About the song
“Johnny Angel” is a classic pop song penned by Lyn Duddy and Lee Pockriss. Although initially recorded by Laurie Loman and Georgia Lee without much success, it truly found its moment in the spotlight when Shelley Fabares released her version in the fall of 1961. Her rendition of the song quickly captured the hearts of many, rising to the top of the Billboard Hot 100 in early 1962. This marked a significant milestone in her career, as it was her debut pop single.
The song portrays the innocent and heartfelt longing of a teenage girl who is infatuated with a boy named Johnny, who remains blissfully unaware of her feelings. Despite the attention she receives from other boys, she remains focused on Johnny, highlighting her deep, unspoken affection. The catchy melody and relatable lyrics struck a chord with listeners, contributing to its widespread appeal.
Shelley Fabares’ version of “Johnny Angel” was part of her debut solo album, *Shelley!*, which was produced by Stu Phillips. The single was first introduced on an episode of Fabares’ popular TV show, *The Donna Reed Show*. The song’s success was further supported by the talented backup vocals of Darlene Love and the Blossoms, as well as the instrumental skills of musicians like Hal Blaine, Carol Kaye, and Glen Campbell.
Despite her enduring success as an actress, Fabares’ singing career did not maintain the same momentum after “Johnny Angel.” Nevertheless, the song remains a cherished classic, frequently played on oldies radio stations. It achieved significant commercial success, selling over one million copies and earning a gold disc. The song’s charm also extended internationally, with notable chart positions in Canada and New Zealand, and it even made a modest impact on the UK Singles Chart.
In addition to Fabares’ version, the song saw a revival in the 1970s when The Carpenters included it in a medley of oldies on their album *Now & Then*. Overall, “Johnny Angel” continues to be celebrated for its timeless appeal and its role in defining early 1960s pop music.
Video
Lyrics
Johnny Angel
You’re an angel to me (Sha dum da dum, sha dum da dum)
Johnny Angel (Sha dum da dum)
How I love him (Sha dum da dum)
He’s got something that I can’t resist (Ah, da dum, da dum dum)
But he doesn’t even know (Ah, da dum, da dum dum)
That I exist (Sha dum da dum dum, sha dum da dum)
Johnny Angel (Sha dum da dum)
How I want him (Sha dum da dum)
How I tingle when he passes by (Ah, da dum, da dum dum)
Everytime he says hello (Ah, da dum, da dum dum)
My heart begins to fly (Sha dum da dum)
I get carried away
I dream of him and me
And how it’s gonna be
(Other fellas)
Call me up for a date
But I just sit and wait (Da dum)
I’d rather concentrate
On Johnny Angel (Johnny Angel)
‘Cause I love him (‘Cause I love him)
And I pray that someday he’ll love me (Ah, da dum, da dum dum)
And together we will see (Ah, da dum, da dum dum)
How lovely Heaven will be (Sha dum da dum)
I get carried away
I dream of him and me
And how it’s gonna be
(Other fellas)
Call me up for a date
But I just sit and wait (Ooh ooh ooh ooh)
I’d rather concentrate (Ooh ooh ooh ooh)
On Johnny Angel (Johnny Angel)
‘Cause I love him (‘Cause I love him)
And I pray that someday he’ll love me (Ah, da dum, da dum dum)
And together we will see (Ah, da dum, da dum dum)
How lovely Heaven will be (Johnny Angel)
Johnny Angel (Johnny Angel)
You’re an angel to me (Ooh)
Johnny Angel (Johnny Angel)
You’re an angel to me (Ooh)
Johnny Angel