A doo-wop ballad with passionate gospel-flavored vocals by 15-year-old Arlene Smith, "Maybe" has in retrospect been regarded as one of the first hit records with trademarks of the girl-group sound. The composition was credited to songwriter, producer and singer Richard Barrett, who plays piano on the record for good measure; he also wrote and recorded the original version of "Some Other Guy," later performed by the Beatles on the BBC. Though the Chantels did not benefit from much promotion, according to Smith, "'Maybe' became popular because Dick Clark got involved, so it went national."