Music Metrics Vault

Lesley Gore

Data updated on 2025-09-17 20:06:27 UTC
The most commercially successful solo singer to be identified with the girl group sound, Lesley Gore hit the number one spot with her very first release, "It's My Party," in 1963. Produced by Quincy Jones, who fattened the teenager's sound with double-tracked vocals and intricate backup vocals and horns, she reeled off a few more big hits in 1963 and 1964, including "Judy's Turn to Cry," "She's a Fool," "You Don't Own Me," "That's the Way Boys Are," and "Maybe I Know." She wasn't the most soulful girl group singer by a long shot, but she projected an archetype of female adolescent yearning. Her best songs survive as classics, particularly the irresistibly melodic "Maybe I Know" and "Look of Love" (both written by Ellie Greenwich and Jeff Barry) and "You Don't Own Me," an anthem of independence with a feminist theme that was considerably advanced for early 1964.

So what was Quincy Jones doing producing a white suburban teenager who had never recorded before? A couple of demos she recorded with her vocal coach made their way to Mercury's president, who recommended her to Jones, the label's A&R head. For their first session, Gore and Jones picked "It's My Party" out of a pile of about 200 demos. The "It's My Party" single was rush-released when Jones found out that Phil Spector had plans to record the same song with the Crystals.

"It's My Party" and the weaker sequel, "Judy's Turn to Cry," have given Gore a somewhat unfair bratty image. Those are the hits that are remembered the most, but much of her subsequent material was both more mature (or, perhaps more accurately, less immature) and stronger. The singles were also very well produced, with orchestral arrangements (by Claus Ogerman) that hewed closer to mainstream pop than Phil Spector's Wall of Sound. Retrospectives of Jones' career usually downplay or omit his work with Gore, although it was among his most commercially successful; he's known now for recordings that are, well, funkier. But his success with Gore did a lot to build his already impressive résumé within the industry.

Gore appeared on the legendary T.A.M.I. Show alongside such heavyweights as the Rolling Stones, James Brown, and Smokey Robinson, but after 1964 her star plummeted rapidly. Mercury was still investing a lot of care in her sessions throughout the rest of the '60s, and her material and arrangements showed her capable of greater stylistic range than many acknowledged. But after the mid-'60s, Jones no longer worked with the singer on a regular basis. "Sunshine, Lollipops and Rainbows" (1965) and "California Nights" (1967), both of which were co-written by Marvin Hamlisch, would be her only Top 20 entries after 1964. She played the cabarets after her days as an active recording artist, and eventually had some success as a songwriter for other performers. Shortly after the turn of the century, Gore returned to recording, collaborating with multi-instrumentalist Blake Morgan. In 2005, she released the critically acclaimed Ever Since, which landed songs on CSI: Miami and Showtime's The L Word as well as Jeff Lipsky's film Flannel Pajamas, which debuted at Sundance in 2006. Lesley Gore died of lung cancer in New York City in February 2015; she was 68 years old. ~ Richie Unterberger, Rovi

Total plays

538.1 million
Updated on 2025-09-17

Monthly listeners

3,002,965

Followers

451,915

Top Cities

  1. United States
    31,049 listeners
  2. Turkey
    26,360 listeners
  3. United States
    27,857 listeners
  4. Mexico
    51,871 listeners
  5. United Kingdom
    41,917 listeners

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Most popular tracks

Track Plays Duration Release date
You Don't Own Me - Single Version
You Don't Own Me - Single Version
180,402,158 2:32 1963-11-01
It's My Party
It's My Party
118,363,611 2:22 1963-06-01
Misty
Misty
59,131,639 2:18 1963-06-01
Sunshine, Lollipops And Rainbows
Sunshine, Lollipops And Rainbows
49,105,223 1:37 1963-11-01
SUNSHINE, LOLLIPOPS AND RAINBOWS
SUNSHINE, LOLLIPOPS AND RAINBOWS
49,105,223 1:38 2021-01-29
Cry Me A River
Cry Me A River
13,522,178 2:14 1963-06-01
You Don't Own Me - Rerecorded
You Don't Own Me - Rerecorded
6,115,583 2:32 2005-01-01
Judy's Turn To Cry
Judy's Turn To Cry
4,796,324 2:15 1963-06-01
Judy's Turn to Cry
Judy's Turn to Cry
4,796,324 2:11 2014-03-07
Just Let Me Cry
Just Let Me Cry
4,531,010 2:18 1963-06-01
Maybe I Know
Maybe I Know
4,412,727 2:38 1964-10-01
It's My Party - Rerecorded
It's My Party - Rerecorded
4,179,055 2:14 2002-03-01
I'm Coolin', No Foolin'
I'm Coolin', No Foolin'
3,477,350 2:55 1964-04-01
She's A Fool
She's A Fool
2,608,553 2:12 1963-11-01
California Nights
California Nights
1,713,963 2:52 1967-02-01
That's The Way Boys Are
That's The Way Boys Are
1,593,083 2:18 1964-04-01
Little Girl Go Home
Little Girl Go Home
1,390,429 2:45 1964-10-01
What Kind Of Fool Am I?
What Kind Of Fool Am I?
1,345,339 1:46 1963-06-01
It's My Party - Live On The Ed Sullivan Show, October 13, 1963
It's My Party - Live On The Ed Sullivan Show, October 13, 1963
1,301,863 1:08 2020-11-22
Cry
Cry
1,065,210 2:07 1963-06-01
The Party's Over
The Party's Over
1,037,590 1:59 1963-06-01
I Understand
I Understand
1,035,163 1:54 1963-06-01
Fools Rush In (Where Angels Fear To Tread)
Fools Rush In (Where Angels Fear To Tread)
969,389 2:13 1963-11-01
Look Of Love
Look Of Love
920,376 2:00 1964-10-01
No More Tears
No More Tears
827,739 2:23 1963-06-01
I Struck A Match
I Struck A Match
774,809 2:31 1963-11-01
Cry And You Cry Alone
Cry And You Cry Alone
716,059 2:02 1963-06-01
You Don't Own Me - Rainier Scott Remix
You Don't Own Me - Rainier Scott Remix
703,242 3:15 2019-10-04
The Old Crowd
The Old Crowd
670,706 2:30 1963-11-01
Sometimes I Wish I Were A Boy
Sometimes I Wish I Were A Boy
664,287 2:04 1964-10-01
Run Bobby Run
Run Bobby Run
644,512 2:29 1963-11-01
I Don't Wanna Be A Loser
I Don't Wanna Be A Loser
642,375 2:42 1964-04-01
If That's The Way You Want It
If That's The Way You Want It
576,704 2:27 1963-11-01
Out Here On My Own - Instrumental Version
Out Here On My Own - Instrumental Version
522,272 3:13 1980-05-16
Young Lovers - Single Version
Young Lovers - Single Version
516,380 2:26 1963-11-01
Too Young
Too Young
516,380 2:24 1965-01-01
It's My Party
It's My Party
499,362 2:31 2014-03-07
Wonder Boy
Wonder Boy
486,071 2:21 1964-10-01
I Would
I Would
446,477 2:25 1963-06-01
Hey Now
Hey Now
405,388 2:19 1964-10-01
My Foolish Heart
My Foolish Heart
395,128 2:35 1963-11-01
Don't Call Me, I'll Call You
Don't Call Me, I'll Call You
387,946 2:32 1964-04-01
Magic Colors
Magic Colors
363,113 2:40 1996-06-18
Treat Me Like A Lady
Treat Me Like A Lady
357,553 2:59 1967-02-01
Young And Foolish
Young And Foolish
357,224 2:45 1963-11-01
Sometimes I Wish I Were A Boy
Sometimes I Wish I Were A Boy
302,440 2:06 1996-06-18
Off And Running
Off And Running
284,212 1:54 1967-02-01
My Town, My Guy And Me
My Town, My Guy And Me
277,593 2:28 1965-10-01
Brink Of Disaster
Brink Of Disaster
271,676 2:24 1996-06-18
Boys
Boys
267,072 2:22 1964-04-01
I Died Inside
I Died Inside
259,975 2:50 1964-10-01
Chapel of Love
Chapel of Love
247,869 2:56 2008-05-27
Better Angels
Better Angels
247,792 4:22 2005-06-28
Judy's Turn To Cry - Rerecorded
Judy's Turn To Cry - Rerecorded
247,170 2:18 2005-01-01
It's Gotta Be You
It's Gotta Be You
240,484 1:59 1964-04-01
Hello Young Lover
Hello Young Lover
237,306 2:22 1996-06-18
I Won't Love You Anymore (Sorry)
I Won't Love You Anymore (Sorry)
236,600 2:06 1965-01-01
You Didn't Look Around
You Didn't Look Around
232,388 2:53 1965-10-01
Leave Me Alone
Leave Me Alone
219,189 1:43 1964-04-01
All Of My Life
All Of My Life
211,708 2:27 1996-06-18
Time To Go
Time To Go
201,415 3:03 1963-11-01
It's My Party
It's My Party
198,181 2:17 2013-03-31
It's Too Late
It's Too Late
177,790 3:07 2008-05-27
Say Goodbye
Say Goodbye
174,912 2:13 1964-10-01
You Don't Own Me
You Don't Own Me
172,489 4:16 2005-06-28
Will You Love Me Tomorrow
Will You Love Me Tomorrow
164,763 2:17 1965-01-01
She's A Fool - Rerecorded
She's A Fool - Rerecorded
150,901 1:56 1976-01-01
What Am I Gonna Do With You
What Am I Gonna Do With You
150,066 3:14 1965-10-01
I'm Going Out The Same Way I Came In
I'm Going Out The Same Way I Came In
136,852 2:33 1967-02-01
I Don't Care
I Don't Care
134,474 2:27 1965-10-01
Lilacs And Violets
Lilacs And Violets
130,230 2:07 1967-02-01
It's My Party
It's My Party
124,868 2:21 2014-01-09
Live And Learn
Live And Learn
122,710 2:23 1964-10-01
We Know We're In Love
We Know We're In Love
110,756 2:11 1965-01-01
Danny
Danny
108,648 2:05 1964-04-01
Love Me By Name - Bonus Track
Love Me By Name - Bonus Track
106,608 4:28 2005-06-28
To Know Him Is To Love Him
To Know Him Is To Love Him
103,605 2:28 1965-01-01
The Bubble Broke
The Bubble Broke
102,102 2:59 1967-02-01
Here You Come Again
Here You Come Again
101,899 2:46 2008-05-27
To Love Somebody
To Love Somebody
95,579 3:35 2008-05-27
(Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher
(Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher
90,817 2:57 2008-05-27
Baby That's Me
Baby That's Me
90,484 2:37 1965-10-01
Ever Since
Ever Since
88,294 3:21 2005-06-28
No Matter What You Do
No Matter What You Do
86,616 2:45 1965-10-01
That's The Way The Ball Bounces
That's The Way The Ball Bounces
84,761 2:24 1964-04-01
It's My Party - WHIPPED CREAM Remix
It's My Party - WHIPPED CREAM Remix
84,143 3:01 2021-10-01
You're the One That I Want
You're the One That I Want
69,466 2:42 2008-05-27
You've Come Back
You've Come Back
66,631 2:15 1964-10-01
You Name It
You Name It
65,786 2:21 1964-04-01
Movin' Away
Movin' Away
62,923 3:13 1964-10-01
Just Another Fool
Just Another Fool
62,400 1:59 1965-10-01
It's Just About That Time
It's Just About That Time
59,688 2:59 1964-10-01
Maybe Now
Maybe Now
58,940 2:21 1967-02-01
You Don't Own Me - Live
You Don't Own Me - Live
57,663 1:48 2013-09-16
Haven't Got Time for the Pain
Haven't Got Time for the Pain
56,721 3:03 2008-05-27
It's Gone
It's Gone
55,727 5:05 2005-06-28
Cool Web
Cool Web
53,143 3:25 2005-06-28
Out Here On My Own
Out Here On My Own
52,663 4:28 2005-06-28
He Gives Me Love (La La La)
He Gives Me Love (La La La)
51,981 2:51 1996-06-18
Daniel
Daniel
50,474 3:58 2008-05-27
Something Wonderful
Something Wonderful
49,119 2:44 1964-04-01
I Can Tell
I Can Tell
48,858 2:09 1965-01-01
Bad
Bad
48,377 2:46 1967-02-01
She's A Fool - Live On The Ed Sullivan Show, October 13, 1963
She's A Fool - Live On The Ed Sullivan Show, October 13, 1963
47,865 1:31 2020-11-22
I'll Make It Up To You
I'll Make It Up To You
47,489 2:13 1964-04-01
With Any Other Girl
With Any Other Girl
44,842 2:18 1965-01-01
Sailing
Sailing
44,571 4:19 2008-05-27
Don't You Remember
Don't You Remember
43,922 4:18 2020-11-18
Other Lady - 2005 Digital Remaster
Other Lady - 2005 Digital Remaster
43,022 6:07 2005-01-01
Words We Don't Say
Words We Don't Say
41,369 3:36 2005-06-28
Love Goes On Forever
Love Goes On Forever
41,219 3:01 1967-02-01
Someday
Someday
40,847 3:58 2005-06-28
What's A Girl Supposed To Do
What's A Girl Supposed To Do
40,812 2:25 1965-10-01
We're All Alone
We're All Alone
38,111 3:51 2008-05-27
A Girl In Love
A Girl In Love
36,498 2:43 1965-10-01
Summer And Sandy
Summer And Sandy
36,429 2:56 1996-06-18
After He Takes Me Home
After He Takes Me Home
34,272 2:04 1996-06-18
Not The First
Not The First
33,879 3:09 2005-06-28
Cry Like A Baby
Cry Like A Baby
32,781 2:13 1967-02-01
Wedding Bell Blues
Wedding Bell Blues
32,113 2:32 1996-06-18
We Went So High
We Went So High
31,710 2:22 2005-06-28
Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap
Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap
29,523 4:02 2002-01-01
That's the Way Boys Are
That's the Way Boys Are
29,472 2:14 2021-08-18
Consolation Prize
Consolation Prize
28,483 2:02 1996-06-18
Don't Call Me
Don't Call Me
27,022 2:37 2021-08-18
You Don't Own Me - AK RENNY Remix
You Don't Own Me - AK RENNY Remix
26,639 3:22 2024-03-22
The Things We Did Last Summer
The Things We Did Last Summer
26,229 3:03 1965-10-01
You Don't Own Me (Enthusiastic Mix)
You Don't Own Me (Enthusiastic Mix)
24,682 3:34 2024-02-23
I Just Can't Get Enough Of You
I Just Can't Get Enough Of You
24,236 1:57 1965-01-01
You Don't Own Me (Heroic Mix)
You Don't Own Me (Heroic Mix)
23,496 3:36 2024-02-23
I'll Be Standing By
I'll Be Standing By
22,574 2:25 1996-06-18
Boys
Boys
22,500 2:24 2021-08-18
Young Lovers
Young Lovers
22,239 1:53 1965-01-01
Let Me Dream
Let Me Dream
21,700 2:19 1965-10-01
98.6/ Lazy Day
98.6/ Lazy Day
21,612 2:36 1996-06-18
It's Gotta Be You
It's Gotta Be You
20,949 2:02 2021-08-18
Happiness Is Just Around The Corner
Happiness Is Just Around The Corner
20,219 2:16 1996-06-18
For Me
For Me
20,084 1:54 1972-01-01
Start The Party Again
Start The Party Again
20,049 2:14 1965-01-01
I Just Don't Know If I Can
I Just Don't Know If I Can
19,594 2:28 1996-06-18
That's What I'll Do
That's What I'll Do
18,232 1:49 1965-01-01
The Road I Walk
The Road I Walk
17,566 3:56 1972-01-01
Movin' Away
Movin' Away
17,471 3:16 1996-06-18
Take Good Care (Of My Heart)
Take Good Care (Of My Heart)
17,203 2:15 1996-06-18
Something Wonderful
Something Wonderful
17,108 2:44 2021-08-18
Small Talk
Small Talk
16,394 2:14 1996-06-18
What Did I Do Wrong
What Did I Do Wrong
15,216 4:05 1972-01-01
You Name It
You Name It
15,063 2:24 2021-08-18
Danny
Danny
14,983 2:09 2021-08-18
She Said That
She Said That
14,690 3:31 1972-01-01
Before And After
Before And After
14,553 2:52 1965-10-01
On A Day Like Today
On A Day Like Today
14,508 2:29 1996-06-18
I Can't Make It Without You
I Can't Make It Without You
14,402 3:07 1996-06-18
Where Can I Go
Where Can I Go
14,357 1:58 1996-06-18
Only Last Night
Only Last Night
14,154 2:34 1965-01-01
I Don't Wanna Be a Loser
I Don't Wanna Be a Loser
14,065 2:41 2021-08-18
Out Of Love
Out Of Love
13,956 3:15 1972-01-01
I'm Coolin', No Foolin'
I'm Coolin', No Foolin'
13,423 2:54 2021-08-18
Dont Wanna Be One
Dont Wanna Be One
13,270 2:49 1972-01-01
Ride A Tall White Horse
Ride A Tall White Horse
12,973 2:36 1996-06-18
Be My Life
Be My Life
12,757 4:23 1972-01-01
Leave Me Alone
Leave Me Alone
11,838 1:49 2021-08-18
That's the Way the Ball Bounces
That's the Way the Ball Bounces
11,607 2:24 2021-08-18
Mine
Mine
11,557 5:50 1972-01-01
No Sad Songs
No Sad Songs
11,444 2:57 1972-01-01
Someplace Else Now
Someplace Else Now
11,239 2:60 1972-01-01
It's My Party - Performed live on The Ed Sullivan Show 10/13/63
It's My Party - Performed live on The Ed Sullivan Show 10/13/63
10,880 1:12 2010-01-01
I'll Make It up to You
I'll Make It up to You
10,861 2:18 2021-08-18
Where Do You Go
Where Do You Go
10,708 3:17 1972-01-01
She's a Fool
She's a Fool
9,950 2:19 2014-03-10
For You
For You
9,142 1:34 1972-01-01
Sometimes
Sometimes
7,939 4:40 1976-01-01
She's A Fool - Performed Live On The Ed Sullivan Show 10/13/63
She's A Fool - Performed Live On The Ed Sullivan Show 10/13/63
5,600 1:29 2010-01-01
Paranoia
Paranoia
5,168 3:13 1976-01-01
Look Of Love - Performed Live On The Ed Sullivan Show 1/31/65
Look Of Love - Performed Live On The Ed Sullivan Show 1/31/65
4,753 1:60 2010-01-01
Love Me By Name
Love Me By Name
3,800 5:11 1976-01-01
Immortality
Immortality
3,120 2:59 1976-01-01
Other Lady
Other Lady
2,968 4:01 1976-01-01
Along The Way
Along The Way
2,205 4:15 1976-01-01
Goodbye Tony
Goodbye Tony
2,061 2:29 2018-05-11
Don't Stop Me
Don't Stop Me
2,050 4:34 1976-01-01
Give It To Me Sweet Thing
Give It To Me Sweet Thing
2,042 3:17 1976-01-01
Can't Seem To Live Our Good Times Down
Can't Seem To Live Our Good Times Down
2,027 4:18 1976-01-01
Immortality
Immortality
1,738 3:36 1976-01-01
Reprise: Love Me By Name
Reprise: Love Me By Name
1,515 1:50 1976-01-01
Give It To Me Sweet Thing
Give It To Me Sweet Thing
1,424 3:14 1976-01-01
It's My Party - Live
It's My Party - Live
1,399 2:49 2024-05-03
Hungry for You
Hungry for You
1,363 4:23 2008-03-11
Find My Strength
Find My Strength
1,107 5:10 2016-10-17
When Yesterday Was Tomorrow - Unedited Version
When Yesterday Was Tomorrow - Unedited Version
< 1000 5:13 2013-01-23

New releases

You Don't Own Me (Songs for Women's History Month)
You Don't Own Me (Songs for Women's History Month)
2025-03-10
[UME - Global Clearing House]
You Don't Own Me (AK RENNY Remix)
You Don't Own Me (AK RENNY Remix)
2024-03-22
[Mercury Records]
You Don't Own Me (The Heroic Enthusiasts Remixes)
You Don't Own Me (The Heroic Enthusiasts Remixes)
2024-02-23
[Meridian]
Misty
Misty
2024-02-22
[UME - Global Clearing House]
It's My Party (WHIPPED CREAM Remix)
It's My Party (WHIPPED CREAM Remix)
2021-10-01
[Island Records]
That's the Way Boys Are
That's the Way Boys Are
2021-08-18
[Golden Ear Music]
She's A Fool (Live On The Ed Sullivan Show, October 13, 1963)
She's A Fool (Live On The Ed Sullivan Show, October 13, 1963)
2020-11-22
[SOFA - AV Catalog DD]
It's My Party (Live On The Ed Sullivan Show, October 13, 1963)
It's My Party (Live On The Ed Sullivan Show, October 13, 1963)
2020-11-22
[SOFA - AV Catalog DD]
Don't You Remember
Don't You Remember
2020-11-18
[Craft Recordings]
American Portraits: Lesley Gore
American Portraits: Lesley Gore
2020-09-11
[Dockland Music]
You Don't Own Me (Rainier Scott Remix)
You Don't Own Me (Rainier Scott Remix)
2019-10-04
[Mercury Records]
You Don't Own Me
You Don't Own Me
2014-03-10
[Redwood Records]
She's a Fool
She's a Fool
2014-03-10
[Redwood Records]
Judy's Turn to Cry
Judy's Turn to Cry
2014-03-07
[Redwood Records]
It's My Party
It's My Party
2014-03-07
[Redwood Records]
It's My Party
It's My Party
2014-01-09
[JB Production]
You Don't Own Me (Live)
You Don't Own Me (Live)
2013-09-16
[JB Production]
60s Ladies of Song Revisited
60s Ladies of Song Revisited
2012-10-09
[Suite 102]
It's My Party (Performed live on The Ed Sullivan Show/1963)
It's My Party (Performed live on The Ed Sullivan Show/1963)
2010-01-01
[SOFA - AV Catalog DD]
Look Of Love (Performed Live On The Ed Sullivan Show/1965)
Look Of Love (Performed Live On The Ed Sullivan Show/1965)
2010-01-01
[SOFA - AV Catalog DD]
She's A Fool (Performed Live On The Ed Sullivan Show/1963)
She's A Fool (Performed Live On The Ed Sullivan Show/1963)
2010-01-01
[SOFA - AV Catalog DD]
Lesley Gore: Studio 102 Essentials
Lesley Gore: Studio 102 Essentials
2008-05-27
[Suite 102]
Ever Since (Deluxe Edition)
Ever Since (Deluxe Edition)
2005-06-28
[ECR Music Group]
20th Century Masters: The Millennium Collection: Best Of Lesley Gore
20th Century Masters: The Millennium Collection: Best Of Lesley Gore
2000-01-01
[Island Mercury]
The Best Of
The Best Of
1997-01-01
[Rebound]
It's My Party: The Mercury Anthology
It's My Party: The Mercury Anthology
1996-06-18
[Mercury Records]
The Golden Hits Of Lesley Gore (Expanded Edition)
The Golden Hits Of Lesley Gore (Expanded Edition)
1990-01-01
[Island Mercury]
Love Me By Name (Expanded Edition)
Love Me By Name (Expanded Edition)
1976-01-01
[A&M]
Someplace Else Now
Someplace Else Now
1972-01-01
[UNI/MOTOWN]
California Nights
California Nights
1967-02-01
[Mercury Records]
My Town, My Guy & Me
My Town, My Guy & Me
1965-10-01
[Mercury Records]
All About Love
All About Love
1965-01-01
[Mercury Records]
Girl Talk
Girl Talk
1964-10-01
[Mercury Records]
Boys, Boys, Boys
Boys, Boys, Boys
1964-04-01
[Mercury Records]
Lesley Gore Sings Of Mixed-Up Hearts
Lesley Gore Sings Of Mixed-Up Hearts
1963-11-01
[Mercury Records]
I'll Cry If I Want To
I'll Cry If I Want To
1963-06-01
[Mercury Records]