The Chords were a vocal group that emerged in the mid-1950s, and they were associated with the musical genre known as doo-wop. Doo-wop is a style of vocal harmony-based music that originated in African-American communities in the United States. It gained popularity in the 1950s and early 1960s, characterized by its tight vocal harmonies, simple melodies, and romantic lyrics. Doo-wop groups typically featured a lead vocalist supported by backing harmonies from other members, often accompanied by simple instrumentation such as finger snaps or basic rhythm instruments. The Chords were notable for their hit song "Sh-Boom" in 1954, which became a doo-wop classic and helped popularize the genre.