Meaning and Lyrics of Leader Of The Pack by The Shangri-Las
Song Lyrics meaning of Leader Of The Pack by The Shangri-Las
About The Shangri-Las
The Shangri-Las were an American girl group hailing from Queens, New York. Formed in 1963, the group consisted of sisters Mary Weiss and Elizabeth “Betty” Weiss, along with identical twins Marge and Mary Ann Ganser. Known for their dramatic and gritty songs, The Shangri-Las achieved fame in the 1960s with hits like “Leader of the Pack.”
One of their most notable songs, Leader of the Pack, released in 1964, tells the tragic tale of a young woman who falls in love with a biker boy, only for their romance to end in a fatal motorcycle crash. The song’s powerful vocals and narrative lyrics captured the attention of audiences, solidifying The Shangri-Las as a pioneering group in the girl group genre of the era.
Meaning of Leader Of The Pack by The Shangri-Las
“Leader of the Pack” by The Shangri-Las is a tragic love story that unfolds through the eyes of a young girl named Mary. The song begins with Mary, along with her friends Mary-Ann and Margie, gossiping about Betty wearing Jimmy’s ring and admiring their relationship. The innocence and excitement of young love are vividly portrayed in this innocent exchange.
As the song progresses, Mary reveals that despite her parents’ disapproval of Jimmy due to his unfavorable background, she saw beyond his tough exterior and understood his inner sorrow. Mary’s deep emotional connection to Jimmy, the “leader of the pack,” is evident as she narrates how she fell for him despite the warnings and criticisms from others.
The lyrics take a darker turn when Mary’s father intervenes and demands that she find someone new. Heartbroken, Mary has to break the news to Jimmy, leading to a poignant moment where she can only cry, unable to articulate her feelings. Jimmy, too, is portrayed as being deeply affected by the situation, as seen when he smiles sadly and kisses Mary goodbye before leaving in the rain, leaving Mary to cope with the loss.
The emotional impact of the breakup is palpable as Mary struggles to come to terms with the abrupt end of her relationship with the one she considered the leader of the pack. She faces the stares and judgment of her peers at school but remains steadfast in her love for Jimmy, despite the pain and tears that follow.
The fade-out of the song echoes Mary’s sense of loss and longing as she remembers the leader of the pack who is now gone, leaving her with memories of their shared moments and the heartache of a love that could not withstand the circumstances. The repetitive refrain of “gone, gone, gone” underscores the finality of their separation and the enduring impact Jimmy had on Mary’s life.
Overall, “Leader of the Pack” is a poignant narrative of teenage romance, heartbreak, and nostalgia that resonates with listeners through its raw emotion and poignant storytelling.
As the song progresses, Mary reveals that despite her parents’ disapproval of Jimmy due to his unfavorable background, she saw beyond his tough exterior and understood his inner sorrow. Mary’s deep emotional connection to Jimmy, the “leader of the pack,” is evident as she narrates how she fell for him despite the warnings and criticisms from others.
The lyrics take a darker turn when Mary’s father intervenes and demands that she find someone new. Heartbroken, Mary has to break the news to Jimmy, leading to a poignant moment where she can only cry, unable to articulate her feelings. Jimmy, too, is portrayed as being deeply affected by the situation, as seen when he smiles sadly and kisses Mary goodbye before leaving in the rain, leaving Mary to cope with the loss.
The emotional impact of the breakup is palpable as Mary struggles to come to terms with the abrupt end of her relationship with the one she considered the leader of the pack. She faces the stares and judgment of her peers at school but remains steadfast in her love for Jimmy, despite the pain and tears that follow.
The fade-out of the song echoes Mary’s sense of loss and longing as she remembers the leader of the pack who is now gone, leaving her with memories of their shared moments and the heartache of a love that could not withstand the circumstances. The repetitive refrain of “gone, gone, gone” underscores the finality of their separation and the enduring impact Jimmy had on Mary’s life.
Overall, “Leader of the Pack” is a poignant narrative of teenage romance, heartbreak, and nostalgia that resonates with listeners through its raw emotion and poignant storytelling.
Lyrics of Leader Of The Pack by The Shangri-Las
Intro: Mary, & Mary-Ann and Margie
Is she really going out with him?
Well, there she is. Let's ask her
Betty, is that Jimmy's ring you're wearing?
Mhm
Gee, it must be great riding with him
Is he picking you up after school today?
Mnm
By the way, where'd you meet him?
I met him at the candy store
He turned around and smiled at me
You get the picture?
Yes, we see
That's when I fell for the leader of the pack
Verse 1: Mary, & Mary Ann and Margie
My folks were always putting him down (Down, down)
They said he came from the wrong side of town
(What you mean when you say
That he came from the wrong side of town?)
They told me he was bad
But I knew he was sad
That's why I fell for the leader of the pack
Verse 2: Mary, & Mary Ann and Margie
One day my Dad said, "Find someone new"
I had to tell my Jimmy, "We're through"
(What you mean when you say
That you better go find somebody new?)
He stood there and asked me why
But all I could do was cry
I'm sorry I hurt you, the leader of the pack
Bridge: Mary, & Mary Ann and Margie
He sort of smiled and kissed me goodbye
The tears were beginning to show
As he drove away on that rainy night
I begged him to go slow
Whether he heard, I'll never know
No, no, no, no, no, no, no
Look out, look out, look out, look out!
Verse 3: Mary, & Mary Ann and Margie
I felt so helpless, what could I do?
Remembering all the things we've been through
In school they all stop and stare
I can't hide my tears, but I don't care
I'll never forget him, the leader of the pack
Outro (Fade): Mary, & Mary Ann and Margie
Ooh, ooh-ooh-ooh
Gone, gone, gone, gone, gone, gone, gone
(Leader of the pack, and now he's gone)
(Leader of the pack, and now he's gone)
Gone, gone, gone, gone, gone, gone, gone
(Leader of the pack, and now he's gone)
(Leader of the pack, and now he's gone)
Gone, gone, gone, gone…
Is she really going out with him?
Well, there she is. Let's ask her
Betty, is that Jimmy's ring you're wearing?
Mhm
Gee, it must be great riding with him
Is he picking you up after school today?
Mnm
By the way, where'd you meet him?
I met him at the candy store
He turned around and smiled at me
You get the picture?
Yes, we see
That's when I fell for the leader of the pack
Verse 1: Mary, & Mary Ann and Margie
My folks were always putting him down (Down, down)
They said he came from the wrong side of town
(What you mean when you say
That he came from the wrong side of town?)
They told me he was bad
But I knew he was sad
That's why I fell for the leader of the pack
Verse 2: Mary, & Mary Ann and Margie
One day my Dad said, "Find someone new"
I had to tell my Jimmy, "We're through"
(What you mean when you say
That you better go find somebody new?)
He stood there and asked me why
But all I could do was cry
I'm sorry I hurt you, the leader of the pack
Bridge: Mary, & Mary Ann and Margie
He sort of smiled and kissed me goodbye
The tears were beginning to show
As he drove away on that rainy night
I begged him to go slow
Whether he heard, I'll never know
No, no, no, no, no, no, no
Look out, look out, look out, look out!
Verse 3: Mary, & Mary Ann and Margie
I felt so helpless, what could I do?
Remembering all the things we've been through
In school they all stop and stare
I can't hide my tears, but I don't care
I'll never forget him, the leader of the pack
Outro (Fade): Mary, & Mary Ann and Margie
Ooh, ooh-ooh-ooh
Gone, gone, gone, gone, gone, gone, gone
(Leader of the pack, and now he's gone)
(Leader of the pack, and now he's gone)
Gone, gone, gone, gone, gone, gone, gone
(Leader of the pack, and now he's gone)
(Leader of the pack, and now he's gone)
Gone, gone, gone, gone…
Discography The Shangri-Las
Rock Elite: Best Of The Shangri-Las
Release: 2015-07-14
Label: Rapier Music
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