Randy & the Rainbows - Denise (1963)

Formed in Maspeth, Queens, New York in 1962, this doo-wop ensemble consisted of brothers Dominick and Frank Safuto, brothers Mike and Sal Zero, and Ken Arcipowski. When they initially came together, they first operated under the name Junior & the Counts, later The Encores, and finally Randy & the Rainbows, which was bestowed upon them by the owners of Laurie Records, the group’s label. There wasn’t actually a “Randy” in the group, but the record label thought it had a nice ring to it, so Dominick, the lead singer, had to adopt it as his nickname.

The song heard below was written by Neil Levenson; its title was inspired by Levenson’s childhood friend, Denise Lefrak. When the song was recorded and released by Randy & the Rainbows in 1963, it spent seventeen weeks on the Billboard Hot 100, eventually peaking at number ten. It was the group’s only notable song, as their follow-up single, “Why Do Kids Grow Up,” only reached number ninety-seven. The group failed to chart again.

Blondie covered the song in 1978, changing the subject of the song from Denise to Denis.



Randy & the Rainbows - Denise (1963)

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Lyrics:

(Oh, oh)
(Oh, Denise)
(I'm in love with you, Denise)
(I'm in love with you, Denise)
(I'm in love with you)

Denise, Denise
Oh, with your eyes so blue
Denise, Denise
I've got a crush on you
Denise, Denise
I'm so in love with (you)

Oh, when we walk, it seems like paradise
And when we talk, it always feels so nice
Denise, Denise, I'm so in love with you

(You’re my dream)
(And I'm in heaven every time I look at you)
(When you smile it’s like a dream)
And I'm so lucky ‘cause I found a girl like you

(Oh, Denise)
(I'm in love with you, Denise)
(I'm in love with you, Denise)
(I'm in love with you)

Denise, Denise
Oh, won't you hold me tight?
Denise, Denise
Oh, can we kiss goodnight?
Denise, Denise
I'm so in love with you

(Oh, Denise)
(I'm in love with you, Denise)
(I'm in love with you, Denise)
(I'm in love with you, Denise)
(I'm in love with you…)