The Skyliners were best known for their 1959 hit "Since I Don't Have You". Covers by the Four Seasons, Trini Lopez, Chuck Jackson, Don McLean, Guns N' Roses, The Brian Setzer Orchestra, Ronnie Milsap, Art Garfunkel and Buckaroo Banzai kept the song in the public consciousness.
They also hit the Top 40 with "This I Swear" and "Pennies from Heaven". Other classics include "It Happened Today" (1959), "Close Your Eyes" (1961) and "Comes Love" (1962). The original group dissolved in 1963, but re-united eleven years later (without Jack Taylor), for what would become their last charted record, "Where Have They Gone?"
In 1965, Jimmy Beaumont recorded two notable singles for the Bang label: the first, "Tell Me"/"I Feel Like I'm Falling in Love", were medium-tempo soul-styled tracks. For his second Bang 45, "I Never Loved Her Anyway"/"You Got Too Much Going for You", Jimmy transformed into an impressive soul singer, sounding nothing like his previous more pop-styled efforts, leading some to question in later years, if it actually was his singing. These two tracks are now considered Northern Soul collectibles. The second 45 was also issued on UK London HLZ 10059 in 1966.
Jack Taylor was drafted in 1965. In 1975 Wally Lester and Joe Versharen left the group; they were replaced by new members, Jimmie Ross and Bob Sholes.
In 1978, the Detroit based record producer Don Davis — who produced Marilynn McCoo and Billy Davis Jr., Johnny Taylor, the Dramatics, and the Dells — picked up one of his favorite groups (the Skyliners) to record in his United Sound Studios. They recorded the group's "comeback" album for the RCA subsidiary, Tortoise International Records.[6] The songs "Oh, How Happy" and "The Love Bug" were included, as was a hefty re-make of Dan Schafer's original RCA Victor single, "A Day Without You, Dear".
Janet Vogel committed suicide in 1980, Cathy Cooper joined the group as a replacement. She and Ross left two years later to form a duo, they were replaced by Rick Morris and Donna Groom.
Morris retired in 1993. Also in 1993, David Proch was singing with another group. At first listen the Skyliners' original lead singer, Jimmy Beaumont, invited Proch to join the group; Proch joined as a replacement. Also performing with the group at this time was Tom Sholes, brother of Bob Sholes. The two were local to the group, they attended St George High School in the Allentown neighborhood of Pittsburgh. The group became Beaumont, Groom, Proch, and Nick Pociask.
David Proch (at age 44) the third person to sing first tenor for the Skyliners, died on October 19, 1998, in a car accident. His car collided with a truck hauling asphalt on U.S. Route 30 near Ligonier, PA, about 45 miles east of Pittsburgh. Proch's place was taken by Dick Muse, a former member of The Laurels. Rick Morris replaced Muse in 2011. Frank Czuri replaced Morris in 2013.
Their longtime manager and producer Joe Rock, who also co-wrote "Since I Don't Have You", died on April 4, 2000, at age 63, after complications from quadruple bypass heart surgery.
Four of the original members have died:
Janet Vogel committed suicide on February 21, 1980, she was 37,
Joe Verscharen died of cancer on November 2, 2007, he was 67,
Wally Lester (b. Walter Paul Lester, Jr. on October 5, 1941 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania) died of pancreatic cancer in Southport, North Carolina on April 21, 2015, he was 73,
Jimmy Beaumont died on October 7, 2017 age 76.
Until his death on October 7, 2017, Jimmy Beaumont performed with the Skyliners in their current line-up of Nick Pociask, Frank Czuri, and Donna Groom (whose husband, Mark Groom, has been the group's drummer/conductor for more than 25 years).
Chart hits
"Since I Don't Have You" (1959), U.S. No. 12, Cashbox No. 7
"It Happened Today" (1959), U.S. No. 59
"This I Swear" (1960), U.S. No. 26
"Pennies from Heaven" (1960), U.S. No. 24
"The Loser" (1965), U.S. No. 72
"Where Have They Gone" (1975), U.S. #100
Discography
The Skyliners (1959)
Close Your Eyes (1961)
Since I Don't Have You (1963)
Once Upon a Time (1971)
The Skyliners (1978)
Pennies from Heaven (1960)
The Skyliners were inducted into The Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2002.
Happy Time
The Skyliners Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Interesting Facts ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We're gonna have a happy time
Well, when my baby walks through the door
I ain't gonna have the blues no more
I'm gonna go put on my brand new suit
And fill my pockets with a whole lot of loot
And I know my baby's gonna look so cute
Well, the kids are throwing a party tonight
And your momma's gonna see that it turns out right
And oh-whoa-whoa she's gonna bake a pie
She bought fried chicken, she's gonna fly
And I'm so glad that I could cry
It's gonna be a happy time
Well, I stayed home every weekend
While the kids were having fun
And when they had a date for me
I said that you're the only one
Well, the clock of the wall says half past three
In 15 minutes, you'll be with me
And I'm gonna kiss her once or twice
I'll be warming up to melt some ice
And man, it's gonna be so nice
It's gonna be a happy time
Well, I stayed home every weekend
While the kids were having fun
And when they had a date for me
I said that you're the only one
Well, the clock of the wall says half past three
In 15 minutes, you'll be with me
And I'm gonna kiss her once or twice
I'll be warming up to melt some ice
And man, it's gonna be so nice
It's gonna be a happy time (happy time)
C'mon (happy time)
C'mon (happy time)
C'mon (happy time)
C'mon (happy time)
C'mon (happy time)
C'mon (happy time)
The Skyliners' song "Happy Time" is an upbeat, joyful tune that is all about celebrating life and love. The lyrics describe a scenario in which the singer's significant other is coming over to see them, and they are excited to spend time together and have a good time. The song talks about how the singer has been waiting for this moment for a long time, and now that it's finally here, they are going to make the most of it. The arrival of the singer's partner is described as an event that will chase away all of their worries and bring them happiness.
The lyrics of "Happy Time" also touch upon the theme of missed opportunities. The singer talks about how they have been staying home every weekend while other people have been out having fun. The anticipation of finally being able to enjoy themselves is palpable in the lyrics, and when the singer's partner finally arrives, they are fully prepared to make the most of the moment. The song ends on an upbeat note as the singer repeats the phrase "happy time" several times, driving home the idea of celebrating life and love.
Facts about the song:
Interesting Facts
Note: This section uses generative AI, which can be inaccurate.
Line by Line Meaning
Come on over
Inviting someone to join them.
We're gonna have a happy time
Anticipating a joyful experience with the person they have invited.
Well, when my baby walks through the door
Referring to the arrival of their beloved partner.
I ain't gonna have the blues no more
Feeling happy and relieved that their partner has come.
I'm gonna go put on my brand new suit
Preparing themselves to look good for their partner's arrival.
And fill my pockets with a whole lot of loot
Making sure they have enough money to have a good time with their partner.
And I know my baby's gonna look so cute
Believing that their partner will look amazing.
It's gonna be a happy time
Expressing their anticipation for a fun and happy experience with their partner.
Well, the kids are throwing a party tonight
Referring to someone else's celebration that they will attend.
And your momma's gonna see that it turns out right
Expecting their partner's mother to help organize the party and make sure everything goes well.
And oh-whoa-whoa she's gonna bake a pie
Looking forward to the delicious food that will be served at the party.
She bought fried chicken, she's gonna fly
Excited about the fact that there will be good food at the party.
And I'm so glad that I could cry
Feeling very happy and emotional about attending the party with their partner.
It's gonna be a happy time
Anticipating a joyful experience at the party.
Well, I stayed home every weekend
Reflecting on the boring weekends they had before meeting their partner.
While the kids were having fun
Feeling left out because they were not going out and having fun like other young people.
And when they had a date for me
Referring to how their friends set them up with their current partner.
I said that you're the only one
Realizing that they only want to spend time with their partner and no one else.
Well, the clock of the wall says half past three
Noticing the time and realizing that their partner will arrive soon.
In 15 minutes, you'll be with me
Anticipating their partner's arrival in 15 minutes.
And I'm gonna kiss her once or twice
Looking forward to showing affection towards their partner.
I'll be warming up to melt some ice
Feeling that they need to break the ice with their partner after some time apart.
And man, it's gonna be so nice
Feeling excited about reconnecting with their partner.
It's gonna be a happy time (happy time)
Repeating their anticipation for a joyful experience with their partner.
C'mon (happy time)
Excitedly encouraging their partner to join in on the fun they will have together.
C'mon (happy time)
Repeating their excitement for a happy time with their partner.
C'mon (happy time)
Continuing to encourage their partner to join in on the fun.
C'mon (happy time)
Repeating their excitement for a happy time with their partner.
C'mon (happy time)
Encouraging their partner to join them and experience the joy they anticipate.
C'mon (happy time)
Ending the song with a final encouragement to share a happy time together with their partner.
Writer(s): Doc Pomus, Mort Shuman
Contributed by Noah I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Intervenção Digital - Thiago Ribeiro
nice song
Zev Feldman
nice