?
The Ronettes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
How does it feel when you don't have nobody to hold?
I wanna know, does it really, really hurt you so?
Are you crying? Are you dying?
Do you want her like I wanted you before?
How does it feel to just stare at the ceiling all night?
How do you feel knowing someone is holding her tight?
Please tell me true, are you really really feeling blue?
Do you miss her, wanna kiss her?
Do you need her like I needed you before?
When you walked out on me, I felt like you're feeling now
But I'd take you back again 'cause I still love you, anyhow
I wanna know, does it really really hurt you so?
Are you crying? Are you dying?
Do you want her like I wanted you before?
The Ronettes's song How Does It Feel? is a heart-rending ballad that explores themes of heartbreak, betrayal, loneliness, and longing. The song's first verse paints a picture of someone left out in the cold with nobody to hold, creating a palpable sense of isolation and an absence of love. The second verse elicits empathy and asks if the hurt really hurts so badly that it makes you cry and feel like you're dying. The chorus contains the song's titular question: How does it feel? It's a question that is repeatedly asked throughout the song, emphasizing the all-consuming curiosity of the singer.
The third verse takes on a more accusatory tone, asking if the person wants the new love interest as much as the singer once wanted them. The last verse is filled with the singer's own longing and desire, expressing the pain of being left behind while still loving the person who has moved on. How Does It Feel? shows the emotional depth of the Ronettes and is a reflection of the 60s' tumultuous love affairs.
Line by Line Meaning
How does it feel when you're left sitting out in the cold?
Tell me, does it hurt to feel left out and alone?
How does it feel when you don't have nobody to hold?
How does it feel when there's no one who wants to embrace you?
I wanna know, does it really, really hurt you so?
Please be honest, does it cause you extreme pain?
Are you crying? Are you dying?
Is the situation making you weep or feel like you're dying inside?
Do you want her like I wanted you before?
Do you desire her in the way I craved you once?
How does it feel to just stare at the ceiling all night?
What's it like to be unable to sleep and spend all night gazing at the ceiling?
How do you feel knowing someone is holding her tight?
How do you feel when you think of someone else holding her snugly?
Please tell me true, are you really really feeling blue?
Please verify, are you genuinely feeling down?
Do you miss her, wanna kiss her?
Do you yearn for her, want to hold her tightly and kiss her?
Do you need her like I needed you before?
Do you feel like you utterly require her, like I felt for you?
When you walked out on me, I felt like you're feeling now
I've been where you are now, empty, alone, and in agony, when you left me.
But I'd take you back again 'cause I still love you, anyhow
Nonetheless, I would rejuvenate our love because my affection for you is never-ending.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: PHIL SPECTOR, VINCENT JR PONCIA, PETER ANDREOLI
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind