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

Other versions

Notes and References

  1. Al Leichter. "The Willows Take Off, But Only Briefly." Staunton (VA) News-Leader, July 30, 1993, p. 27.
  2. Joel Whitburn. Top Pop Singles, 1955-1999. Record Research, Menomonee Falls WI, 2000, p. 706.
  3. 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.
  4. Web site: The Willows, "Church Bells May Ring" Single Release. Discogs.com. August 23, 2018.
  5. Web site: Obituary: Ralph Martin, original member of the Willows. Goldminemag.com. 6 April 2010 . 28 April 2021.
  6. Web site: The Diamonds, "Church Bells May Ring" Chart Position. Musicvf.com. August 23, 2018.
  7. Web site: The Willows, "Church Bells May Ring" Chart Position. Musicvf.com. August 23, 2018.
  8. Web site: The Cadets, "Heartbreak Hotel" Single Release. Discogs.com. August 23, 2018.
  9. Web site: Sunny Gale, "Church Bells May Ring" Single Release. Discogs.com. 1960 . August 23, 2018.
  10. Web site: The Four Seasons, Dawn (Go Away) and 11 Other Great Songs. Discogs.com. 1964 . August 23, 2018.
  11. Web site: The Shirelles, The Shirelles Sing the Golden Oldies. Discogs.com. 1964 . August 23, 2018.