This all got started when the girls met at James Monroe High School in the Bronx, New York. Lead singer Judy Craig was a mere 14-year-old while Patricia Bennett and Barbara Lee were both only 13, all of them facing a lot of challenges if they wanted to be stars. Yet they felt enough determination to hook up with writer/manager Ronnie Mack and sign with Big Deal Records. Though still an embryonic group, their version of "Tonight's the Night" went up to #76 in September 1960, showing the group's potential. Soon their trademark tight harmonies, coupled with their high-stepping confidence and the production duo Gerry Goffin and Carole King writing for them, earned the Chiffons had popular success in song after song.
Made up of the aforementioned Judy Craig, Patricia Bennett, and Barbara Lee at first, Sylvia Peterson of Little Jimmie And The Tops came into the group in 1963. That year, their song "He's So Fine" was the #1 record on both the Billboard Pop and R&B charts. The Chiffons' seemed to have completely 'made it', appearing on programs such as 'American Bandstand'.
British singer-songwriter George Harrison's 1971 song "My Sweet Lord" was musically almost identical, prompting a copyright infringement claim. A judge later found that the ex-Beatle had unintentionally plagiarized the earlier song. The Chiffons went on to record a competing version of "My Sweet Lord" in 1975. The case is often cited as one of the most famous and influential legal cases in the music industry.
The Chiffons' initial run at success was followed by other notable tunes such as the aforementioned "One Fine Day" as well as the songs "Sweet Talkin' Guy", "A Love So Fine", and "I Have a Boyfriend". Although many of their recordings were derivative of the period, fans appreciated their take on the contemporary pop sound. Their Top 40 single "I Have A Boyfriend" was notably playing on Dallas station KLIF on November 22, 1963 and was interrupted by the first radio bulletins of the JFK assassination.
The group also released material under the title 'The Four Pennies' that explored different musical styles. Though finding some fans, the phantom artist failed to break through commercially. The Chiffons themselves faced changing musical tides with the British invasion and the rise of many different trends, and their run of popular success appeared to have pretty much come to an end when the 70s began.
Though Craig left the Chiffons, they continued on as a trio. As the years passed, the group toured in the 'oldies circuit'. In 1992, Lee died from a heart attack the day before her 45th birthday. While that seemed to have put an end to the group, Craig decided to return. Peterson retired shortly thereafter and was replaced by Connie Harvey. Harvey has since left to pursue a solo career with Bennett also retiring. Craig continued on with replacement backup singers. After the turn of the millennium, Craig has still been touring as the Chiffons with her daughter and her niece by her side, performing at select shows throughout the U.S. and internationally.
It's My Party
The Chiffons Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Nobody knows where my Johnny has gone
Judy left the same time
Why was he holding her hand
When he's supposed to be mine?
It's my party and I'll cry if I want to
You would cry too if it happened to you
Play all my records, keep dancin' all night
But leave me alone for a while
Till Johnny's dancin' with me
I've got no reason to smile
It's my party and I'll cry if I want to
Cry if I want to, cry if I want to
You would cry too if it happened to you
Judy and Johnny just walked through the door
Like a queen with her king
Oh, what a birthday surprise
Judy's wearin' his ring
It's my party and I'll cry if I want to
Cry if I want to, cry if I want to
You would cry too if it happened to you
Oh, it's my party and I'll cry if I want to
Cry if I want to, cry if I want to
You would cry too if it happened to you
The Chiffons’ hit song “It's My Party” presents a story of a teenage girl whose birthday party is interrupted when her crush Johnny and her best friend Judy show up together. The singer is left feeling betrayed and heartbroken, asking why Johnny was holding Judy’s hand “when he’s supposed to be mine.” The song title is repeated throughout, emphasizing the singer’s ownership of her emotions and her right to feel sad and betrayed. As Johnny and Judy dance, the singer is left to herself, feeling alone and upset. The song ends with the reveal that Judy is wearing Johnny’s ring, confirming their relationship and intensifying the singer’s despair.
Line by Line Meaning
Nobody knows where my Johnny has gone
I am upset that my boyfriend Johnny has disappeared and no one knows where he is
Judy left the same time
To make matters worse, my friend Judy left at the same time as Johnny
Why was he holding her hand
I am confused and hurt that Johnny was holding Judy's hand when he is supposed to be with me
When he's supposed to be mine?
I feel betrayed and angry that Johnny is not being faithful to me
It's my party and I'll cry if I want to
I am entitled to feel upset and cry because this is my birthday party and things are not going as planned
Cry if I want to, cry if I want to
I have the right to express my emotions and cry if I need to
You would cry too if it happened to you
I am sure anyone in my situation would also feel upset and cry
Play all my records, keep dancin' all night
I want everyone to keep dancing and enjoying the party, despite my own personal turmoil
But leave me alone for a while
I need some space and time to deal with my emotions
Till Johnny's dancin' with me
The only thing that will make me feel better is if Johnny comes back to me and we dance together
I've got no reason to smile
I am so upset and hurt that I cannot even fake a smile or pretend to be happy
Judy and Johnny just walked through the door
To make things even worse, Judy and Johnny have just arrived at my party together
Like a queen with her king
Judy looks happy and proud to be with Johnny, as if she has won some kind of victory
Oh, what a birthday surprise
This is not the kind of surprise I was hoping for on my birthday
Judy's wearin' his ring
My worst fears are confirmed as Judy is now wearing Johnny's ring and it is clear that they are together now
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Elof Loelv, Herb Wiener, John Gluck Jr., Joseph Bartlett-Vanderpuye, Seymour Gottlieb, Wally Gold
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind