Doo-wop is a form of close harmony singing with nonsense syllables (hence "doo-wop") ranging from tenor to falsetto. Popular in the US in the '50s and '60s, the style developed from earlier jazz and rhythm and blues influenced harmonizers such as The Ink Spots and The Orioles. As the style developed, harmonies became tighter and sweeter with light and simple musical arrangements. The vocals were more pronounced with the lead alternating between tenor and falsetto and the bass given more voice then just background harmony. Doo-wop bands included The Chords with "Sh-boom", Frankie Lymon and The Teenagers ("Why Do Fools Fall in Love") and The Platters ("Only You"). In the 1980s there was revived interest in doo-wop leading to a number of recordings on the Ambient label by groups from the era including The Harptones, The Moonglows, and The Capris.

The I–vi⁷–IV⁷–V⁷ chord progression used as the basis of most doo-wop songs is commonly known as the 50s progression.