About the song
“Johnny Angel” by Shelley Fabares! Now that takes us back to a simpler time, wouldn’t you say? Released in 1962, this infectious tune was a smash hit for the young actress-turned-singer, catapulting her to teen idol status.
While Fabares wasn’t credited as a songwriter, “Johnny Angel” was penned by the legendary team of Nickolas Venet and Vincent DiMirci. These two hitmakers were behind numerous chart-toppers in the early 1960s, crafting catchy melodies that perfectly captured the youthful energy of the era. “Johnny Angel” certainly fits the bill!
The song itself is a classic tale of teenage heartbreak. Fabares’s character pines for the elusive Johnny Angel, a boy who seems to have captured all the other girls’ attention. Her pleading vocals and the driving pop beat create a sense of youthful angst and longing, something many a teenager could relate to in the early 60s.
“Johnny Angel” wasn’t just a hit with bobby soxers, it stormed the Billboard charts. The song skyrocketed to the number one spot on the Billboard Hot 100, knocking off Elvis Presley’s “Can’t Help Falling in Love” in the process. It stayed perched atop the chart for a remarkable three weeks, solidifying Fabares’s place in pop music history.
While her singing career may have been short-lived, “Johnny Angel” remains a cherished piece of 1960s music. It’s a song that evokes a sense of nostalgia for a bygone era, a time of bobby socks, transistor radios, and bubblegum pop. So, put on your dancing shoes and crank up the volume – it’s time to revisit the iconic “Johnny Angel”!