Boys, Boys, Boys

by Lesley Gore

Overview

Lesley Gore's third album, like all her early LPs, did her image no favors with a title that plugged into her frivolous teenage image. As a record, though, it wasn't all that bad, though it suffered from lacking any big hits other than "That's the Way Boys Are," and was an inconsistent mix without any hidden nuggets. As usual, her attempts at straight pop ballads ("Something Wonderful") were dreary and there was some extremely lightweight filler ("Danny"). On the brighter side, "I'll Make It Up to You" and "It's Gotta Be You" weren't bad uptown pop-girl group tunes; "That's the Way the Ball Bounces," co-written by Marvin Hamlisch, was a pretty melodic, sensual ballad with nifty production touches like reverbed guitar and percussion tinkles; and "I Don't Wanna Be a Loser" (which just made the Top 40) and "Don't Call Me" were downright excellent tense and soulful numbers that gave vent to her underrated anguished and angry side. The album also included her first efforts as a composer: the mediocre, generic pop/rocker "Leave Me Alone" and the quite groovy "I'm Coolin', No Foolin'" (which she co-penned), which has some captivating minor-keyed melodic hooks. Like her second album, Lesley Gore Sings of Mixed-Up Hearts, this actually has some pretty good non-hits that few general rock listeners are aware of, some in a moodier vein than she's given credit for. And as with that second album, the best cuts are on It's My Party: The Mercury Anthology, which makes hunting for the original LP unnecessary for all but the diehards. [Ace's 2016 reissue of Boys, Boys, Boys added 13 bonus tracks to the album -- one song more than the album itself -- all of which improve the album. This is partially because these bonus tracks are her biggest hits: "It's My Party," "Judy's Turn to Cry," "Sunshine, Lollipops and Rainbows," and "You Don't Own Me," selections that help turn this period piece into a stronger listen.] ~ Richie Unterberger

Product Details

Release Date:	06/03/2016
Label:	Ace
UPC:	0029667076029
Rank:	58389

Tracks

1. That's the Way Boys Are
2. Boys
3. It's Gotta Be You
4. Something Wonderful
5. You Name It
6. Danny
7. I Don't Wanna Be a Loser
8. That's the Way the Ball Bounces
9. Leave Me Alone
10. Don't Call Me
11. I'll Make It Up to You
12. I'm Coolin', No Foolin'
13. It's My Party
14. Just Let Me Cry
15. No More Tears
16. Judy's Turn to Cry
17. She's a Fool
18. The Old Crowd
19. Hello Young Lover
20. Sunshine, Lollipops and Rainbows
21. You Don't Own Me
22. Run, Bobby, Run
23. I Struck a Match
24. If That's the Way You Want It
25. Time to Go

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Lesley Gore   Primary Artist
Claus Ogerman   Conductor

Technical Credits

Mick Patrick   Liner Notes
Claus Ogerman   Arranger,Composer
Ben Raleigh   Composer
Marvin Hamlisch   Composer
Carole King   Composer
John Gluck Jr.   Composer
David White   Composer
Wally Gold   Composer
Lesley Gore   Composer
Mark Barkan   Composer
Duncan Cowell   Mastering
Herb Weiner   Composer
Gerry Goffin   Composer
Paul Anka   Composer
Bobby Scott   Composer
Oscar Hammerstein II   Composer
John Madara   Composer
Richard Rodgers   Composer
John Medora   Composer
Howard Liebling   Composer
Gloria Shayne   Composer
Sam Szczepanski   Liner Notes
Norman Blagman   Composer
Dave White Tricker   Composer
Syd Shaw   Composer
Edna Lewis   Composer
Sandy Baron   Composer
Niall McCormack   Package Design
Beverly Ross   Composer
Artie Resnick   Composer
Sid Shaw   Composer