Along with the Cookies, the Shangri-Las, and the Chiffons, the Angels were an archetypal girl group - a tantalizing mix of naughty and nice, sex and chastity, bitch and, well, angel. Presented as two-minute novellas with a beat, the Angels' songs told charming little stories celebrating "the boy." Their greatest hit (by a mile) is "My Boyfriend's Back," and it's one of the most exciting and hilarious songs in the girl group genre.

The song is addressed to a suitor who, in retaliation for being spurned, spreads nasty gossip about the singer. Said boyfriend, mysteriously absent (prison? army?), has returned to save his girl's good name, and so the scandalmongering cad must face his comeuppance. It's been over thirty years since I first heard the song, and I still laugh out loud when I hear the lines, "He knows I wasn't cheating, now you're gonna get a beating!

The Angels had more hits than most girl groups, many of whom were quintessential one hit wonders. But, the rest of the Angels' singles were noticeably sweeter than "My Boyfriend's Back," including their 1961 chart debut, "'Til." That single and its follow-up, "Cry Baby Cry," were released on tiny Caprice Records and featured lead vocals by Linda Jansen. In 1962, Jansen was replaced by Peggy Santiglia and the group jumped to the major label Smash Records. There, the Angels charted four more singles, including "My Boyfriend's Back" (a #1 hit 1962) and "I Adore Him" (cowritten by Jan Berry of Jan & Dean).

The Best Of The Angels (Polygram, 1996) collects all six singles and is highly recommended for big fans of 60's pop. However, the CD has been deleted and is growing very scarce. Happily, the Angels are featured prominently (all of their Smash singles) on Polygram's Growin' Up Too Fast: The Girl Group Anthology - also highly recommended, and a decent substitute for the hard-to-find best-of CD.

For a more general look of the girl group genre, seek out Rhino's lavish, 4-CD boxed set One Kiss Can Lead to Another: Girl Group Sounds Lost and Found (2005), which pointedly omits obvious selections like "My Boyfriend's Back" in favor of lesser hits like "I Adore Him." More casual fans can satisfy themselves with various artist surveys like Rhino's Girl Group Greats and More Girl Group Greats that cherry pick from the very best of the genre, including "'Til" and "My Boyfriend's Back."

Consumer's Note: Due to the nature of online databases, you may have difficulty pinpointing albums by the girl group Angels. You see, dozens of groups have used the Angel moniker (or some variation thereof) over the years, including an Australian rock band of some renown. I hope my links help, and good luck. [top of page]