1960
WILL YOU LOVE ME TOMORROW * THE SHIRELLES * TOP RANK 540 * UK
Written by the husband and wife team of Gerry Goffin and Carole King the song was originally titled Tomorrow, and although now titled Will You Love Me Tomorrow, it is more often than not referred to as Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow; it was actually given that title when Donnie Elbert covered the song in 1977 (see below). Controversial at the time because of the implication of a sexual encounter, a 'one night stand' in the vernacular of the day, the song was in fact giving voice to a valid concern of young girls who would want to, like their male counterparts, experiment with sex, but feel that by doing so they would compromise their honor.
Sung by Shirley Owens, Addie "Miki" Harris, Beverly Lee and Doris Coley and released in the US on Scepter 1211, it was the groups fifth for the label, Will You Love Me Tomorrow was the first record by a black girl group to reach No. 1 on the Hot 100. Amongst others, Tamla Motown records tried to cash in on this success by releasing the answer record Tomorrow & Always by The Satintones (see below). The song is still being recorded into the 21st century, the British singer Amy Winehouse (who died this weekend) also recorded a version that was used in the film Bridget Jones: The Edge Of Reason, and the all-girl alternative band The Like, recorded a version last year in 2010.
WILL YOU STILL LOVE ME TOMORROW * DONNIE ELBERT * ALL PLATINUM 321 * UK
TOMORROW & ALWAYS * SATINTONES * MOTOWN 1006 * USA
See also:
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| Blue Holiday | Foolish Little Girl | Mama Said |
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| What Does A Girl Do | Baby It's You | Dedicated To The One I Love |