THE 200 MOST ESSENTIAL GIRL GROUP SONGS.
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This countdown concludes with this post consisting of the Top 10. 
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 Caffè Lattè presents the…

200 MOST ESSENTIAL

GIRL GROUP SONGS

10

Wannabe

SPICE GIRLS

The first wave of girl groups dominated during the early 1960s. A new, updated version of girl power emerged in the wake of the Spice Girls phenomenon. This was the UK group’s debut single and it stormed the charts around the world, reaching #1 in America, Britain, Europe, Canada, Australia and New Zealand in 1996-7. Suddenly, the planet was under the spell of Victoria Beckham, Geri Halliwell, Melanie Chisholm, Emma Bunton and Melanie Brown. They cleverly were marketed with corresponding nicknames: Posh, Ginger, Sporty, Baby and Scary.

9

Hold On

EN VOGUE

Before Destiny’s Child, TLC and the Spice Girls, there was En Vogue. New jack swing was the predominant trend in R&B and these vocally proficient women were ready to challenge their male rivals. They broke new ground, paving the way for the aforementioned acts and influencing a new sub-genre: new jill swing. “Hold On” was the group’s debut single from first album ‘Born To Sing’. It reached #1 on the R&B Chart and #2 Pop in America. The single also made the UK Top 5.

8

Push It

    SALT -N- PEPA   

Hip-hop was dominated by males, until Salt -N- Pepa arrived. The all-female rap crew was the first significant rival representing that gender. Their impact is considerable: not only did the group blast open doors for other women in the genre, but Salt -N- Pepa also helped rap crossover to a mainstream audience. “Push It” was one of the first seminal rap tracks to earn a Grammy nomination. The single reached #19 in America, #2 in the UK and was a Top 3 hit in Europe and Australia.

7

Leader Of The Pack

THE SHANGRI-LAS

Most of the early 1960s girl group classics dealt with teen issues such as boys and parents. This 1964 single raised the drama up a notch. Not only was Jimmy the wrong boyfriend for the protagonist, but by the song’s conclusion, the couple had broken up and her boy was dead! All of this was packed into a song running for under 3 minutes. The single sped to the top of the US Hot 100, #3 in Canada and #11 in Britain.

6

Dancing In The Street

MARTHA & THE VANDELLAS

One of the most enduring Motown songs is this timeless classic composed by Marvin Gaye (who played drums on the cut) and “Mickey” Stevenson. Martha Reeves delivers a powerful lead vocal on this 1964 single that went Top 3 in North America and peaked at #28 in Britain. Re-issued 5 years later, the disc climbed to #4 in the UK. The song has been covered many times, with the most notable remake recorded by Mick Jagger and David Bowie for Live Aid in 1985. Their duet stomped to #1 on British, European, Canadian and Australian charts.

5

He’s A Rebel

THE CRYSTALS

One of the better girl group songs where a good girl falls for a boy that others perceive as being all wrong. Gene Pitney penned the hit. Phil Spector produced it. Although the label credits the single to The Crystals, none of that group’s members actually are on this recording. Darlene Love performs the lead vocals. The Blossoms add background vocals. This single helped establish Spector as one of music’s greatest producers. It introduced the public to the magic of his “Wall Of Sound”. Released in 1962, the disc reached #1 in America and made the UK Top 20.

4

Please Mr. Postman

THE MARVELETTES

One third of the famous Holland / Dozzier/ Holland trio was part of the songwriting team that created this early Motown smash. It was significant in that it was that label’s first number one disc. The single topped Billboard’s Pop and Soul listings during 1961. The Marvelettes paved the way for Martha & The Vandellas and The Supremes at the label. This single’s chart success no doubt enabled Motown to nurture the enviable roster it developed that included the likes of Marvin Gaye, The Temptations, Mary Wells, The Four Tops and The Jackson 5. The Beatles covered the song on 1963’s ‘With The Beatles’ album. The Carpenters’ remake went to #1 in America, Canada and Australia (and #2 in Britain) in 1974-5.

3

 Be My Baby

THE RONETTES

Arguably, the zenith of the girl group period is this classic created by legendary producer Phil Spector. He co-wrote it with Ellie Greenwich and Jeff Barry. Again, this recording featured his renowned ‘Wall Of Sound’. What makes this single even more special is the thrilling lead vocal executed by Ronnie Bennett (and future wife of Spector). She managed to simultaneously exude innocence and passion. The 1963 release features Sonny and Cher on background vocals. On charts around the world, the single sold well, particularly in North America, Britain and New Zealand.

2

Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow

THE SHIRELLES

It wasn’t the first hit by a girl group, but this classic did more to kick-start the trend when it hit the airwaves in 1960. Carole King composed the music and Gerry Goffin wrote the lyrics. The two ended up getting married. While that relationship did not survive, this song has remained timeless. Couples instantly related to the conflict within its verses. The Shirelles reached #1 on Billboard’s Soul Chart and #2 on the Pop equivalent. Elsewhere, the disc made the Top 5 in Britain, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. The song has since been covered by countless others including Roberta Flack, Dusty Springfield and Amy Winehouse. Carole King recorded her own version for her 1971 classic ‘Tapestry’ album.

1

Where Did Our Love Go

THE SUPREMES

When writer/ producers Brian Holland, Lamont Dozier and Eddie Holland presented “Where Did Our Love Go” to The Supremes, the group reacted with a lack of enthusiasm for the song. The trio was frustrated after a series of unsuccessful singles. Each new flop saw the group slide further down the pecking order at Motown. The girls relented and recorded the song on April 8, 1964. Brian and Lamont produced the track. It was released on June 17. By late August, the single was reigning over Billboard’s Hot 100. The disc also made #1 on the Soul Chart. Soon, it was at the top in Canada and New Zealand. In the UK, the song peaked at #3.

The single’s success placed The Supremes on an upward trajectory. A dozen #1s would be accumulated by the end of the 1960s. This tally not only made the trio Motown’s most successful chart act, but the US group with the most #1 songs. To this day, only The Beatles have a higher total.

Diana Ross, Mary Wilson and Florence Ballard / Cindy Birdsong turned girl groups from a passing trend, to an undeniable chart force. This was no mean feat for an all-female group, especially with African-American members in a country that was rocked by racism and struggles for civil rights during the 1960s.

Ross’ departure in 1970 to pursue solo ambitions only added to her collection of #1s. She has enjoyed a further 6 chart topping singles under her own name. The Supremes influenced countless groups that followed.

 

CRITERIA:

Songs by groups or duos that only include female members and released in the Rock Era (i.e. since 1955).