Ellie Greenwich began writing songs as a teenager and by the time this How to Write a Hit Song article appeared in Disco Scene magazine in 1968 she had penned some of the most enduring pop songs of the '60s. Greenwich got her start at New York's Brill Building in 1962 and immediately began producing memorable tunes. Working with husband Jeff Barry, as well as other notable collaborators like Phil Spector and Shadow Morton, Ellie was responsible for "Leader of the Pack," "Chapel of Love," "Be My Baby," River Deep, Mountain High," and a plethora of stellar B-sides and demos.Examples of some of her finest songs:
He's Got the Power: The Exciters
Be My Baby: The Ronettes
Ellie's music also appears in numerous films and has been used to great effect by Martin Scorsese, who has chosen her songs as the soundtrack to some of his most memorable shots, such as the Goodfellas tracking shot and the opening credits of Mean Streets
After the mid-sixties girl group boom, Ellie Greenwich remained in the music business, working as a composer and arranger and even reluctantly trying her hand as a solo artist. She is still involved in music and I recommend the following articles to learn more about her impressive career and refreshingly honest perspective on one of the most exciting periods in music history:
Cha Cha Charming Magazine
Spectro-Pop
1 comment:
I can't believe she was initially disappointed that "Be My Baby" was going to be released. It's easily one of the greatest recordings ever.
I enjoyed this look at an artist who gleefully lent her shoulders to an often ungrateful pop world. I had no idea she wrote so many incredible songs...a truly impressive body of work and a refreshingly humble personality.
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