The Chipmunks stayed on top well past Christmas, four weeks to be exact. Meanwhile, as we slipped into 1959, Fulgencio Batista fled Cuba leaving Castro to take power, Alaska became a state, and Motown records begins under the name Tamla Records. The next group to reach number one was never signed with Motown records, but they did work with them in a round about way. In 1975 they would have a single printed on a 45 for jukeboxes by the UK Motown Tamla Records.
This group is speak of is The Platters with "Smoke Gets In Your Eyes"
The Platters formed in LA during 1952. They were managed by a man by the name of Ralph Bass, who worked for several independent labels, and was well known for bringing African-American music to the American public. That being said, Ralph Bass had a massive pull when it came to how The Platters were managed. The Platters originally consisted of 5 members, Alex Hodge, Cornell Gunter, David Lynch, Joe Jefferson, and Gaynel Hodge. Later a 6th was added, Herb Reed. In 1953, Gunther left and was replaced by Tony Williams. Still not finding success Bass asked Buck Ram, who was a song writer and Williams manager, to coach the group into creating a hit. Ram insisted on adding a female voice, and Zola Taylor joined the group. Hodge was then replaced by Paul Robi. The Platters began to produce minor hits on the west coast, but could not obtain the success desired. Ram also managed a band called The Penguins and was able to get The Platters onto Mercury through The Penguins contract. Under the control of Mercury, The platters got their first national hit in 1955. The Platters continued to rotate members and even spawn a plethora of side groups leeching off of The Platters legacy. As of 2017, The Platters still tour with no original members.
"Smoke Gets In Your Eyes" speaks of how when you fall in love you are often blinded to the problems that may exist in a relationship or how each other are treated. The song then changes keys and exclaims that his lover unexpectedly left, possibly because he was unable to notice that she was not happy in the relationship. He now cries as his friends, who knew from the beginning that his relationship was a sham, laugh at him for being so blind. He responds with "Hey man, sometimes smoke just gets in your eyes."