About the song
Let’s rewind the clock back to the swinging sixties, a time of beehive hairdos, go-go boots, and a youthful energy that was taking the world by storm. It was a decade where pop music truly came into its own, with artists like The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, and The Beach Boys dominating the airwaves. But amidst this British Invasion and the rise of rock and roll, a young American singer named Lesley Gore emerged with a song that perfectly captured the teenage angst and drama of the era: “It’s My Party.”
Now, imagine yourself gathered around the television on a Sunday night, eagerly awaiting the iconic Ed Sullivan Show. This was the variety show of the time, a platform that introduced America to everyone from Elvis Presley to The Supremes. And on one particular evening in 1963, a fresh-faced 17-year-old Lesley Gore stepped onto that stage, ready to unleash a song that would become an anthem for heartbroken teenagers everywhere.
With its instantly recognizable opening piano riff and those iconic lyrics – “It’s my party and I’ll cry if I want to” – “It’s My Party” tapped into a universal experience of adolescent heartbreak and betrayal. Gore’s delivery was both vulnerable and defiant, capturing the raw emotions of a young woman scorned. But what made this performance on The Ed Sullivan Show truly special was the way it resonated with audiences across the country.
In a time when social norms were being challenged and young people were finding their voice, Gore’s performance was a cultural touchstone. It spoke to the anxieties and insecurities of a generation navigating the complexities of love, friendship, and growing up. And with her powerful vocals and relatable lyrics, Gore cemented her status as a pop icon, paving the way for future generations of female artists.
So, let’s revisit this unforgettable moment in music history and appreciate the enduring legacy of Lesley Gore’s “It’s My Party & She’s A Fool” on The Ed Sullivan Show. It’s a performance that continues to remind us of the power of pop music to capture the essence of our lives, and the timeless appeal of a song that speaks to the heartbreak and resilience of the human spirit.
Video
Lyrics
“It’s My Party” :
It’s my party, and I’ll cry if I want to
Cry if I want to, cry if I want to
You would cry too if it happened to you
Nobody knows where my Johnny has gone
Judy left the same time
Why was he holding her hand
When he’s supposed to be mine?
It’s my party, and I’ll cry if I want to
Cry if I want to, cry if I want to
You would cry too if it happened to you
Playin’ my records, keep dancing all night
But leave me alone for a while
‘Til Johnny’s dancing with me
I’ve got no reason to smile
It’s my party, and I’ll cry if I want to
Cry if I want to, cry if I want to
You would cry too if it happened to you
Judy and Johnny just walked through the door
Like a queen with her King
Oh, what a birthday surprise
Judy’s wearin’ his ring
It’s my party, and I’ll cry if I want to
Cry if I want to, cry if I want to
You would cry too if it happened to you
Oh, it’s my party, and I’ll cry if I want to
Cry if I want to, cry if I want to
You would cry too if it happened to you
It’s my party…
“She’s A Fool” :
She don’t know that she’s a lucky girl
Got the best thing in the whole wide world
Got a love that’s hard to find
Got the boy I wish was mine, but
She’s a fool (shag-a-doo-la)
She’s a fool (shag-a-doo-la)
She has his love, but treats him cruel
(Shag-a-doo-la, shag-a-doo-la)
He don’t know it, but she cheats on him
With a boy like that, it’s such a sin
I would never be untrue
I would never make him blue, but
She’s a fool (shag-a-doo-la)
She’s a fool (shag-a-doo-la)
She has his love, but treats him cruel
(Shag-a-doo-la, shag-a-doo-la)
I know there is gonna come a day
He wil tell her, “Girl, be on your way”
Maybe then he’ll turn to me
Then how happy I will be that-
She’s a fool (shag-a-doo-la)
She’s a fool (shag-a-doo-la)
She has his love, but treats him cruel
(Shag-a-doo-la, shag-a-doo-la)
She’s a fool (shag-a-doo-la)
She’s a fool (shag-a-doo-la)
She has his love, but treats him cruel
(Shag-a-doo-la, shag-a-doo-la)
She’s a fool (shag-a-doo-la)