The Rip Chords were an early-1960s American vocal group, originally known as the Opposites, composed of Ernie Bringas and Phil Stewart. The group eventually expanded into four primary voices, adding Columbia producer Terry Melcher and co-producer Bruce Johnston (best known as a member of the Beach Boys). This group came to be associated with the hot-rod and surf genres of that day, although their first single ("Here I Stand") did not reflect those styles. They recorded for Columbia Records in Hollywood from 1962 to 1965. The group placed five singles on the Billboard Hot 100. They are best known for their number-four single: "Hey Little Cobra".

Bringas and Stewart became acquainted during the mid-1950s as students at Inglewood High School (about ten miles south of Hollywood). They discovered some complementary musical talents and struck up a friendship. Encouraged by their singing compatibility, they were determined to secure a recording contract. They eventually came to the attention of Arwin Records/Daywin Music in 1962.

Actress-singer Doris Day and her husband, film producer Marty Melcher, owned Arwin Records and Daywin Music. Their son, Terry Melcher, had just been hired by Columbia Records as an A&R (artist and repertoire) producer. Arwin Records vice-president Bob Crystal saw potential in Bringas and Stewart's voices, and quickly arranged for an audition at Columbia Records.

Following the audition, Terry Melcher signed Bringas and Stewart to a recording contract at Columbia. Their moniker, the Opposites, seemed apropos at the time because Bringas was studying for the ministry and Stewart was a private detective. But shortly before their first release, the name was changed to the Rip Chords. The change was prompted by concerns that the Opposites could falsely imply a positive versus negative image of the two friends. According to Melcher, "Actually, I gave them the name and it was just a play on words. It had nothing to do with the TV show Ripcord (spelled without the h)."

The Rip Chords were a vocal group. They were not a band (no musical instruments, although Stewart played limited guitar). Accordingly, Bringas and Stewart needed to be backed instrumentally by studio musicians. These musicians, including guitarist Glen Campbell, drummer Hal Blaine, and bassist Ray Pohlman, and other prominent instrumentalists, were known as the Wrecking Crew.

Terry Melcher produced the Rip Chords' first release, "Here I Stand", a remake of the Wade Flemons version. Recorded on December 17, 1962, it peaked at No. 51 on the Billboard Hot 100 in early 1963. Bringas and Stewart were the only singers on the first release. Bringas sang the lead, the falsetto, and also joined Stewart on the background vocals. Bringas and Stewart agreed that "Glen Campbell...gave the song a great lift with his lead guitar. Recent remix attempts have watered down his contribution, but on the original release, the imprint of his lead guitar is indelible."

The group's second single, again produced by Melcher, was "Gone", recorded April 26, 1963. Bringas sang the lead and the falsetto, with Bringas and Stewart doing layered background vocals. Bruce Johnston (a friend of Melcher) added an interjecting falsetto, and Blossoms member Gracia Nitzche performed the spoken word intro. Although the song penetrated the Billboard Hot 100, it did not fare as well as the previous hit, "Here I Stand", but did well in certain markets such as San Antonio, Texas, where it climbed to number two on KTSA's top 55 survey.

Following the release of "Gone", a problem arose for the Rip Chords. Bringas had just graduated from California State University at Long Beach and was planning to do graduate work at United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio, where he eventually earned his Master of Divinity degree. His educational responsibilities would not allow time for the touring aspect of a recording group.