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.
Why Don't They Let Us Fall In Love
The Ronettes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We're too young to go steady?
Don't they believe it
That I love you already?
Gee, the moon is shining bright
Wish I could go out tonight
Why don't they let us fall in love?
Yeah yeah yeah yeah
Why do they always
Try to keep us apart?
Why do they laugh at
What I feel in my heart?
Gee, the stars are shining bright
I wish that I could hold you tight
Why don't they let us fall in love?
Why don't they let us fall in love?
Yeah yeah yeah yeah, why?
Gee, the stars are shining bright
I wish that I could hold you tight
Why don't they let us fall in love?
Why don't they let us fall in love?
Yeah yeah yeah yeah, why?
Yeah yeah, why?
Oh oh oh oh, why?
Oh oh, why?
Yeah yeah yeah yeah, why?
Oh oh, why?
Oh oh oh oh
The Ronettes' song "Why Don't They Let Us Fall In Love?" is a lament of a young couple who are prevented from being together by the disapproving adults in their lives. The song's opening lines express frustration at being told they are too young to be in a serious relationship, even though they feel a deep love for each other. The singer wonders why the adults around them don't believe in their love and prevent them from being together.
The song's chorus questions why they are not allowed to fall in love and expresses a desire for the freedom to pursue their feelings. The second verse adds another layer to their struggles, as the couple is not only criticized for being in love but are also kept apart physically. The singer remarks on the beauty of the night sky and wishes they were able to hold their partner closely.
The lyrics of "Why Don't They Let Us Fall In Love?" perfectly capture the feelings of young lovers who feel confined by the limitations placed on them by society. The song remains a timeless classic, beloved by generations for its relatable themes of love and rebellion against societal norms.
Line by Line Meaning
Why do they say that
We're too young to go steady?
Why do people think we are too young to be in a committed relationship?
Don't they believe it
That I love you already?
Can't they understand that I already love you, regardless of our age?
Why do they always
Try to keep us apart?
Why do people always want to separate us?
Why do they laugh at
What I feel in my heart?
Why do others mock what I genuinely feel for you?
Gee, the moon is shining bright
Wish I could go out tonight
Why don't they let us fall in love?
Why don't they let us fall in love?
Yeah yeah yeah yeah
The beauty of tonight compels me to hope for the opportunity to express our love openly, but their judgement restrains us from doing so.
Gee, the stars are shining bright
I wish that I could hold you tight
Why don't they let us fall in love?
Why don't they let us fall in love?
Yeah yeah yeah yeah, why?
The romantic ambiance of the stars makes me yearn to be close to you, but societal disapproval stands in our way yet again.
Oh oh oh oh, why?
Oh oh, why?
Yeah yeah yeah yeah, why?
Oh oh, why?
Oh oh oh oh
The repeated 'why' and 'oh' reflect the singer's frustration and confusion about why society prevents their love from blossoming.
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: ELLIE GREENWICH, JEFF BARRY, PHILIP SPECTOR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind