The Cleftones - Wikipedia

About the Song

In the realm of music, there are songs that fade with time, their melodies and lyrics eventually lost to the ever-changing tides of popular culture. And then there are those rare gems that transcend the boundaries of eras, their essence so deeply embedded in the collective consciousness that they remain forever etched in our hearts. The Cleftones’ “Heart and Soul” is undoubtedly one such timeless classic, a song that has captivated audiences for generations with its soulful harmonies and heartfelt lyrics.

Released in 1961, “Heart and Soul” marked a turning point in the evolution of doo-wop music. While the genre had previously been dominated by a more lighthearted and playful style, The Cleftones infused their rendition with a depth and emotional resonance that was truly groundbreaking. Their rich vocal blend, punctuated by soaring falsettos and intricate backing harmonies, perfectly conveyed the song’s message of unwavering love and devotion.

The lyrics, penned by Frank Loesser, are a masterclass in simplicity and directness. With just a few carefully chosen words, Loesser paints a vivid picture of a love so profound that it encompasses the singer’s entire being. “Heart and soul,” they declare, “I love you.” These four words, repeated throughout the song, serve as a powerful testament to the enduring power of love.

The Cleftones’ “Heart and Soul” has been covered by countless artists over the years, each adding their own unique interpretation to the song. However, it is The Cleftones’ original version that remains the definitive, capturing the essence of the song in a way that no other rendition has quite been able to match.

“Heart and Soul” is more than just a song; it is an experience, a journey into the depths of the human heart. It is a reminder of the transformative power of love, its ability to transcend time, space, and circumstance. As the song’s final notes fade away, we are left with a lingering sense of warmth and contentment, a feeling that we have been touched by something truly special.

The Cleftones’ “Heart and Soul” is a timeless classic that will continue to touch hearts for generations to come. It is a testament to the enduring power of music to connect with us on an emotional level, to remind us of what truly matters in life.Buy The Cleftones : The Best Of (CD, Comp, RM) Online for a great price – Antone's Record Shop

Video 

Lyrics: Heart and Soul

[Verse 1l ]
Heart and soul
I fell in love with you
Heart and soul
The way a fool would do
Madly (Yeah)
Because you held me tight (Held me tight)
Held me tight (Held me tight)
Held me tight (Held me tight)
Held me tight (Held me tight)
And stole a kiss there in the night

[Verse 2]
Heart and soul
I beg to be adored
Yes, and I lost control
And tumbled overboard
Gladly (Yeah)
That magic night we kissed (That we kissed)
Oh, we kissed (That we kissed)
Oh, we kissed (That we kissed)
Oh, we kissed (That we kissed)
There in the moon mist

[Bridge]
Oh, but your lips were thrilling
Much too much too thrilling
Never before were mine so
Strangely willing

[Verse 3]
Darling, and now I see
What one embrace can do
Come on and look at me
You’ve got me loving you
Madly (Yeah)
That little kiss you stole (You stole)
Oh, you stole (You stole)
Oh, you stole (You stole)
Oh, you stole (Yes, you stole)
All my heart (You stole)
Oh, and soul (Yes, you stole)
All my heart (You stole)
Oh, and soul (Yes, you stole)
Oh, you stole (You stole)
Oh, my heart (Yes, you stole)
Oh, you stole

You Missed

“He Died the Way He Lived — On His Own Terms.” That phrase haunted the night air when news broke: on April 6, 2016, Merle Haggard left this world in a final act worthy of a ballad. Some say he whispered to his family, “Today’s the day,” and he wasn’t wrong — he passed away on his 79th birthday, at home in Palo Cedro, California, after a long battle with pneumonia. Born in a converted boxcar in Oildale, raised in dust storms and hardship, Merle’s life read like a country novel: father gone when he was nine, teenage years tangled with run-ins with the law, and eventual confinement in San Quentin after a botched burglary. It was in that prison that he heard Johnny Cash perform — and something inside him snapped into motion: a vow not to die as a mistake, but to rise as a voice for the voiceless. By the time he walked free in 1960, the man who once roamed barrooms and cellblocks had begun weaving songs from scars: “Mama Tried,” “Branded Man,” “Okie from Muskogee” — each line steeped in the grit of a life lived hard and honest. His music didn’t just entertain — it became country’s raw pulse, a beacon for those who felt unheralded, unseen. Friends remembered him as grizzly and tender in the same breath. Willie Nelson once said, “He was my brother, my friend. I will miss him.” Tanya Tucker recalled sharing bologna sandwiches by the river — simple moments, but when God called him home, those snapshots shook the soul: how do you say goodbye to someone whose voice felt like memory itself? And so here lies the mystery: he died on his birthday. Was it fate, prophecy, or a gesture too perfect to dismiss? His son Ben once disclosed that a week earlier, Merle had told them he would go that day — as though he charted his own final chord. This is where the story begins, not ends. Because legends don’t vanish — they echo. And every time someone hums “Sing Me Back Home,” Merle Haggard lives again.