In the late 1950s, they appeared on Arthur Godfrey's Talent Scouts. One of their first recordings, "Gone with the Wind" got them a call from Dick Clark. Subsequently they made many appearances on Dick Clark's American Bandstand.
In New York City, Morty Craft had a song he wanted them to record, "Alone (Why Must I Be Alone)". In 1957 "Alone" would become their biggest hit and their signature song. In the U.S. it reached No.18 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart; in the UK Singles Chart it made No.14. Its chart progress may have been hindered by several rival cover versions on both sides of the Atlantic. In all the Shepherd Sisters recorded over thirty songs, many of them on one of Morty Craft's record labels like Melba and Lance.
Craft also introduced them to the DJ Alan Freed, the man who first coined the term "rock and roll." The Shepherd Sisters played the Brooklyn and Manhattan Paramount Theaters and toured with Alan Freed's 'America's Greatest Teenage Recording Stars', along with The Everly Brothers, Paul Anka, Buddy Holly and the Crickets, Frankie Lymon and the Teenagers, Jerry Lee Lewis, Fats Domino, Danny and the Juniors, Lee Andrews and the Hearts, The Twin Tones, Little Joe Dubs, Thurston Harris, Terry Nolan and Jo Ann Campbell.
Besides rock and roll the Shepherd Sisters were also a stage and cabaret act. They performed at hotels, nightclubs, New York's Apollo Theater and casinos in Reno and Las Vegas, Nevada. They also sang in the Philippines, Canada, South America and parts of Europe.
Martha Shepherd died in 1992, Judith died in 2009, and Gayle died in 2018.
Alone
The Shepherd Sisters Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I've spent so many hours with you
How can I be alone
Alone, why must I dream alone
Our dreams where made for us to share
How can I dream alone
There's such a thing as forgiving
So why can't you forgive
Can't you forgive and forget
Apart, why must we be apart
Let's put our hearts together
And never be alone
There's such a thing as forgiving
So why can't you forgive
There's such a
thing as forgetting
Can't you forgive and forget
Apart, why must we be apart
Let's put our hearts together
And never be alone
The Shepherd Sisters' song "Alone Why Must I Be Alone" speaks to the loneliness and heartache that comes with being separated from someone you love. The song asks the question of why this separation must occur, when so many happy memories were shared together in the past. The first verse speaks to the physical absence of the loved one, while the second verse delves into the emotional void that remains when the dreams that were once shared can no longer be dreamed together.
The chorus asks for forgiveness and forgetting, acknowledging that these actions can bring people back together. The repetition of the phrase "there's such a thing as" emphasizes the importance of these actions in repairing a damaged relationship. The final lines offer hope, suggesting that putting their hearts together will prevent further loneliness and bring them back to a happier place.
Line by Line Meaning
Alone, why must I be alone
Why am I forced to be by myself?
I've spent so many hours with you
I have spent a lot of time with you.
How can I be alone
How is it possible for me to be on my own?
Alone, why must I dream alone
Why do I have to dream without you?
Our dreams where made for us to share
Our dreams were meant to be shared between us.
How can I dream alone
How can I have dreams without you in them?
There's such a thing as forgiving
Forgiveness exists.
So why can't you forgive
Why can't you forgive me?
There's such a thing as forgetting
Forgetting is also possible.
Can't you forgive and forget
Can't you both forgive and forget?
Apart, why must we be apart
Why do we have to be separated?
Let's put our hearts together
Let's come together emotionally.
And never be alone
And then we'll never be alone again.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: MORTON CRAFT, SELMA CRAFT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Max Batista
All great memories.... but for me, ‘ALONE’ is worth all the gold in the collection.... Ah, 1957... followed by 60+ sweet, happy years with a wonderful mate. Just lost her. Not enough tears.
John James
Sorry for your loss. Touching story. You had a wonderful gift- finding A great girl- your true love, a blessing. Some of us like myself never will. I’m too old now - sad to be alone.
Carlos Humberto Vásquez Salinas
...una de las canciones de grupos femeninos, más exitosas e importantes de la historia de la música popular...
(marcaron una época, y sirvieron de guía y modelo a quienes les sucedieron)
J.Pablo P.
Love it!! 😍😍
David
Love this for the triangles! (As well as for their voices.)
Pamela Malo
AÑOS BUSCANDO ESTA JOYA
VINE POR LOS DOMIIIIIINGOS DOMINICALES TELEVISIÓN INDEPENDIENTE
M. Paz Larenas
I sense that We Go Together from Grease is lightly inspired in this song
Anusha Shetty
I'm just here thanks to Saint Motel's 'Sisters'!
Robert Masi
aka "Mad Dad" Yeah Mad Dad was just a little tyke when this tune
came out, but do remember it getting a ton of airplay here in
Southern New England.
david jaronik
A much simpler time