Introduction

Few songs capture the essence of teenage romance and defiance as vividly as “My Boyfriend’s Back” by The Angels. Released in 1963, this iconic track remains a beloved staple in the annals of pop music history. Let’s delve deeper into the story behind the song and the talented artists who brought it to life.

Did You Know?

1. Origin of the Song:

“My Boyfriend’s Back” was written by the songwriting duo of Bob Feldman, Jerry Goldstein, and Richard Gottehrer, who were also responsible for penning several other notable hits. The song was initially intended for The Shirelles but ended up being recorded by The Angels.

2. Chart-Topping Success:

Upon its release, “My Boyfriend’s Back” skyrocketed to the top of the charts, reaching No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States. Its catchy melody and playful lyrics resonated with audiences, solidifying its place as a pop music classic.

3. The Angels:

The Angels, an American girl group hailing from New Jersey, consisted of members Barbara Allbut, Phyllis Allbut, and Linda Jansen. Known for their harmonious vocals and infectious energy, they became synonymous with the vibrant sound of the 1960s.

4. Enduring Legacy:

Decades after its initial release, “My Boyfriend’s Back” continues to captivate listeners worldwide. Its timeless appeal has led to numerous cover versions and appearances in various forms of media, cementing its status as a cultural phenomenon.

5. Cultural Impact:

Beyond its musical acclaim, “My Boyfriend’s Back” has left an indelible mark on popular culture, inspiring films, TV shows, and even stage productions. Its catchy refrain and empowering message of loyalty have made it a perennial favorite among audiences of all ages.

Video

Lyrics: My Boyfriend’s Back 

He went away and you hung around
And bothered me, every night
And when I wouldn’t go out with you
You said things that weren’t very nice

My boyfriend’s back and you’re gonna be in trouble
(Hey-la-day-la my boyfriend’s back)
You see him comin’ better cut out on the double
(Hey-la-day-la my boyfriend’s back)
You been spreading lies that I was untrue
(Hey-la-day-la my boyfriend’s back)
So look out now cause he’s comin’ after you
(Hey-la-day-la my boyfriend’s back)
(Hey, he knows that you been tryin’)
(And he knows that you been lyin’)
He’s been gone for such a long time
(Hey-la-day-la my boyfriend’s back)
Now he’s back and things’ll be fine
(Hey-la-day-la my boyfriend’s back)
You’re gonna be sorry you were ever born
(Hey-la-day-la my boyfriend’s back)
Cause he’s kinda big and he’s awful strong
(Hey-la-day-la my boyfriend’s back)

(Hey he knows I wasn’t cheatin’!)
(Now you’re gonna get a beatin’!)
(What made you think he’d believe all your lies?)
(Wah-ooo, wah-ooo)
(You’re a big man now but he’ll cut you down to size
(Wah-ooo, wait and see)

My boyfriend’s back he’s gonna save my reputation
(Hey-la-day-la my boyfriend’s back)
If I were you I’d take a permanent vacation
(Hey-la, hey-la, my boyfriend’s back)
Yeah, my boyfriend’s back
(La-day-la, my boyfriend’s back)
Look out now, yeah, my boyfriend’s back
(La-day-la, my boyfriend’s back)
I could see him comin’
(La-day-la, my boyfriend’s back)
So you better get a runnin’
(La-day-la, my boyfriend’s back)
Alright now
(La-day-la, my boyfriend’s back)
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
(La-day-la, my boyfriends’s back)
My boyfriend’s back now
(La-day-la, my boyfriend’s back)

Know he’s comin’ after you
(La-day-la, my boyfriend’s back)
Because he knows I’ve been true now…

You Missed

MINNIE PEARL WALKED ONSTAGE AT THE GRAND OLE OPRY FOR 50 YEARS WITH A $1.98 PRICE TAG ON HER HAT — AND THEN ONE NIGHT, SHE JUST COULDN’T ANYMORE. Here’s something most people don’t think about with Minnie Pearl. That price tag hanging off her straw hat? It wasn’t random. Sarah Cannon — that was her real name — created it as a joke about a country girl too proud of her new hat to take the tag off. And audiences loved it so much that it became the most recognizable prop in country music history. For over fifty years, that tag meant Minnie was here, and everything was going to be fun. So imagine what it felt like when she couldn’t put the hat on anymore. In June 1991, Sarah had a massive stroke. She was 79. And just like that, the woman who hadn’t missed an Opry show in decades was gone from the stage. But here’s what gets me. She didn’t die in 1991. She lived another five years after that stroke, mostly out of the public eye, unable to perform, unable to be “Minnie” the way she’d always been. Her husband Henry Cannon took care of her at their Nashville home. Friends visited, but they said it was hard. The woman who made millions of people laugh couldn’t get through a full conversation some days. Roy Acuff, her old friend from the Opry, kept her dressing room exactly the way she left it. Nobody used it. The hat sat there. She passed on March 4, 1996. And what most people remember is the comedy. The “HOW-DEEE” catchphrase. The big goofy grin. What they don’t remember is that Sarah Cannon was also a serious fundraiser for cancer research. Centennial Medical Center in Nashville named their cancer center after her — not after Minnie, after Sarah. She raised millions and rarely talked about it publicly. There’s a story about the very last time Sarah tried to put on the hat at home, months after the stroke, and what her husband said to her in that moment — it’s the kind of detail that makes you see fifty years of comedy completely differently. Roy Acuff kept Minnie Pearl’s dressing room untouched for years after she left — was that loyalty to a friend, or was he holding a door open for someone he knew was never coming back?