The American Soundtrack series returns with Doo Wop’s Greatest Hits, a sequel to Doo Wop’s Best on PBS. The series celebrates a gentler time when music brought young people together and groups would gather for street corner harmony.

Doo Wop’s Greatest Hits presents the most popular and nostalgic songs from that timeless era. Loaded with joyful lyrics, great backbeats and soothing harmonies, this music still touches the heart and soul of an entire generation.

Vocal groups were a prime component of the emerging rock ‘n’ roll movement in the mid-1950s. The Platters, one of the era’s most beloved and enduring acts, kick off the retrospective with their million-selling smash from 1955, “The Great Pretender.” More memorable chart-topping classics follow, including the haunting “Blue Moon” by Pittsburgh vocal group the Marcels and the jubilant “Chapel of Love” by the Dixie Cups.

The Skyliners, a Pittsburgh vocal group legend, reprise their 1959 smash “Since I Don’t Have You” and the Dreamlovers from Philadelphia present “When We Get Married,” a top-10 hit from 1961. R&B duo Johnnie and Joe reunite for their 1959 top-10 hit “Over the Mountain, Across the Sea.”

One of doo wop’s all-time most romantic ballads, “I Only Have Eyes for You,” is performed by the Flamingos, who took the tune to the top 20 in 1959. The legendary Jerry Butler offers his very first hit from 1958, “For Your Precious Love.” Another love song for the ages, “Heart and Soul,” is rendered with soaring harmonies by the Cleftones.

What were called “girl groups” back in the day are represented by Rosie and the Originals with the 1960 top-10 hit “Angel Baby” and the Shirelles, performing their number one hit from 1962, “Soldier Boy,” with original lead singer Shirley Alston Reeves.

Doo Wop’s Greatest Hits recalls a wonderful and nostalgic slice of America’s musical heritage, commemorating the hits and harmonies that ruled the radio airwaves during a more innocent time.