Shelley Fabares – Johnny Angel HQ (1962)

About the song

Shelley Fabares, a young actress turned singer, captured the hearts of teenagers in the early 1960s with her sweet, innocent voice and relatable lyrics. Her debut single, “Johnny Angel,” released in 1962, became an instant sensation, topping the charts and solidifying her status as a teen idol.

The song, penned by the songwriting duo of Bobby Darin and Ellie Greenwich, paints a vivid picture of young love and infatuation. The lyrics, filled with longing and admiration, evoke a sense of nostalgia for a simpler time. Fabares’s vocals, both delicate and powerful, perfectly convey the emotional depth of the song.

“Johnny Angel” is a classic example of the girl-group sound that dominated the pop charts in the early 1960s. The arrangement, featuring a catchy melody, driving rhythm, and lush harmonies, is perfectly suited to Fabares’s vocal style. The song’s popularity can be attributed not only to its catchy tune but also to its ability to resonate with young listeners who were experiencing similar emotions of love, heartbreak, and growing up.

Despite the passage of time, “Johnny Angel” remains a timeless classic. Its enduring appeal lies in its ability to evoke strong emotional responses and transport listeners back to a simpler era. Fabares’s performance is both captivating and endearing, making the song a must-listen for fans of classic pop music.

Video

Lyrics

(Johnny Angel, Johnny Angel, Johnny Angel, Johnny Angel)
You’re an angel to me

Johnny Angel, how I love him
He’s got something that I can’t resist
But he doesn’t even know that I-I-I exist

Johnny Angel, how I want him
How I tingle when he passes by
Every time he says “Hello” my heart begins to fly

(I’m in heaven) 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, 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
And together we will see how lovely heaven will be

(I’m in heaven) 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, 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
And together we will see how lovely heaven will be

(Johnny Angel, Johnny Angel)
Johnny Angel (Johnny Angel) you’re an angel to me

(Johnny Angel, Johnny Angel)
Johnny Angel (Johnny Angel) you’re an angel to me