This is a chunk of perfectly cromulent doo-wop.
The Excellents were from New York City. "Coney Island Baby" was their second single and reached #51 on the Billboard Hot 100. They were invited to perform on American Bandstand but their record company refused to pay their way to Philadelphia; when they pointed out that they couldn't afford to go there on their own, the label sent another group of Excellents in their place. Understandably, the Excellents never recorded again.
The last.fm website has a biography of The Excellents.
This song is not related to the Tom Waits song of the same name, which is beautiful and wonderful.
Created February 25, 2026.