The Chiffons

by Richie Unterberger
One of the best early-60s New York girl groups, combining sassiness and innocence on several of the styles greatest classics. The Chiffons had some singles under their belt when they reached number one with Hes So Fine, whose classic doo-lang, doo-lang riff was appropriated by George Harrison in 1970 for his own chart-topper, My Sweet Lord (Harrison was subsequently ordered to pay substantial damages to the original publishers, though he always claimed the resemblance was unintentional). Their follow-up, Goffin-Kings One Fine Day, was just as good, featuring killer piano riffs from King herself. Actually cut as a Little Eva track, the Chiffons vocal was substituted, resulting in a Top Five hit. There were a couple other memorable hits — I Have a Boyfriend and the Motown-influenced Sweet Talkin Guy — and interesting misfires like the Martha & the Vandellas-inspired The Real Thing, as well as some singles issued under an alter ego, the Four Pennies. The group recorded quite a bit of material during the 60s, much of it derivative.