my mom sang this song better than anyone. from the time i was 6 months old i was a very sickly child suffering a lot of pain and my mom used to sing this song to me for years to sooth me and put me to sleep. this is one of my earliest memories.
I grew up in North Dakota, where Lawrence Welk immigrated to. His show was one my parents NEVER missed. Also, he was German, as were my ancestors. My 3 sisters and I still joke today that our parents wanted us to be the Lennon Sisters. As much as his show gets made fun of, he had such great musicians. Thank you for analyzing this!
My Dad was born in North Dakota. We always watched Lawrence Welk, too. I know people laugh at it, but the music and dancing were really great. My Dad once met Lawrence Welk, but I don't remember exactly when that happened. I think Lawrence was still doing accordion gigs at the time.
I'm in my 60's; grew up with the Lennon sisters and watching Lawrence Welk. I still watch old reruns to this day. The Lennon sisters were so popular and loved by many. I feel they got even better as they aged. Thanks, Fil, you're so special for giving all music consideration. I just love that.
I, too grew up with the Lennon Sisters - but this song was a favorite. I still sing it, somewhere between my Rob Zombie, opera, and Gavin Dunne tunes. What a lovely flashback!
The Lennon Sisters are absurdly talented. Some of their songs are so gorgeously blended. They're somewhat overlooked as musical family history goes, which is unfortunate, because their harmony is amazing. Their children are excellent singers as well. Awesome that you highlighted them on your channel. I love the range of music you select!
This was so AWESOME to watch...a young guy with an AC/DC shirt enjoying and appreciating The Lennon Sisters. And just a side note, Myron Floren, the accordionist on The Lawrence Welk Show, was also of EXCEPTIONAL talent. My all-time FAVORITE accordion player.
A family friend, the director of our school system's music department for many years, knew him very well. They had played together often and were great friends. He described Myron Floren as a genuinely warm and kind man, a true gentleman. I thought of this every time I watched the show. 😊
I enjoyed too. Fil is such an enthusiast. Plus brings linguistic analysis, stage craft, genetics and so on. Really helps to understand why we like things like this.
@@wespaul9345 I knew Fil was smart, but he surprised me with his in-depth analysis. We know he could have gone deeper because he would stop himself. I enjoyed it, too.
Love the Lennon Sisters! Fun fact from an Osmond Brothers fan: The first four performing brothers were singing barber shop style songs when they were very young, and Mr. Osmond saw the Lennon sisters on Lawrence Welk and thought, "He might want a brother act". They went and asked to see Mr. Welk, but were not sucessful in getting in. Mr. Osmond said, "Well, let's go to Disney Land and have some fun". They walked into the park in their little Barber Shop suits, and an adult Barber Shop Quartet spotted them. They asked the boys to sing, and they were so impressed that someone went and got Walt Disney to come and listen to them. Mr. Disney hired them, and later, Andy Williams' father was in the park and spotted them. They reminded him of Andy and his other sons who had had a group when they were small. He called Andy and held the phone out for him to listen. He said, "You need to hire these guys". Andy minded his dad, hired them, and then later they went out on their own to sing rock'n'roll songs. Years later, some of the Osmonds bought a theater in Bransons, MO, and the Lennon Sisters did appear with them, and the Osmonds would sometimes sing at the Lawrence Welk Theather. I am glad that Mr. Osmond did not make a big deal about Mr. Welk not hiring his sons, turned it into a fun day, and then tremendous opportunities that changed their lives opened up to them.
On that fateful trip...were Olive and the two oldest sons (who were born with hearing issues and didn't perform) along with little Donny and baby Marie able to join them?
@@tomservo56954 I would think so, because the Osmonds did everything as a family. That was one of the keys of them staying so close all these years. Very good point, Tom. I did not mean to imply that the rest of the family was not involved.
It's a big club and we're all in it. Saturday night my Dad watched Lawrence Welk, and I remember the Lennon Sisters. But I have to admit I was in hog heaven when they played the Baby Elephant Walk. I could have put my four or five year foot down to demand more control of the remote and changed the channel. I don't remember if we had cable at the time.
My grandfather and I had a tradition of watching Lawrence Welk every week back in the 1970's. It was a time when TV was wholesome and the entire family could gather around the set and watch without being scandalized. The Lennon Sisters were amazing, such incredible harmonies!
The Lennon Sisters sang at the 50th Boy Scout Jamboree in Colorado Springs. President Eisenhower made an appearance. I was in a band led by an ex WWI fighter pilot. It was a great experience.
Just read this and my husband was at that Jamboree. His troop was from Boise, Idaho. He traded leather Idaho state scraf holders. Asked him if he remembered this and he doesn't! We will ask his brother as he was there too! Have some photos from the outing.
Welk knew how to pick talent. His show was squeaky clean and by todays standards so it is mocked now. But the quality of these gals can't be denied. Thanks for taking them seriously in your analysis.
The Lennon sisters were great. A bit more on the history of the song is that the original recording was by Bing Crosby, backed up by a very young Andy Williams. Also, it was immortalized in a Far Side cartoon, where a man, who is a pig, is sitting at a table, and says (without further explanation) "I really wasn't sure I wanted to swing on a star, carry moonbeams home in a jar!"
@@MsMaryLS What was great about the Far Side was that the jokes were not always obvious. In this case, if you didn't know the song (which at the time, I didn't), you had no clue.
Yes, there seem to be many people who would see stuff like this and have a visceral hatred of it, because it shows so clearly what has been killed and suppressed in the West. These would be the people writing for Hollywood, Big Music, the publishers, the other big Media etc. @2vintage68
Funny I was born in 1975 and this is well before my time, but I still recognized it the moment they started singing. The benefits of having a father born in 1927. Looking back I'm amazing at how many musicals and VERY old movies I've seen because of him lol. It's a bit bitter sweet now because he died this past January and my mind is still very full of past memories atm.
Your story is similar to mine. I was born in 1975 and my dad in 1934. He was an old soul, preferring Lawrence Welk to the Beatles. He died in 2021. I miss his old taste.
Ah... my mother was kind enough to gift me the Lennon Sisters paper dolls. Hours, days, & weeks of fun! All while I pretended I could sing along with them. Lovely memories of my early childhood.
I'm not sure this kind of talent is still around, though it may be. Studio electronics can cover a LOT of "mistakes". Of course, the Lennon Sisters did this LIVE on national TV. No mulligans. Truly great singers.
That kind of talent is still around! As a matter of fact, direct relatives of the Lennon Sisters are still performing to this very day. Three of the Lennon Brothers perform with a group called "Venice" and their harmonies are just as good, ot even better than their older sisters/cousins. Do a Goggle search to discover their beautiful music.
My grandparents lived in their neighborhood and went to their church. St Marks in Venice CA. So we watched them from the very beginning as my sisters and I were all similar ages, but not quite as talented, singing four part harmony!
@stevekerp1 There's a sister group called Sorelle on RU-vid and TikTok with very good harmonization skills. They're quite good, as long as they choose the right songs (a few of their choices didn't adapt well for harmony).
Their music wasn’t really my cup of tea, but I readily acknowledge their talent and beautiful harmonies. They were lovely to look at, charming young ladies as well. A Lawrence Welk fixture from a different era. Your response to the Lennon Sisters was worth the price of admission, Fil! Just lovely.
I love that you used the expression “not my cup of tea”. Welk had said (at least once according to Martha Roberts Heltsley former wife of Welk singer Jim Roberts) “not my cup of dish”.
Watching your expression as you watched their performance was fantastic!! You are truly one of the younger generation that appreciates the diversity and quality of music throughout the decades. Thanks, Fil!! Love your videos and analyses....
The Lennon Sisters were part of a huge Catholic family from Santa Monica, California. They were all educated in Catholic schools and remain devout to this day. One of their best albums is entitled "The Lennon Sisters sing Favorite Catholic Hymns" circa 1957-58. They were all sweet, very ladylike, very pretty and well disciplined young ladies. They got their start because Lawrence Welk's son Larry was a schoolmate. They learned a lot from Lawrence Welk about show business, discipline, being professional, etc. and were one of his biggest attractions for 12 years or so. Thank you very much for your consistently scholarly, fascinating, thoughtful and well done content!
Lawrence Welk was a daily communicant, a devout Catholic who looked after his band members, and also paid rewards with virtuoso performances instead of taking advantage financially.
louslamont, I remember reading that as they got older, they wished to do some things on their own, like appearing away from Welk, or recording something not under his supervision. Then Welk heard about it, he cut them off immediately. Didnt even say good bye, thanks a lot. Just, like you are dead to me, in spite of being a big draw for Welk's show for so many years. I thought it reflected very badly on what kind of person Welk was.
@@Neilsowards Lawrence Welk certainly had his issues. He could be a real tightwad and most of his employees were paid week to week, he avoided contracts like the Plague! He did pay his stars and musicians(while they were popular anyway)well enough to keep them happy. I think the story you told is sadly basically true.
@@Neilsowards The Lennons and Lawrence Welk agreed that their act would appear on the show only once a month starting in 1967 so the sisters could pursue other opportunities and earn a bit more income for their families (the Lennons paid Union scale musicians since childhood would make more money as an act). This agreement eventually didn't work out for Lawrence Welk and in February 1968 the sisters were let go from the show. Singing the song “Sweet and Low” the Lennons and Welk would go their separate ways. In summer 1969, the Lennon Sisters were filming episodes for their upcoming variety series, Jimmy Durante Presents the Lennon Sisters Hour. After filming five episodes, the Lennon Sisters went on a two-week hiatus. August 12, 1969, their father was murdered in a parking where he worked as a Private Golf Instructor by a delusional former Air Force officer Chet Young. Young, previously been committed to Atascadero State Hospital believed he was married to one of the sister and the father stood in the way of their being together. Young committed suicide with the same weapon. Although previously judge dangerously insane, he was released under Govenor Ronald Reagan who championed a policy to empty California's mental institutions and treat the mentally ill in community mental health clinics which were never built. He adopted this policy to cut state spending for the mentally ill. So you could say Ronald Reagan indirectly killed William Lennon who had from 1955 to 1969 (when he retire) had been on every set as their agent. The Lennon Sisters continued as an Act with Andy Williams...
FIL, Love the fact that you cover, explain and react to all kinds of music. You're an absolutely awesome music teacher. Your videos are like attending the most wonderful music theory classes ever. 🎶👍🤗❤
i agree. the eclectic nature of the channel is cool. the variety of genres and musical styles mr. Wings of Pegasus covers sets his channel apart. and his technical analysis is quite extensive. most of it is beyond me. i still don't know the difference between "pitch" and "tone." and why aren't sharp's and flats different notes entirely rather than the same note with a different pitch.
Another 67 yr old that grew up with The Lawrence Welk Show and The Lennon Sisters. They were my Spice Girls 😄. I loved them! Every one of your videos is an education. Enjoyed the story behind the composing of the song. Thank you for all your hard work, and obvious love of all music. ❤
My all girls high school band had this level of discipline, part of why we won in competition so often. One adjudicator commented on how, when the conductor raised his baton, every bosom rose in unison. So ever after, competing bands would refer to us as the heaving bosoms.
Fil, loved this blast from the past. I'm 75 and in my household during the '50s my Mom never missed the Lawrence Welk Show. I didn't care much for the show, but I always watched The Lennon Sisters because every kid my age back then had a huge crush on Janet.
Their dad taught them. He worked with them from the time they were young. He was a milkman and had several kids and needed money so he was the girls manager and got them gigs for years to bring in money for the family.
Your analysis is not just taking music appreciation to another level but causes us to re-examine the familiar and therefore predictable for the genius it truly was when it was fresh.
Oh Fil, it's a shame the so many people today never got to experience the great singers, bands, songs, and styles of music that have existed. Being born in the '50s, my parents born in the '30s, aunts & uncles born in the '20s and 30's, and grandparents born in the very late 1890s to early 1900s, I got to experience all of the above in the music they listened to and the movies and tv shows they watched/listened to (not to mention the music which came out while I was growing up). Thanks for doing some in these songs/singers from long ago, they bring back great memories.
You couldn't have been born at a better time and with such a large music loving family I believe you when you say you've heard it all. What a time to be alive that's for sure.
We boomer kids were lucky, though of course we didn't know it at the time. I frequently get people from their teens to their 50s expressing envy at what I experienced in real time. The Beatles and so much more! Good timing, and it was the foundation for a life time of loving music.
I was born in 1940 and grew up with all this BEST MUSIC EVER! There was Al Jolson, Bing Crosby and a very young Frank Sinatra and all the Big Bands. Everytime you turned on the radio they were there as well as all the records my dad had who played them constantly. He bought a piano and had me take lessons mainly so I could learn and play all that era's music for him. It caused me to have a even greater appreciation to this day and at 83 I am back there in my mind often!!
I grew up in South Dakota, Lawrence Welk was huge. Watching this automatically brought tears to my eyes. The authentic innocence and purity of the Lennon Sisters brings me back to truly joyful times in my childhood. Thank you and them for the great memories.
In the early 60's, Mr. Champagne himself, L. Welk and Ed Sullivan had 2 of the most popular. I remember the Lennon sisters for about 60 years. One of the most popular family singers of the time.
In the late 50s, I met up with my Venice ca. neighbors to go Christmas caroling door to door. To my surprise, we happened upon the Lemon sister's parent's house. Singing in front of the Lennon family was the highlight of the evening. They gave us cookies and milk afterward. Great memories.
Boomer, here. I love that you did analysis on this song. Well done! My mom watched Lawrence Welk. We used to roll our eyes at her, and tease her for watching it. My mom used to do the folding and ironing of our clothes at night, after we were put to bed. She would listen to music and sing. Sometimes I would sit at the top of our stairs, and listen to her singing. Musicals were her favorite. I still know the lyrics to so many of them. She still has a phenomenal voice. I think she missed her calling.
Musicals have always been my favorite and I adored the Lennon Sisters as a kid in the 50’s. My husband and I used to lie in bed in the dark and spontaneously start singing one Broadway song after another. It always amazed me that we both remembered all the words. I still do. He had a lovely voice.
omg same for me. I was the same age as Janet and loved how she squinted and batted those eyelashes. The first song I remember was Melodie d'Amour. Janet was so cute.
Not just a child group, they kept singing and making records throughout their lives. Two of the original singers are still singing with younger family members as the Lennon Sisters.
I am a grandmother now and I remember fondly watching the Lennon Sisters on Lawrence Welk when my siblings and I were little. It seems like yesterday. Thanks for sharing.
I was raised on this (giving away my age)...lots of memories. My twin sister, cousin and I used to perform together,, and,, yes,, family voices make for great blends. Can't say I prefer it to my later exposure to rock, singer songwriters, folk...but gave me my first exposure to amazing harmony and my appreciation of that, which is integral to so many genres.
When I was growing up, my parents watched Lawrence Welk every week, and I loved when the Lennon sisters sang, probably in part because the youngest had the same name as me. I knew they were good, but now I have a better appreciation. Also, do you realize how hard it is to sing while smiling the whole time?? It’s pretty amazing that Janet and Kathy are still performing, considering they are 77 and 79, respectively.
Janet was a particular draw for me, too! Besides their obvious talent, it made me feel special, in a way. Otherwise, I was not fond of my name. I always loved when they performed!
@@martincvitkovich724As a primary teacher here in the UK (now retired),I taught this song to every class I had during my 30 years of teaching. They all loved it.
I am 78 now, but when I was a little girl, I could hardly wait to hear them sing. They would sing on the Lawerence Welk show. I think they sang so beautifully. Dad would let me watch them because they were my favorite.
Wonerful, wonerful; that was the lovely Lennon Sisters singging I Can’t Get No Satisfaction…(RIP Robin Williams😂). Great react - I love the way the pro reactors demonstrate not only that a song is great but why in a meaningful way! Keep’em coming Fil!!
I may be old, but I feel so lucky to have grown up with wholesome entertainment like this group. I don't see much wholesomeness in the entertainment we have nowadays. I raised my kids on wholesome entertainment, and what they watched and listened to when they got older is up to them. They are showing The Lennon Sisters to my grandkids.
Wonderful background by Fil and typically excellent substantive analysis. Fil , you probably have no idea how much you enhance the musical appreciation of many of your followers. Many thanks.
Thank you for the memories.I grew up with Lawrence Welk on a weekly basis, and the Lennon Sisters were there too. My uncle taught me to waltz at 6. We danced almost the whole show thru Oh how I miss that simplistic life of yesterday, and I miss my Uncle.
I love how you explain the skill, slow down the sound to let us hear the vibrato, and sing examples helping an amateur like me understand! Thanks for making music accessible to me, Fil!
I would sit on the floor of my grandmother playing with McCall (a magazine) paper dolls and watch such music. I would love to go back for those few minutes of my life. Love
I have loved the Lennon Sisters for most of my 61 years, and I was even in their fan club in the early '80s. Their 1959 album "Christmas with the Lennon Sisters" has been one of my favorites since childhood. Please consider listening to some of the Lennons' recordings from the '60s and '70s; their sound was more mature but still just as beautiful. And from all indications, they're all really nice people as well. Thank you so much for featuring them, Fil!
My father, uncle, and grandfather watched Lawrence Welk. I was never a fan of his band or their sound, but I would run to the TV when the sisters came on. I was so envious of their beauty, the pretty dresses they always wore, their sound, their talent.
My dad would never miss The Lawrence Welk show so we always "got to" watch it too. The Lennon Sisters were one of his favorites. He couldn't have have the explained the performance like you just did, but he sure did smile like you just did as he listened. If you want to go down the Lawrence Welk rabbit hole, check out and analyze Jo Anne Castle sometime. Wonder how many boogie boogie pianists she inspired? Thank you for this one - great nostalgia trip.
As a child we had several records of the Lennon Sisters, and I never realized until I heard this analysis that they could have had such marvelous singing.
I recall them being on the Lawrence Welk Show. Delightful harmonies! Even live, they were always in tune. Fil, I love listening to your intelligent and comprehensive analysis. I always learn something! Thank you!
My grandmother loved Lawrence Welk and we watched the show together all the time. When the Lennon Sisters were on it was extra special. I had to take accordion lessons because of this show 😂
I remember the Lennon sisters well. the close blend of their vocal harmony can only be achieved by family members it seems. They were absolutely delightful over their career. Simply lovely!
Thank you so much, Fil, for not only giving us such very interesting analyses, but also for being such a truly nice guy and for paying such respect to a group of young girl singers as you do here. Not all men would do that, but you really did it, so thank you! Really!
I saw a YT video on his life. He was an amazing success story - not because he was an overnight sensation but because he wasn't very successful until later in life after working and working and working. He was gentle, kind, and very shy (he was embarrassed by his accent.) He also used his money when he was successful to help many many people. My parents loved him a lot too, he gave so much musical pleasure to so many people.
Boy someone sure told them how to play to the camera--and act along with the lyrics. On top flawless harmony singing! This sort of song and style of singing is really singing to the listener, instead of just expressing the singer's emotion, except mirth or a suggestion of a laugh (20:15).
The Lennon Sisters have such pleasant voices that blend so well together. It is a joy to listen to them sing. I also remember Bing Crosby singing this and your analysis was fun and informative as always. 😊🎸🎵
First time visiting your channel and this was such a treat. I grew up in family of four girls and we all sang, played a musical instrument and danced. My mother was such a fan of the Lennon sisters and wanted us all to sing like they did. We did lots of entertaining and competition work. There is definitely something about siblings singing together with harmonies, not to mention it is so much fun. Two of my sisters went on to sing professionally, one becoming a singing teacher in later years. Another became a dancing teacher. I stuck to business.😀You can't help but smile while watching these sisters - but it was a kick watching you and your contagious smile. I wish my mother was alive to have watched you break down what makes these sisters so amazing - as she knew all their work and always raved about their perfect harmonies. Thanks for the great memory.
I'm from the UK and have never heard of these singers, but we learnt the song from my mom, obviously the 1944 Bing Crosby one, my mom was a film and music addict (born1929) she could play the piano by ear, never had a music lesson, I remember going to school when the Beatles had released a new song, by the time I got home she had picked it up on the piano, what a gift, she could also Whistle any piece of music in perfect tune, I inherited her love of music, but couldn't play a note or Whistle a tune😢 Love the fact that you react to music from so long ago.
When I was a young lad, I fell in "love' with Janet....We always watched the Lawrence Welk Show and I would always make sure to watch the Lennon Sisters. I think I was around 10 or 11 years old at that time. Thank you Fil for your analysis of the Lennon Sisters, which brought me more happy memories.
Oh my gosh! I am pleasantly surprised (and pleased) that you have them on your show! I am 72 years old and when I was a little girl ( in the later 50:s) I would sit on the floor in front of 20:18 my mother's knees and she would be pinning my hair to curl it, while watching on our old black and white TV, "The Lawrence Welk Show." Our favorite was the Lennon Sisters! She would comment particularly about how the youngest one, Janet reminded her of me. She loved the "twinkle" in her eyes, there cheerful smiles and personalities and of course their unique voices and close harmonies! Aren't they great? Those were the good old days! So fresh,sweet and so innocent!! We need to go back to those times, not just re- rapture them; don't you agree? That's when kids were allowed to be kids! Kids are now forced to grow up fast. Thanks for the memories!!! 😘🙋🌹
I'm a few months shy of being 79, so I remember them, that song, and my mom NEVER missed The Lawrence Welk Show. Great video, Fil! You are a music genius imho!
Whoa… Fil… gotta say this is beyond the ‘way back machine’!! I was 5 when these guys started singing on The Lawrence Welk show, and we didn’t miss it - EVER!! Every Saturday night - without fail! The Lennon Sisters were a big part of the show; there were several regular performers, both singers and dancers. It was such a different time - mixed memories for sure, thanks for your (always) thoughtful and very detailed reaction to this group and song - from WAY before you were even born!
Wow Fil, your head voice can sound “airy” like a falsetto. You match The Lennon Sisters really well. I prefer you as a rock singer but your mimicking of the sisters demonstrates your talent. This was fun to listen and watch. Rock!
Despite dropping into a diabetic coma while viewing, it’s freaking amazing the talent they had at a young or any age. “Thank you, thank you, thank you, that was the lovely Lennon Sisters…and now the WUNnerful Arthur Duncan…”
I’m old so I knew the song well enough to mouth the words but I hadn’t heard the sisters sing it before. Great analysis, you help us understand what is happening. Lovely to hear all the words and sung so well.
One more 67 year old who loves the Lennon sisters. Unlike the others, I didn't grow up listening to them, though. I was always mesmerized by the dynamics between family singers. My mom was one of 14 kids (7 boys/7 girls) who all sang beautifully. They were poor so all they had was music. The way their voices blended was so unique to me - I was always fascinated by them at family gatherings. I do have the Lennon sisters on my playlists now, because they remind me of my family (many of whom have passed). More than this song, I love how they sing "Tonight, you belong to me." Btw, that vibrato thing you mentioned has always intrigued me. It's almost as if it's how everyone learned to brush your teeth: Do it this way. The younger kids just mimic what/how older kids do things. So, they all end up with the same vibrato. I love that!
The Lennon sisters had fantastic voices and those harmonies are about as tight as you're gonna hear. And as far as I know they sang live most of the time on the show! And if it was prerecorded, it was not multitrack in those days They had to sing it together just right on one take. If they messed up, they would have to do it al over again on a new lacquer. I heard them in an interview talk about how they would go in every day and practice for hours to make sure they got their parts really tight. And they were good, Very good!. Lawrence Welk demanded nothing less on his show. When they got older they're voices just got even more beautiful and they learned more complicated harmonies in some songs.! Thanks for this Fil!!
We used to sing this song in music class. Laurence Welk was definitely part of my musical education, and I enjoyed the Lennon Sisters every time they came on. Even without understanding what made them so good, I loved what they did, and the purity they represented.