Listening

Guide 7-2_9d.

Sh-Boom as recorded by The Chords (1954)

Features:
The vocal group is accompanied by a rhythm section consisting of a guitar, string
bass, drums, and saxophone for instrumental solos. Beat subdivisions are uneven.

The recording begins with an introduction in which the vocal group sings a cappella
(without instrumental accompaniment) for two bars and then is joined by the
instruments for two more bars.

Most of the lyrics are sung by the vocal group, except for the bridge, which is sung
by a solo bass singer (showing the Ink Spots' influence).

The sixth and seventh full eight-bar periods are instrumental, with a tenor
saxophone improvising in a jazz style.

Tempo:
The tempo is about 134 beats per minute, with four beats in each bar.

Form:
Most of the song is structured in eight-bar periods, each of which consists of two
four-bar phrases. The only exceptions are the four-bar introduction and one four-
bar extension sung in nonsense syllables after the first full eight-bar period of lyrics.

The chords and melody of all periods except that sung by a solo bass singer are
similar enough to be called A sections of a song form. The bass sings the contrasting
B section, or bridge, of the song form.

Lyrics:
The doo-wop air of simple love and sexual desire ("if you do what I want you to
Baby...") is emphasized in the repitition of nonsense syllables, reference to
"paradise," and (shades of "Row, Row, Row Your Boat") the possibility that life could
be a dream.