The term doo-wop is derived from the sounds made by the group as they provided harmonic background for the lead singer. The roots of the doo-wop style can be found as early as the records of the Mills Brothers and the Ink Spots in the 1930s and '40s.

What makes a song doo-wop?

Doo-wop represents a subcategory of vocal group harmony that includes the following musical qualities: group harmony, a wide range of vocal parts, nonsense syllables, a simple beat, light instrumentation, and simple music and lyrics. Above all, the focus is on ensemble singing.

Why is doo-wop important?

Doo Wop reached mainstream popularity in the 1950s and early 1960s. Its influence continued throughout soul, pop, and rock groups of the 1960s. Doo Wop has seen revivals at various times in the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s and laid the foundation for R&B and other musical innovations.