About the song
“The Shangri-Las – Leader of the Pack” is a classic rock song that captivated audiences with its dramatic storytelling and powerful vocals. Released in 1964, the song was written by George “Shadow” Morton, Jeff Barry, and Ellie Greenwich, and it became one of the signature hits of The Shangri-Las.
Featured on their debut album, “Leader of the Pack,” the song quickly climbed the charts, reaching number one on the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States and becoming an international sensation. Its success solidified The Shangri-Las’ status as one of the pioneering girl groups of the 1960s.
The song tells the tragic tale of a young woman who falls in love with a rebellious biker, only to lose him in a fatal motorcycle accident. With its haunting melody and poignant lyrics, “Leader of the Pack” struck a chord with audiences and became an anthem for teenage angst and heartbreak.
The Shangri-Las’ distinctive harmonies, coupled with Morton’s innovative production techniques, created a sound that was both raw and emotionally charged, setting them apart from other girl groups of the era. The song’s innovative use of spoken word segments and sound effects added to its cinematic quality, making it a standout in the pop music landscape of the time.
“Leader of the Pack” remains a timeless classic, revered for its storytelling prowess and musical innovation. Its influence can be heard in countless songs that followed, and it continues to resonate with listeners of all ages, reminding us of the enduring power of music to evoke emotion and capture the human experience.
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Lyrics
“Is she really going out with him?
“Well, there she is, let’s ask her”
“Betty, is that Jimmy’s ring you’re wearing?”
“Mmm-hmm”
“Gee, it must be great riding with him”
“Is he picking you up after school today?”
“Mmm-mmm”
“By the way, where did you meet him?”
I met him at the candy store
He turned around and smiled at me
You get the picture
“Yes, we see”
That’s when I fell for the leader of the pack
My folks were always putting him down (down, down)
They said he came from the wrong side of town
(What you mean when you say that he came from the wrong side of town?)
They told me he was bad, but I knew he was sad
That’s why I fell for the leader of the pack
One day, my dad said, “find someone new”
I had to tell my Jimmy, “we’re through”
(What you mean when you say that you better go find somebody new?)
He stood there and asked me why, but all I could do was cry
I’m sorry I hurt you, the leader of the pack
He sort of smiled, then kissed me goodbye
The tears were beginning to show
As he drove away on that rainy night
I begged him to go slow, whether he heard
I’ll never know (know, know, know, know, know, know, know)
Look out, look out, look out
I felt so helpless, what could I do?
Remembering all the things we’d been through
In school, they all stop and stare
I can’t hide the tears, but I don’t care
I’ll never forget him, the leader of the pack
Ooh-ooh-ooh (gone, gone-gone-gone-gone-gone)
The leader of the pack, now he’s gone (gone, gone-gone-gone-gone-gone)
The leader of the pack, now he’s gone (gone, gone-gone-gone-gone-gone)
the leader of the pack, now he’s gone (gone, gone-gone-gone-gone-gone)