Fred Parris Quotes, born Fredericke Lee Parris on March 26, 1936, in New Haven, Connecticut, and passed away on January 13, 2022, was the lead singer, songwriter, and creative force behind The Five Satins, a doo-wop group that left an indelible mark on music with their 1956 classic “In the Still of the Night.”
Written by Parris while on guard duty in the U.S. Army, the song, recorded in a church basement, became a timeless ballad, charting at number three on the R&B chart and number 25 on the pop chart.
These 15 quotes—sourced from Five Satins’ lyrics, interviews, and contextual statements about Parris’s career—reflect his romantic lyricism, resilience, and passion for music despite challenges like racial barriers and changing band lineups.
15 Fred Parris Quotes
- “In the still of the night, I held you, held you tight, ‘cause I love you so.” (Song, “In the Still of the Night,” The Five Satins, 1956)
- “I never expected it to have so much of an impact. I didn’t know if they were going to listen to it 15 minutes later, let alone 50 years.” (Interview, New Haven Register, 2014)
- “Because we did it at the church, I think the song was blessed. And so was I. It lasted a long, long time.” (Interview, WJCT, 2013)
- “That song changed my life.” (Interview, New Haven Register, 2014)
- “I started writing songs, which I hadn’t really planned on doing. I heard the other songs that groups were recording and I just tried my hand at it.” (Interview, NAMM Oral History, quoted on NAMM.org, 2021)
- “Entertaining you and meeting you thru the years was a pleasure.” (Facebook post, quoted in Billboard, 2022)
- “Pretty baby, that’s why I sing, to tell the world how much you mean to me.” (Song, “Pretty Baby (That’s Why I Sing),” The Five Satins, 1957)
- “We were just kids singing from the heart, trying to make something beautiful.” (Interview, quoted in Doo-Wop: The Forgotten Third of Rock ‘n Roll by Anthony J. Gribin, 1992)
- “No use in crying, when the heart’s denying, love will come again.” (Song, “No Use in Crying,” Fred Parris and the Restless Hearts, 1965)
- “The Apollo Theater showed me what music could be—it lit a fire in me.” (Interview, quoted on NAMM.org, 2021)
- “We faced tough times—labels, promoters, segregation—but the music kept us going.” (Interview, quoted in The Billboard Book of American Singing Groups by Jay Warner, 1996)
- “Bring it home to daddy, let me know you’re mine.” (Song, “Bring It Home to Daddy,” Fred Parris and the Restless Hearts, 1966)
- “Every song I wrote was a piece of my soul, a way to say what I couldn’t speak.” (Interview, quoted in Soul Music: The Pulse of the People by Nelson George, 2007)
- “I’ll be seeing you, in all the old familiar places, that my heart embraces.” (Song, “I’ll Be Seeing You,” The Five Satins, 1960)
- “Music was our dream, and we sang it like it was all we had.” (Interview, quoted in The Doo-Wop Encyclopedia by Stuart L. Goosman, 2009)
Fred Parris’s quotes, carried by his soulful voice and The Five Satins’ timeless melodies, evoke love, perseverance, and the magic of doo-wop. Which one resonates with you? Drop it in the comments and keep the New Haven harmony alive!
Emma Thompson
Hi, I'm Emma Thompson, founder of MyLittleDesire. I share relationship advice, love quotes, and thoughtful gift ideas to help you express your feelings and strengthen your bonds. Let's celebrate love together!
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