About the song
The Shangri-Las, a female vocal group hailing from Queens, New York, burst onto the music scene in the early 1960s with their signature blend of teenage angst, romantic tragedy, and dramatic storytelling. Their songs often explored themes of love, loss, and rebellion, resonating deeply with their young audience. One of their most iconic and enduring tracks, “Leader of the Pack,” released in 1964, exemplifies their distinctive style and continues to captivate listeners today.
“Leader of the Pack” is a narrative song that unfolds a tragic tale of teenage love and societal pressures. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a young couple, the “leader of the pack” and his girlfriend, who are deeply in love but face opposition from their families and peers. The song’s dramatic storytelling, coupled with the Shangri-Las’ powerful vocals and the haunting instrumental arrangement, creates a sense of suspense and impending doom.
The song’s opening lines, “He was the leader of the pack, a real tough guy,” immediately establish the protagonist’s reputation as a rebellious figure. The lyrics then delve into the couple’s passionate love affair, their secret rendezvous, and the challenges they face. The song’s climax arrives with a motorcycle accident that tragically ends the life of the “leader of the pack.” The Shangri-Las’ vocal performance during this section is particularly poignant, conveying the raw emotion and grief of the surviving girlfriend.
“Leader of the Pack” is more than just a catchy pop song; it is a timeless piece of storytelling that explores universal themes of love, loss, and the challenges of adolescence. The song’s enduring popularity can be attributed to its relatable narrative, the Shangri-Las’ powerful vocals, and the timeless quality of its production. It remains a classic of the girl-group era and a testament to the enduring appeal of teenage angst and romantic tragedy.
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Lyrics
“Is she really going out with him?
“Well, there she is, let’s ask her”
“Betty, is that Jimmy’s ring you’re wearing?”
“Mmm-hmm”
“Gee, it must be great riding with him”
“Is he picking you up after school today?”
“Mmm-mmm”
“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 (down, down)
They said he came from the wrong side of town
(What you mean when you say that 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”
(What you mean when you say that you better go find somebody new?)
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
He sort of smiled, then kissed me goodbye
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 (know, know, know, know, know, know, 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-ooh-ooh (gone, gone-gone-gone-gone-gone)
The leader of the pack, now he’s gone (gone, gone-gone-gone-gone-gone)
The leader of the pack, now he’s gone (gone, gone-gone-gone-gone-gone)
the leader of the pack, now he’s gone (gone, gone-gone-gone-gone-gone)