Member Bob Gaudio later became a member of The Four Seasons. 14 year-old member Al Kooper sometimes appeared with them on the road in 1959, and later founded the group Blood Sweat & Tears. Vocalist Joe Francovilla (aka Joey Villa) joined them in late 1958. He previously sang with The Three Friends who had a minor hit with "Blanche". With several briefly-tenured members of the Royal Teens, he went on to form Joey and the Twisters which released a few minor hits ("Do You Want to Dance," "Bony Maronie") in 1961-1962 and frequently played the Peppermint Lounge in NYC as contemporaries of Joey Dee and the Starlighters.
The song "Short Shorts" was used in commercials for Nair in the 1980s and 1990s, sparking interest in the group, and is now used in Japan for the opening tune of "Tamori Club" on TV Asahi Corporation.
Believe Me
The Royal Teens Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Down the street of tears
I think about the love we shared
Throughout our teenage years
Believe me, oooh, wah oooh
Wah oooh, believe me
Do you think that I will die
Just because you broke my heart
Now you thinking you're so smart
All the kids in town will know
They will know you hurt me so
Did you have to tell them all
That I still love you
I love you so
Can't let you go
(Believe me, believe me)
If you return
Love's flame will burn
(Believe me, believe me)
Just because you said goodbye
Do you think that I will die
Just because you broke my heart
Now you thinking you're so smart
All the kids in town will know
They will know you hurt me so
Did you have to tell them all
That I still love you
Oooh wah oooh
Oooh wah oooh
Oooh wah oooh
Oooh wah oooh
The Royal Teens’ “Believe Me” is a bittersweet ode to young love and its inevitable break-up. The lyrics describe the singer's nightly walks, which take him down the street of tears where he reflects on his past relationship with his teenage sweetheart. The chorus, “believe me,” is a plea for the ex-lover to understand that despite the break-up, the love they shared was real and not to be taken lightly. The singer is heartbroken that the ex-lover has moved on and is now trying to prove their intelligence by hurting him, but he still holds on to hope that they will one day be reunited.
The song’s message is nostalgic and sentimental, with lyrics that paint a picture of young love and its inevitable heartbreak. The emotions described are relatable to anyone who has experienced a broken heart, especially during their teenage years when the pain can feel overwhelming. The “Believe me” chorus is a powerful plea for understanding and empathy, and it’s easy to imagine the song being played on a jukebox in a dimly lit diner, with a group of teenagers huddled around the table, sharing their own stories of love and loss.
Line by Line Meaning
Each night as I go wandering
Every night, as I walk alone down the street, I can't help but think about you.
Down the street of tears
I am so sad about what happened between us that I can't help but cry every time I walk down this street.
I think about the love we shared
I remember all the good times we had together, when we were young and in love.
Throughout our teenage years
We were together during the years when we were both teenagers, and we had a special kind of love.
Believe me, oooh, wah oooh
Please, trust me when I say that my love for you is real and strong.
Just because you said goodbye
I feel like you left me without an explanation, but I'm still here trying to understand why.
Do you think that I will die
Don't you understand that my love for you won't go away just because you're not here anymore? I won't give up that easily.
Just because you broke my heart
Your actions hurt me deeply, and I'm still trying to recover from the pain you caused.
Now you thinking you're so smart
You might think you've moved on and left me behind, but I'm still here feeling the same way I did before.
All the kids in town will know
You spread word about what happened between us, and now everyone knows about our drama.
They will know you hurt me so
You caused me so much pain, and now I have to deal with the judgement of others who know what you did to me.
Did you have to tell them all
Why did you have to tell everyone what happened between us? Did you enjoy humiliating me?
That I still love you
Even though you hurt me, I can't deny that I still have feelings for you.
If you return
If you come back to me, I am willing to give our love another chance.
Love's flame will burn
My love for you will never die, and I know that if we are together again our connection will be just as strong as it was before.
Oooh wah oooh
This line is a repeated vocalization that does not hold a specific meaning but rather adds emotion to the song's lyrics.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: CATHAL JOSEPH SMYTH, CHRISTOPHER JOHN FOREMAN, DANIEL MARK WOODGATE, GRAHAM MCPHERSON, LEE JAY THOMPSON, MARK WILLIAM BEDFORD, MICHAEL BARSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Roberto Quintero
I'm 17 and I have been listening to this type of music since I could remember.. People may call me weird, and make fun of me since of my age and what I listen to. But seriously, this is real music!
Stormy Weather
That it is 20 something and love this music as well. Sweet Oldies all day
Laurette Castellano
And now you are 29. Do you still listen to it?
Keith Dukes
Good man, you have excellent taste young man & do not take any notice of what yr peers think!!!😊👍
maydom04
Don't listen to your critics, YOU are on the ball!
My My
You simply are an authority on music, I don't think that's weird at all, and maybe the people who think that of you are the weirdos!
bopsieboy
One of my all time favorite songs. I was born in 1946 so I was a young teen when this came out. I CAN go back in time.....just close my eyes, listen and I'm right back there!
coyotesong
this song is perfection. Bob Gaudio's phrasing is absolutely superb...The slow lead in, the bass beat with the tinkling piano...and lush harmonies with killer lyrics...."Now you're thinking you're so smart" in a perfect cadence....ooooh, the hurt and the pain of this chick jilting this guy can be felt through every hall and classroom with classmates jeering at what a bozo he is for doing whatever it was that caused her to get up and leave..
Freddie Barrett
One of the greatest doowop songs ever recorded.Listen to the harmonizing.This is no plan.This is rare talent,and a way of life for this group.Thank GOD I lived in this era.
Cynthia's Channel
One of the Best songs from the Doo-Wop era.. "Believe Me"