Music Metrics Vault

Lesley Gore

Data updated on 2025-07-06 07:00:16 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

517.5 million
Updated on 2025-07-06

Monthly listeners

3,271,218

Followers

442,518

Top Cities

  1. United States
    32,181 listeners
  2. Turkey
    32,886 listeners
  3. United States
    29,290 listeners
  4. Australia
    27,125 listeners
  5. Australia
    25,062 listeners

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The Flamingos

Most popular tracks

Track Plays Duration Release date
You Don't Own Me - Single Version
You Don't Own Me - Single Version
172,541,992 2:32 1963-11-01
It's My Party
It's My Party
115,177,346 2:22 1963-06-01
Misty
Misty
55,546,883 2:18 1963-06-01
Sunshine, Lollipops And Rainbows
Sunshine, Lollipops And Rainbows
47,320,544 1:37 1963-11-01
SUNSHINE, LOLLIPOPS AND RAINBOWS
SUNSHINE, LOLLIPOPS AND RAINBOWS
47,320,544 1:38 2021-01-29
Cry Me A River
Cry Me A River
13,000,505 2:14 1963-06-01
You Don't Own Me - Rerecorded
You Don't Own Me - Rerecorded
6,054,408 2:32 2005-01-01
Judy's Turn To Cry
Judy's Turn To Cry
4,660,391 2:15 1963-06-01
Judy's Turn to Cry
Judy's Turn to Cry
4,660,391 2:11 2014-03-07
Just Let Me Cry
Just Let Me Cry
4,339,075 2:18 1963-06-01
Maybe I Know
Maybe I Know
4,294,025 2:38 1964-10-01
It's My Party - Rerecorded
It's My Party - Rerecorded
4,153,275 2:14 2002-03-01
I'm Coolin', No Foolin'
I'm Coolin', No Foolin'
3,337,200 2:55 1964-04-01
She's A Fool
She's A Fool
2,518,234 2:12 1963-11-01
California Nights
California Nights
1,675,706 2:52 1967-02-01
That's The Way Boys Are
That's The Way Boys Are
1,564,997 2:18 1964-04-01
Little Girl Go Home
Little Girl Go Home
1,347,013 2:45 1964-10-01
What Kind Of Fool Am I?
What Kind Of Fool Am I?
1,310,485 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
1,285,894 1:08 2020-11-22
Cry
Cry
1,013,614 2:07 1963-06-01
The Party's Over
The Party's Over
992,232 1:59 1963-06-01
I Understand
I Understand
978,451 1:54 1963-06-01
Fools Rush In (Where Angels Fear To Tread)
Fools Rush In (Where Angels Fear To Tread)
931,327 2:13 1963-11-01
Look Of Love
Look Of Love
898,316 2:00 1964-10-01
No More Tears
No More Tears
803,648 2:23 1963-06-01
I Struck A Match
I Struck A Match
753,944 2:31 1963-11-01
You Don't Own Me - Rainier Scott Remix
You Don't Own Me - Rainier Scott Remix
693,649 3:15 2019-10-04
Cry And You Cry Alone
Cry And You Cry Alone
683,864 2:02 1963-06-01
The Old Crowd
The Old Crowd
657,702 2:30 1963-11-01
Run Bobby Run
Run Bobby Run
633,058 2:29 1963-11-01
Sometimes I Wish I Were A Boy
Sometimes I Wish I Were A Boy
624,212 2:04 1964-10-01
I Don't Wanna Be A Loser
I Don't Wanna Be A Loser
623,576 2:42 1964-04-01
If That's The Way You Want It
If That's The Way You Want It
559,983 2:27 1963-11-01
Out Here On My Own - Instrumental Version
Out Here On My Own - Instrumental Version
512,072 3:13 1980-05-16
Young Lovers - Single Version
Young Lovers - Single Version
500,785 2:26 1963-11-01
Too Young
Too Young
500,785 2:24 1965-01-01
It's My Party
It's My Party
487,493 2:31 2014-03-07
Wonder Boy
Wonder Boy
475,090 2:21 1964-10-01
I Would
I Would
433,687 2:25 1963-06-01
Hey Now
Hey Now
396,261 2:19 1964-10-01
My Foolish Heart
My Foolish Heart
377,862 2:35 1963-11-01
Don't Call Me, I'll Call You
Don't Call Me, I'll Call You
374,061 2:32 1964-04-01
Magic Colors
Magic Colors
357,571 2:40 1996-06-18
Treat Me Like A Lady
Treat Me Like A Lady
346,353 2:59 1967-02-01
Young And Foolish
Young And Foolish
346,185 2:45 1963-11-01
Sometimes I Wish I Were A Boy
Sometimes I Wish I Were A Boy
300,320 2:06 1996-06-18
Off And Running
Off And Running
279,229 1:54 1967-02-01
My Town, My Guy And Me
My Town, My Guy And Me
271,771 2:28 1965-10-01
Brink Of Disaster
Brink Of Disaster
268,669 2:24 1996-06-18
Boys
Boys
256,084 2:22 1964-04-01
I Died Inside
I Died Inside
255,151 2:50 1964-10-01
Judy's Turn To Cry - Rerecorded
Judy's Turn To Cry - Rerecorded
245,665 2:18 2005-01-01
Better Angels
Better Angels
245,555 4:22 2005-06-28
Chapel of Love
Chapel of Love
240,220 2:56 2008-05-27
It's Gotta Be You
It's Gotta Be You
232,805 1:59 1964-04-01
Hello Young Lover
Hello Young Lover
231,597 2:22 1996-06-18
I Won't Love You Anymore (Sorry)
I Won't Love You Anymore (Sorry)
229,582 2:06 1965-01-01
You Didn't Look Around
You Didn't Look Around
227,492 2:53 1965-10-01
Leave Me Alone
Leave Me Alone
214,868 1:43 1964-04-01
All Of My Life
All Of My Life
205,336 2:27 1996-06-18
It's My Party
It's My Party
195,444 2:17 2013-03-31
Time To Go
Time To Go
193,996 3:03 1963-11-01
It's Too Late
It's Too Late
173,449 3:07 2008-05-27
You Don't Own Me
You Don't Own Me
170,665 4:16 2005-06-28
Say Goodbye
Say Goodbye
170,173 2:13 1964-10-01
Will You Love Me Tomorrow
Will You Love Me Tomorrow
159,906 2:17 1965-01-01
She's A Fool - Rerecorded
She's A Fool - Rerecorded
149,643 1:56 1976-01-01
What Am I Gonna Do With You
What Am I Gonna Do With You
148,254 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
132,825 2:33 1967-02-01
I Don't Care
I Don't Care
129,448 2:27 1965-10-01
Lilacs And Violets
Lilacs And Violets
124,582 2:07 1967-02-01
It's My Party
It's My Party
123,979 2:21 2014-01-09
Live And Learn
Live And Learn
116,467 2:23 1964-10-01
We Know We're In Love
We Know We're In Love
106,791 2:11 1965-01-01
Love Me By Name - Bonus Track
Love Me By Name - Bonus Track
106,159 4:28 2005-06-28
Danny
Danny
105,859 2:05 1964-04-01
Here You Come Again
Here You Come Again
96,463 2:46 2008-05-27
To Know Him Is To Love Him
To Know Him Is To Love Him
96,172 2:28 1965-01-01
To Love Somebody
To Love Somebody
94,656 3:35 2008-05-27
(Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher
(Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher
89,963 2:57 2008-05-27
The Bubble Broke
The Bubble Broke
89,262 2:59 1967-02-01
Ever Since
Ever Since
87,459 3:21 2005-06-28
Baby That's Me
Baby That's Me
85,248 2:37 1965-10-01
No Matter What You Do
No Matter What You Do
85,161 2:45 1965-10-01
It's My Party - WHIPPED CREAM Remix
It's My Party - WHIPPED CREAM Remix
83,358 3:01 2021-10-01
That's The Way The Ball Bounces
That's The Way The Ball Bounces
82,908 2:24 1964-04-01
You're the One That I Want
You're the One That I Want
67,864 2:42 2008-05-27
You've Come Back
You've Come Back
64,588 2:15 1964-10-01
You Name It
You Name It
63,733 2:21 1964-04-01
Movin' Away
Movin' Away
61,031 3:13 1964-10-01
Just Another Fool
Just Another Fool
58,898 1:59 1965-10-01
Maybe Now
Maybe Now
57,856 2:21 1967-02-01
It's Just About That Time
It's Just About That Time
57,046 2:59 1964-10-01
Haven't Got Time for the Pain
Haven't Got Time for the Pain
56,255 3:03 2008-05-27
You Don't Own Me - Live
You Don't Own Me - Live
55,483 1:48 2013-09-16
It's Gone
It's Gone
55,314 5:05 2005-06-28
Cool Web
Cool Web
52,574 3:25 2005-06-28
Out Here On My Own
Out Here On My Own
52,233 4:28 2005-06-28
He Gives Me Love (La La La)
He Gives Me Love (La La La)
50,808 2:51 1996-06-18
Daniel
Daniel
49,973 3:58 2008-05-27
I Can Tell
I Can Tell
47,944 2:09 1965-01-01
Something Wonderful
Something Wonderful
47,566 2:44 1964-04-01
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
47,013 1:31 2020-11-22
Bad
Bad
46,846 2:46 1967-02-01
I'll Make It Up To You
I'll Make It Up To You
46,040 2:13 1964-04-01
With Any Other Girl
With Any Other Girl
43,901 2:18 1965-01-01
Sailing
Sailing
43,822 4:19 2008-05-27
Don't You Remember
Don't You Remember
43,693 4:18 2020-11-18
Other Lady - 2005 Digital Remaster
Other Lady - 2005 Digital Remaster
42,800 6:07 2005-01-01
Words We Don't Say
Words We Don't Say
40,899 3:36 2005-06-28
Someday
Someday
40,444 3:58 2005-06-28
Love Goes On Forever
Love Goes On Forever
40,265 3:01 1967-02-01
What's A Girl Supposed To Do
What's A Girl Supposed To Do
39,875 2:25 1965-10-01
We're All Alone
We're All Alone
37,434 3:51 2008-05-27
A Girl In Love
A Girl In Love
35,782 2:43 1965-10-01
Summer And Sandy
Summer And Sandy
34,019 2:56 1996-06-18
After He Takes Me Home
After He Takes Me Home
33,839 2:04 1996-06-18
Not The First
Not The First
33,608 3:09 2005-06-28
Cry Like A Baby
Cry Like A Baby
31,967 2:13 1967-02-01
Wedding Bell Blues
Wedding Bell Blues
31,612 2:32 1996-06-18
We Went So High
We Went So High
31,461 2:22 2005-06-28
Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap
Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap
28,969 4:02 2002-01-01
That's the Way Boys Are
That's the Way Boys Are
28,390 2:14 2021-08-18
Consolation Prize
Consolation Prize
28,118 2:02 1996-06-18
Don't Call Me
Don't Call Me
26,446 2:37 2021-08-18
The Things We Did Last Summer
The Things We Did Last Summer
25,547 3:03 1965-10-01
You Don't Own Me - AK RENNY Remix
You Don't Own Me - AK RENNY Remix
25,010 3:22 2024-03-22
You Don't Own Me (Enthusiastic Mix)
You Don't Own Me (Enthusiastic Mix)
24,489 3:34 2024-02-23
I Just Can't Get Enough Of You
I Just Can't Get Enough Of You
23,522 1:57 1965-01-01
You Don't Own Me (Heroic Mix)
You Don't Own Me (Heroic Mix)
23,328 3:36 2024-02-23
I'll Be Standing By
I'll Be Standing By
22,016 2:25 1996-06-18
Young Lovers
Young Lovers
21,577 1:53 1965-01-01
Boys
Boys
21,545 2:24 2021-08-18
98.6/ Lazy Day
98.6/ Lazy Day
21,245 2:36 1996-06-18
Let Me Dream
Let Me Dream
20,999 2:19 1965-10-01
It's Gotta Be You
It's Gotta Be You
20,221 2:02 2021-08-18
Happiness Is Just Around The Corner
Happiness Is Just Around The Corner
19,937 2:16 1996-06-18
For Me
For Me
19,742 1:54 1972-01-01
Start The Party Again
Start The Party Again
19,395 2:14 1965-01-01
I Just Don't Know If I Can
I Just Don't Know If I Can
19,315 2:28 1996-06-18
Movin' Away
Movin' Away
17,283 3:16 1996-06-18
The Road I Walk
The Road I Walk
17,212 3:56 1972-01-01
Take Good Care (Of My Heart)
Take Good Care (Of My Heart)
16,925 2:15 1996-06-18
That's What I'll Do
That's What I'll Do
16,750 1:49 1965-01-01
Something Wonderful
Something Wonderful
16,456 2:44 2021-08-18
Small Talk
Small Talk
16,074 2:14 1996-06-18
What Did I Do Wrong
What Did I Do Wrong
14,847 4:05 1972-01-01
You Name It
You Name It
14,497 2:24 2021-08-18
Danny
Danny
14,434 2:09 2021-08-18
She Said That
She Said That
14,335 3:31 1972-01-01
On A Day Like Today
On A Day Like Today
14,288 2:29 1996-06-18
I Can't Make It Without You
I Can't Make It Without You
14,156 3:07 1996-06-18
Before And After
Before And After
14,121 2:52 1965-10-01
Where Can I Go
Where Can I Go
14,117 1:58 1996-06-18
Only Last Night
Only Last Night
13,685 2:34 1965-01-01
Out Of Love
Out Of Love
13,616 3:15 1972-01-01
I Don't Wanna Be a Loser
I Don't Wanna Be a Loser
13,449 2:41 2021-08-18
I'm Coolin', No Foolin'
I'm Coolin', No Foolin'
12,963 2:54 2021-08-18
Dont Wanna Be One
Dont Wanna Be One
12,907 2:49 1972-01-01
Ride A Tall White Horse
Ride A Tall White Horse
12,819 2:36 1996-06-18
Be My Life
Be My Life
12,446 4:23 1972-01-01
Leave Me Alone
Leave Me Alone
11,430 1:49 2021-08-18
Mine
Mine
11,263 5:50 1972-01-01
That's the Way the Ball Bounces
That's the Way the Ball Bounces
11,179 2:24 2021-08-18
No Sad Songs
No Sad Songs
11,151 2:57 1972-01-01
Someplace Else Now
Someplace Else Now
10,977 2:60 1972-01-01
I'll Make It up to You
I'll Make It up to You
10,434 2:18 2021-08-18
Where Do You Go
Where Do You Go
10,431 3:17 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
10,342 1:12 2010-01-01
She's a Fool
She's a Fool
9,672 2:19 2014-03-10
For You
For You
8,918 1:34 1972-01-01
Sometimes
Sometimes
6,490 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
5,360 1:29 2010-01-01
Paranoia
Paranoia
4,824 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
4,499 1:60 2010-01-01
Love Me By Name
Love Me By Name
3,506 5:11 1976-01-01
Immortality
Immortality
2,789 2:59 1976-01-01
Other Lady
Other Lady
2,744 4:01 1976-01-01
Along The Way
Along The Way
2,012 4:15 1976-01-01
Goodbye Tony
Goodbye Tony
1,973 2:29 2018-05-11
Don't Stop Me
Don't Stop Me
1,885 4:34 1976-01-01
Give It To Me Sweet Thing
Give It To Me Sweet Thing
1,863 3:17 1976-01-01
Can't Seem To Live Our Good Times Down
Can't Seem To Live Our Good Times Down
1,854 4:18 1976-01-01
Immortality
Immortality
1,590 3:36 1976-01-01
Reprise: Love Me By Name
Reprise: Love Me By Name
1,362 1:50 1976-01-01
Hungry for You
Hungry for You
1,358 4:23 2008-03-11
It's My Party - Live
It's My Party - Live
1,352 2:49 2024-05-03
Give It To Me Sweet Thing
Give It To Me Sweet Thing
1,294 3:14 1976-01-01
Find My Strength
Find My Strength
1,093 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]