Song:Party Lights
Album:WCBS-FM101: Jukebox Giants Vol. 1
The 1962 top five hit Party Lights was the only chart hit for Claudine Clark. So it is a true one hit wonder. The interesting thing about Claudine is she wrote her own songs which was unusual at that time. She was born Apr. 26, 1941 in Macon, GA and grew up in Philadelphia. She earned a degree in music at Coombs College. Her first single Teenage Blues was released in 1958 on Herald Records. She was backed up by The Spinners. Then she recorded The Get Set Song in 1960 as Claudine Clark and the Get Setters on Alma Records. Then she moved to New York and signed with Bob Marcucci's Chancellor Records. Marcucci was the man behind teen idols Frankie Avalon and Fabian. Claudine's first single Disappointed did not catch on. But DJs liked the B-side Party Lights. It reached #5 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1962. The song is about a teenage girl sent to her room while a party is going on in the house. Claudine wrote Party Lights and all her songs. Other singles like Walkin' Through A Cemetary stiffed and so did her album. By 1963, Claudine wanted out of her contract at Chancellor. And they were having financial problems and would soon go out of business. So Claudine recorded the 1963 single First Time For Tears as Joy Dawn for Swan Records. Then she recorded for Jamie Records. Ace Records has released a comprehensive Claudine Clark comp. But I think most fans will only be interested in Party Lights and you can get it on this Collectables various artists budget comp. In 1974, Claudine recorded the single Gimme A Break as Sherrie Pye. Then she went into the ministry at Bethany Missionary Baptist Church in Philadelphia. She recorded gospel as Claudine Clark Hicks & The Soul City Amen Corner in 1985. My guess is Claudine is now retired. Her son Bruce Clark is a minister in New Jersey and has recorded a solo piano CD. Here's a video for Party Lights by Claudine Clark.
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