About the song
The Tokens, a doo-wop vocal group that rose to fame in the early 1960s, delivered a timeless ballad in 1962 titled “Please Write.” This song, a staple of the doo-wop genre, still resonates with listeners today due to its relatable themes and heartfelt vocals.
Background:
- Released in 1962, “Please Write” was written by Teddy Randazzo and Bobby Weinstein, two prolific songwriters behind many doo-wop hits.
- The song became The Tokens’ breakout hit, reaching No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and solidifying their place in music history.
- Its success paved the way for a string of other popular songs like “The Lion Sleeps Tonight” and “He’s So Fine.”
Themes in “Please Write”:
- Longing for a Lost Love: The song’s central theme is the pain and longing experienced after a love has ended. The lyrics depict a narrator desperate for a response from a former lover: “Please write, and tell me if you’ve changed your mind”
- Uncertainty and Hope: Despite the pain, there’s a flicker of hope. The repeated plea of “Please Write” suggests a desperate desire for reconciliation, a yearning to rekindle the lost connection.
- Memories and Yearning: The lyrics evoke a sense of nostalgia: “Remember all the places we used to go, Remember all the sweet things we used to know” This highlights the strong memories that bind the narrator to the lost love.
- Power of Communication: The song emphasizes the importance of communication in relationships. The narrator believes a simple letter could mend the broken bond: “A letter from you would ease my troubled mind”
Enduring Appeal:
“Please Write” remains a beloved song for several reasons. Its doo-wop harmonies create a nostalgic atmosphere, while the relatable lyrics capture the universal experience of heartbreak and hope. It serves as a reminder of the power of love, the pain of loss, and the desire for connection, even in the face of uncertainty.
Video
Lyrics
Please write
While you are away
I’m waiting for your letter each day
Please write, please write
And tell me you’re alright
That’s all I’m asking of you
Darling please write
I miss you so my dear
When the lights are low
That’s the time I know
It’s you that I adore
For now and evermore
Darling please say you will write
Angels oh angels
Hear my plea
Speed my loved one back to me
Each minute of the day
Slowly ticks away
What more can I say
Please write
The words I long to hear
‘Til you come back home
This heart will never roam
Oh darling, darling
Please please write
Please write
Please write