About the song
Released in 1964, “Leader of the Pack” by The Shangri-Las is a timeless classic that has left an indelible mark on the world of rock ‘n’ roll. This iconic song, written by Jeff Barry, Ellie Greenwich, and Shadow Morton, is a poignant and haunting tale of teenage love, rebellion, and tragedy. The song’s narrative is woven around the story of a young girl’s infatuation with a motorcycle-riding bad boy, who ultimately meets a tragic fate.
The Shangri-Las, an American girl group from Queens, New York, brought this song to life with their distinctive harmonies and a raw, emotional delivery. The group’s lead vocalist, Mary Weiss, poured her heart and soul into the performance, imbuing the song with a sense of urgency and desperation. The song’s chorus, with its soaring “Leader of the Pack” refrain, has become one of the most recognizable and beloved in rock music.
“Leader of the Pack” is often cited as one of the greatest songs of the 1960s, and its influence can be heard in countless other rock and pop songs that followed. The song’s innovative use of sound effects, including the iconic motorcycle revving and crash, added to its dramatic impact and helped to set it apart from other songs of the era.
The song’s themes of teenage rebellion and the dangers of reckless behavior resonated deeply with the youth of the 1960s, who were seeking to break free from the constraints of their parents’ generation. The song’s message of the devastating consequences of impulsive decisions continues to resonate with listeners today, making it a timeless classic that transcends generations.
In this essay, we will delve deeper into the history and significance of “Leader of the Pack,” exploring its cultural context, musical innovations, and enduring impact on the world of rock music. We will also examine the song’s themes and symbolism, and how they continue to resonate with listeners today.
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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)