Paper Dolls (group)
| Company type | Vocal group |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1960s |
| Headquarters | Northampton , United Kingdom |
| Products | Music recordings |
The Paper Dolls were a British female vocal trio originating from Northampton in the late 1960s, consisting of lead singer Susie 'Tiger' Mathis, Pauline 'Spyder' Bennett, and Sue 'Copper' Marshall. They stood out as one of the few British girl groups during that period to achieve nationwide prominence.
Each member adopted a distinctive nickname, a marketing tactic that would later be mirrored by groups such as the Spice Girls.
"Something Here in My Heart"
Under contract with Pye Records, the Paper Dolls found success with a single notable hit. Their first release, "Something Here in My Heart (Keeps A Tellin' Me No)", penned by Tony Macaulay and John Macleod, climbed to number 11 on the UK Singles Chart in 1968. They also recorded another track by the same songwriting duo titled "Baby Take Me in Your Arms." The trio's visual style—featuring miniskirts—captured the essence of late 1960s pop culture. Their group name evoked the "dolly birds" image, aligning with contemporary promotional strategies for female performers.
Subsequent releases
Later singles such as "My Life (Is in Your Hands)" and "Someday" did not enter the charts. Notably, they missed an opportunity to record another Macaulay composition, "Build Me Up Buttercup," which eventually became a hit for The Foundations. Additionally, the B-side to "Someday," "Any Old Time (You're Lonely and Sad)", was also recorded and charted by The Foundations.
Their only album, Paper Dolls House (1968), was reissued in 2001 with additional tracks. The original album featured a cover of The Beach Boys' "Darlin'", which was later replaced by a rendition of Paul McCartney's "Step Inside Love."
In 1970, after signing with RCA Records, the group released two more singles: a cover of The Angels' "My Boyfriend's Back" and "Remember December," which included backing vocals from Brian Connolly of Sweet. Neither single achieved chart success, leading to the group's dissolution. They are often classified as a one-hit wonder.
Post-breakup activities
- In 1978, under the name Tiger Sue, Mathis released a solo single titled "When You Walk in the Room".
- She provided vocal coaching for the St Winifred's School Choir, whose single "There's No-one Quite Like Grandma" reached number one on the Christmas charts in 1980.
- Mathis pursued a career as a local radio host on Piccadilly Magic 1152 and BBC Radio Manchester.
- Later, she served as a fundraising coordinator for the "Kirsty Appeal," supporting Francis House Children's Hospice in Manchester, and was actively involved in cancer-related charities. Mathis was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2004.
Members
- Tiger – Susanne Mathis, born 29 April 1947, South London
- Copper – Susan Marshall, born 21 April 1948, Nottingham
- Spyder – Pauline Bennett, born 28 July 1948, Bletchley, Buckinghamshire
Discography (UK)
| Title | Release info | Year | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| "Something Here in My Heart (Keeps A Tellin' Me No)" / "All The Time in the World" | Pye 7N 17456 | 1968 | Reached UK number 11 |
| "My Life (Is in Your Hands)" / "There's Nobody I'd Sooner Love" | Pye 7N 17547 | 1968 | |
| "Someday" / "Any Old Time (You're Lonely and Sad)" | Pye 7N 17655 | 1968 | |
| "My Boyfriend's Back" / "Mister Good Time Friday" | RCA Victor RCA 1919 | 1970 | |
| "Remember December" / "Same Old Story" | RCA Victor RCA 2007 | 1970 | |
| "Sad Sweet Dreamer" / "Something Here in My Heart (Keeps a Telling Me No)" | Flash Backs Pye / PRT FBS 20 | 1983 | Track A by Sweet Sensation, Track B by The Paper Dolls |
| "That Same Old Feeling" / "Something Here in My Heart (Keeps a-Tellin' Me No)" | Old Gold OG 9470 | 1985 | Track A by Pickettywitch, Track B by The Paper Dolls |