Lesley Gore – Biography, Songs, Albums, Discography & Facts

Lesley Gore Biography

Lesley Gore was an American singer, songwriter, actress, and activist. She is best known for her 1963 hit single “It’s My Party,” which reached number one in the United States. She had twelve more Billboard top 40 songs after that, including “Judy’s Turn to Cry” and “You Don’t Own Me.” She also co-wrote songs with her brother, Michael Gore, for the 1980 film Fame, for which she received an Academy Award nomination, and she was also nominated for three Grammy Awards. In the 2000s, she hosted multiple episodes of the LGBT-focused public television show In the Life on American television.

Lesley was born on May 2, 1946, in Brooklyn, New York City, to a middle-class Jewish family and reared in Tenafly, New Jersey. Quincy Jones, a famed music producer, discovered her when she was only 16 years old. Though there are many stories of their fortunate encounter — one source indicates they met at a party, while another claims Jones saw Lesley singing in a hotel – Lesley herself recalls that it was the result of a series of fortunate contacts.

Her first hit, “It’s My Party (And I’ll Cry If I Want To),” was produced by Quincy Jones and orchestrated by legendary Brill Building songwriter Ellie Greenwich. The song struck a chord with millions of young females across the United States, and it became an instant sensation. “It’s My Party” raced to the top of the charts and became the number one song in just a few weeks. “I’ll Cry If I Want To”, her first album with Mercury, was released in June 1963 and reached No. 24 on the US albums list.

Despite her fame and the media attention, Lesley stayed in school and worked hard while pursuing her music career. “Judy’s Turn to Cry,” her following single, was a kind of sequel to “It’s My Party,” and it hit No. 5 on the Billboard. Lesley had a succession of singles during the next two years while still in high school, including “She’s a Fool,” “That’s the Way Boys Are,” “Look of Love,” “Sunshine, Lollipops, and Rainbows,” and “My Town, My Guy, and Me.”

“You Don’t Own Me,” an unashamed proclamation that women are not objects that men may possess and control, stood out among the others. Although the song was written by John Madera and Dave White, a male songwriting duet, Lesley’s powerful vocals and passion for the lyrics persuaded teenage girls to not let boys bully them around. Only The Beatles‘ world-changing blockbuster “I Want to Hold Your Hand” was able to keep the song at No. 2 for weeks.

Lesley has had a total of 19 songs in the Top 100 Hot Billboard, 12 of which made it to the top 40, and 4 made it to the top 10. Her song “It’s My Party” was a top one hit and remained on the chart for 13 weeks, followed by “You Don’t Own Me”, which hit number 2 on the chart and has also remained there for 13 weeks.

Lesley discovered she was a lesbian after the peak of her celebrity had passed. Between 1982 and 2005, she mostly stayed out of the spotlight, releasing no albums or singles. She began anchoring segments of a PBS documentary series called “In the Life”, which focused on gay and lesbian topics, toward the end of this period.

Ever Since, Lesley’s return album, was critically acclaimed and was utilized on the soundtracks of various films and television shows, including CSI and The L Word.

Lesley passed away on February 16, 2015, at the age of 68, from lung cancer. She had resided in New York City for nearly 30 years with her companion, Lois Sasson, and their dog.

Lesley Gore Discography

Ever SinceSpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon
The Canvas Can Do MiraclesSpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon
Love Me By NameSpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon
Someplace Else NowSpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon
Magic ColorsSpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon
California NightsSpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon
Off And RunningSpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon
Lesley Gore Sings All About LoveSpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon
My Town, My Guy & MeSpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon
Girl TalkSpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon
Boys, Boys, BoysSpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon
Lesley Gore Sings of Mixed-Up HeartsSpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon
I’ll Cry If I Want ToSpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon

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Frequently Asked Questions

What Songs Did Lesley Gore Write?

In addition to her iconic 1963 hit “It’s My Party,” Lesley Gore also wrote songs such as “You Don’t Own Me” and “Judy’s Turn to Cry.” These songs helped cement her place in pop music history, and continue to be enjoyed by fans today.

Did Lesley Gore Write Her Own Music?

Lesley Gore has always been a talented singer and songwriter. She wrote her own music, starting when she was just a teenager. In fact, her first single was released when she was only 16 years old! She continued to write songs throughout her career, and many of her biggest hits were self-penned. She was a pioneer in the music industry, and helped to pave the way for other female singer-songwriters. Her music has been praised by critics and fans alike, and she is considered to be one of the most successful female artists of all time. She will always be remembered for her amazing music, which was written entirely by herself.

Who Wrote Lesley Gore Songs?

Lesley Gore was born on May 2, 1946, in Brooklyn, New York. She is an American singer-songwriter who became popular in the early 1960s. Some of her most famous songs include “It’s My Party,” “You Don’t Own Me,” and “Sunshine, Lollipops, and Rainbows.” Gore was only 16 years old when she had her first hit song. She continued to write and record music until the late 1980s. In 2002, she was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Gore has been married three times and has two children. She currently lives in California.

What Was Lesley Gore’S Biggest Hit?

Lesley Gore’s biggest hit was “It’s My Party.” It reached number one on the charts in 1963. The song is about a teenager who is dealing with the fact that her boyfriend has left her. She sings about how she doesn’t want to party anymore now that he is gone. The song has been covered by many different artists over the years. It is still popular today and has been used in many different TV shows and movies.

What Is The Lesley Gore’S Famous Song?

The Lesley Gore song that is most famous is “It’s My Party.” This song was released in 1963 and became a number one hit. It has been covered by many artists over the years, and it is still popular today. The lyrics are about a girl who is upset that her ex-boyfriend has moved on and is now dating someone else. She sings about how she is going to have a good time at her party, even though he is not invited. The song is upbeat and fun, and it has become a classic.

Most Searched For Lesley Gore Songs

Its my partySpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon
Judy’s turn to crySpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon
MistySpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon
Sunshine, Lollipops and rainbowsSpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon
You don’t own me- single versionSpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon
Cry me a riverSpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon
I’m Coolin’. No foolinSpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon
Just let me crySpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon
May be I maySpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon
Little girl go homeSpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon
She’s a foolSpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon
Cry me a riverSpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon