The originator of the Wall of Sound production technique, Spector was a pioneer of the 1960s girl group sound (The Ronettes and The Crystals a.o.) and produced over twenty-five Top 40 hits between 1960 and 1965 alone. After this initial success, Spector later worked with artists including Ike and Tina Turner, John Lennon, George Harrison, and the Ramones with similar acclaim.
He produced the Beatles' Academy Award-winning album Let It Be, and the Grammy Award-winning Concert for Bangladesh by former Beatle George Harrison. In 1989, Spector was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a non-performer. The 1965 song You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin', produced and co-written by Spector for The Righteous Brothers, is listed by BMI as the song with the most U.S. airplay in the 20th century.
Dubbed the "First Tycoon of Teen", Spector's records helped engender the role of the studio as an instrument, the integration of pop art aesthetics into music (art pop), and the art rock genre. His multi-artist compilation album "A Christmas Gift for You from Philles Records" (1963) is widely considered to be the finest Christmas record of all time. Spector's honors include the 1973 Grammy Award for Album of the Year for co-producing Harrison's Concert for Bangladesh (1971), a 1989 induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and a 1997 induction into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. In 2004, Rolling Stone magazine ranked Spector number 63 on their list of the greatest artists in history.
The 2003 shooting death of actress Lana Clarkson in his Alhambra, California home led to his being charged with murder in the second degree. After a 2007 mistrial, he was convicted in 2009 and given a prison sentence of 19 years to life. Spector died in prison due to complications of the COVID-19 virus.
Heartbreaker
Phil Spector Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
That's the boy I'm waiting for
'Cause he'll grow up someday
I know he treats me mean, but he's 17
He thinks he's gotta act that way
Oh yeah, he's a
Heartbreaker, hip shaker, troublemaker
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Don't you know he winks his eye
At every girl he sees, yeah?
He's a flirt, all right, he stays out all night
They call him Mr. be A D
But I don't care, I love that boy
From the very first time I kissed him
So I have to wait until
He gets it out of his system
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Oh yeah, he's a
Heartbreaker, hip shaker, troublemaker
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
That's the boy I'm waiting for
'Cause he'll grow up someday
I know he treats me mean, but he's 17
He thinks he's gotta act that way
Oh yeah, he's a
Don't you know he winks his eye
At every girl he sees, yeah?
He's a flirt, all right, he stays out all night
They call him Mr. be A D
Oh yeah, he's a
Heartbreaker, hip shaker, troublemaker
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Heartbreaker, hip shaker, troublemaker
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Heartbreaker, hip shaker, troublemaker
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
The song "Heartbreaker" by Phil Spector is a classic rock and roll tune that tells the story of a young woman who is infatuated with a young man who is known for being a troublemaker. Despite his bad reputation and flirtatious ways, she cannot help but love him. The lyrics describe his actions of winking at every girl he sees and staying out all night, giving him the nickname "Mr. Be A D." The girl acknowledges that he treats her poorly, but she hopes that he will eventually grow out of his wild behavior and become a better person.
The song is a perfect example of the classic rock and roll sound of the 1960s, with its heavy emphasis on electric guitar and a driving beat. The lyrics are simple but effective in telling a tale of young love and rebellion against authority. The repetition of the phrases "Heartbreaker, hip shaker, troublemaker" throughout the song adds to the overall catchiness of the tune.
Overall, "Heartbreaker" is a fun, upbeat song that captures the essence of rock and roll in the 1960s. It is a testament to the enduring popularity of that era's music, and it remains a beloved classic today.
Line by Line Meaning
Heartbreaker, hip shaker, troublemaker
The object of the song is described as someone who breaks hearts, is a great dancer, and causes trouble.
That's the boy I'm waiting for
The singer is waiting for this boy, despite his flaws.
'Cause he'll grow up someday
The singer has faith that the boy will mature and leave his bad behavior behind.
I know he treats me mean, but he's 17
The boy is unkind to the singer, but his behavior is attributed to his young age.
He thinks he's gotta act that way
The boy believes that his bad behavior is necessary or expected of him.
Don't you know he winks his eye
The boy is flirtatious and winks at women he sees.
At every girl he sees, yeah?
The boy's flirtatious behavior is pervasive and directed at all women.
He's a flirt, all right, he stays out all night
The boy is not only flirtatious, but also stays out late at night.
They call him Mr. be A D
The boy has a reputation for being a bad influence or causing trouble.
But I don't care, I love that boy
Despite the boy's flaws, the singer is still in love with him.
From the very first time I kissed him
The singer fell in love with the boy as soon as they kissed.
So I have to wait until
The singer knows that she cannot change the boy and must wait for him to mature.
He gets it out of his system
The singer hopes that the boy will outgrow his bad behavior and tendencies.
Heartbreaker, hip shaker, troublemaker
The chorus repeats to emphasize the boy's qualities.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Abkco Music Inc., Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: JEFF BARRY, ELLIE GREENWICH, PHILLIP SPECTOR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind