Gore also worked as an actress and composed songs with her brother Michael Gore for the 1980 film Fame, for which she was nominated for an Academy Award. She was active until 2014, and hosted an LGBT-oriented public television show, In the Life, on American TV in the 2000s.
Raised in Tenafly, New Jersey to Jewish parents, Gore was discovered as a teenager. Her first single in 1963 at age 16 was the #1 hit It's My Party still perhaps her best known recording, which also made #9 in Britain. It was followed by others, including Judy's Turn to Cry (the sequel to "It's My Party"), She's a Fool, the proto-feminist You Don't Own Me, and Maybe I Know. Her record producer was Quincy Jones, who would later become one of the most famous producers in American music.
Instead of accepting the television and movie contracts that came her way, Gore chose to attend Sarah Lawrence College in Bronxville, New York. This limited her public career to weekends and summer vacations and undoubtedly hurt her career. Nevertheless, throughout the mid-1960's, Gore continued to be the one of the most popular female singers in the United States and Canada.
By the late 1960s, though, her fame lessened as popular tastes evolved towards a harder-edged, psychedelic sound. Her last major hit was "California Nights," (1967) which she performed on an episode of the Batman TV series in which she guest-starred as one of Catwoman's minions. Afterwards, she continued to stay busy in the music industry, performed at concerts and in cabarets and achieved noted success as a professional songwriter, including composing songs for the soundtrack of the 1980 film, Fame. She received an Academy Award nomination for "Out Here on My Own," written with her brother Michael.
Gore continued to be busy, playing concerts, appearing on television, and recently (2005) recording a self-produced and critically-acclaimed CD, "Ever Since." She is also known for tackling a variety of musical genres, including a credible take on AC/DC's "Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap."
Although Gore did not officially come out until 2005, her lesbianism was not exactly a secret. The 1996 film Grace of My Heart featured a character (played by Bridget Fonda) whose industry struggles over her sexual orientation were similar to Gore's. Beginning in 2004 Gore could be seen hosting the PBS series In the Life, which focused on LGBT issues.
On February 16, 2015, Gore died of lung cancer at the age of 68.
Hey Now
Lesley Gore Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Hey now (ah ah), what you gonna do (ah ah)
Oh, are you gonna be mine (ah ah) tried and true (ah ah)
Hey hey hey now (ah ah), give it to me straight (ah ah)?
Am I gonna be the one (ah ah) or just another date (ah ah)?
Look-a here, umm, I gotta know quick
Because I can't waste my time just waitin' round your line
When I can find another guy
So hey hey hey now (ah ah), what you gonna say (ah ah)?
Are you gonna go on (ah ah) or are you gonna stay (ah ah)?
Wo oh right here, oh I gotta know, dear
Because I can't waste my time just waitin' round your line
When I can find another guy, so
Hey hey hey now (ah ah), umm, what you gonna say (ah ah)?
Are you gonna go on (ah ah) or are you gonna stay (ah ah)?
I said hey hey hey now (ah ah), umm, what you gonna say (ah ah)?
Ooh, are you gonna go on (ah ah) or are you gonna stay (ah ah)?
Ah, hey hey hey now (ah ah), umm, what you gonna say (ah ah)?
Umm, are you gonna go on (ah ah) or are you gonna stay (ah ah)?
Lesley Gore's song "Hey Now" is a plea for honesty and transparency in romantic relationships. The lyrics convey a sense of urgency as the singer asks her love interest whether he is going to commit to her or just keep stringing her along. She implores him to give her a straight answer because she does not want to waste her time waiting for someone who may not have serious intentions. The repetition of the phrase "hey now" throughout the song suggests the singer's frustration and impatience as she seeks clarity from her partner.
The lyrics reflect the societal expectations placed on women in the 1960s to find a partner and settle down, as well as the prevailing sexist attitudes towards women's romantic pursuits. The song's upbeat tempo and catchy melody may mask the seriousness of the lyrics for some listeners, but the urgency in the singer's voice hints at the emotional turmoil involved in seeking love and commitment.
Line by Line Meaning
(Ah ah, ah ah)
Background chanting.
Hey now (ah ah), what you gonna do (ah ah)
Asking the person about their intentions.
Oh, are you gonna be mine (ah ah) tried and true (ah ah)
Asking if the person is genuine and loyal.
Hey hey hey now (ah ah), give it to me straight (ah ah)?
Asking for an honest answer.
Am I gonna be the one (ah ah) or just another date (ah ah)?
Asking if they are interested in a serious relationship or just a fling.
Look-a here, umm, I gotta know quick
Stating the urgency of knowing the person's intentions.
Because I can't waste my time just waitin' round your line
Explaining that waiting for an answer without clarity is not an option.
When I can find another guy
Expressing that there are other options if this person is not interested.
Hey hey hey now (ah ah), umm, what you gonna say (ah ah)?
Repeating the question of the person's intentions.
Are you gonna go on (ah ah) or are you gonna stay (ah ah)?
Asking if the person wants to pursue a relationship or not.
Wo oh right here, oh I gotta know, dear
Expressing the need for a clear answer immediately.
I said hey hey hey now (ah ah), umm, what you gonna say (ah ah)?
Repeating the question with more emphasis.
Ooh, are you gonna go on (ah ah) or are you gonna stay (ah ah)?
Rephrasing the question slightly.
Ah, hey hey hey now (ah ah), umm, what you gonna say (ah ah)?
Repeating the question yet again.
Umm, are you gonna go on (ah ah) or are you gonna stay (ah ah)?
Rephrasing the question again for clarity.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: S. Gordon
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Philip Kassabian
on Wonder Boy
Yet another great Leslie Gore song.
Philip Kassabian
on Sunshine, Lollipops And Rainbows
Fantastic song by Leslie Gore.
Philip Kassabian
on It's My Party
A great Leslie Gore song.