Ellie Greenwich, a prolific songwriter who co-wrote some of the most iconic pop songs of the ’60s (if you just look at the “A to E” portion of her writing credits, you’ll hit on “Be My Baby” (above), “Da Doo Ron Ron,” “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home),” and “(And) Then He Kissed Me”), has passed away.
Greenwich, who was born in Brooklyn and grew up on Long Island, has a lengthy list of songwriting credits that could double as a playlist for any station specializing in the biggest hits of the ’60s; she also worked as an arranger and a producer, and had a hand in the recording of Neil Diamond’s still-awesome “Cherry, Cherry.” In the ’80s, she even penned a jukebox musical—Leader Of The Pack, named after another song she penned—devoted to her music.
She was 68.
Ellie Greenwich, ‘Chapel of Love’ co-writer, dies [AP]
Ellie Greenwich song list [Songwriter's Fall Of Fame]
Ellie Greenwich, R.I.P.
August 26th, 2009 // 2 Comments
 |
Is Jessica Simpson Getting Married On This Day? – Huffington Post |
 This Could Be The Worst Celebrity Outfit Ever – Fox News | |
| Rihanna Debuts Her New Look – Global Grind | |
| Jennifer Lopez Drops Her Crotch – Huffington Post | |
| What You Need To Know About Phillip Phillips – Fox News | |
| Beyonce Is Ready To Steal The Spotlight Again – Global Grind |
Incredible songwriting force. All of the songs mentioned in this article dig out my heart and squeeze. R.I.P.
Can’t say I knew much about her other than seeing her name on the credits of songs (and I knew she was married to Jeff Barry, who I also only knew from credits), but these songs are hardwired into the consciousness of anyone growing up in the last 40 years. And FWIW, “Be My Baby” is my favorite song of all time. Even as a little kid, hearing my mom play the “Dirty Dancing” soundtrack, I would feel these waves of ineffable sadness and longing coming from “Be My Baby”. As much as I loved “(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life” and other songs associated with that movie, I knew there was something different – on some transcendent, spiritual level, as I understood it at the time – about “Be My Baby”. I still feel that way.