“It’s My Party” was Lesley Gore’s first big hit, and it’s today’s classic song of the day. Released when she was just 16 years old, in April of 1963, the single hit #1 on all the charts—the Billboard Hot 100, the Cash Box Top 100, and Billboard’s R&B chart.
The song was credited to songwriters Herb Weiner, John Gluck Jr., and Wally Gold, all staff writers at Aaron Schroeder Music. In reality, “It’s My Party’s” lyrics were written by Weiner’s partner, Seymour Gottlieb. Mr. Gottlieb got the inspiration when his daughter had her “sweet sixteen” party and cried when she thought her grandparents would be invited. (How square!)
Lesley Gore almost didn’t have a hit with this one. “It’s My Party” was recorded first by singer Helen Shapiro, for her Helen in Nashville album, but wasn’t chosen to be released as a single. Shortly after, legendary producer Phil Spector heard the original demo of “It’s My Party,” thought it could be a hit, and recorded it with his girl group, the Crystals. Before Spector could release the Crystals’ version, however, equally legendary producer Quincy Jones, who’d produced Lesley Gore’s version, found out about it and rushed advanced copies of Ms. Gore’s single to radio stations across the country. Spector cancelled the release of the Crystals’ version, and when Lesley Gore’s single had its official release a few weeks later, “It’s My Party” quickly shot to number-one.
As noted, “It’s My Party” was the first of many, many big hits for Lesley Gore, who was a pretty big deal back in the 1960s. Her other big hits included the follow-up “Judy’s Turn to Cry” (#5 in 1963), “She’s a Fool” (also #5 in 1963), “You Don’t Own Me” (#2 in 1963), “That’s the Way Boys Are” (#12 in 1964), “Maybe I Know” (#14 in 1964), “Look of Love” (#27 in 1964), “Sunshine, Lollipops and Rainbows” (#13 in 1965), and “California Nights” (#16 in 1967). She continued recording and performing for multiple decades and became an outspoken advocate for the LGTBQ community. Lesley Gore passed away in 2015, 68 years old.
So here’s your daily bonus video of the day, a then-17 year-old Lesley Gore singing a medley of “It’s My Party” and “She’s a Fool” on the October 13, 1963, episode of The Ed Sullivan Show. She was a dynamic performer and this performance really cooks.
