Top 10 Songs From The Shangri-Las

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The Shangri-Las packed heartbreak, danger, teenage rebellion, and unforgettable drama into some of the most vivid pop records of the 1960s. This list revisits ten songs that show why the New York vocal group remains one of the era’s most distinctive and influential acts.

Our top 10 songs from The Shangri-Las list presents ten of the best songs released by a famous, though short-lived ‘60s pop girl group. Beautiful and musically talented are fitting descriptions of these four women who took the pop scene by storm. Mary Weiss, sister of Elizabeth Weiss, was the lead singer of the pop group. Twin sisters Mary Ann Ganser and Marguerite Ganser were the other half of The Shangri-Las. The pop group had humble beginnings, with their roots traced to their former school, Andrew Jackson High School, where they entertained large audiences at talent and school shows.

The four ladies became quite popular and soon attracted the attention of record producer and music industry executive Artie Ripp. Artie helped them sign a recording contract with Kama Sutra Records (he was among the label’s founders). Through this label, the pop girl group released their single “Simon Says,” among other singles. Most of the songs here were later re-released under Smash Records, home to other artists such as Bill Justis, Frankie Valli, Bruce Channel, and Roger Miller.

Mary Weiss and her fellow group members started performing even before they came up with a name for their act/group. However, with a promising career, a name proved necessary, leading them to settle on the moniker The Shangri-Las. All these ladies were vocalists, with each taking lead roles on different songs. Despite the changing lead roles, Mary Weiss remains one of the most renowned lead artists in the pop girl group, helping the band achieve hits such as “Leader of the Pack.”

The group signed with Red Bird Records, a deal agreed upon between the record label management and their parents. After all, the quartet members were all teenagers at that time. The pop girl group saw its initial success with the critically acclaimed hit “Remember (Walking in the Sand).” The Shangri-Las became “an overnight success” with this song, which propelled them to the top of the Billboard Hot 100 Chart. Billy Joel, then an unknown session musician, played the piano chords for the song’s intro.

The Shangri-Las would soon release their biggest hit, “Leader of the Pack,” which rose to the top of the Billboard Hot 100 Chart. The floodgates of success opened for the girl group, with its members performing alongside reputable artists, including The Drifters, The Rolling Stones, Vanilla Fudge, James Brown, The Animals, The Rascals, and The Beatles. The Shangri-Las released many songs that focused on abandonment, alienation, premature death, and loneliness. However, the group’s rise to fame was short-lived, as the group disbanded a few years after its inception. Despite its short musical career, the Shangri-Las remain one of the greatest pop girl groups of all time.

#10 – Long Live Our Love

Ushering in the top 10 songs from The Shangri-Las is the hit “Long Live Our Love.” This single was one of the pop girl group’s successful singles. It is featured on the group’s compilation album The Best of the Shangri-Las (1996). The song is a rare dedication to the soldiers who left their families to fight in the gruesome Vietnam War. The lead vocalist sings from the perspective of a lady whose husband is in the Vietnam War. This lady pledges her loyalty to the man, promising to remain with him even though war and distance have kept them apart.

#9 – I’m Blue

“I’m Blue” takes us back to Ike Turner, who penned this song’s lyrics. However, the song was released by The Ikettes, the backing trio to the musical duo Ike & Tina Turner. The song has since been named one of the timeless girl group songs. The Shangri-Las were among the artists who gave a rendition of this famous R&B and soul song. Other artists to have covered the song include The Sweet Inspirations, Sylvie Vartan, and The Newbeats.

#8 – You Cheated, You Lied

During the group’s short-lived musical career, The Shangri-Las brought back to life songs previously performed by other artists. Our number eight song is the girl group’s cover of the hit “You Cheated (You Lied)” by the doo-wop group, The Slades. The original song was released in the late ‘50s, rising to number forty-two on the Billboard charts. Other artists who have covered the song include The Shields, Ronnie Hawkins, The Hawks, The Del Vikings, The Orlons, Sunday and The Menn, and The Calvanes.

#7 – Out in the Street

“Out in the Street” is a famous hit first recorded by The Shangri-Las for the group’s album Shangri-Las-65! (1965). Jeff Barry and Ellie Greenwich penned lyrics to this solemn song. Its lyrics allude to a young lady leaving a guy, following her instinct that he’s changing his wild ways for her. The song performed fairly well on the Billboard Hot 100, climbing to the fifty-third position. Blondie covered this hit while Sharleen Spiteri sampled it for her debut single “All the Times I Cried.”

#6 – Past, Present, and Future

Number six on our top 10 songs from The Shangri-Las is the hit “Past, Present, and Future.” The song is one of the exquisite golden hits and the last single released by Red Bird Records. “Past, Present, and Future” is a carefully arranged pop hit that Mary Weiss said alludes to teenage angst. The lead artist delivers a spoken word over gloomy backdrops inspired by “Moonlight Sonata” by German composer Ludwig van Beethoven. “Past, Present, and Future” peaked at number fifty-nine on the Billboard Hot 100.

#5 – Shout

When the Isley Brothers wrote and recorded the hit “Shout” in 1959, they barely knew that the song would inspire other artists. They didn’t consider the song at first but recorded and released it anyway. The Shangri-Las are among the many artists who have performed this song. While The Beatles’ version was highly acclaimed, this pop girl group delivers an awe-inspiring cover of the song as well. Their cover brings out the best in the vocals of these talented ladies.

#4 – I Can Never Go Home Anymore

The Shangri-Las tell the story of a teenage girl who threatens to escape if her mom won’t let her do what she wants in “I Can Never Go Home Anymore.” As revealed by the song’s lyrics, the girl is advised against it by another girl who feels remorseful after having followed the same route. She tells her that she left home after falling in love with a guy. However, all she kept thinking about was her mom. Upon returning home, she came to the sad reality that her mother had succumbed to a broken heart. The song peaked at number six on the Billboard Hot 100.

#3 – Give Him a Great Big Kiss

“Give Him a Great Big Kiss” is one of the cheery songs from Leader of the Pack (1965). Shadow Morton penned the song for the pop girl group The Shangri-Las. “Give Him a Great Big Kiss” is a love song in which The Shangri-Las describe a guy they are in love with. The song was featured in the 1995 comedy-drama film Stonewall. Other versions of the song were released by notable artists, including Tracey Ullman, Brian Protheroe, Bette Midler, Johnny Thunders, and New York Dolls.

#2 – Remember (Walking in the Sand)

The quartet led by Mary Weiss released “Remember (Walking in the Sand)” on the album Leader of the Pack (1965). “Remember (Walking in the Sand)” became a hit, immediately rising to number five on the Billboard Hot 100. It was also a hit in England, peaking at number 14 on the UK Singles Chart. The song alludes to a young love gone sour, prompting the singer to reminisce about the good times she shared with a gentleman who broke her heart.

#1 – Leader of the Pack

Number one on our top 10 songs from The Shangri-Las is the teenage-tragedy hit “Leader of the Pack.” Its lyrics tell a story of parental disapproval and love. The song tells of a bad guy who was the leader of a motorcycle gang. A girl falls for this guy, but her father forbids her from dating him or meeting him. One last kiss is all the lady remembers about her last encounter with her late lover, who died after crashing his motorcycle. The song topped the Billboard Hot 100, bringing The Shangri-Las to newfound fame. One of the awe-inspiring covers of this song is the glam metal rendition by Twisted Sister.