1 of 1- GrimsbyFan
- Member
Offline - Registered: December 30, 2018
- Posts: 423
Background Vocals
I've always been a big fan of background vocals. In many cases, IMHO, they make just as important a contribution to the success of a song as does the lead singer's performance.
What I am focusing on in this topic is not bands/groups that always performed together as a lead singer with backup provided by the other members of the group. Rather, I would like to bring attention to songs by individual singers which feature outstanding background vocals, done either by known or unknown studio singers. They may be outstanding because of the harmony, because they are interesting or unusual, or because they are the perfect complement to the lead singer's performance.
Do you have some songs that fit this topic?
Here are a few of mine:
Poor Side of Town - Johnny Rivers
Whenever I hear this song, I crank up the volume so I can hear the sweet backup harmony of Darlene Love and The Blossoms. For me, they are the highlight of the song.
Johnny Angel - Shelley Fabares
Shelley never wanted to be a singer - she felt she had a bad`voice. Maybe the producer felt the same. The Cookies were brought in for backup vocals, and oh what a job they did. They may have been more responsible for that song being a hit than Shelley was.
Poor Little Fool - Ricky Nelson
The Jordannaires sang background on many of Ricky's songs. Their vocals seemed to be the perfect complement to a great performance by an amazing singer on this tune.
Last edited by GrimsbyFan (June 3, 2026 11:52 am)
- unclefester
- Member
Offline
- Registered: June 2, 2020
- Posts: 123
Re: Background Vocals
GrimsbyFan wrote:
Poor Little Fool - Ricky Nelson
The Jordannaires sang background on many of Ricky's songs. Their vocals seemed to be the perfect complement to a great performance by an amazing singer on this tune.
Shoutout to the Jordanaires!
Elvis was very fond of them and stated words to the effect that "...if it wasn't for you guys there may not have been a me..."
Elvis wanted them to accompany him to Las Vegas for his engagements but they turned him down.
I had the pleasure of meeting the Jordanaires tenor singer, piano player & group manager, the late Gordon Stoker in Vegas about 25 years ago.
Funnily enough he (and I) were in the audience that night of an Elvis impersonator named Trent Carlini. Mr. Stoker was introduced from the stage & following the shows completion I made a point of waiting to shake his hand and say hello as he emerged from the small showroom.
- AzMike
- Member
Offline
- Registered: August 22, 2021
- Posts: 38
Re: Background Vocals
Backing up Tyrone Shoelaces (Cheech Marin) on "Basketball Jones", #15 1973, were The Blossoms and Michelle Phillips.
Last edited by AzMike (June 3, 2026 9:05 pm)
- Lorne
- Administrator
Offline
- From: Toronto, Ontario
- Registered: December 30, 2018
- Posts: 1,538
Re: Background Vocals
Their backup vocals are so strong that they come close to being lead singers, but I'll still suggest that The Edwin Hawkins Singers' performance on "Lay Down" by Melanie would qualify here.
- Lorne
- Administrator
Offline
- From: Toronto, Ontario
- Registered: December 30, 2018
- Posts: 1,538
Re: Background Vocals
Breaking Up Is Hard To Do and Next Door To An Angel - Neil Sedaka: background vocals by The Cookies
I Can't Stay Mad At You - Skeeter Davis: background vocals by The Anita Kerr Singers
- GrimsbyFan
- Member
Offline
- Registered: December 30, 2018
- Posts: 423
Re: Background Vocals
A couple of rather interesting backup vocals, different from the usual shoo bop,shoo bop:
In She's A Fool (Lesley Gore). the male voices sing Shag A Doola, Shag A Doola.
In Lightening Strikes (Lou Christie), the backup singers (Denise Ferri, Bernafette Carroll, Peggy Santiglia) sing Puppy Ah OO, Puppy Ah OO.
- •
Thread Starter- Lorne
- Administrator
Offline
- From: Toronto, Ontario
- Registered: December 30, 2018
- Posts: 1,538
Re: Background Vocals
Ain't No Mountain High Enough - Diana Ross
Backing vocals by songwriters/producers Nickolas Ashford and Valerie Simpson; The Andantes; Brenda Evans and Billie Calvin of The Undisputed Truth; Jimmy Beavers; and Jo Armstead
- aflem
- Member
Offline
- Registered: August 11, 2019
- Posts: 1,779
Re: Background Vocals
Can't think of a better example of incredible background singers than on Rod Stewart's "Motown Song." No less than The Temptations provide the background and even get to sing a verse of their own on the tune.
- GrimsbyFan
- Member
Offline
- Registered: December 30, 2018
- Posts: 423
Re: Background Vocals
Two songs with amazing high (opera-like) backup vocals.
For Your Love - Ed Townsend
Poetry In Motion - Johnny Tillotson
Backup vocals by the Anita Kerr singers
Last edited by GrimsbyFan (Today 10:10 am)
- •
Thread Starter- Lorne
- Administrator
Offline
- From: Toronto, Ontario
- Registered: December 30, 2018
- Posts: 1,538
Re: Background Vocals
Rock And Roll Lullaby - B.J. Thomas
The background vocals on the chorus really help aid with the lullaby aspect of the song, and towards the end of the record they also remind me of The Beach Boys' harmonies. The singers were The Blossoms (Darlene Love, Fanita James and Jean King), Dave Somerville (former lead singer of The Diamonds), Ron Hicklin, Tom Bahler, and Gene Morford.