In the mood for some music?
I occasionally gather together some videos from YouTube and write a diary about them. If I’m not mistaken, this is jukebox #11. Today’s theme is Girl Groups.
A very strict and narrow definition of “Girl Groups” might limit the music to a specific vocal style from the 1960s – which was exemplified by the “wall of sound” made popular by the producer Phil Spector (who was later convicted of murder). For more about Spector, read the Wikipedia article here.
I started writing this with the 1960s girl group genre in mind, but then I expanded it to include other styles and other eras.
More below the fold.
The Andrews Sisters & Christina Aguilera
Let’s begin with the Andrews Sisters singing “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy” (from a 1941 Abbott and Costello film called “Buck Privates”):
And now I’ll jump ahead 60 years to Christina Aguilera singing “Candyman” (from 2006) because you can draw a straight line from the first video to this one. Similar musical style, similar video, similar everything.
Another one of my favorites by Aguilera is this one: Ain’t No Other Man.
The Crystals
In 1963, the song “Da Do Run Run” made it to #3. It’s one of many produced by Phil Spector.
It’s an excellent example of his “wall of sound” technique.
The Marvelettes
In 1961, the Marvelettes song, “Please Mr. Postman,” reached #1 on the R&B charts and also #1 on the Pop charts (historically, Billboard’s R&B charts were for blacks and the Pop charts were for whites). The song was originally released on Berry Gordy’s Tamla label, which later became the Motown label and thus was Motown’s first song to reach #1 on the Pop charts. Here it is:
The Beatles recorded a version of this song. Here: Mister Postman.
Martha & The Vandellas
Here’s another girl group from Motown Records. Martha & The Vandellas recorded “Dancing in the Streets” in 1964. It made it to #2 (Pop) and #8 (R&B).
One of the reasons I had to include this song is because I love the version later recorded by Mick Jagger and David Bowie. Click here (highly recommended).
Rachel Sweet
In 1963, The Crystals recorded “Then He Kissed Me” (which got to #6). Also, in 1963, The Ronettes recorded “Be My Baby” (which reached #2). Both songs were produced by Phil “Wall of Sound” Spector. Incidentally, the Ronettes were named after Ronnie Spector, who was married to Phil.
I thought about finding original versions of the songs, but in 1981, Rachel Sweet recorded a version that combined both songs into one. I like it a lot:
Rachel Sweet was signed to Stiff Records at the age of 16, although she had been singing professionally since age 6. Here’s what Wikipedia says:
[Rachel Sweet] generated some controversy for her Lolita-like image (predating similar controversies surrounding Britney Spears and others by many years).
Sweet has an exceptionally strong voice. If you’d like more, here’s
Who Does Lisa Like?, Elvis Costello’s
Stranger in the House (who looks like me), and
Shadows of the Night (recorded a year before Pat Benatar made it a big hit). Rachel Sweet also recorded some songs for the John Waters movies “Hairspray” and “Cry Baby”.
The Bangles
I’ve always liked the song “Hazy Shade of Winter” (originally written and recorded by Simon & Garfunkel in the 1960s). Here’s the Bangles version, with clips from the 1987 movie “Less Than Zero”:
According to one definition I ran across, a “girl group” has female singers. If the women play their own instruments, they’re called a “girl band.” The Bangles fall into the second category. Whatever.
I suppose I should mention, too, that in this diary I don’t mean to use “girl” in a sexist or condescending way. In the 1960s they were called “Girl Groups,” and later in the 1990s there was another musical genre called “Riot Grrrls.”
The Slits
Here’s The Slits doing the 1979 song “Typical Girls”:
They were basically a punk band, with a reggae beat. I believe the drummer in this video later played with Siouxsie and the Banshees. Here’s the Slits doing a sort of ska/punk version of I Heard Through The Grapevine.
The B-52s
Here’s the 1980 song “Give Me Back My Man”:
Although they probably don’t really count as a girl group, I included this song for two reasons. First, I ran across this quote:
Along with The Supremes, Martha and The Vandellas inspired many of the girl groups that followed, including the Emotions, Pointer Sisters, En Vogue, and Destiny’s Child. When [Martha and the Vandellas] was introduced at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony, it was by The B-52’s, whose Fred Schneider would later write: “‘Dancing in the Street’ is my favorite single of all time...It starts with a pounding drumroll, then the trumpets and then Martha’s voice – which is like a horn. The lyrics invite everybody to get together for the best dance party going.”
Second, I just love these lines from the song:
Walking out of Korvettes, package in her hand.
Motions to all the seabirds, throws divinity on the sand.
I'll give you fish, I'll give you candy,
I'll give you everything I have in my hand.
Give me, give back my man. Give me, give back my man.
Another favorite song of mine is
Rock Lobster.
L7
One more song and I’m done. “Pretend We’re Dead” –
There are at least a dozen other bands I wanted to include. And I’m sure people will offer some suggestions or questions (“How could you omit the Supremes?”). But that’s it for now. Thanks for reading.