The Jaynetts
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The Jaynetts (much the same group as The Hearts) were an R&B girl group, a one-hit wonder in the United States with "Sally Go 'Round the Roses" (1963).
The first time they used the Jaynetts name was in 1957-1958, when the group was put together by Zell Sanders, president of J & S Records, from members of The Hearts, who had had a hit in 1955 with "Lonely Nights". Justine Washington was the lead singer.
After a five year break, the group was recreated in 1963-1964 with core members Lezli Valentine, Marie Hood, and Louise (Harris) Murray along with Ethel Davis, Selena Healey, Ada Ray Kelly, Marlina Mars, Mary Green Wilson, and Iggy Williams in support.
They scored their only major hit in September 1963, with "Sally Go 'Round the Roses". This beautiful, haunting song has spawned several theories about its true meaning. Rumors have circulated for years that deals with the mental breakdown of a young girl who saw her "baby" with another girl, that it deals with a closeted lesbian affair,[1] or that it could even be about a religious experience. None of these rumors is true; it is merely a jump-rope rhyme set to a funky beat, with a few extra lyrics added to fit the screaming organ and the incessant beat.[2]
It reached #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart on 28 September 1963. In 1964, they had a minor hit with "Dear Abby" - once again as The Hearts.
During these times various members of the group were reshuffled into ephemeral groups of session singers: The Poppies, The Clickettes, The Patty Cakes, The Z-Debs.
In late 1964-1965 the Jaynetts had a different set of singers. The members of the group made some solo records towards the end of the 1960s.
Baby Washington was not a member of the original Hearts' recording of Lonely Nights. "Joyce" led Lonely Nights and Louise Harris recorded the spoken bridge. Baby Washington joined the second group of Hearts after the Baton Label recording with a new set of Hearts which included Theresa Chatman (Theresa passed away in 2006). Lezli Valentine
