Pretty Little Angel Eyes

"Pretty Little Angel Eyes" is a 1961 song by American singer Curtis Lee. It was released on Dunes Records, #45-2007.^[2] Phil Spector served as producer, and also produced Lee's follow-up hit "Under the Moon of Love".

"Pretty Little Angel Eyes"
Single by Curtis Lee
B-side	"Gee, How I Wish You Were Here"
Released	June 1961
Recorded	1961
Genre	Pop, doo-wop[1]
Length	2:33
Label	Dunes Records
Songwriter(s)	Curtis Lee, Tommy Boyce
Producer(s)	Phil Spector
Curtis Lee singles chronology
"Pledge of Love" (1961) "Pretty Little Angel Eyes" (1961) "Under the Moon of Love" (1961)

Background

The track is in the doo-wop style, with backing vocals by the Halos.^[3] The Halos were a doo-wop group composed of Harold Johnson, Al Cleveland, Phil Johnson, and Arthur Crier (bass).^[4]

Chart history and performance

Chart (1961)	Peak position
Canada - CHUM Hit Parade[5]	15
New Zealand – Lever Hit Parade[6]	5
U.S. Billboard Hot 100[7]	7
U.S. Cash Box Top 100[8]	6
UK Record Retailer[9]	47

The song spent 11 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at No. 7,^[10] while reaching No. 6 on the Cash Box Top 100,^[8] Outside the US, the song reached No. 5 on New Zealand's "Lever Hit Parade",^[6] No. 15 on Canada's CHUM Hit Parade,^[5] and No. 47 on the UK's Record Retailer chart.^[9]

The song was ranked No. 77 on Billboard's end of year "Hot 100 for 1961 - Top Sides of the Year"^[11] and No. 56 on Cash Box's "Top 100 Chart Hits of 1961".^[12]

Cover versions

Notable acts who have performed the song include:

• Sha Na Na^[13]
• Showaddywaddy^[14]

See also

• List of 1960s one-hit wonders in the United States

References

1. Hoffmann, Frank (2004). Encyclopedia of Recorded Sound, Routledge. p. 654. Retrieved March 11, 2018.
2. "Spotlight Winners of the Week", Billboard, June 12, 1961. p. 35. Accessed October 13, 2016.
3. Rosalsky, Mitch (2002). Encyclopedia of Rhythm & Blues and Doo-Wop Vocal Groups, Scarecrow Press. p. 288. Retrieved October 13, 2016.
4. Whitburn, Joel (2008). Joel Whitburn Presents Across the Charts: The 1960s Hal Leonard Corporation. p 169. Retrieved October 13, 2016.
5. "CHUM Charts - September 04, 1961". CHUM. Archived from the original on July 21, 2006. Retrieved 2018-03-31. Chart No. 230.
6. "Lever Hit Parade" 05-Oct-1961, Flavour of New Zealand. Accessed October 12, 2016.
7. Whitburn, Joel (2007). Top Pop Singles: 1955-2006. Record Research.
8. Cash Box Top 100, Cash Box, August 26, 1961. p. 4. Retrieved March 12, 2018.
9. Curtis Lee - Full Official Chart History, Official Charts Company. Retrieved October 12, 2016.
10. Hot 100 - Curtis Lee Pretty Little Angel Eyes Chart History, Billboard.com. Retrieved March 11, 2018.
11. "Chart Toppers", Billboard, December 25, 1961. p. 10. Retrieved March 11, 2018.
12. "Top 100 Chart Hits of 1961", Cash Box, December 30, 1961. p. 11. Retrieved March 11, 2018.
13. "Sha Na Na - The Golden Age of Rock 'N' Roll" (Vinyl, CD). Wounded Bird Records. 1973.
14. "The Very Best of Showaddywaddy" (CD). CMC. 1978.