What Is Love?

What is love? – The Shangri-Las A rare instance of a Shangri-Las song without Mary singing lead vocals. After the intro she hands it to either her sister or Margie, i’m not sure. Even the experts don’t seem to know. You would have to ask the girls i think, but even then, judging from interviews [...]

Read Full Post »

Heaven Only Knows

Heaven only knows – The Shangri-Las What’s always alarmed me about the Shangri-Las, for as long i’ve been aware of these facts, is how poorly some of their singles charted. Sure, Leader of the Pack made it to number 1 in the USA, Remember number 5, I Can Never Go Home Anymore number 6, but [...]

Read Full Post »

Never Again

Never again – The Shangri-Las Let me tell you all about those things that give me goosebumps. One in particular: The bridge in this song, where Mary’s voice rises with all force of survival and resolve, Betty, Margie and Mary-Ann rising in concert, in alliance. That rise, that change in register/key, that strength, remaining through [...]

Read Full Post »

Out In The Streets

Out In The Streets – The Shangri-Las That Mary Weiss was 16 years old when this single came out (and that the Shangri-Las dissolved before she even hit twenty) is incredible to me. I don’t mean it in an “how can such a young girl sing so above her age, experience and being” way because [...]

Read Full Post »