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Leader of the Pack

This article is about a 1964 pop song. For other uses, seeLeader of the Pack (disambiguation).

"Leader of the Pack"is a song written byGeorge "Shadow" Morton,Jeff Barry,andEllie Greenwich.It was a number onepophit in 1964 for the American girl groupthe Shangri-Las.The single is one of the group's best known songs as well as a popular cultural example of a "teenage tragedy song".The song was covered in 1985 by the heavy metal bandTwisted Sister,who had a more modest hit with their version (no. 53 in the US).

"Leader of the Pack"
Singlebythe Shangri-Las
from the albumLeader of the Pack
B-side"What Is Love"
Released20 September 1964[1]
Recorded1964
Genre
Length2:49
LabelRed Bird
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)George "Shadow" Morton
The Shangri-Lassingles chronology
"Remember (Walking in the Sand)"
(1964) 		"Leader of the Pack"
(1964) 		"Give Him a Great Big Kiss"
(1964)
Official audio
"Leader of the Pack"onYouTube

Background and composition

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The tune of "Leader of the Pack" is credited to pop impresarioGeorge "Shadow" Mortontogether withJeff BarryandEllie Greenwich.According to Morton,[4]he wrote the song for the Goodies (also known as the Bunnies[5]), but instead it was needed as a follow-up to the Shangri-Las hit "Remember (Walking in the Sand)".

Lyrical content

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The song is about a girl named Betty, who is asked by friends to confirm that she is dating Jimmy, the leader of a motorcycle gang, whose ring they see on Betty's finger. After singing of love at first sight ( "(By the way, where'd 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"), Betty's heart turns to despair as she bemoans her parents' disapproval. The parents say Jimmy hails from" the wrong side of town "and ask Betty to tell Jimmy goodbye and find someone new. Betty reluctantly does as she is asked, and a crushed and tearful Jimmy speeds off on his motorcycle. Betty's pleas for Jimmy to slow down are in vain and Jimmy crashes on a rain-slicked surface and dies.

The Shangri-Las original version

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Recording

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In July 1964, Morton recorded the vocals for "Leader of the Pack" with the Shangri-Las at Mira Sound Studios located on 145 West47th streeton the second floor of a Manhattan hotel. The song was produced by Morton. These vocals were dubbed over the instrumental parts, which had been previously recorded at the Ultrasonic Recording Studios inHempstead, New York.[6]In 2007Tony Viscontiwrote that pianistArtie Butlerplayed on the track.[7]

To add the authentic sound of a motorcycle engine, one was reportedly driven through the lobby of the hotel and up to the floor of the recording studio. No one was arrested, but a ticket was issued. The motorcycle belonged to the assistant engineer on the session, who was Joe Venneri.[6]However, in an interview four decades later, Shangri-Las lead singerMary Weissdenied that there was any motorcycle in the studio.[8]Hugh Grundy,drummer forThe Zombies,revved up a motorcycle backstage when the Shangri-Las performed atMurray the K's 1964 Christmas show at the Brooklyn Fox Theater.[9]This live performance was recorded and released on the albumMurray the K's Greatest Holiday Show.[10]

Reception

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"Leader of the Pack" was released as a single byRed Bird Records,aLeiber and Stollerlabel, and the song hit number one on theBillboardHot 100on November 28, 1964.[11] On Cashbox's R&B chart, it went to number 8.[12] In theUnited Kingdom,the single was refused airplay by theBBC,probably due to its death theme,[13]although some have speculated that it was considered likely to encourage violence betweenmods and rockers.[14]It charted three times on theUK Singles Chart:number 11 in 1965;[15]number 3 in 1972[16](by which time the BBC ban had been lifted); and once again at number 7 in 1976,[15]when its sales figures as a reissue on two different labels (Charlyand Contempo) were combined to arrive at its chart position.[17]The record also reached number 1 in Australia in 1964, and 39 in 1973.

Cash Boxdescribed it as "a heartbreaking cha cha thumper about a gal in love with the 'Leader Of The Pack'—who loses his life in a cycle crash" with "sensational vocal and instrumental sounds" and a "powerhouse"production."[18]In 2004,Rolling Stoneranked the song among the500 Greatest Songs of All Timeat number 447.[19]In the 2010 revision of the list, it was moved to number 454 as new entries were added. In the 2021 update, it was moved to number 315.[20][21]Billboardnamed the song #9 on their list of 100 Greatest Girl Group Songs of All Time.[22]In 2019, the song was inducted into theRock and Roll Hall of Fameunder the newsingles categorycreated in 2018.[23]

The song appeared in a Broadway musical based on the songs of Ellie Greenwich,Leader of the Pack,which opened in 1985.[24]In 1990, the song was used in theMartin Scorsesefilm,Goodfellas.

Chart performance

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Chart (1964-1972) Peak
position
Australia (Australian National Charts)[25] 1
Canada Top Singles (RPM)[26] 3
New Zealand (Lever Hit Parades)[27] 1
UK Singles(OCC)[28] 3
USBillboardHot 100[29] 1
Chart (1973) Peak
position
Australia (Kent Music Report)[30] 39

Twisted Sister version

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"Leader of the Pack"
SinglebyTwisted Sister
from the albumCome Out and Play
ReleasedNovember 1985[31]
Recorded1985
GenreGlam metal[32]
Length3:48
LabelAtlantic
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Dieter Dierks
Twisted Sistersingles chronology
"The Price"
(1984) 		"Leader of the Pack"
(1985) 		"You Want What We Got"
(1986)

In 1985, theheavy metalbandTwisted Sisterrecorded acover versionof "Leader of the Pack" from the eponymous leader's perspective, where it is the female lover that was in a car accident, although, in the video, she does not die.[33]The track was included on the group's fourth studio album,Come Out and Play,and was released onAtlantic Recordsas the album's lead single. It reached number 53 on theBillboardHot 100chart and number 47 on theUK Singles chart.[34]

Background

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Twisted Sister began playing "Leader of the Pack" when performing live in the clubs during the early years of their career.[35]They first recorded a demo version of the song atElectric Lady StudiosinGreenwich Village,withEddie Krameras the producer, in November 1979,[36]and this recording was released on the band's 1982 EPRuff Cutts.[37]

When working on their fourth studio album,Come Out and Play,in 1985, frontmanDee Snidersuggested Twisted Sister should record "Leader of the Pack" as their next single. Inspired byMötley Crüe's recent success with their cover of "Smokin' in the Boys Room",Snider was convinced" Leader of the Pack "would" appeal to everybody, including the parents of our fans who knew the original from when they were growing up ". He recalled in his 2012 autobiographyShut Up and Give Me the Mic: A Twisted Memoir,"I was positive this was the track that would break down any barriers left for Twisted Sister and bring us to the level ofSpringsteen,PrinceandMadonna.I believed that we were the band that could bring metal to the mainstream. "[35]

Critical reception

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Upon its release as a single, Nancy Erlich ofBillboardwrote, "The guitars are megaton metal, the melody is unchanged, and it's the girl who gets killed; one of the year's odder cultural artifacts."[38]Cash Boxconsidered it to be a "supercharged version of a classic [which] is perfect for the comic book rock of Twisted Sister". They added, "Snider's vocal interpretation is heartful and humorous, and the power-chord backing is sure to catch the ear of manyCHRand rock radio programmers. "[39]Malcolm DomeofKerrang!noted that, as with the band's earlier recording of the song, "the humor is still prevalent as well as a genuine respect for a classic pop number", but this time there's "a fine production and a firmer, resonant arrangement".[40]

Charts

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Chart (1985-1986) Peak
position
Canada Top Singles (RPM)[41] 80
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[42] 45
UK Singles(OCC)[43] 47
USBillboardHot 100[44] 53
USMainstream Rock(Billboard)[45] 32

Influence and other versions

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  • In 1965, "Leader of the Laundromat",written byPaul VanceandLee Pockriss,was released byThe Detergentsand peaked at number 19 on the USBillboardHot 100 in January 1965.[46]This resulted in Morton, Barry and Greenwich filing a lawsuit for plagiarism.[10]
  • On her debut albumThe Divine Miss M(1972),Bette Midlerdid a version which began in the original tempo, sped up in the second verse, and was so fast by the end that it became difficult to understand the lyrics. Her rendition of the song has been praised byRobert ChristgauandAllMusic's Mark Deming among others.[47][48]
  • Britishpunk rockgroupThe Damnedquoted the first line of the song ( "Is she really going out with him?" ) in their single "New Rose".The song was the first ever single released by a British punk band.[49]
  • British comedianJulian Clarysang a parody of "Leader of the Pack" in 1988–90 as part of his then-act, The Joan Collins Fan Club. It was released as a single in the UK and reached a peak position of No.60 on the UK singles chart in the summer of 1988.[50][51]Clary sang the lead part from the point of view of acamp28-year-old gay man bewailing the loss of his biker love interest in a fatal motorcycle accident.

See also

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References

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  1. ^"The Shangri-Las - Leader of the Pack".
  2. ^Everett, Walter(2009).The Foundations of Rock: From "Blue Suede Shoes" to "Suite: Judy Blue Eyes".Oxford University Press.p. 360.ISBN978-0-19-531024-5.
  3. ^Marsh, Dave(1989).The Heart of Rock & Soul: The 1001 Greatest Singles Ever Made.Plume.p. 448.ISBN0-452-26305-0.
  4. ^"Shadow Morton-6".Archived fromthe originalon February 21, 2007.Retrieved2007-02-19.
  5. ^"Girl Group Chronicles: The Bunnies/Goodies".Archived fromthe originalon October 23, 2009.RetrievedOctober 25,2009.
  6. ^abGrecco, John C. (2002)."Out In The Streets: The Story of the Shangri-Las".Red Bird Entertainment. Archived fromthe originalon September 14, 2012.
  7. ^Visconti, Tony.The Autobiography: Bowie, Bolan and the Brooklyn Boy.New York:HarperCollins,2007.ISBN978-0-00-722944-4.pp31.
  8. ^Miller, Billy;Linna, Miriam(March 28, 2006)."Mary Weiss Interview".Norton Records.p. 5. Archived fromthe originalon September 27, 2011.RetrievedSeptember 6,2018.
  9. ^Barry Miles (2009).The British Invasion.Sterling Publishing Company, Inc. p. 88.ISBN978-1-4027-6976-4.
  10. ^abPatrick, Mick (February 2002).Myrmidons of Melodrama(album liner notes). The Shangri-Las.RPM Records (United States).
  11. ^Bronson, Fred(2003).The Billboard Book of Number 1 Hits.New York: Billboard Books. p. 160.ISBN0823076776.RetrievedJuly 6,2012.
  12. ^Whitburn, Joel(2004).Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942-2004.Record Research. p. 520.
  13. ^"Rocklist.net...Banned Recordings".Rocklistmusic.co.uk.September 13, 1997.RetrievedSeptember 27,2016.
  14. ^Miller, Billy; Linna, Miriam (March 28, 2006)."Mary Weiss Interview".Norton Records. p. 6. Archived fromthe originalon November 13, 2006.RetrievedSeptember 28,2006.
  15. ^ab"UK Top 40 Chart Archive, British Singles & Album Charts".everyHit. March 16, 2000. Archived fromthe originalon July 17, 2007.RetrievedDecember 8,2013.
  16. ^"The Shangri-Las Page".Tsimon.April 20, 2000.RetrievedSeptember 27,2016.
  17. ^Betts, Graham (2004).Complete UK Hit Singles 1952–2004(1st ed.). London: Collins. p. 693.ISBN0-00-717931-6.
  18. ^"CashBox Record Reviews"(PDF).Cash Box.October 3, 1964. p. 12.RetrievedJanuary 12,2022.
  19. ^"The RS 500 Greatest Songs of All Time".Rolling Stone.Archived fromthe originalon December 17, 2006.
  20. ^"Rolling Stone Magazine's 500 Greatest Songs of All Time - How many songs have you listened to?".Listchallenges.RetrievedSeptember 27,2016.
  21. ^"The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time".Rolling Stone.September 15, 2021.RetrievedJune 23,2022.
  22. ^"100 Greatest Girl Group Songs of All Time: Critics' Picks".Billboard.RetrievedJuly 11,2017.
  23. ^"Songs by The Isley Brothers, The Shangri-Las honored at Rock Hall 2019 ceremony".March 29, 2019.RetrievedApril 28,2019.
  24. ^"Greenwich Seeks More Support for 'Leader'".Billboard.June 15, 1985. p. 48.
  25. ^"Billboard Magazine, December 5, 1964".Billboard.December 5, 1964.
  26. ^"Top RPM Singles: Issue 4675."RPM.Library and Archives Canada.
  27. ^"Lever hit parades: 03-Dec-1964".Flavour of New Zealand.
  28. ^"Shangri-Las: Artist Chart History".Official Charts Company.
  29. ^"The Shangri-Las Chart History (Hot 100)".Billboard.
  30. ^Kent, David(1993).Australian Chart Book 1970–1992(illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 270.ISBN0-646-11917-6.
  31. ^"Great Rock Discography".p. 849.
  32. ^McPadden, Mike (June 6, 2015)."Brace Yourself For The Top 10 Hair Metal Hits of 1985".VH1 News.Archivedfrom the original on June 27, 2022.RetrievedJuly 14,2021.
  33. ^"Twisted Sister - Leader of the Pack (Official Music Video)".YouTube.RetrievedJuly 19,2021.[dead YouTube link]
  34. ^"Twisted Sister Album & Song Chart History – Hot 100".Billboard.RetrievedOctober 10,2015.
  35. ^abSnider, Dee (2012).Shut Up and Give Me the Mic: A Twisted Memoir.Gallery Books. pp. 327, 350–351.ISBN9781451637397.
  36. ^Ruff Cutts(UK 12-inch EP sleeve).Twisted Sister.Secret Records.1982. SHH 137-12.{{cite AV media notes}}:CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  37. ^Rivadavia, Eduardo."Twisted Sister - Ruff Cutts; Album Reviews, Songs & More".AllMusic.RetrievedDecember 22,2023.
  38. ^Erlich, Nancy (November 23, 1985). "Reviews: Singles".Billboard.Vol. 97, no. 47. Billboard Publications, Inc. p. 67.ISSN0006-2510.
  39. ^"Single Releases".Cash Box.Vol. 49, no. 24. November 23, 1985. p. 11.ISSN0008-7289.
  40. ^Dome, Malcolm (January 23, 1986). "Short Kutz".Kerrang!.No. 112. p. 27.ISSN0262-6624.
  41. ^"Top RPM Singles: Issue 0622."RPM.Library and Archives Canada.Retrieved October 30, 2023.
  42. ^"Twisted Sister – Leader of the Pack ".Top 40 Singles.Retrieved October 30, 2023.
  43. ^"Official Singles Chart Top 100".Official Charts Company.Retrieved October 30, 2023.
  44. ^"Twisted Sister Chart History (Hot 100)".Billboard.Retrieved October 30, 2023.
  45. ^"Twisted Sister Chart History (Mainstream Rock)".Billboard.Retrieved October 30, 2023.
  46. ^Colin Larkin,ed. (2002).The Virgin Encyclopedia of 60s Music(3rd ed.).Virgin Books.p. 167.ISBN1-85227-933-8.
  47. ^Christgau, Robert (1981)."Consumer Guide '70s: M".Christgau's Record Guide: Rock Albums of the Seventies.Ticknor & Fields.ISBN089919026X– via robertchristgau.
  48. ^Deming, Mark."The Divine Miss M – Bette Midler – Review".AllMusic.
  49. ^"The Joe Jackson Archive: Footnotes to" Look Sharp! "".jj-archive.net.RetrievedNovember 13,2018.
  50. ^"Joan Collins Fan Club".Official Charts.June 11, 1988.RetrievedNovember 5,2024.
  51. ^"Julian Clary -" Leader of the Pack "- original stereo video".YouTube.Archivedfrom the original on December 21, 2021.RetrievedSeptember 27,2016.
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