Doo Wop was a specific sub-genre of R&B that was born on the street corners of the 1950’s when city kids went beyond simple harmonies of the 1940’s and began vocalizing sounds that were traditionally created by instruments. They inadvertently created an entirely new style called Doo Wop that would become a major force in popular music for over a decade. The genre had peaked in popularity by the early 1960’s, but its influence extended into the electric style of the early Motown sound through groups like the Four Tops, Temptations, Isley Brothers, and others.
I spent a couple of days researching Doo Wop bands for this list, and even though I eliminated a lot of borderline acts with a fairly strict interpretation of what Doo Wop is, I still ended up with over 130 tracks. There should be a good balance between classics and rarities, but I didn’t grow up in the 50’s, so if you notice any glaring omissions, be sure to drop me a comment.
You won’t find Little Jon & The Teen Tones in the mix (I faked the picture from an old Atlantic 45), but you can listen to the Doo Wop playlist by scrolling all the way to the left in the player below.
Enjoy!
All 130+ Doo Wop Tracks Available On the Playlist
- “(Will You) Come Back My Love (LP Version)”
by The Wrens
Doo Wop Classics, Vol. 4 - “16 Candles”
by Crests
The Best of… - “A Little Bit Of Soap”
by The Jarmels
WCBS FM101 History Of Rock: The 60’s Part 5 - “A Lover’s Question”
by Clyde McPhatter
Rockin’ and Driftin’ – The Drifters Box Set - “A Teenager in Love”
by Dion & The Belmonts
WCBS FM 101 History of Rock (The 50s) Part 1 - “Angel”
by Montereys
Doo-Wop Car Songs!/The Doo-Wop Angel Songs! - “At the Hop”
by Danny & The Juniors
Billboard Top Rock N’ Roll Hits of 1958 - “Babalu’s Wedding Day”
by The Eternals
The Doo-Wop Era, Part 1 (WCBS FM 101 History of Rock) - “Baby Talk”
by Jan & Dean
The Golden Age Of Rock ‘N’ Roll Volume 4 – Hot Hits From 1954 -1963 - “Batman, Wolfman, Frankenstein Or Dracula”
by The Diamonds
The Best Of The Diamonds - “Bing Bong”
by The Silhouettes
Get a Job - “Blanche”
by The Three Friends
For Lovers Only Vol. 4 - “Blue Moon”
by The Marcels
The Best Of Doo Wop Uptempo - “Book of Love”
by The Monotones
Who Wrote the Book of Love? - “Buzz-Buzz-Buzz”
by The Hollywood Flames
The Best Of Doo Wop Uptempo - “Castles in the Sky”
by The Bop Chords
The Doo-Wop Era, Part 1 (WCBS FM 101 History of Rock) - “Chapel Bells”
by The Fascinators
WCBS FM-101 The Anniversary Album The 50s - “Charlie Brown”
by The Coasters
A Child’s Celebration Of Rock ‘N’ Roll - “Cherry Lips”
by Robins
Rock & Roll - “Church Bells May Ring”
by The Willows
WCBS FM 101 History of Rock (The 50s) Part 2 - “Come Back”
by The Harmonaires
Harlem Holiday (New York R&B) - “Come Go With Me”
by The Dell Vikings
For Collectors Only - “Come Softly To Me (1993 Digital Remaster)”
by The Fleetwoods
Come Softly To Me: The Very Best Of The Fleetwoods - “Count Every Star (LP Version)”
by The Ravens
The Very Best of The Ravens - “Counting the Stars”
by The Ladders
Harlem Holiday (New York R&B) - “Daddy’s Home”
by Shep & The Limelites
The Best of Doo Wop Ballads - “Dance Girl”
by The Charts
The Doo Wop Era, Part 2(History Of Rock) - “Denise”
by Randy & The Rainbows
The Best Of Doo Wop Uptempo - “Devil Or Angel (LP Version)”
by The Clovers
The Clovers - “Diamonds and Pearls”
by The Paradons
The Golden Age Of American Rock ‘n’ Roll: Vol. 2 - “Don’t Ask Me To Be Lonely”
by The Dubs
For Lovers Only Vol. 3 - “Don’t Hang Up”
by The Orlons
The Best Of The Orlons - “Don’t Say Tomorrow”
by The Prisonaires
Jiving Jamboree Vol. 2 - “Dream Girl”
by Robert & Johnny
Pleasantville – Music From the Motion Picture - “Duke Of Earl”
by Gene Chandler
Greatest Hits Of The 60’s:1962 - “Earth Angel (Will You Be Mine)”
by The Penguins
The Best Of The Penguins - “Every Day of the Week”
by The Students
The Doo Wop Era, Part 2(History Of Rock) - “Fine, Fine Frame”
by The Continentals
Rumble - “Foot Stomping Part 1”
by The Flares
Hard To Find 45’s On CD: Vol. 2: 1961-64 - “Get a Job”
by The Silhouettes
Get a Job - “Glory of Love”
by The Roomates
The Golden Age Of Rock ‘N’ Roll Volume 4 – Hot Hits From 1954 -1963 - “Glory of Love”
by Velvetones
The Best of Doo Wop Ballads - “Goodnight Sweetheart Goodnight”
by The Spaniels
For Lovers Only Vol. 2 - “Happy, Happy Birthday Baby”
by The Tune Weavers
The Golden Age Of Rock ‘N’ Roll Volume 5 – Hot Hits From 1954 -1963 - “He’s Got the Power”
by The Exciters
The Best Of The Girl Groups, Vol. 1 - “He’s So Fine”
by Angels
My Boyfriend’s Back - “Heart’s Desire”
by The Avalons
For Lovers Only Vol. 2 - “Heartaches”
by The Marcels
The Best of… - “I Do”
by Marvelows
WCBS FM-101 History Of Rock/The 60’s Pt. 4 - “I Love No One But You”
by The Jesters
For Lovers Only Vol. 2 - “I Must Be Dreamin’ (LP Version)”
by The Coasters/The Robins
The Coasters - “I Only Have Eyes for You”
by Flamingos
The Best of Doo Wop Ballads - “I Really Love You”
by The Stereos
Hard To Find 45’s On CD: Vol. 2: 1961-64 - “I Sold My Heart to the Junkman”
by The Silhouettes
Get a Job - “I Wanna Be The Leader (LP Version)”
by The Marcels
Doo Wop Classics, Vol. 8 - “I Wish That We Were Married”
by Ronnie And The Hi Lites
Hard To Find 45’s On CD: Vol. 2: 1961-64 - “I Wonder Why”
by Dion & The Belmonts
The Best Of Doo Wop Uptempo - “I’ll Cry Tomorrow”
by The Serenaders
The Complete Motown Singles, Volume 4: 1964 - “If I Could Make You Mine”
by The Love Notes
Harlem Holiday (New York R&B) - “If I Should Lose You (LP Version)”
by The Dreamlovers
Doo Wop Classics, Vol. 7 - “Just Walkin’ In the Rain”
by The Prisonaires
The Sun Records Collection CD1 - “Just to Be With You”
by The Passions
WCBS FM 101 History of Rock (The 50s) Part 2 - “Ka-Ding Dong”
by The G-Clefs
The Golden Age Of Rock ‘N’ Roll Volume 5 – Hot Hits From 1954 -1963 - “Little Bitty Pretty One”
by Thurston Harris
Loud, Fast, and Out Of Control - “Little Darlin'”
by The Diamonds
Billboard Top Rock N’ Roll Hits of 1957 - “Little Girl Of Mine (LP Version)”
by The Cleftones
Doo Wop Classics, Vol. 1 - “Maybe (LP Version)”
by The Chantels
The Best of The Chantels - “Little Star”
by The Elegants
Billboard Top Rock N’ Roll Hits of 1958 - “Miss Thing”
by The Turbans
When You Dance - “Mr. Lee (LP Version)”
by The Bobbettes
Doo Wop Classics, Vol. 2 - “My Boyfriend’s Back”
by Angels
The Best Of The Girl Groups Volume 2 - “My Love Will Never Die”
by The Channels
For Lovers Only Vol. 2 - “My Pigeon’s Gone”
by The Five Keys
Jiving Jamboree Vol. 2 - “Nag”
by The Halos
The Golden Age Of American Rock ‘n’ Roll: Vol. 2 - “Never Let You Go”
by The Five Discs
The Doo Wop Era, Part 2(History Of Rock) - “Nip Sip (LP Version)”
by The Clovers
Dance Party - “Oh Gee, Oh Gosh”
by The Kodaks
WCBS FM 101 History of Rock (The 50s) Part 1 - “Oh, What a Nite”
by The Dells
Anthology CD1 - “Once in a While”
by The Chimes
WCBS FM 101 History of Rock (The 60s) Part 1 - “One Summer Night”
by The Danleers
The Golden Age Of American Rock ‘N’ Roll Vol. 8 - “Only You (And You Alone)”
by The Platters
Enchanted: The Best Of The Platters - “Our Love Will Never End (LP Version)”
by The Avons
Doo Wop Classics, Vol. 7 - “Papa-Oom-Mow-Mow”
by The Rivingtons
The Libery Years - “Picture of Love”
by The Continentals
Rumble - “Poison Ivy (LP Version)”
by The Coasters
Rhino Hi-Five: The Coasters - “Rama Lama Ding Dong”
by The Edsels
The Golden Age Of Rock ‘N’ Roll Volume 4 – Hot Hits From 1954 -1963 - “Rendezvous With You (LP Version)”
by The Desires
Doo Wop Classics, Vol. 4 - “Rip Van Winkle (LP Version)”
by The Devotions
Doo Wop Classics, Vol. 8 - “Rockin’ In the Jungle”
by The Eternals
The Golden Age Of American Rock ‘n’ Roll: Vol. 2 - “Rubber Biscuit”
by The Chips
Dr. Demento 25th Anniversary Collection – CD1 - “Ruby Baby”
by The Drifters
Doo Wop Classics, Vol. 4 - “Sea Of Love”
by Phil Phillips
The Anniversary Album: The 50’s - “Sh-Boom”
by The Chords
Cars - “Since I Don’t Have You”
by The Skyliners
The Skyliners’ Greatest Hits - “Sincerely”
by The Moonglows
20th Century Masters: The Millennium Collection: Best Of The Moonglows - “Sister Sookey”
by The Turbans
When You Dance - “Smokey Joe’s Cafe (LP Version)”
by The Coasters aka The Robins
Doo Wop Classics, Vol. 3 - “Sorry (I Ran All The Way Home)”
by The Impalas
Hard To Find 45’s: Vol.1, 1955-1960 - “Speedoo”
by The Cadillacs
The Best of… - “Stay”
by Maurice Williams & The Zodiacs
Dirty Dancing: Original Soundtrack From the Vestron Motion Picture - “Story Untold”
by The Nutmegs
WCBS FM 101 History of Rock (The 50s) Part 2 - “Stranded In the Jungle”
by JAYHAWKS
The Golden Age Of Rock ‘N’ Roll Volume 5 – Hot Hits From 1954 -1963 - “Sugar Dandy”
by The Jiving Juniors
Ska’s The Limit 1959-1964, Vol.1 - “Tear Drops”
by Lee Andrews & The Hearts
The Best of Doo Wop Ballads - “Tears On My Pillow (LP Version)”
by Little Anthony & The Imperials
Greatest Hits - “Tell Me Why”
by Norman Fox And The Rob Roys
WCBS FM-101 The Anniversary Album The 50s - “That’s My Desire”
by Dion
The Doo Wop Era, Part 2(History Of Rock) - “That’s The Way It Goes”
by The Harptones
For Lovers Only Vol. 3 - “The Great Pretender”
by The Platters
Enchanted: The Best Of The Platters - “The Lion Sleeps Tonight (Wimoweh)”
by The Tokens
The Lion Sleeps Tonight - “The Switch-A-Roo”
by Hank Ballard
The Best of Hank Ballard & The Midnighters - “The Way You Look Tonight”
by The Jaguars
Best Love Songs CD1 - “The Woo Woo Train (LP Version)”
by The Valentines
The Best Of The Valentines - “There’s a Moon Out Tonight”
by The Capris
The Golden Age Of American Rock ‘n’ Roll: Vol. 2 - “This Is the Night”
by The Valiants
The Golden Age Of Rock ‘N’ Roll Volume 5 – Hot Hits From 1954 -1963 - “Ting-A-Ling (LP Version)”
by The CloversThe Clovers
- “To Be Loved”
by The Pentagons
For Lovers Only Vol. 4 - “Tonight Tonight”
by The Mello Kings
History of Rock, Vol. 1 (For Lovers Only) - “Tonight”
by The Love Notes
Harlem Holiday (New York R&B) - “Treasure Of Love (LP Version)”
by Clyde McPhatter
Deep Sea Ball – The Best Of Clyde McPhatter - “Trickle, Trickle”
by The Videos
WCBS FM 101 History of Rock (The 50s) Part 1 - “Try Me”
by James Brown & The Famous Flames
Please, Please, Please - “We Belong Together”
by Robert & Johnny
The Golden Age Of American Rock ‘N’ Roll Vol. 8 - “What’s Your Name”
by Don & Juan
WCBS FM 101 History of Rock (The 60’s), Part 3 - “Who Put The Bomp”
by Barry MannWCBS FM-101 History Of Rock/The 60’s Pt. 4
- “Why Do Fools Fall In Love”
by Frankie Lymon & The Teenagers
Billboard Top Rock Hits of 1956 - “Yakety Yak”
by The Coasters
A Child’s Celebration Of Rock ‘N’ Roll - “You Belong to Me”
by The Duprees
WCBS FM 101 History of Rock (The 60s) Part 1 - “Your Last Chance (LP Version)”
by Lewis Lymon & The Teenchords
Doo Wop Classics, Vol. 6 - “Your Way (LP Version)”
by The Heartbeats
Doo Wop Classics, Vol. 6 - “Zaki-Sue”
by The Turbans
When You Dance - “Zoom (LP Version)”
by The Cadillacs
Doo Wop Classics, Vol. 8 - “Zoom Zoom Zoom”
by The Collegians
The Doo-Wop Era, Part 1 (WCBS FM 101 History of Rock)
What, No Johnny Ace? Great job compiling. I’m sure I could come up with a few. Used to listen to WILD and they produced some great albums, Have never been able to locate the song “Florence” which is from that time. Great fun listening.
Even though Johnny Ace was 50’s, he fell outside of my Doo Wop definition.
As for “Florence”, you may be talking about the song by The Paragons. Finetune didn’t have it available, but I found the track on The Very Best of the Paragons: Florence from Amazon, although it’s pretty pricey.
Fantastic list, mate!
Are you on Last.fm at all, because this is exactly the kind of journal that belongs there. (I’m http://www.last.fm/user/tadmaster/ if you want to shoot over there and check it out.)
Great list!I enjoyed all the little touches. I play while I’m doing email. Some real classics. It brought me back to t-shirts, rolled cuffs, garrison belts, engineer boots, da’s,crew cuts, turned up collars, peeling rubber, and $25 shit boxes that would last three months, maybe!
There are some of my absolute favorites of the genre. Thank you very much, a fine playlist indeed.
Have been trying for more years than I can count to find out the second line of the second chorus on the Vocaleer’s “Is It A Dream” without success. Would really like to have ALL the lyrics to this, one of my top three favorites, along with “Sunday Kind of Love” and “Gloria.”
Sure hope someone can help me out.