About the song
“Da Doo Ron Ron (When He Walked Me Home)” is a timeless pop classic that has become an iconic anthem of the 1960s girl group era. Written by Jeff Barry, Ellie Greenwich, and Phil Spector, this infectious song was first recorded by the American girl group The Crystals in 1963 and has since become a beloved staple of popular music. The song’s catchy melody, simple yet effective lyrics, and Spector’s innovative Wall of Sound production style all combined to create a musical masterpiece that has endured for generations.
The song’s origins are steeped in music history, with the title “Da Doo Ron Ron” initially being used as a placeholder until proper lyrics could be written. However, Spector was so taken with the nonsense syllables that he decided to keep them, and the rest is history. The song’s lyrics, inspired by a friend of Spector’s named Bill Walsh, tell a simple yet relatable story of boy-meets-girl, and the Crystals’ harmonies bring the song to life with their signature blend of innocence and sass.
The Crystals’ original version of “Da Doo Ron Ron” was a huge commercial success, reaching number three on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and number five in the UK. It has since been covered by numerous artists, including Shaun Cassidy, who took the song to number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1977. The song’s influence can be seen in its numerous accolades, including its ranking on Rolling Stone’s list of The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time and its recognition by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as one of the “500 Songs That Shaped Rock”.
Video
Lyrics
I met him on a Monday and my heart stood still
Da doo ron-ron-ron, Da doo ron-ron
Somebody told me that his name was Bill
Da doo ron-ron-ron, Da doo ron-ron
Yeah, my heart stood still
Yes, his name was Bill
And when he walked me home
Da doo ron-ron-ron, Da doo ron-ron
I knew what he was doing when he caught my eye
Da doo ron-ron-ron, Da doo ron-ron
He looked so quiet but my oh my
Da doo ron-ron-ron, Da doo ron-ron
Yeah, he caught my eye
Yes, oh my, oh my
And when he walked me home
Da doo ron-ron-ron, Da doo ron-ron
He picked me up at seven and he looked so fine
Da doo ron-ron-ron, Da doo ron-ron
Someday soon I’m gonna make him mine
Da doo ron-ron-ron, Da doo ron-ron
Yeah, he looked so fine,
Yes, I’ll make him mine
And when he walked me home
Da doo ron-ron-ron, Da doo ron-ron
Yeah-yeah-yeah-yeah…
Da-doo-ron-ron
Da-doo-ron-ron…