THE PENGUINS - EARTH ANGEL

EARTH ANGEL

THE PENGUINS

SONGWRITER: CURTIS WILLIAMS

COUNTRY: U.S.A.

ALBUM: EARTH ANGEL

LABEL: MERCURY RECORD

GENRE: DOO-WOP

YEAR: 1956

"Earth Angel" (occasionally referred to as "Earth Angel (Will You Be Mine)") is a song by American doo-wop group the Penguins. Produced by Dootsie Williams, it was released as their debut single in October 1954 on Dootone Records. The Penguins had formed the year prior and recorded the song as a demo in a garage in South Los Angeles. The song's origins lie in multiple different sources, among them songs by Jesse Belvin, Patti Page, and the Hollywood Flames. Its authorship was the subject of a bitter legal dispute with Williams in the years following its release.

Although the song was going to be overdubbed with additional instrumentation, the original demo version became an unexpected hit, quickly outstripping its A-side. The song grew out of Southern California and spread across the United States over the winter of 1954–55. "Earth Angel" became the first independent label release to appear on Billboard's national pop charts, where it peaked within the top 10. It was a big hit on the magazine's R&B charts, where it remained number one for several weeks. A cover version by white vocal group the Crew-Cuts peaked higher on the pop charts, reaching number three. More cover versions followed, including recordings by Gloria Mann, Tiny Tim, Johnny Tillotson, and Elvis Presley.

The Penguins' only hit, it eventually sold in excess of 10 million copies. The original recording of the song remained an enduring hit single for much of the 1950s, and it is now considered to be one of the definitive doo-wop songs. In 2005, it was one of 50 recordings chosen by the Library of Congress to be added to the National Recording Registry, deeming it "culturally, historically, or aesthetically important."

Earth Angel, earth angel

Will you be mine?

My darling dear, love you all the time

I'm just a fool, A fool in love with you

Earth Angel, earth angel

The one I adore

Love you forever, and evermore

I'm just a fool, A fool in love with you

I fell for you and I knew the vision of your love, loveliness

I hoped and I prayed that someday

I'll be the vision of your hap-happiness

Oh oh Earth Angel, earth angel

Please be mine

My darling dear, love you all the time

I'm just a fool, A fool in love with you

I fell for you and I knew the vision of your loveliness

I hoped and prayed that someday

That I'll be the vision of your happiness

Earth Angel, earth angel

Please be mine

My darling dear, love you all the time

I'm just a fool, A fool in love with you.