The Doo-Wop

History

The Doo-Wop is a musical genre of rhythm and blues that originated amongst African-American youth in the 1940's mainly in larger cities like New York, Philadelphia and Chicago. According to Wikipedia, the doo-wop was developed in the United States post- World War II and was the most popular form of rhythm and blues music among African American teenagers. Some of the first groups that performed this style of music specialized in romantic ballads often appealing to the sexual fantasies of teenagers during this time. By the mid 1950s, the smooth romantic ballads turned into entertainment style performances with bass vocalists including "non-sense" syllables.

The Five Keys

The Five keys were one of the first American groups to sing the rhythm and blues style. They played a major role in shaping the genre in the 1950s. According to Lodergan, originally the Five Keys was called the Sentimental Four, but later decided to rename the group when a member of the group left and was replaced by two brothers. In the above video, This is a perfect example of an early rhythm and blues romantic ballad. Notice how the group is a cappella. That is very common among this genre. If you think about it, this style of music originated in Urban areas that were predominately made up of poor African Americans, who could not afford expensive instruments. 

Musical Elements of Doo Wop

Doo Wop features vocal group harmony that has an interesting and engaging melodic line to a simple beat. Normally, there were little to no instrumentation. Lyrics were simple, singing about the usual; love. there was a lead vocalist with accompanying, background vocals. The background vocalist would very often sing nonsense syllables,  like "doo-wop." Which is where the name for the genre of music began. 

Now for a song that is probably the most iconic Doo Wop song. I am only 21 years old, but I know this one pretty well... thank you mom. The Five Satins were a too top group that formed in 1954 in New Haven. Like I said above, after the sweet, romantic ballads, songs were embellished with syllables to enhance performances. Saxophones and and piano became popular in Doo Wop.

 

Above is a popular song titled "In the Still of the Nite." You may have heard it before the popular movie "Dirty Dancing." (If you have never seen the movie, go watch it!) The song has a beautiful sax solo during a break and the backup singers keep singing. Also, notice how they have added the syllables "Shoo-doop, Shooby-doop." 

What became of Doo Wop?

So what happened to Doo Wop? Doo wop, was the beginning of many African American musical styles we see today. Doo Wop influence many of the major rock and roll groups that defined the last part of the 20th century and laid a foundation more many new musical styles to come. Doo Wop's influence is evident in soul, pop and rock groups of the 1960s. Vocal surf music like that of the boy band "Bach Boys," you notice the influence in the chord progressions in some of their earlier hits. Billy Joel, even payed tribute to doo wop when he released the song "The Longest time." The doo wop style is heard in many different musical styles from the mid 20th century to around the mid 1970's.

Works Cited 

Doo-wop. (2021, April 13). Retrieved April 15, 2021.       

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doo-wop#Doo-wop's_influence

“Evolution of Doo-Wop.” Recording Arts Canada, 

    recordingarts.com/record/evolution-of-r-and-b/doo-wop. The Five Keys. 7 Dec. 

    2020, 

    en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doowopen.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Five_Keys. Lodergan, 

Tim. In The Still Of The   

    Night: 

The Five Satins; John Sebastian; Boyz II Men, 29 Oct. 2018,

    timscoverstory.wordpress.com/2018/10/29/in-the-still-of-the-night-the-five-satins-

    john-sebastian-boyz-ii-men/.