About The Song
“The Shangri-Las – Leader of the Pack” is a song co-written by George “Shadow” Morton, Jeff Barry, and Ellie Greenwich, the song became a number one pop hit in 1964 for the American girl group The Shangri-Las. The single is one of The Shangri-Las’ most famous songs, achieving significant success on the Billboard charts in 1964.
“Leader of the Pack” is a notable example of a “teenage tragedy song.” It narrates the story of a girl named Betty, who falls in love with the leader of a motorcycle gang, Jimmy, only to face heartbreak. “Leader of the Pack” is also the title track of The Shangri-Las’ debut album released in 1965, which aimed to capitalize on the success of their breakthrough hits.