Church Bells May Ring Explained
Church Bells May Ring |
Type: | single |
Artist: | The Willows |
Cover: | The_Willows_Church_Bells_78.jpg |
B-Side: | Baby Tell Me |
Genre: | Doo-wop |
Label: | Melba |
Prev Title: | So Help Me |
Prev Year: | 1954 |
Next Title: | This Is the End |
Next Year: | 1956 |
"Church Bells May Ring" is a song written by The Willows, with songwriting credits also given to Morty Craft; Craft, a veteran arranger and talent scout, owned Melba Records, the label the Willows recorded for, and as often happened in the 1950s, label executives would give themselves a songwriting credit. There is little evidence Craft wrote the song, and according to the band members, he only paid them $200, despite the fact that the song sold well.[1] The Willows were formed in New York City in 1952. Their original name was the Five Willows, and their song was originally called "Church Bells Are Ringing."[2] "Church Bells May Ring" reached number 11 on the U.S. R&B chart and number 67 on the U.S. pop chart in 1956.[3]
Neil Sedaka played chimes on the song.[4] [5]
Other charting versions
- The Diamonds released a version of the song as a single which reached number 14 on the U.S. pop chart in 1956.[6]
- The Willows re-released a version of the song as a single which reached number 114 on the U.S. pop chart in 1961.[7]
Other versions
Notes and References
- Al Leichter. "The Willows Take Off, But Only Briefly." Staunton (VA) News-Leader, July 30, 1993, p. 27.
- Joel Whitburn. Top Pop Singles, 1955-1999. Record Research, Menomonee Falls WI, 2000, p. 706.
- Web site: The Top 100 for the Survey Week Ending April 18, Billboard, April 28, 1956, p. 48. books.google.com. 28 April 1956 . 13 July 2023.
- Web site: The Willows, "Church Bells May Ring" Single Release. Discogs.com. August 23, 2018.
- Web site: Obituary: Ralph Martin, original member of the Willows. Goldminemag.com. 6 April 2010 . 28 April 2021.
- Web site: The Diamonds, "Church Bells May Ring" Chart Position. Musicvf.com. August 23, 2018.
- Web site: The Willows, "Church Bells May Ring" Chart Position. Musicvf.com. August 23, 2018.
- Web site: The Cadets, "Heartbreak Hotel" Single Release. Discogs.com. August 23, 2018.
- Web site: Sunny Gale, "Church Bells May Ring" Single Release. Discogs.com. 1960 . August 23, 2018.
- Web site: The Four Seasons, Dawn (Go Away) and 11 Other Great Songs. Discogs.com. 1964 . August 23, 2018.
- Web site: The Shirelles, The Shirelles Sing the Golden Oldies. Discogs.com. 1964 . August 23, 2018.