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Silhouettes

Music by Bob Crewe

Originally Performed by The Rays

In May 1957, songwriter Bob Crewe saw a couple embracing through a windowshade as he passed on a train. He quickly set about turning the image into a song. Frank Slay, who owned the small Philadelphia record label XYZ with Crewe, added lyrics, and they soon had a complete song ready to record. The story has frequently been reported that Slay heard The Rays audition for Cameo-Parkway Records, for which he worked, and immediately decided that they were the perfect group for "Silhouettes". However, Slay and Crewe were actually already familiar with the group, as "Silhouettes" was their third single with them.

The song received a break when popular local disc jockey Hy Lit fell asleep with a stack of newly released records on his record player. "Silhouettes" happened to be the last to play, and so it repeated until he woke up. He began to play the song on his show. It became popular enough that Cameo-Parkway picked it up for national distribution, and it eventually reached number 3 on Billboard Top 100, while also hitting the top five on both the sales and airplay charts. It was the group's only top 40 hit

    Release Date: 1957


Songbooks, Arrangements and/or Media

Displaying 1-7 of 7 items.


Close Harmony For Men : <span style="color:red;">Silhouettes</span> - 4 Charts and Parts CD : TTBB : Sheet Music & Parts CD : 884088138622 : 08746911

Close Harmony For Men : Silhouettes - 4 Charts and Parts CD

'Silhouettes' was a hit single by the Rays in 1957. Tom Gentry's arrangement is an audience pleaser that can incorporate visual enhancements such as sunglasses, leather jackets, and choreography. Be sure to let the 'doo-wop' swing feeling be natural and unrushed, with hte melody always prominent in the texture. Keep the diction clear and precise so that the audience can understand the humor of the story on the text 'you're on the wrong block.' Feel free to experiment with the smoothness of the bass line by having the section sing on an open vowel such as 'du' rather than 'dm.' Four copies of the sheet music arrangement plus a CD featuring the full performance plus part-predominant tracks (Tenor, Lead, Baritone, Bass), sung with lyrics.

Songlist: Silhouettes, CD features part-predominant tracks, sung with lyrics., Full Performance, Tenor, Lead, Baritone, Bass

More details
Voicing: TTBB | 9536b | Sheet Music & Parts CD | $19.95 | A Cappella


Deke Sharon : Contemporary A Cappella Songbook I : SATB : Songbook : 073999416497 : 0793595290 : 08741649

Deke Sharon : Contemporary A Cappella Songbook I

Designed to be introductory primers for high school or other beginning groups, the Contemporary A Cappella Association Songbooks nonetheless adhere to a fine musical standard (unlike some beginning arrangements, which can be watered down and unsatisfying). There are informative performance notes and recommendations for transposing parts, to permit performance by all male or female ensembles. In addition, a discography suggests definitive recordings of these popular songs, which can help facilitate the learning process and educate the ear. Easy to use, the CASA songbooks are an excellent resource.

Songlist: Good Old Acapella, Under the Boardwalk, In the Still of the Nite (I'll Remember), Only You (And You Alone), Zombie Jamboree (Back to Back), Silhouettes, The Longest Time, Up On The Roof, Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye, Goodnight, Sweetheart, Goodnight

More details
Voicing: SATB | 1002b | Songbook | $11.95 | A Cappella


Roger Emerson : Classic Pops for Guys : TTBB : Songbook : 888680609689 : 00157711

Roger Emerson : Classic Pops for Guys

Develop enthusiasm and skill with this value packed collection for men's chorus that will add to your repertoire and be fun to rehearse! Includes: ABC (The Jackson 5), The Lion Sleeps Tonight (Tokens), Man in the Mirror (Michael Jackson), Pretty Little Angel Eyes (Curtis Lee), Silhouettes (The Rays).

Songlist: ABC, Silhouettes, The Lion Sleeps Tonight, Man In The Mirror, Pretty Little Angel Eyes

More details
Voicing: TTBB | 4432b | Songbook | $3.95


Various Arrangers : Sing In The Barbershop Quartet - Rock In Harmony  : TTBB : Songbook & 1 CD : 884088270414 : 1423461800 : 00333014

Various Arrangers : Sing In The Barbershop Quartet - Rock In Harmony

These great collections let men sing four-part a cappella harmony with a professionally recorded barbershop quartet. The books include TTBB parts and the CDs feature full performances. Just turn on the CD, open the book, pick your part, and sing along!

Songlist: Day-O (The Banana Boat Song), Goodnight, Sweetheart, Goodnight, Happy Together, Hello Mary Lou, In My Room, The Longest Time, Silhouettes, Under the Boardwalk

More details
Voicing: TTBB | 5473b | Songbook & 1 CD | $14.95 | A Cappella


Various Arrangers : Doo Wop Barbershop : TTBB : Sheet Music Collection

Various Arrangers : Doo Wop Barbershop

What a fascinating blend of two great uniquely American styles of vocal harmony! 'Silhouettes' was a hit single by the Rays in 1957. Tom Gentry's arrangement is an audience pleaser that can incorporate visual enhancements such as sunglasses, leather jackets, and choreography. Be sure to let the 'doo-wop' swing feeling be natural and unrushed, when the audience can understand the humor of the story on the text 'you're on the wrong block.' Feel free to experiment with the smoothness of the bass line by having the section sing on an open vowel such as 'du' rather than 'dm.' "Under the Boardwalk." has become one of the most recognized popular songs ever recorded. Allow the syncopated rhythms to sound free and agile while maintaining a god connected flow to the singing. These songs will add a cool touch of nostalgia to your repertoire and are surefire audience pleasers.

Songlist: Under the Boardwalk, Silhouettes, Goodnight, Sweetheart, Goodnight, Crazy Little Thing Called Love

More details
Voicing: TTBB | 6055b | Sheet Music Collection | $7.95 | A Cappella


Various Arrangers : Men's Doo-wop : TTBB : Sheet Music Collection

Various Arrangers : Men's Doo-wop

Doo wop a cappella has influenced so much of today's sound and here we present some cool arrangements of some of the all-time classics. Here is Ed Lojeski rendition of The Nylons hit "Silhouettes" which has an irresistible energy and drive that make this an audience favorite! "Under The Boardwalk", the 1964 classic hit by the Drifters, should be in every group's repertoire as should the 1962 Gene Chandler hit "Duke of Earl". Would you believe the '50s hit "Book of Love" was inspired by a toothpaste commercial? It's a terrific male parody on "how to keep your girl" put in an a cappella "street-style" setting and the Boyz 11 Men version of "Under The Boardwalk" is bound to be a crowd pleaser!

Songlist: Under the Boardwalk, Book of Love, Duke of Earl, In the Still of the Nite, Silhouettes

More details
Voicing: TTBB | 8710b | Sheet Music Collection | $10.45 | A Cappella


Various Arrangers : Doo Wop Barbershop for Ladies : SSAA : Sheet Music Collection

Various Arrangers : Doo Wop Barbershop for Ladies

Here's a great collection of 1950's doo wop classics that will add a touch of nostalgia to your concert. Smooth a cappella harmonies will delight your audience and the arrangements are super fun to rehearse and perform.

Songlist: Goodnight, Sweetheart, Goodnight, In The Still of the Nite, Sh-boom, Silhouettes

More details
Voicing: SSAA | 9944b | Sheet Music Collection | $12.95 | A Cappella


Individual Folios

Displaying 1-3 of 3 items.


Silhouettes : TTBB : Ed Lojeski : Bob Crewe : The Nylons : Sheet Music Collection : 08258305 : 073999534979

Ed Lojeski : Silhouettes

1950's-'60s chart hits the '80s with a hot a cappella rendition of The Nylons! Irresistible energy and drive make this an audience favorite!

Arranger: Ed Lojeski | Composer: Bob Crewe Performed By: The Nylons

More details
Voicing: TTBB | Sheet Music | $2.15 | A Cappella |
(Minimum order 4 copies)
| 08258305


Silhouettes : TTBB : Tom Gentry : Bob Crewe : Sheet Music : 08746911 : 884088138622

Tom Gentry : Silhouettes

'Silhouettes' was a hit single by the Rays in 1957. Tom Gentry's arrangement is an audience pleaser that can incorporate visual enhancements such as sunglasses, leather jackets, and choreography. Be sure to let the 'doo-wop' swing feeling be natural and unrushed, when the audience can understand the humor of the story on the text 'you're on the wrong block.' Feel free to experiment with the smoothness of the bass line by having the section sing on an open vowel such as 'du' rather than 'dm.' Four copies of the sheet music arrangement plus a CD featuring the full performance plus part-predominant tracks (Tenor, Lead, Baritone, Bass), sung with lyrics.

Arranger: Tom Gentry | Composer: Bob Crewe

More details
Voicing: TTBB | Sheet Music | $1.95 | A Cappella |
(Minimum order 4 copies)
| 08746911 | Digital Version Available


Silhouettes : SATB : Tom Gentry : Sheet Music : 00334025

Tom Gentry : Silhouettes

'Silhouettes' was a hit single by the Rays in 1957. Tom Gentry's arrangement is an audience pleaser that can incorporate visual enhancements such as sunglasses, leather jackets, and choreography. Be sure to let the 'doo-wop' swing feeling be natural and unrushed, when the audience can understand the humor of the story on the text 'you're on the wrong block.' Feel free to experiment with the smoothness of the bass line by having the section sing on an open vowel such as 'du' rather than 'dm.'

Arranger: Tom Gentry

More details
Voicing: SATB | Sheet Music | $3.20 | A Cappella |
00334025 | Digital Version Available
Other Voicings: SSAA, SSAA

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