Top 10 Lesley Gore Songs

Photo: ABC Television, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Our Top 10 Lesley Gore songs list looks back at an artist who got her start at 16, with a number-one record in 1963 titled “It’s My Party.” That number one single in 1963 led to three more successful top 10 hits on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100. Lesley Gore’s success on the pop charts continued into 1964, with two more top 20 hits and four more singles that reached the Billboard Top 100. For the next several years, through 1967, Lesley Gore continued to have success on the Billboard pop charts. During the 1960s, Lesley Gore appeared in many television films and documentaries. Lesley Gore even appeared on a few episodes of the 1960s cult TV series Batman. In 1980, she was composing songs for the much-loved film Fame.

Throughout her career. Lesley Gore released 13 studio albums a whopping 37 singles and six compilation records. However, music fans will always remember her as the voice behind the song “It’s My Party.” This top 10 Lesley Gore songs list features 10 of her most popular single releases from the 1960’s.

# 10 – Young Love

We open up our top 10 Lesley Gore songs list with the single “Young Love.” The song was released in 1966 on the album Lesley Gore Sings All About Love. The song was released as the third single from the album. The song peaked at number 50 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song “Young Love” was composed by Rick Cartley and Carol Joyner. The song was originally recorded by Sonny James with backing from Elvis Presley’s group, The Jordanaires.

# 9 – Look Of Love

Continuing with our top 10 Lesley Gore songs list, we turn to the great song “Look of Love.” This should not be confused with the famous Burt Bacharach song The Look of Love. This is a completely different song. “Look of Love” was composed by Ellie Greenwich and Jeff Barry. “Look of Love” was released on Lesley Gore’s album Girl Talk. The song was released as the third single from the record. This happy, fun, swinging song hit number 27 on the Billboard top 100. It broke the top 20 in Canada. This is a great one! The video shows why she was so loved.

# 8 – Maybe I Know

Lesley Gore’s fourth album, Girls Talk, featured many great songs. The album stands as our favorite Lesley Gore album. The record was released in 1964. The first single issued from the album was the great song entitled “Maybe I Know.” The song broke the Billboard Hot 100 top 20, peaking at number 14. It was also a top 10 hit on the U.S. Cashbox charts, reaching number 10. The song was composed by Jeff Barry and Ellie Greenwich. Legendary producer Quincy Jones produced the record.

# 7 – California Nights

At number seven on our top 10 Lesley Gore songs list, we jump a few years ahead in time to the year 1967. The great song “California Nights” was released on the Lesley Gore album of the same name. The song was written by Marvin Hamlisch, which is why it’s so cinematic. “California Nights” was a big hit for Lesley Gore. The song peaked at number 16 on the Billboard Top 100. It also reached number 11 on the US Cash Box charts. California Nights also stands as Lesley Gore’s last big hit and the final time she broke the Billboard Top 20

# 6 – Sunshine, Lollipops and Rainbows

How could you not love a song titled “Sunshine, Lollipops And Rainbows”? This fun, happy song was released in 1965 on the Lesley Gore album entitled Lesley Gore Sings of Mixed-up Hearts. The song hit number 13 on the Billboard top 100. This is another great Marvin Hamlisch-composed song. The song was also produced by Quincy Jones once again. The song first appeared in the film Ski Party. The song was also covered by another great 60’s singer, we all know as Dusty Springfield.

# 5 – That’s Where The Boys Are

Breaking into the second half of our top 10 Lesley Gore songs list, we present the classic song “That’s The Way Boys Are.” Lesley Gore’s vocals on this one are spectacular. One can hear how she inspired so many female bands in the 70s, 80s, and beyond. The song was written by Mark Barkan and Ben Raleigh. The song was released on the album Boys, Boys, Boys in 1964. “That’s The Way Boys Are” became a top 20 hit ,peaking at number 12 on the Billboard Hot 100

# 4 – She’s A Fool

Lesley Gore released the single “She’s a Fool” on her second album, entitled Lesley Gore Sings of Mixed-up Hearts. “She’s a Fool” was the first single released from the album. It was Lesley Gore’s third consecutive top 10 hit on the US Billboard Hot 100. The song peaked at number 5 in 1963. This is another great song written by Mark Barkan and Ben Raleigh. The single was produced by Quincy Jones.

# 3 – Judy’s Turn To Cry

This is one we have loved for a very long time. It’s such a classic single. Lesley Gore’s “Judy’s Turn To Cry” was the follow-up single to “It’s My Party.” “Judy’s Turn To Cry,” was a pretty successful follow-up single. The song broke the Billboard Hot 100’s top 10, reaching as high as number five. It was released on the album “I’ll Cry if I Want To.” The song was written by Beverly Rose and Edena Lewis. Over time, the song was always overshadowed by “It’s My Party,” but “Judy’s Turn To Cry” was one of her best.

# 2 – You Don’t Own Me

Lesley Gore’s recording of the song “You Don’t Own Me” stands as the second most successful song of her career. This one should send chills down your spine all the way to your rock and roll toes. We have included her performance at the T.A.M.I. show below. She was only seventeen at the time. The song “You Don’t Own Me” hit number 2 on the Billboard top 100 in 1963. It also reached number two on the US Cash Box charts. It was released as the second single from the album Lesley Gore Sings of Mixed-up Hearts.

# 1 – It’s My Party

We close out our top 10 Lesley Gore songs list with, of course, her most popular song, which we all remember as “It’s My Party.” This song reached number one for Lesley Gore in 1963 on both the Billboard Hot 100 and Cash Box music charts. It remains one of the most popular hit singles of all time. Its popularity would lead to it being recorded by many artists, from the Chiffons to Cher. The song was composed or at least credited to Walter Gold, John Gluck Jr., Herb Weiner, and Seymour Gottlieb. The great Quincy Jones produced the single.