Johnny Angel (song)

Last updated
"Johnny Angel"
Johnny Angel Shelley Fabares.jpg
Single by Shelley Fabares
from the album Shelley!
B-side "Where's It Gonna Get Me"
ReleasedFebruary 1962
RecordedFall 1961
Genre Pop [1]
Length2:19
Label Colpix
Songwriter(s) Lyn Duddy and Lee Pockriss
Producer(s) Stu Phillips
Shelley Fabares singles chronology
"Johnny Angel"
(1962)
"What Did They Do Before Rock 'n' Roll"
(1962)

"Johnny Angel" is a song written and composed by Lyn Duddy and Lee Pockriss. It was originally recorded by both Laurie Loman and Georgia Lee, but those two versions were not successful. [2] It first became a popular hit single when it was recorded by Shelley Fabares in the fall of 1961; she took it to number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 Chart when the song was released in 1962. In the same year, British singer Patti Lynn had a moderate hit on the UK Singles Chart with her cover of the song. The American pop music duo The Carpenters recorded "Johnny Angel" in 1973 as part of a medley of oldies on side two of their album Now & Then .

Contents

Shelley Fabares version

Background

"Johnny Angel" is the debut pop single by Shelley Fabares. Her cover version was recorded in the fall of 1961, and released in 1962 on the Colpix label. [3] The track was the first single taken from Fabares' debut solo album Shelley! , which was produced and arranged by Stu Phillips.

The single premiered on an episode, "Donna's Prima Donna" of Fabares' sitcom, The Donna Reed Show , during the fourth season (episode 20). [4] It also has a sequel song entitled "Johnny Loves Me", which tells the story of how the girl won Johnny's heart.

Darlene Love and her group, the Blossoms, sang backup vocals on the track. [5] Fabares is quoted in The Billboard Book of Number One Singles by Fred Bronson as saying she was intimidated by Love's group and their "beautiful" voices and was terrified at the prospect of becoming a recording artist, as she did not consider herself a singer, [6] but was expected to sing on the show anyway. [7] The song also featured an echo chamber, where the intro of the repeated title words: "Johnny Angel, Johnny Angel" was used by Fabares and the backup singers. Musicians who played on the track include Hal Blaine on drums, Carol Kaye on bass and Glen Campbell on guitar. [8] [ better source needed ]

The song is an expression of a teenage girl's romantic longing for a boy who doesn't know she exists, to the point where she declines other boys' propositions for dates because she would rather concentrate on the boy she loves.

Although Fabares' career as an actress stayed strong for three decades, her career as a singer came to an end within a few years of "Johnny Angel" when she was unable to come up with another Top 20 hit. However, the song has become an oldies radio airplay favorite.

Reception

"Johnny Angel" hit number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 on April 7, 1962, during a 15-week run on the chart. [9] It was a number 1 hit on the Top 100 Best Sellers chart in April 1962 as published by Cashbox . It charted number 1 in both Canada and in New Zealand. "Johnny Angel" also peaked at number 41 on the UK Singles chart, where Patti Lynn's recording of the song was a slightly bigger hit. [10] It sold over one-million copies and was awarded a gold disc. [11]

Track listings

  1. "Johnny Angel" - 2:19
  2. "Where's It Gonna Get Me" - 2:08

Chart performance

In the media

Patti Lynn version

"Johnny Angel"
Single by Patti Lynn
B-side "Tonight You Belong to Me"
ReleasedMarch 1962
Recorded1962
Genre Pop
Length2:16
Label Fontana
Songwriter(s) Lyn Duddy and Lee Pockriss
Producer(s) Harry Robinson
Patti Lynn singles chronology
"Johnny Angel"
(1962)
"Tell Me, Telstar"
(1962)

Background

British pop singer Patti Lynn released a cover of "Johnny Angel" for the Fontana Records label in March 1962. It was produced by Harry Robinson. [19] Her version charted on the UK Singles Chart at number 37 in May 1962.

Track listings

  1. "Johnny Angel" - 2:16
  2. "Tonight You Belong To Me" - 2:12

Chart performance

Chart (1962)Peak
position
UK Singles (OCC) [20] 37

The Carpenters version

"Johnny Angel"
Song by The Carpenters
from the album Now & Then
ReleasedMay 16, 1973
Recorded1973
Genre Pop
Length1:30
Label A&M
Songwriter(s) Lyn Duddy and Lee Pockriss
Producer(s) Richard and Karen Carpenter

Background

The pop music duo the Carpenters recorded "Johnny Angel" and included it on their fifth studio album Now & Then in May 1973. Richard and Karen Carpenter produced it and was issued on the A&M record label. The song was included on Side "B" of the album as part of an oldies medley.

Other versions

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Paul Petersen</span> American actor, singer and writer

Paul Petersen is an American actor, singer, novelist and activist.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shelley Fabares</span> American actress and singer

Michele Ann Marie "Shelley" Fabares is an American actress and singer. She is best known for her television roles as Mary Stone on the sitcom The Donna Reed Show (1958–1963) and as Christine Armstrong on the sitcom Coach (1989–1997), the latter of which earned her two Primetime Emmy Awards nominations. Her film roles include playing the leading lady to Elvis Presley in Girl Happy, Spinout and Clambake.

Colpix Records was the first recording company for Columbia Pictures–Screen Gems. Colpix got its name from combining Columbia (Col) and Pictures (Pix). CBS, which owned Columbia Records, then sued Columbia Pictures for trademark infringement over the Colpix name.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">How Do You Talk to an Angel</span> Theme of American television series The Heights

"How Do You Talk to an Angel" is a song written by Steve Tyrell, Barry Coffing, and Stephanie Tyrell. It was the theme for the American TV series The Heights. The single was released with Jamie Walters as the lead singer, and it reached number one on the US Billboard Hot 100 on November 14, 1992, but the series was canceled exactly one week after the song fell from its number one position. Vocalists on the single included Shawn David Thompson, Cheryl Pollak, and Charlotte Ross, as well as Zachary Throne from the Las Vegas rock band Sin City Sinners.

The Wonder Who? was a nom de disque of The Four Seasons for four single records released from 1965 to 1967. It was one of a handful of "names" used by the group at that time, including Frankie Valli and The Valli Boys. Wonder Who? recordings generally feature the falsetto singing by Valli, but with a softer falsetto than on "typical" Four Seasons recordings.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sleep Walk</span> 1959 single by Santo & Johnny

"Sleep Walk" is an instrumental song written, recorded, and released in 1959 by American instrumental rock and roll duo Santo & Johnny Farina, with their uncle Mike Dee playing the drums. Prominently featuring steel guitar, the song was recorded at Trinity Music in Manhattan, New York City. "Sleep Walk" entered Billboard's Top 40 on August 17, 1959. It rose to the number 1 position for the last two weeks in September and remained in the Top 40 until November 9. "Sleep Walk" also reached number 4 on the R&B chart. It was the last instrumental to hit number 1 in the 1950s and earned a gold record for Santo and Johnny. In Canada, the song reached number 3 in the CHUM Charts. In the UK it peaked at number 22 on the charts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Blossoms</span> American girl group

The Blossoms are an American girl group that originated from California. During their height of success in the 1960s, the group's lineup most famously consisted of Darlene Love, Fanita James, and Jean King.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">He's a Rebel</span> 1962 single originally recorded by the Blossoms, but attributed to the Crystals

"He's a Rebel" is a song written by Gene Pitney that was originally recorded by Vikki Carr and by the girl group the Blossoms. Produced by Phil Spector, the Blossoms' version was issued as a single credited to the Crystals, which topped the Billboard Hot 100 chart in November 1962. It was Spector's second chart-topper after "To Know Him Is to Love Him" (1958).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Love a Rainy Night</span> 1980 single by Eddie Rabbitt

"I Love a Rainy Night" is a song co-written and recorded by American country music artist Eddie Rabbitt. It was released in November 1980 as the second single from his album Horizon. It reached number one on the Hot Country Singles, Billboard Hot 100, and Adult Contemporary Singles charts in early 1981. It was written by Rabbitt, Even Stevens, and David Malloy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lady (Kenny Rogers song)</span> 1980 single by Kenny Rogers

"Lady" is a song written by Lionel Richie and first recorded by American country music artist Kenny Rogers. It was released in September 1980 on the album Kenny Rogers' Greatest Hits.

<i>My Boyfriends Back</i> (album) 1963 studio album by the Angels

My Boyfriend's Back is the second studio album released by the American pop girl group the Angels. It was issued on the Smash Records label in September 1963. The album was produced by Robert Feldman, Jerry Goldstein, and Richard Gottehrer. It features the Angels' biggest hit, "My Boyfriend's Back", which reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100. Composed by the team of Bob Feldman, Jerry Goldstein, and Richard Gottehrer, "My Boyfriend's Back" sold over one million copies, and was awarded a gold disc.

<i>Shelley!</i> 1962 studio album by Shelley Fabares

Shelley! is the self-titled debut pop album by singer and actress Shelley Fabares released in 1962 on Colpix Records. It was available in both mono and stereo, catalogue numbers CP-426 and SCP-426. The album was produced and arranged by Stu Phillips and recorded at United Western Recorders in Hollywood, California. Shelley! peaked on the Billboard Top LPs chart at No. 106 in July 1962. The album includes the hit single, "Johnny Angel", which reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 in April 1962.

<i>The Things We Did Last Summer</i> (album) 1962 studio album by Shelley Fabares

The Things We Did Last Summer is the second studio pop album by singer and actress Shelley Fabares released in 1962 on Colpix Records. It was available in both mono and stereo, catalogue numbers CP-431 and SCP-431. The album was produced and arranged by Stu Phillips who had produced her previous record. It peaked on the Billboard 200 Chart at #121 in October 1962. The album features her Top 40 hit single "Johnny Loves Me". It also includes the second hit single from the album, "The Things We Did Last Summer".

<i>Lollipops and Roses</i> (album) 1962 studio album by Paul Petersen

Lollipops and Roses is the debut studio pop album by singer and actor Paul Petersen released in 1962 on Colpix Records and included 12 songs. The album was available in both mono and stereo, catalogue numbers CP-429 and SCP-429. Lollipops and Roses was produced and arranged by Stu Phillips and was recorded at United Western Recorders in Hollywood, California.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Johnny Loves Me</span> 1962 single by Shelley Fabares

"Johnny Loves Me" is a pop single by Shelley Fabares released in 1962 on Colpix Records. It was the first single taken from her second album, The Things We Did Last Summer. "Johnny Loves Me" was a collaboration written by Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil. The single was produced and arranged by Stu Phillips.

"It Keeps Right On a-Hurtin'" is a song written and recorded by Johnny Tillotson, which was a major hit for him in 1962. It has been recorded by many other artists.

"People Say" is a hit single written by the Jeff Barry and Ellie Greenwich songwriting team and made popular by the American pop girl group The Dixie Cups. It was originally released in July 1964 on the Red Bird Records label. The song was arranged by Mike Stoller. Billboard named the song #53 on their list of 100 Greatest Girl Group Songs of All Time.

References

  1. Breihan, Tom (April 19, 2018). "The Number Ones: Shelly Fabares' "Johnny Angel"". Stereogum . Retrieved June 10, 2023. ["Johnny Angel" is] a chaste pop song and a deeply whitebread one...
  2. Leszczak, Bob (2015). From Small Screen to Vinyl: A Guide to Television Stars Who Made Records 1950-2000. Rowman & Littlefield. p 112 ISBN   1442242736
  3. Whitburn, Joel (1996). The Billboard Book of Top 40 Hits (6th ed.). New York: Watson-Guptill Publications. pp.  212. ISBN   0-8230-7632-6.
  4. Brooks, Tim (1999). The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network and Cable TV Shows, 1946-Present (7th ed.). New York: Ballantine Books. p.  275. ISBN   0-345-42923-0.
  5. Bronson, Fred (2003). The Billboard Book of Number 1 Hits: The Inside Story Behind Every Number One Single on Billboard's Hot 100 from 1955 to the Present (5 ed.). Billboard Books. p. 107. ISBN   0-8230-7677-6.
  6. Bronson, Fred (2003). The Billboard Book of Number One Hits: The Inside Story Behind Every Number One Single on Billboard's Hot 100 from 1955 to the Present (5 ed.). Billboard Books. p. 107. ISBN   0-8230-7677-6.
  7. "'The Donna Reed Show's' kids reminisce: Classic Hollywood". Los Angeles Times . 26 December 2011.
  8. "johnny angel".
  9. Bruce Eder. "Shelley Fabares - Awards - AllMusic". AllMusic.
  10. "Shelley Fabares". The Official Charts Company.
  11. Murrells, Joseph (1978). The Book of Golden Discs (2nd ed.). London: Barrie and Jenkins Ltd. p.  145. ISBN   0-214-20512-6.
  12. "Songs from the Year 1962". tsort.info.
  13. "Lever hit parades: 24-May-1962". Flavour of New Zealand.
  14. "Shelley Fabares: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company.
  15. "Shelley Fabares Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
  16. Musicoutfitters.com
  17. Cash Box Year-End Charts: Top 100 Pop Singles, December 29, 1962
  18. "Billboard Hot 100 60th Anniversary Interactive Chart". Billboard. Retrieved 10 December 2018.
  19. Patti Lynn - Johnny Angel (Vinyl) at Discogs
  20. "Patti Lynn: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company.