This episode is inspired by my lovely wife Elvira who suggested me to curate songs by girl groups, so enjoy the next ninety minutes, packed with twenty-five popular all-female groups from the last six decades.
| Title | Artist | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Come See About Me | Diana Ross & The Supremes | “Come See About Me” by The Supremes was written and produced by Motown’s main production team Holland–Dozier–Holland. The track opens with a fade-in, marking one of the first times the technique had been used on a studio recording. The Supremes, led by Diana Ross, are considered one of the best girl groups. Their everlastingly stylish and smooth tunes captured the hearts of generations with a perfect fusion of pop, soul, and R&B. As one of Motown’s most iconic acts, The Supremes not only broke racial barriers but also became trendsetters in fashion and style. Their trailblazing legacy has inspired countless artists and solidified their place in music history. |
| Baby, I Love You | The Ronettes | “Baby, I Love You” is a song originally recorded by the Ronettes in 1963, written by Jeff Barry, Ellie Greenwich, and Phil Spector. Lead vocals by Ronnie Bennett, background vocals by Cher, Sonny Bono, and the Blossoms (Darlene Love, Fanita James, and Gracia Nitzsche), and instrumentation by the Wrecking Crew. The Ronettes, led by Veronica Yvette Greenfield (born Bennett, formerly Spector; August 10, 1943 – January 12, 2022), is known to many as one of the best female bands. Their iconic beehive hairstyles and dramatic eye makeup only scratch the surface of The Ronettes’ influence on the music world. With their sultry harmonies and captivating stage presence, they became a defining force in the girl group era of the early 60s. As the embodiment of the “Wall of Sound” production, their impact can still be felt today in modern pop and rock music. |
| Jimmy Mack | Martha Reeves & The Vandellas | “Jimmy Mack” was originally recorded in 1964 when Annette Beard was still a part of the group Martha and the Vandellas. The song was shelved because the Motown Quality Control team felt the recording was not suitable for release because it sounded too much like a Supremes song. The Holland–Dozier–Holland song is written as a tribute to Ronnie Mack the writer. Martha and the Vandellas is one of Motown’s finest girl groups and remain an essential part of music history. |
| Leader Of The Pack | The Shangri-Las | The tune of “Leader of the Pack” by the girl group the Shangri-Las is credited to pop impresario George “Shadow” Morton together with Jeff Barry and Ellie Greenwich. The Shangri-Las captured hearts with their dramatic storytelling and emotive performances. Known for their captivating stage presence and heart-wrenching ballads, they became a defining force in the era’s music scene. As an influential part of music history, The Shangri-Las’ impact can still be felt in the sound of modern pop music. |
| He Was Really Saying Something | The Velvelettes | “He Was Really Sayin’ Somethin” by The Velvelettes is a soul song written by Motown songwriters Norman Whitfield, William “Mickey” Stevenson, and Edward Holland, Jr. in 1964. In 1982, the British girl group Bananarama recorded a cover version of the song As one of Motown’s hidden gems, The Velvelettes brought a unique sound to the world of pop and soul music in the 1960s. Their impeccable harmonies and heartfelt lyrics resonated with fans, making them a beloved part of the era’s musical landscape. With their enduring legacy and timeless appeal, The Velvelettes remain a cherished part of music history. |
| Shy Boy | Bananarama | “Shy Boy” is a 1982 song recorded by English girl group Bananarama which was written and produced by the production team of Steve Jolley and Tony Swain and marked the first in a long line of studio collaborations between them and Bananarama. Bananarama are a British-Irish girl group formed in London in 1980. The group, originally a trio, consisted of friends Sara Dallin, Siobhan Fahey, and Keren Woodward. |
| Walk Like An Egyptian | The Bangles | “Walk Like an Egyptian” is a song by American band the Bangles, released in 1986. Liam Sternberg said he was inspired to create the song while on a ferry crossing the English Channel. When the vessel hit choppy water, passengers stepped carefully and moved their arms awkwardly while struggling to maintain their balance, and that reminded Sternberg of the depiction of human figures in ancient Egyptian tomb paintings. Capturing the essence of the 80s with their infectious pop-rock tunes, The Bangles left an indelible mark on music history. |
| Our Lips Are Sealed | The GoGo’s | “Our Lips Are Sealed”, by the Go-Go’s, released in 1981 is a song co-written by Jane Wiedlin, guitarist of the Go-Go’s, and Terry Hall, singer of the Specials and Fun Boy Three. The Go-Go’s are pioneers of the punk and new wave scene and made their mark with their infectious tunes and rebellious spirit. As one of the first all-female bands to write and perform their own music, they broke down barriers and paved the way for future women in rock. Their energetic performances and timeless hits have established their legacy as one of the most influential girl groups of all time. |
| It’s The First Time | Lois Lane | “It’s The First Time” by Loïs Lane was released in 1989. Loïs Lane is a Dutch girl group consisting of the sisters Suzanne and Monique Klemann. Lois Lane is a fictional character appearing in American comic books reated by writer Jerry Siegel and artist Joe Shuster. Lois Lane’s career spans more than eight decades and has worn many hats besides that of the world’s most celebrated journalist. She’s been a wife of Superman and mother of Superboy, a costumed vigilante, a ghostwriter and a political activist, making her a Superwoman in fact as well as name. |
| Miss Q-In | Zap Mama | “Miss Q-In” by ‘Zap Mama’ is written by Chris Forman and Damon Bennett and released in 2004. For over 25 years Miss M. Daulne a.k.a. ‘Zap Mama’, has made her mark in the music and entertainment industry thanks to her vocal creativity and appearances on the most prestigious stages. Marie Daulne, the daughter of a Belgian father and a Congolese mother, and was born in the East Zaire City of Isiro. Zap Mama specializes in polyphonic, harmonic music with a mixture of heavily infused African instruments, R&B, and Hip-hop and emphasizes voice in all their music. |
| Yes We Can Can | The Pointer Sisters | “Yes We Can Can” by The Pointer Sisters is a funk song written by Allen Toussaint and released in 1970. A perfect fusion of R&B, pop, and disco, The Pointer Sisters brought an irresistibly infectious energy to the music world. Their timeless tunes showcased their incredible vocal range and ability to captivate listeners. As pioneers in the industry, they broke barriers for future generations of artists and solidified their status as musical icons. |
| Baby Hold On | Dixie Chicks | Known for most of their career as Dixie Chicks, they were named after the song “Dixie Chicken” by Little Feat. That song is about a woman who charms guys into falling in love with her, then takes them for all they’re worth. On June 25, 2020, they changed their name to “The Chicks,” dropping the “dixie” because it refers to the American South during a time of slavery. |
| Chapel of Love | The Dixie Cups | “Chapel of Love” by The Dixie Cups in 1964 was written in 1963 by Jeff Barry and Ellie Greenwich, who had themselves recently married. Phil Spector, Jeff Barry, and Ellie Greenwich had originally written the song for The Ronettes. The Dixie Cups (formerly known as The Mel-Tones) are an American pop music girl group of the 1960s. |
| Angels with dirty faces | Sugababes | “Angels with Dirty Faces” was written by the Sugababes in collaboration with members of the British songwriting and production team Xenomania, including Brian Higgins, Bob Bradley, Tim Powell and Matthew Del Gray. Original member Siobhán Donaghy, was replaced by former Atomic Kitten member Heidi Range in September 2001. The ever-evolving lineup of the girl group Sugababes didn’t stop them from leaving a lasting mark on the pop music landscape. |
| All Night Long | Mary Jane Girls | “All Night Long” by the Mary Jane Girls is a song written, arranged, and produced by American musician Rick James for the Mary Jane Girls. The name of the group referenced mary jane, slang for marijuana; a favored recreational drug of James. The group’s image was styled as containing a street-wise girl (Joanne “Jojo” McDuffie), a supermodel (Candice “Candi” Ghant), a cheerleader/valley girl (Cheryl Bailey (Cheri Wells)), and a dominatrix (Kimberly “Maxi” Wuletich). |
| Waterfalls | TLC | “Waterfalls” is an R&B song, written by TLC band member Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes with Marqueze Etheridge and Organized Noize, released in 1995. The song’s lyrics refer to 1990s issues such as the HIV/AIDS epidemic and violence associated with the illegal drug trade. TLC is an American girl group formed in 1990 in Atlanta, Georgia. The group’s best-known line-up was composed of Tionne “T-Boz” Watkins, Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes, and Rozonda “Chilli” Thomas.TLC combined their smooth harmonies with a fierce attitude. With their bold messages of female empowerment, self-love, and social awareness, they cemented their status as a groundbreaking force in music. |
| Waterfall | Wendy & Lisa | “Waterfall” performed and written by Wendy and Lisa with co-writer, producer and former Revolution colleague Bobby Z., was released in 1995. Wendy Melvoin and Lisa Coleman are an Emmy® Award winning musical composing duo based in Los Angeles. They both started their careers in one of the most successful rock bands of the 80s, Prince & the Revolution. |
| Why (Am I Treated So Bad) | The Sweet Inspirations | “Why? (Am I Treated So Bad)” was written by the Staple Singers patriarch Roebuck “Pops” Staples in reaction to the 1957 protests about the Little Rock Nine, the first black students to attend the segregated Little Rock Central High School in Arkansas. The Sweet Inspirations’ original line-up comprised of group leader Emily “Cissy” Houston, Sylvia Shemwell, Myrna Smith and Estelle Brown. They were backing vocalists for Elvis Presley (from 1968 up to his death in 1977), Aretha Franklin, Wilson Pickett, Herbie Mann, Nina Simone, Solomon Burke, and Chuck Jackson. |
| Whatta Man | Salt-N-Pepa | Linda Lyndell, a white singer who had been a supporting act with James Brown and Ike & Tina Turner and then recommended to Stax Records by Otis Redding, recorded “What a Man”. In 1993, American hip hop trio Salt-N-Pepa recorded the song retitled “Whatta Man” with En Vogue an American vocal girl group consisting of singers Terry Ellis, Dawn Robinson, Cindy Herron, and Maxine Jones. Salt-N-Pepa (sometimes stylized as Salt ‘N’ Pepa) is an American hip hop group formed in New York City in 1985, that comprised Salt (Cheryl James), Pepa (Sandra Denton), and DJ Spinderella (Deidra Roper). |
| I Love To Love | Las Seventies | Las Seventies or Lola and Blanca covered in 2007 disco hits in rumba style, such as “I Love to Love (But My Baby Loves to Dance)” by British singer Tina Charles, released in 1976. |
| Lost In Music | Sister Sledge | “Lost in Music” is a song by American vocal group Sister Sledge, released in July 1979, written by Nile Rodgers Bernard Edwards. Natives of Philadelphia, the sisters: Debra Edwina “Debbie” Sledge (born 1954), Joan Elise “Joni” Sledge (1956–2017), Kim Sledge (born 1957), and Kathy Sledge (born 1959) are the daughters of Broadway tap dancer Edwin Sledge (1923–1996) and actress Florez Sledge (née Williams; 1928–2007). Following the tragic passing of Joni sledge in 2017, Sister Sledge’s beautiful legacy is now evolving as their extraordinary adult children take centre stage. |
| Best Disco In Town | Ritchie Family | “The Best Disco in Town” is a 1976 crossover disco single by Philadelphia-based group, The Ritchie Family. The song is a medley of recent disco songs linked together with an original chorus. The Ritchie Family originally consisted of three singers: Cassandra Ann Wooten and Gwendolyn Oliver of the girl group Honey & the Bees, and Cheryl Mason Jacks. |
| Take Good Care of Yourself | The Three Degrees | “Take Good Care Of Yourself” by The Three Degrees was written by Leon Huff and Kenneth Gamble. The Three Degrees is an American female vocal group formed in 1963 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Elegance and sophistication defined The Three Degrees, a girl group that rose to prominence in the 1970s with their luscious harmonies and soulful ballads. The line-up from 1967 to 1976 was Fayette Pinkney, Valerie Holiday and Sheila Ferguson, who would go on to sing lead on most of the group’s biggest hits. |
| Goodnight Sweetheart, Goodnight | The McGuire Sisters | “Goodnite, Sweetheart, Goodnite” is a popular song that was a hit during the mid-1950s. It was written by Calvin Carter and James “Pookie” Hudson in 1951, and was first recorded by The Spaniels in 1953. The McGuire Sisters released it as “Goodnight, Sweetheart, Goodnight” in 1954. Heralding from the golden age of vocal harmony groups, The McGuire Sisters were a singing trio in American popular music of the fifties, composed of three sisters; Christine, Dorothy and Phyllis McGuire. |
| Mister Sandman | The Chordettes | “Mr. Sandman” (or “Mister Sandman”) is a popular song written by Pat Ballard and published in 1954. It was first recorded in May of that year by Vaughn Monroe & his orchestra and later that year by The Chordettes and the Four Aces. The Chordettes’ recording of the song was released on the Cadence Records label on both 78 RPM and 45 RPM formats. Formed in 1946, The Chordettes were a female popular singing quartet from Sheboygan, Wisconsin. They usually sung a cappella, and specialized in traditional popular music. Known for their close harmony singing and crisp vocals, The Chordettes became one of the most successful girl groups of the 1950s. |
Sources
The information sources of the song facts include, but are not limited to, Wikipedia, songfacts.com, discogs.com, secondhandsongs.com, YouTube and artists’ related websites.
