The Chantels - Maybe (1957)

Singing together as early as 1950, the girls of this group got their name from their high school basketball rivals, St. Francis de Chantelle. They were one of the few all-female groups in the 1950s, and one of the even fewer female groups to be writing their own material.

This song has had its writing credits given to a few different people, but most agree that it was probably written by the group’s lead singer, Arlene Smith. You can really hear the emotion she put into the vocals of this song.

Later, a unique cover of the song was recorded in the ‘60s by Janis Joplin.



The Chantels - Maybe (1957)

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Lyrics:

Maybe, if I pray every night
You'll come back to me
And maybe, if I cry every day
You'll come back to stay
Oh, maybe

Maybe, if I hold your hand
You will understand
And maybe, if I kissed your lips
I’d be at your command
Oh, maybe

I've prayed and prayed
To the Lord
To send you back, my love
But, instead, you came to me
Only in my dreams

Maybe, if I pray every night
You'll come back to me
And maybe, if I cry every day
You'll come back to stay
Oh, maybe

(Maybe, maybe, maybe)
Maybe
(Maybe, maybe, maybe)
Maybe
(Maybe, maybe, maybe)
Maybe
(Maybe, maybe, maybe)
Maybe
(Maybe, maybe, maybe)…