July 3, 2020 “Leader of the Pack” Shangri-las

“Is she really going out with him” the opening line of this frivolous Friday song may have been appropriated by Joe Jackson for his tune with that very title.

 Written by Jeff Barry & Ellie Greenwich, Brill Building legends who were working with the likes of Carole King, Niel Sedaka, Niel Diamond and others, this song reflected an earlier life of record producer (and cape wearing) Shadow Morton’s motorcycle gang life.  Although the Shangri-las were comprised of two sets of sisters, the Weiss sisters and their friends the Ganser Twins, they were most often photographed and shown in TV appearances as a trio.

 According to Billy Joel, he played piano (uncredited)  as a very young man on this song as well as the “Remember (Walking in the Sand”) also by the Shangri-las and if you consider that the Leader of the Pack meets his demise driving his motorcycle in the rain...seems that lyric turned up in a Billy Joel song.

 Stay safe and well...and “Lookout!  Look out! Look out!”

Pretty sure that’s Robert Goulet on the motorcycle

Mm--"Is she really going out with him?

"Well, there she is, Let's ask her"

"Betty, is that Jimmy's ring you're wearing?"

"Mm-hm"

"Gee, it must be great riding with him"

"Is he picking you up after school today?"

"Mm-mm"

"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

They said 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

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

 Do do

He sort of smiled and kissed me good bye

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 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, the leader of the pack now he's gone

the leader of the pack now he's gone

the leader of the pack now he's gone