doo wop etymology

Etymology:

The term "doo wop" is a combination of two onomatopoeic elements:

• "Doo" refers to the vocal bass notes in the background
• "Wop" refers to the main vocal melody

Meaning:

Doo wop is a genre of popular music that emerged in the United States in the mid-1950s, characterized by:

• Simple and catchy melodies
• Four-part vocal harmonies, typically with a high tenor lead
• Use of nonsense syllables ("doo-wop-a-doo") as backing vocals
• Danceable rhythms, often in 4/4 time

Origin:

The origins of doo wop can be traced back to several sources:

• R&B and Gospel: Doo wop incorporated elements of rhythm and blues (R&B) and gospel music, particularly the use of vocal harmonies and improvised "scat" vocals.
• Street Corner Singing: In the early 1950s, groups of young singers would gather on street corners and sing harmonies for entertainment. These impromptu performances became the foundation for many doo wop groups.
• Vocal Groups: The popularity of vocal groups such as The Mills Brothers and The Platters inspired aspiring singers to form their own groups and experiment with vocal harmony.

The term "doo wop" was first used in 1956 by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller, who wrote the song "Drip Drop" for The Coasters. The song featured a prominent "doo wop" backing vocal and helped popularize the term.

Doo wop reached its peak popularity in the late 1950s and early 1960s, with groups like Dion and the Belmonts, Frankie Lymon and the Teenagers, and The Drifters becoming major stars. However, the genre declined in popularity as other styles of music, such as rock and roll and soul, gained prominence.

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