THE 200 MOST ESSENTIAL GIRL GROUP SONGS.
This post: #20-16. Continues tomorrow.

 Caffè Lattè presents the…

100 MOST ESSENTIAL

GIRL GROUP SONGS

20

Then He Kissed Me

THE CRYSTALS

Another girl group classic produced by Phil Spector and co-writers Ellie Greenwich and Jeff Barry. Unleashed in 1963, the single climbed to #2 in Britain and #6 Stateside. Four years later, The Beach Boys’ cover version peaked at #4 in the UK.

19

My Boyfriend’s Back

THE ANGELS

The Girl Group Era was in full swing when this single was issued. In 1963, the disc reached #1 Pop and #2 on Billboard’s Soul chart.

18

Waterfalls

   TLC

A standout among the modern-day hits by female groups, this single marked a change in style for the trio. The lyrics dealt with contemporary issues such as A.I.D.S. and drugs. In America and New Zealand, the single reached #1. It was a Top 5 smash in Britain, Europe and Australia. TLC was an influential group for those that followed in its wake.

17

Chapel Of Love

THE DIXIE CUPS

The Crystals and The Ronettes had already recorded versions of this enduring song, but producer Phil Spector remained dissatisfied. Those recordings remained in the vaults. When producer Joe Jones introduced The Dixie Cups to the Brill building team, the group was offered the song. Spector had written it with frequent collaborators Ellie Greenwich and Jeff Barry. Jones produced the result. In 1964, the single was released and was soon sitting atop Billboard’s Hot 100. It only reached #22 in Britain but got to #1 in Canada. Later that year, Spector’s version with The Ronettes was finally issued but it is The Dixie Cups that are widely recognized as having nailed the definitive version of the song.

16

You Can’t Hurry Love

THE SUPREMES

A highlight from Holland/ Dozier/ Holland’s canon, this disc became the American trio’s seventh #1 single on the Hot 100 in 1966. It also topped Billboard’s Soul Chart. The disc provided Motown with a Top 3 hit in the UK and Canada. On the Australian chart, the single climbed to #6. An Italian version {"L'Amore Verrá") was recorded by the group.