Photo: ABC Television, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Our Top 10 Lesley Gore songs list looks back at an artist who got her start at 16 years old with a number one record in 1963 entitled “It’s My Party.” That number one single in 1963 led the way to three more successful top 10 hits on the U.S. Billboard top 100. Lesley Gore’s success on the pop charts would continue into 1964 with two more top 20 hits and for more singles that reached the Billboard Top 100. For the next several years up to 1967, Lesley Gore would continue to have success on the Billboard pop charts. During the 1960’s, Lesley Gore would appear in many different television films and documentaries. Lesley Gore even appeared on a few episodes of the 1960s cult TV series Batman. In 1980, she was composing songs for the much-loved film Fame.
Throughout her career. Lesley Gore released 13 studio albums a whopping 37 singles and six compilation records. However, music fans will always remember her as the voice behind the song “It’s My Party.” This top 10 Lesley Gore songs list will percent 10 of her most popular single releases that she would issue during the 1960’s.
# 10 – Young Love
We open up our top 10 Lesley Gore songs list with the single “Young Love.” The song was released in 1966 on the album Lesley Gore Sings All About Love. The song was released as the third single from the album. The song peaked at number 50 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song “Young Love,” was composed by Rick Cartley and Carol Joyner. The song had been recorded originally by Sonny James with backing by Elvis Presley’s group The Jordinaires.
# 9 – Look Of Love
Continuing with our top 10 Lesley Gore songs list we turn to the great song “Look of Love.” This should not be confused with the famous Burt Bacharach song The Look of Love. This is a completely different song. “Look of Love,” was composed by Ellie Greenwich and Jeff Barry. “Look of Love,” was released on Lesley Gore’s album Girl Talk. The song was released as the third single from the record. This happy fun swinging song hit number 27 on the Billboard top 100. It broke the top 20 in Canada. This is a great one! The video shows why she was so loved.
# 8 – Maybe I Know
Lesley Gore’s fourth album entitled Girls Talk had so many great songs on it. The album stands as our favorite Lesley Gore album. The record was released in 1964. The first single issued from the album was the great song entitled “Maybe I Know.” The song broke the Billboard Hot 100 top 20 peaking at number 14. It was also a top 10 hit on the U.S. Cashbox charts as it reached number 10. The song was composed by Jeff Barry and Ellie Greenwich. Legendary producer Quincy Jones produced the record.
# 7 – California Nights
At number seven on our top 10 Lesley Gore songs list we jump a few years ahead of time to the year 1967. The great song “California Nights” was released on the Lesley Gore album also entitled California Nights. The song was written by Marvin Hamlisch which defines why it’s such a cinematic style song. “California Nights” was a big hit for Lesley Gore. The song peaked at number 16 on the Billboard Top 100. It also hit number 11 on the US Cashbox charts. California Nights also stands as Lesley Gore’s last big hit and the final time she broke the Billboard Top 20
# 6 – Sunshine, Lollipops and Rainbows
How could you not love a song titled “Sunshine, Lollipops And Rainbows?” this fun happy song released in 1965 on the Lesley Gore album entitled Lesley Gore Sings of Mixed-up Hearts. The song hit number 13 on the Billboard top 100. This is another great Marvin Hamlisch composed song. The song was also produced once again by Quincy Jones. The song first appeared in the film Ski Party. The song was also covered by another great 60’s singer we all know as Dusty Springfield.
# 5 – That’s Where The Boys Are
Breaking into the second half of our top 10 Lesley Gore songs list we present the classic song “That’s The Way Boys Are.” Lesley Gore’s vocal on this one is spectacular. One can hear how she inspired so many of the female bands to come in the 70s and 80s and onward. The song was written by Mark Barkan and Ben Raleigh. The song was released on the album Boys, Boys, Boys in 1964. “That’s The Way Boys Are,” became a top 20 hit peaking at number 12 on the Billboard Hot 100
# 4 – She’s A Fool
Lesley Gore released the single “She’s a Fool,” on her second album entitled Lesley Gore Sings of Mixed-up Hearts. “She’s a Fool,” was the first single released from the album. It was Lesley Gore’s third consecutive top 10 hit on the US Billboard Hot 100. The song peaked at number 5 in 1963. This is another great song written by Mark Barkan and Ben Raleigh. The single was produced by Quincy Jones.
# 3 – Judy’s Turn To Cry
This is one we have loved for a very long time. It’s such a classic single. Lesley Gore’s “Judy’s Turn To Cry,” was the follow-up single to “It’s My Party.” “Judy’s Turn To Cry,” was a pretty successful follow-up single. The song broke the Billboard Hot 100’s top 10 reaching all the way up to number five. It was released on the album “I’ll Cry if I Want To.” the song was written by Beverly Rose and Edena Lewis. Overtime, the song was always overshadowed by “It’s My Party,” but “Judy’s Turn To Cry,” was one of her best.
# 2 – You Don’t Own Me
Lesley Gore’s recording of the song “You Don’t Own Me,” stands as her second most successful song of her career. This one should send chills down your spine all the way to your rock and roll toes. We have included her performance at the T.A.M.I. show below. She was only seventeen at the time. The song “You Don’t Own Me,” hit number 2 on the Billboard top 100 in 1963. It also hit number two on the US Cashbox charts. It was released as the second single from the album Lesley Gore Sings of Mixed-up Hearts.
# 1 – It’s My Party
We close out our top 10 Lesley Gore songs list with of course her most popular song we all remember as “It’s My Party.” This song hit number one for Lesley Gore in 1963 on both the Billboard Hot 100 and Cashbox music charts. It remains one of the most popular hit singles of all time. It’s popularity would lead it to be recorded by many many artists from the Chiffons to Cher. The song was composed or at least credited to Walter Gold, John Gluck Jr., Herb Weiner and Seymour Gottlieb. The great Quincy Jones produced the single.
Top 10 Lesley Gore Songs article published on Classic RockHistory.com© 2021
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