Silhouettes

Album: Greatest Hits (1965)
Charted: 3 5
Play Video
  • Took a walk and passed your house late last night
    All the shades were pulled and drawn way down tight
    From within, the dim light cast two silhouettes on the shade
    Oh, what a lovely couple they made

    Put his arms around your waist, held you tight
    Kisses I could almost taste in the night
    Wondered why I'm not the guy who's silhouette's on the shade
    I couldn't hide the tears in my eyes

    Ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah
    Ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah

    Lost control and rang your bell I was sore
    Let me in, or else I'll beat down your door
    When two strangers who have been two silhouettes on the shade
    Said, to my shock, "You're on the wrong block"

    Rushed out to your house with wings on my feet
    Loved you like I'd never loved you, my sweet
    Vowed that you and I would be two silhouettes on the shade
    All of our days, two silhouettes on the shade

    Ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah
    Ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah Writer/s: Bob Crewe, Frank Slay
    Publisher: Reservoir Media Management, Inc.
    Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 7

  • Barry from Sauquoit, NyOn January 26, 1961, Frankie Lymon performed his covered version of "Silhouettes" on the Dick Clark ABC-TV weekday-afternoon program, 'American Bandstand'...
    His version did not make Billboard's Top 100 chart, it was released in later 1960, the flip-side was a covered version of Elvis' "Jailhouse Rock"...
    Exactly three years earlier on January 26th, 1958 the Rays' original version of "Silhouettes" was at #37 on the Top 100 chart and the Diamonds' covered version was at #99...
    Two other covered version of the song have made the Top 100 chart; by Steve Gibson and the Red Caps {#63 in 1957} and by Herman's Hermits {#5 in 1965}...
    And in 1958, actor Andy Griffith released a comical version of "Silhouettes" on Capitol Records...
    Sadly, Frankie Lymon, born Franklin Joseph Lymon, passed away at the young age of 25 on February 27th, 1968...
    May he R.I.P.
    Note: All of the above are available on You Tube, of course.
  • Barry from Sauquoit, NyOn September 26th 1957, the Rays performed "Silhouettes" on the ABC-TV program 'American Bandstand'...
    Three days later on September 29th, 1957 it entered Billboard's Top 100 chart at position #95; and on October 19th, 1957 it peaked at #3 {for 2 weeks} and spent 20 weeks on the Top 100...
    It also reached #3 on Billboard's R&B Singles chart...
    The song was co-composed by Bob Crewe, who passed away earlier this month on September 11th {2014} at the age of 83...
    The N.Y.C. quartet had two other Top 100 records, and both had 'Moon' in their title; "Mediterranean Moon" {#95 in 1960} and "Magic Moon (Clair De Lune)" {#49 in 1961}...
    On October 6th, 1957 Steve Gibson & the Red Caps’ covered version of "Silhouettes" entered the Top 100 at #97, it stayed on the Top 100 for 5 weeks, peaking at #63…
    And October 27th, 1957 the Canadian quartet, the Diamonds, had their covered version entered the Top 100; eventually it peaked at #10 on the chart.
  • Barry from Sauquoit, NyOn December 1st, 1957 the Rays performed the original version of "Silhouettes" on the CBS-TV program 'The Ed Sullivan Show.' Also appearing on that night's Sullivan show were Buddy Holly & the Crickets and Sam Cooke.
  • James from San Diego, Ca(To Paul of Pompano Beach who commented earlier:) Bob Crewe did not "later" have monster success--his success writing for the Four Seasons (and others) had already been taking place for several years before this record was released. It is disputed whether Jimmy Page played on this record, and probably it was Derek Leckenby as remembered by members of the group. All in all, this is a great remake of the Rays' song, in that it was done in a completely different style than the original without burying the engaging qualities of the original song.
  • Paul from Pompano Beach, FlThis song was written by Bob Crewe who later had monster success with the 4 Seasons and numerous other singers & bands.
  • Steve Dotstar from Los Angeles, Cait's an ok version..Herman is always fun to listen to! But for me, the Rays verson gets my vote. Whoever the lead player was on Hermans's records(supposededly Derek Leckenby?)-he was a very cool player with a great sound.
  • Teresa from Mechelen, BelgiumHerman's Hermits belong to the better groups of the 60's. I love this song just as I love their other songs. Sweet 60's, the best period of popmusic.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Jonathan Edwards - "Sunshine"

Jonathan Edwards - "Sunshine"They're Playing My Song

"How much does it cost? I'll buy it?" Another songwriter told Jonathan to change these lyrics. Good thing he ignored this advice.

Grammar In Lyrics

Grammar In LyricsMusic Quiz

Lyrics don't always follow the rules of grammar. Can you spot the ones that don't?

Top American Idol Moments: Songs And Scandals

Top American Idol Moments: Songs And ScandalsSong Writing

Surprise exits, a catfight and some very memorable performances make our list of the most memorable Idol moments.

Graham Parker

Graham ParkerSongwriter Interviews

When Judd Apatow needed under-appreciated rockers for his Knocked Up sequel, he immediately thought of Parker, who just happened to be getting his band The Rumour back together.

Mark Arm of Mudhoney

Mark Arm of MudhoneySongwriter Interviews

When he was asked to write a song for the Singles soundtrack, Mark thought the Seattle grunge scene was already overblown, so that's what he wrote about.

Matt Sorum

Matt SorumSongwriter Interviews

When he joined Guns N' Roses in 1990, Matt helped them craft an orchestral sound; his mezzo fortes and pianissimos are all over "November Rain."