Girl Groups
Favorite Girl Groups &
Songs of the '50s & '60s
Tucked between the early street corner Doo Wop groups and the mid-60s British invasion was the phenomenon known as the Girl Groups.
With
names like the Teen Queens, Chantels, the Ronettes, Shangri-Las, Shirelles, and The Crystals, they offered vocal harmonies that was eagerly embraced by a
wide audience.
Starting in 1958, all-Girl Groups became more visible and started to hit the charts with regularity.
A Video Tribute to 60s Girl Groups.
Dressed in pink prom dresses and behive hairdos, three ladies from the present pay tribute to 60s girl-group pop.
Take time to smile a little and watch Carrie Underwood, Kristin Chenoweth, and Christina Applegate in a 60s medley from 2009 All-Star Special.
Continue below for more content and videos.
Girl Group records addressed themes of special importance to teenage girls.
It marked the first time a music was centered around adolescent girls, with lyrics that were mostly innocent and naive – of the “girl–dealing-with-boy” variety.
This was an exciting era where teenagers were becoming a significant group and the girl group sound and style would occupy a prominent position, emerging in 1956 and dominating the pop charts from 1960 to 1963.
Most girl singers really were girls, with ages ranging from early teens to eighteen in the most popular groups.
Song lyrics were centered around that perfect guy.
Most of their songs, from the Dixie Cups' “Chapel of Love” to the Angels' “My Boyfriend’s Back” and the Chiffons "He's So Fine," focused on the males in their lives and the promise of a satisfying relationship with that perfect guy.
As countless broken-hearted teenage girls cried into their pillows, the "Chantels" delivered an exciting sound in 1958, the year the song "Maybe" rose to #15 on the pop charts, and #2 on the R&B charts.
The song would set the standard for many other harmony groups.
The "Chantels" deeply romantic and melancholy declarations of unrequited love, resembled in some ways, the sweet voiced sounds of the urban black teenage boys singing street corner doo-wop under the lights.
Songwriters and record producers took notice that something new was in play. A female voice was emerging despite all the talented male groups and singers.
The era of the male Doo Wop was not fading, however, the "girls" were definitely moving the spotlight.
Female songwriters were co-writing hit songs for the all Girl Singers.
A number of Girl Group hit songs were co-written by female songwriters, including Carole King and Ellie Greenwich. Rock and Roll had a new female sound that was producing a string of hits.
If, up to that point, male voices and male songwriters dominated the popular music scene, things were changing.
Studio Session Players - A big reason songs become hits.
I have long been a big fan of Session players (studio musicians). Most notable was a group of session players known as The Wrecking Crew from Los Angeles.
The Girl singers rarely if ever performed material they had written themselves and rarely if ever played the instruments featured on their recordings, a job left to studio musicians.
This was also true of other famous bands and artists. For example, The Wrecking Crew performed on all the Beach Boys biggest hits.
Brian Wilson requested these players after hearing the magic they created on Phil Spector productions like Be My Baby, Da Doo Ron Ron and He's a Rebel.
So the lady doo-woppers had their day in the sun, as the gentlemen doo-woopers had had before them. And then exited the stage.
You might also like these...
-
One Fine Day Oldies Music Lyrics | The Chiffons Vinyl Record Memories
Remember the One Fine Day oldies music lyrics? Wanna return to that feel good music era and a rewind of this Shooby Doo Wop golden oldie? Climb aboard the memory train and travel with me back to yet another great time in history when One Fine Day lit up the summer of '63.
-
The Chordettes Vinyl Record Memories | Lollipop & Mr. Sandman
The Chordettes Vinyl Record Memories of Lollipop & Mr. Sandman brings back warm, fuzzy memories of an era and the fabulous harmonies of these four pretty gals. More than 60 years later these two songs still resonates with listeners, and as a result, still remain current.
-
Eddie My Love Oldies Music Lyrics | Teen Queens 1956 Teen Ballad
The Eddie My Love oldies music lyrics was written by Teen Queens brother, Aaron Collins. Here is the story of this 60-year-old teen ballad, the two sisters who sang the song and their tragic ending.
-
The Orlons Oldies Music Lyrics | Wah Watusi Great Memories from 1962
The Orlons oldies music formed the foundation of a golden era in Philadelphia music with songs like Wah-Watusi, Don't Hang up and South Street. The Orlons were actually discovered by high school classmate, "Dovells" lead singer Len Barry (remember the Bristol Stomp).
Songs That Will
Make You Cry.
"Tear Time" takes you through a feminine emotional experience and will touch your heart with the lyrics, "All it takes is the smallest thought of you ... Then tear time starts crying all night through." Read more ...
FTC Disclosure: If you make a purchase via a link on this site, I may receive a small commission on the transaction - at no added cost to you. Thank you!
"My Boyfriend's Back "
and...
"You're gonna be in trouble."
This story reveals how an altercation between 2 teens resulted in a #1 song for The Angels. Read the finger pointing story here.
The Locomotion Cover
And The Original
This song was #1 for Little Eva in 1962, and the cover version was so popular by Kylie Minogue that it spent seven weeks at number one on the Australian singles chart. Listen to the original 45rpm recording and watch the best dance version ever! Read more.
Nora Jones
A Music Tribute to Elvis.
Of the many Elvis Presley love songs, Norah Jones adds her personal touch and sings one of the best covers of this original by Elvis that I have heard by anyone. Read more...
Don't Break the Heart
That Loves You.
This haunting ballad is about a plea from a heartbroken teenager trying to understand why her boyfriend is going out of his way to treat her unkindly. Read more...
I Can Hear Music
Beach Boys Cover Song
This cover is simply incredible. Kathy's vocal is strong and true, such a beautiful collaboration with Kathy Troccoli and the Beach Boys. A really nice "Feel Good" love song.
A Beach Boys Classic
"Don't Worry Baby"
What a treat, watching Lorrie Morgan and The Beach Boys sing together. A country voice with a sexy tone covering an old Beach Boys song hit the spot. Come with me...Enjoy
Pink Shoe Laces
A Soda Shop Classic.
Pink Shoe Laces was a cute #
3 hit song for 13 year old Dodie Stevens in 1959. Forty years later she
performs with her daughter in a 1999 special called "Rock-n-Roll
Graffiti" and WOW! Check it out!
