lesley gore- hey now

Here's that amazing Lesley Gore style again!

Let's get to the point- either you do or you don't. Either you want me for your girl or you don't. I don't have time for indecision and I can easily find another who can make up his mind. Just like that, Lesley is putting this fella on notice that Love is great and all, but it ain't worth crying the blues over if a guy can't even commit.

Writer Sonny Gordon crafted a truly fantastic song here and it's clear there are no In-betweens or "grey" areas in the lyrics. Love is an either-or situation and there's no room for stringing anyone along.

It is important to note that Lesley Gore recorded more than a few songs where, for an overdue change, the seat of power was with the girl. Why should it always be the guy who could so easily walk away, feeling that there were plenty of other fish in the sea? (which reminds me, Gladys Horton of the Marvelettes was another strong girl who could easily tell a guy off and not think twice about it, as in the group's hit "Too Many Fish In The Sea.")

Lesley's voice is a wonder to listen to. In a way, the voice is misleading; she caresses a lyric so easily and tactfully, it becomes an even stronger force as you realize she's asserted herself without having to raise hardly a bead of perspiration. Ultra Cool. There are times when she gets a bit of grit and just a hint of gravel in that voice, but it's like watching Emma Peel of the Avengers demolishing some brute- how do you deconstruct someone AND look stylish and hip while doing it?

"Hey Now" was produced by Mr. Quincy Jones- yes THAT Quincy Jones. Quincy produced many of Lesley's hits and album material and here he uses an ultra-hip piano line that you'd swear came from one of the Chicago or Harlem night clubs that had so many great and funky musicians.

You have to listen carefully, maybe several times, to hear all the extraordinary things going on in this song- if you can divide your attention between Lesley and the musicians, you'll note the rather quirky drum/ hi-hat figure, the handclaps that make it a bit easier to keep in time with the tempo and then those snarky, sneaky horns that creep in the background (around the 1:30 mark) and seem to be like thugs commenting- "you'd better listen to Lesley- or else!" (oh! I LOVE those horns!)

So Hey Now- what's it gonna be? I think it's gonna be a big thumbs up on this song!

PS- those backing vocals are staggering! full of attitude and just as much a part of the fun of hearing this song. I wish I knew who was doing them- going out on a limb, songwriter Ellie Greenwich would also sing backing vocals on some recordings and she is pictured with two other ladies- perhaps it is her and her cohorts who sing on this track? now that would really be the ultimate!

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Lesley Gore
• Lesley Gore Hey Now
• Quincy Jones
• pop
• Sonny Gordon
• you tube lesley gore hey now
• 60's music

[stevemichaels2020]

Newsflash: A cd of previously released material is being released January 31 , 2011. The great news about this cd is that it contains two previously unreleased tracks Lesley recorded: "America's Sweetheart" and "If Our Congs Can Make It (Why Can't We). In addition, the cd is supposed to contain some "chatter" at the end of some songs. America's Sweetheart clip is posted here on youtube. Check it out!

[tomovox]

@stevemichaels2020  Thanks for keeping us up on Lesley! That second unreleased song sounds very interesting. I will be hounding the net, looking for that cd!

[zhg0507]

BRILLIANCE!!!!!!!!!!!!

[tomovox]

@zhg0507 the woman way brilliance all the way! thanks for adding a comment!

[EtoilepourDavid]

Love her matter of fact tone. She has no time to waste - good for her! I also love the unexpected but oh so perfect horns. As usual, your description is a delight - always appreciate the music more after reading your comments. BTW, Ms Gore's French version of this song popped up in the related videos. Have you heard it? The French lyrics are along the same lines except she doesn't believe his promises anymore, much less want to hear them. It's "Hey NO" - guy is totally out of luck.

[stevemichaels2020]

@tomovox Yes, Lesley sounds great in French! She sings: Maybe I Know; Hey Now; You've Come Back, You Don't Own Me (Je Ne Sais Plus); Run Bobby Run; If That's The Way You Want It (all in French). Italian: Judy's Turn To Cry; You Don't Own Me. German: You Don't Own Me; Run Bobby Run; Time To Go; That's The Way Boys Are; Der Erster Tanz; Sieben Girls; and a few others. The foreign recordings on on It's My Party from Bear Family Records 5-cd box set.

[stevemichaels2020]

@tomovox  rarerockinrecordsdotcom is the link to order the cd.

[tomovox]

@stevemichaels2020 thank you very much for this information! i will have to get my hands on that box set! Lesley is fast becoming another all-time favorite of mine.

[tomovox]

@EtoilepourDavid I will check out that French version right now! I recently bought a 2-cd set of the Motown artists singing their hits in French, Itallian, German and other languages and I find it fascinating how these singers can do that! I know Lesley is going to sound just as great in French as in English!

[tomovox]

@EtoilepourDavid Oh my good buddy! It's always a pleasure to talk about the music with you! I always hope those little write-ups don't sound to way out; I just love hearing all those little bits and pieces in the music tracks and I'm glad you enjoy reading them! Your description of Lesley's singing style is a great one- "matter of fact tone." I keep trying to figure out what it is about her voice that grabs me so much and I like how you state it.