Added: Jul 6, 2008
From: JBauder1948
Duration: 1:56
The Chiffons was an all girl group originating from the Bronx area of New York in 1960. The group comprised Judy Craig (lead singer), Patricia Bennett, Barbara Lee, and Rita Haynes. Sylvia Peterson was added to the group in 1963. Another group from California also used the name "Chiffons" and recorded three singles, including a version of the Shirelles "Tonight's The Night". According to Craig and Bennett, the New York Chiffons have no connection to the other group. The group hit the number one spot in the United States with the song "He's So Fine" as their first single. George Harrison's 1971 song "My Sweet Lord" was musically similar, prompting a copyright infringement claim. The Chiffons went on to record "My Sweet Lord" in 1975. A judge later found that Harrison had unintentionally plagiarized the earlier song. Their first hit was followed by other notable tunes such as Gerry Goffin and Carole King's "One Fine Day", "Sweet Talkin' Guy" and "I Have A Boyfriend". Their Top 40 single "I Have A Boyfriend" was playing on Dallas station KLIF on November 22, 1963 and was interrupted by the first radio bulletins of the JFK assassination. The group also released material under the title The Four Pennies. They released two singles on the Rust Label. Craig left the Chiffons in 1968 and they continued as a trio. In 1992, Lee died from a heart attack the day before her 45th birthday, and Craig returned to the group. Peterson retired shortly thereafter and was replaced by Connie Harvey. Harvey has since left to pursue a solo career and Bennett has retired from the group. Currently Judy Craig performs as the Chiffons with replacement backup singers at Dick Clark's American Bandstand Theater in Branson, Missouri. The Chiffons are part of the "Original Stars at American Bandstand" show.
Channel: Music
Rating: 4.70 (23 ratings) Views: 9649' favoriteCount='57 Comments: 16
alkazoo Says:
Jul 25, 2008 - halellujah...hare hare
Datty Says:
Jul 25, 2008 - I can really hear the similarities between this and my sweat lord.
suspectdevice7 Says:
Jul 26, 2008 - It is a little known fact that emminent scholar, gentleman and philanthropist Dr Charles Follen McKim Maloney secured the Chiffons first recrding contract. It is said that some strong words and a bribe involving rare Swedish lovebirds was involved. I for one am eternally greatful that Dr Maloney hepled bring the Chiffons to the world. I intend to release a flock of Swedish lovebirds over the Island of Komodo as a gesture of respect to the great man!
chiconesss Says:
Jul 28, 2008 - really close to my sweet lord...
bklynbarbara Says:
Jul 31, 2008 - This was one of my favorite songs in my senior year zt Bay Shore high and I had a crush on a guy named Steve Hanley and everytime I heard this song I thought of him! He was sooo fine!!!
janeshe2 Says:
Aug 1, 2008 - Janeshe 2 says: My sweet Lord is close to this
chiconesss Says:
Aug 1, 2008 - no you need to know the one who came first
djscanman Says:
Aug 1, 2008 - This song was released in 1963. "My Sweet Lord" was released in 1970. Ergo, "My Sweet Lord" imitates the sound of this song.
djscanman Says:
Aug 1, 2008 - Actually, 1971. The album is dated 1970.
janeshe2 Says:
Aug 1, 2008 - Janeshe 2 says: so aha! 2 u!!!! u need 2 know the one who came first ...................jk jk but chiffons did come first dats why the law suit was against my sweet Lord
jeb419 Says:
Aug 5, 2008 - Well the verse sounds similar to My sweet lord, but the chorus and the B section sounds nothing at all like it. It is obvious that harrison didn't purposely copy this song. I personally think that the similarities are not grounds for copy right infringement. Besides, My sweet lord has more intricate chords going on that are not at all the same as this.
JBauder1948 Says:
Aug 5, 2008 - Jeb there was a short sequence - I believe 3 notes - that was repeated periodically throughout both songs. The laws and courts have defined this as plagiarism - no matter what anyone else thinks. Harrison even admitted that it fit the definition of plagiarism but maintained that it was accidental. I believe him on both counts.
maluhree05 Says:
Aug 6, 2008 - they actually sued harrison for copyright infringement because my sweet lord was so close to this song.
MAGICO240 Says:
Aug 11, 2008 - Harrison song is just another version of this one.
jthomasbaseball Says:
Aug 22, 2008 - I love this song...one of my earliest musical memories...
Watermark0n Says:
Aug 29, 2008 - It is incredibly easy to scrape out three notes that someone else has put into the same sequence before. There are only twelve notes. Shall we now sue all the hundreds of thousands of people who've ever used the incredibly obvious I-IV-V chord progression?
JBauder1948 Says:
Aug 29, 2008 - Why can't you Harrison fans give it a rest. Even Harrison admitted it was plagurism? He did say it was unintentional and I believe him.
laurenkrum Says:
Jul 17, 2008 - this song is so perfect and beautiful. the chiffons are one of the best girl groups for sure.