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Playlists > Girl Groups Playlist

"Mr. Lee"
by The Bobbettes (1957)

One of the great aspects of pop music before video killed the radio star is that one could bring their own visual images to a song. This song for me conjures up a teacher who surprises a Bobbie-Soxer with his dance moves and she crushes on him on the spot.

"Lollipop"
by The Chordettes (1958)

I don't know any guy who would want to be called "Lollipop" or any girl who would call her boyfriend that, but who doesn't want to make that POP sound when listening to this song? Also, the clapping on this track is great.

"Will You Love Me Tomorrow"
by The Shirelles (1961)

This Carole King-penned song gets to the heart of many a girl's (and woman's) fear—that last night was not the tender-hearted begining of a romance but rather a skanky encounter she's going to be ashamed about—the ruling all depends on if she was duped by her lover.

"Till"
by The Angels (1961)

This is one scary stalker song. If your date puts this song on a playlist for you—get ready to run!

"Please Mr. Postman"
by The Marvelettes (1961)

Waiting to hear from boyfriends has always been unbearable. With email, it's even worse because of the 24-hour possibility of a message. A modern-day version of this topic would be too painful.

"Baby It's You"
by The Shirelles (1962) 

One of the sexiest tracks ever. Ultimately, she's in the same spot as the woman singing in desperation to Mr. Postman, but the woman here is not on the cheerleading squad, she's the kind that slinks around the room, poses seductively, and flirts by being mysterious.

"Tell Him"
by The Exciters (1962) 

This woman is determined—the way the singer punctuates her advice, she clearly has been burned by acting like a passive female and wouldn't recommend it.

"Soldier Boy"
by The Shirelles (1962)

This song is so dreamy that only a child could sing it sincerely—to her dolls.

"One Fine Day"
by The Chiffons (1963) 

Here's an anthem for the idealist, optimistic romantic. Shoo-be-doo-be-doo-be-doo-wah-wah.

"The Kind of Boy You Can't Forget"
by The Raindrops (1963)

One of the rare girl group tracks with a male chorus. If you listen carefully, you can hear someone clear her throat. The drums here make the track rock.

"Then He Kissed Me"
by The Crystals (1963) 

Great melody for a song about first love. But how strange is it for a rock-n-roll song to cover fantasizing about meeting a boyfriend's parents.

"My Boyfriend's Back"
by The Angels (1963) 

Even though she sings about how her boyfriend is going to take care of this punk spreading lies, her attitude clearly shows she's tough enough to handle this on her own. I'd hate to meet the boyfriend.

"Be My Baby"
by The Ronettes (1963) 

This song is so good that Brian Wilson had to pull over to the side of the road to listen to it. Featuring Phil Spector's Wall of Sound and his wife, this bad girl group entices a man to commit. The ultimate siren song.

"(Love Is Like a) Heatwave"
by Martha Reeves and the Vandellas (1963) 

More teenage drama, but the kind that you look back on fondly.

"Where Did Our Love Go"
by The Supremes (1964) 

Diana Ross purrs her pain on this track. She makes me melt.

"Walking in the Rain"
by The Ronettes (1964) 

The Ronettes dream about a boyfriend who shares their dreaminess. A perfect topic for a '60s girl group.

"Dancing in the Street"
by Martha Reeves and the Vandellas (1964) 

The Civil Rights movement saw this song as an athem but Martha Reeves never read that into the song. A great song to appreciate both ways.

"Remember (Walkin' in the Sand)"
by The Shangri-Las (1964) 

No one pouts better than the Shangri-Las.

"Chapel of Love"
by The Dixie Cups (1964) 

This song is about all the sugary sweetness of a wedding day.

"Come See About Me"
by The Supremes (1964) 

Loving from afar can be so blissful AND so painful.

"People Say"
by The Dixie Cups (1964) 

Doesn't everyone know a woman who is in absolute denial that her relationship is doomed when it is painfully obvious to everyonoe else?

"Leader of the Pack"
by The Shangri-Las (1964) 

Great call-and-response delivery. The addition of the motorcycle sounds give this song, which starts in a candy store, a little grime. Of course, what kind of "pack" leader hangs out at a candy store?

"Too Many Fish in the Sea"
by The Marvelettes (1964) 

The Marvelettes could have had a second career as advice columnists. Here they warn the ladies not to get too hung up on any one guy.

"Nowhere to Run"
by Martha Reeves and the Vandellas (1965) 

The best girl group song ever. Both Springsteen and N.W.A. reference this song. You can hear the desperation in Reeves's voice.

"Don't Mess with Bill"
by The Marvelettes (1965) 

The Marvelettes warn other girls off the lead singer's boyfriend, Bill.

"Stop! In the Name of Love"
by The Supremes (1965) 

The Supremes stand up against a cheating heartbreaker.