Between the end of 2019 and the start of February 2020 the following events transpired:

My Dad had a stroke My dog got sick and we thought she might need surgery (luckily she didn’t) A former colleague/friend passed away from cancer My Father-in-law was given a few months to live (also cancer)

So, when a friend posed the following question to me; “If you were forced to choose, “Be My Baby” or “Leader of the Pack” which would you pick?” I felt so relieved. There is nothing better to serve as a distraction than a question like this. Yes, it’s a hard one, but dwelling on a Ronettes vs The Shangri-Las scenario is much preferable to my brain compared to the list above.

Be My Baby:

Phil Spector. I’m a sucker for Phil Spector. I know he killed someone and he is in jail. But, if you read this book, you might feel differently about him. Sure, he is most likely a total creep. But, at the same time, I can’t help but have a soft spot for him. He’s a real outsider/uncool guy (very clearly so until he became famous and then because he was famous people tried/wanted to like him). Those are the kind of people I relate to. I like you Phil, and I like how you made things sound.

Obviously a hit. But, that might also be the problem. As in, this song is pllllllaaaaaayyyyyyeeeeedddddd out. It was on the Dirty Dancing Soundtrack and probably a million other soundtracks (no research was completed to validate this statement). It is often on the radio. Maybe too often?

Hal Blaine and the Wrecking Crew. That’s them on this song. And damn! Do they sound good or what?

Not sure how much I relate to the Ronettes. I mean I love them. I adore them. But, can I imagine being one of them? I cannot.

Cool hair. The Ronettes had very cool hair.

Leader of the Pack:

Written by Shadow Morton. Just got into learning about him in 2019. Yet another loser/outsider who was in the right time and place. If you never did any research on him you should hop to it.

I love the “teenage tragedy” genre. I just can’t get enough. I used to listen to “Last Kiss” on the oldies radio station as a kid and I would feel so much empathy for everyone involved. Sounds silly, but it’s true. My Dad once said of “Last Kiss” that it’s a “we better hurry up and have sex now because we could be dead any minute” type of song.

Piano is killer.

Their accents are killer.

Mary Weiss’ voice is so swell. Very similar to Madonna’s in a way. Not perfect. But perfectly not perfect. You know what I mean?

The bass!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The desperation!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

When I first started having crushes on people (elementary school) I always had a weakness for the boys in my class who were “bad.” I felt certain that I could help them. Help them with what I’m not sure. Because if I helped them to be less “bad” wouldn’t that most likely result in my losing interest? Anyway, if you were the same way, you intrinsically already know what I mean. “Bad” is interesting. “Bad” is appealing. “Bad” is something you think maybe you can heal?

“I met him at the candy store.” Need I say more?

There is only one thing I would change about this song. I would like a loud snare hit after “whatcha mean when you say that he came from the wrong side of town?”

Finally, if there was no “Leader of the Pack” there would be no “Bat Out of Hell.” Jim Steinman is a hero. LISTEN TO THE ENTIRE ALBUM WITH AN OPEN MIND. Forget every karaoke version of “Paradise…..” you’ve ever heard. “Bat Out of Hell” is the tropiest/most genius album ever made.

In short, I have made my decision. The winner is: