SCENE SEVEN
Recording Studio, Manhattan, July, 1964.
A sterile room with “soundproofed” walls and a piano (?). There
are stools, music stands and microphones. On one music stand is a stack of
hand-written lead sheets. Flash (and Gerry) are in control booth separated by
glass. An orchestra is in an adjacent room, also not visible. The Girls enter,
dressed casually.
DIANE
Wow wee! Look at this place!
BRENDA
It’s better than the dump where we recorded the Imperial demo.
CONNIE
That wasn’t really a recording studio. It was like –
someone’s basement.
FLASH (V.O.)
Hello, girls. Hey, Brenda.
BRENDA
Hey, Flash.
FLASH
Make yourselves comfortable. Gerry and I gotta work out a few
things up here. Take a look at the lead sheets.
DIANE
(yelling) THANK YOU!
FLASH (V.O.)
I can hear you, Diane. You
don’t have to yell.
They wander around for a few moments, acclimating themselves.
CONNIE peruses the lead sheets.
DIANE
Why did he say, “Hey Brenda” like that?
BRENDA
He likes me.
DIANE
Where’d you go with him the night of the Hop?
BRENDA
Long Island. I told you.
DIANE
What’d you do?
BRENDA
What is this, the third degree? You want to know if I screwed him?
Yeah I did, so what? You know how I get after a show. When Flash dropped you
off, we drove out to Jones Beach. Happy?
DIANE
I thought you and Connie were just gonna show Flash around the neighborhood.
CONNIE
We did. Then he dropped me off at home.
DIANE
(to CONNIE) You left her alone with Flash?
CONNIE turns away.
BRENDA
(to DIANE) What are you, my mother? (to CONNIE) You didn’t tell me was
so fine. Who needs Chico?
DIANE
Oh, so that’s the only reason we’re here. You sleep with a
producer so you can get him to cut a record with us.
CONNIE
That’s not true! Flash said we were just what he was lookin’ for.
You heard him, Diane. Now don’t mess this up.
BRENDA
(to DIANE) You better not.
CONNIE
(to BRENDA) And you. It’s strictly business in here, got it?? No funny stuff.
DIANE
(looking offstage) That whole band in the other room’s gonna play on these songs?
There’s like, forty of ‘em.
CONNIE
It’s not a band, Diane, it’s an orchestra. He’s got big plans for
us.
DIANE
We’re gonna have to sing really loud.
BRENDA
Is he our manager now?
CONNIE
He’ll wait till after the session and if it goes good, he’ll sign
a contract with us and then he’ll shop around the demos ‘cause he knows lots of
people in the Brill Building –
DIANE
What’s the Brill Building?
CONNIE
It’s where everyone in the music industry has an office so
hopefully we’ll get signed by a new label and the record’ll get a big release.
DIANE
What about Larry? Ma signed a contract with him. And your dad did
too, right?
CONNIE
I’m not sure how that works. We’ll find out. Just let Flash handle
everything, okay?
DIANE
Who’s that Gerry guy up there?
CONNIE
I don’t know but
what a hunk!
BRENDA
How am I supposed to let loose trapped insida here with no
audience?
CONNIE
Close your eyes and make believe.
DIANE
I like that it’s nice and private. If you face this way. (away
from the orchestra)
CONNIE
This is gonna be great, just wait. (holding a lead sheet) Look at this one: “Remember (Walking in the Sand).”
BRENDA
I bet he wrote it for me.
CONNIE
(showing it to DIANE) That Gerry guy co-wrote it, see? Hi, Gerry! (she waves to
Gerry).
DIANE
“Walking in the sand” is in parentheses. How do you sing somethin’
that’s in parentheses?
CONNIE
It means that the lead singer sings “remember” and the back-up
singers sing the “walking in the sand” part, or vice versa.
BRENDA
Let me see that. (reading) “Seems like the other day my
baby went away.” I’m not singin’ no “baby went away” song.
CONNIE
Maybe if there was some talkin’ at the beginning like you like.
DIANE
Think Flash’ll let us talk?
BRENDA
If I ask ‘im.
CONNIE
We should figure out what we’re gonna say first.
DIANE
Lemme see the other ones. (she takes the lead sheets for
various songs)
BRENDA
We’ll just talk like we always talk but let’s say our real names
so everyone’ll know who we are.
CONNIE
(pleased) I don’t think I ever heard anybody say their own name.
DIANE
(delighted) Oh my God, look at this! He wrote a song about Jimmy!
CONNIE
(taking the lead sheet) “Leader of the Pack.”
BRENDA
A biker song? Cool. (to CONNIE) There been any songs about
bikers?
CONNIE
Well, “He’s a Rebel” by The Crystals, sorta. I mean, the album
cover had a biker on it.
DIANE
(horrified) I can’t sing this!
CONNIE
Why?
DIANE
He gets killed in a crash!
BRENDA
He does?
DIANE
Look!
BRENDA
Well, you told Flash in his car what happened to Jimmy, remember?
What d’ya expect?
DIANE
He asked!
CONNIE
He asked ‘cause you were dressed in black. You’re lucky he didn’t
write a song called “Dressed in Black.”
DIANE
(picking up a lead sheet) Oh no, look at this.
BRENDA
(reading the title) “Dressed in Black.” That’s hysterical. This one’s all yours,
girl.
DIANE
I’m gettin’ out of here. This guy is a mental case. Who’s gonna
wanna buy a record where somebody gets killed?
CONNIE
Diane, “Tell Laura I Love Her” was a big hit.
DIANE
I told him about Joey, too. Why didn’t he write a song about Joey
bein’ at the Hop?
BRENDA
Somebody already wrote “My Boy Lollipop.”
CONNIE
There’s more songs. Look, “Give Him A Great Big Kiss.” I bet no
one dies in that.
BRENDA
(grabbing the lead sheet) Lemme see. I know he wrote this one for me.
CONNIE
(looking at another lead sheet) “I Can Never Go Home
Anymore.”
DIANE
(interested) What’s it about?
CONNIE
(scanning the lyrics) The girl cries - and the mother dies.
BRENDA
That’s got Diane written all over it.
DIANE
I’m not singin’ a song where someone dies. Period.
FLASH (V.O.)
Okay girls, all set? Let’s get goin’ with “Remember” Brenda, you
gonna take the lead?
BRENDA
I wanna do “Great Big Kiss.” Diane’s gonna do “Remember.”
CONNIE
(handing DIANE the lead sheet) Here, Diane. Nobody dies in this either.
FLASH (V.O.)
Diane, this is a song about a girl who lost her guy. They had a
passionate fling, then he dumped her. She’s in a lot of pain. Think of it like
a soap opera - a little movie for the radio. I need real emotion here. Can you
handle it?
CONNIE
It’s right up her alley.
FLASH (V.O.)
Okay, let’s give it a shot.
BRENDA
Hey, Flash, how ‘bout we talk a little at the beginning?
FLASH (V.O.)
Talk?
BRENDA
Yeah, you said it was like a movie so I’m thinkin’ we could talk a
bit before the singin’ starts, to kind of, you know – help me out here, Connie.
CONNIE
To put ‘em in the mood. You know, so they get the whole picture.
FLASH (V.O.)
What are you gonna say?
CONNIE
Just girl talk.
FLASH (V.O.)
Let’s do a take and see what happens.
BRENDA
Okay, here we go. So Diane, I heard you got new boyfriend. Is he
sexy?
DIANE
(awkwardly) Yes. Yes he is.
BRENDA
Oh, come on! Say something worth listenin’ to, will ya?
DIANE
Wait, is that you talking, or -
BRENDA
(to CONNIE) Why don’t you and me talk and she can come in later?
DIANE
Or you guys do all the talking and I’ll just sing.
CONNIE
(to DIANE) Just say a few words, alright? Okay, here goes. Hey, Diane,
I saw you with a really cute guy after school. You goin’ out with him?
DIANE
(reluctantly) Uh huh.
CONNIE
By the way, where’d ya meet ‘im?
BRENDA
D’he come to the candy store where you work?
DIANE
Uh huh.
BRENDA
That’s it? – “Uh huh. Uh huh.”
DIANE
I don’t know what to say!
FLASH (V.O.)
I see where you’re goin’, girls, but let’s save the talk for
later. I got some ideas for this one.
DIANE
I don’t like this song. It’s about a tramp, right?
CONNIE
(to BRENDA) Why’d you put ideas in her head? Flash, I’ll do lead.
Piano accompaniment begins. CONNIE sings mechanically, trying to
learn the melody.
CONNIE
Seems like the other day
My baby went away
He went away ‘cross the sea
It's been two years or so
Since I saw my baby go
That's when this letter came for me
He said that we were through
He'd found somebody new
Oooh, let me think, let me think
What can I do?
Oh no
Oh no
Oh no no no no no
FLASH (V.O.)
Connie, when you get to the “oh no’s,” you gotta give it all you
got, okay?
CONNIE
I know, but she keeps sayin’ it over and over.
DIANE
Well, when you’re really hurt or upset, it’s hard to say like, big
sentences.
BRENDA
Take it from her.
FLASH (V.O.)
Connie, try it again from “lemme think.” And you really need to
let loose here. You’re never gonna see this guy again. You thought you had
everything, and now you got nothin’ – just memories of those tender nights on
the beach. He tore your heart out. Now tear our hearts out!
CONNIE
Oooh, let me think, let me
think
What can I do?
Oh no!
Oh no!
Oh no no no no no!
DIANE AND BRENDA
Remember
CONNIE
Walking in the sand.
BRENDA
Hey, wait a sec. Maybe we can just say “remember” instead
of singin’ it?
DIANE AND BRENDA
(spoken)
Remember
FLASH (V.O.)
Nice.
CONNIE
Can I keep singin’ or should I talk too?
FLASH (V.O.)
No, you sing. You’re gettin’ it. Let’s try the chorus again.
Ready, girls?
DIANE AND BRENDA
(spoken)
Remember
CONNIE
Walking in the sand
DIANE AND BRENDA
(spoken)
Remember
CONNIE
Walking hand in hand
FLASH (V.O.)
I’m gonna lay in the orchestra and some sound effects. Then we’ll
take it again.
BRENDA
And I’m gonna add some finger snaps.
CONNIE
When can I sing it all the way through? It’s hard doin’ it in
little bits and pieces.
FLASH (V.O.)
It’s better for your voice that way.
BRENDA
What kinda sound effects?
FLASH (V.O.)
You know, atmosphere. Like stuff you’d hear if you were walking in
the sand. Seagulls. Waves crashing.
DIANE
Seagulls? (whispering) Is he crazy!?
BRENDA
(quietly, to CONNIE) Did Flash have any hits?
CONNIE
Maybe he’s a genius like Phil Spector or somethin’. We gotta trust
him.
DIANE
I hate seagulls. One bit me once.
BRENDA
It’s what you get for goin’ to Bayside.
FLASH (V.O.)
Ready, girls? Just keep doing what you were doing and I’ll work in
the effects around you. Take it from the chorus.
During the vocal, there are orchestrations and sound effects, a
bit too loud at times.
DIANE AND BRENDA
(spoken)
Remember
CONNIE
The night was so exciting
DIANE AND BRENDA
(spoken)
Remember
CONNIE
His lips were so inviting
DIANE AND BRENDA
(spoken)
Remember
CONNIE
Then he touched my cheek
DIANE AND BRENDA
(spoken)
Remember
CONNIE
With his fingertips
DIANE AND BRENDA
(spoken)
Remember
CONNIE
Softly, softly we’d meet with
our lips.
FLASH “mixes” the song to perfection. He lays in the orchestra,
and during the following verses, the song builds.
CONNIE
Whatever happened to
The boy that I once knew
The boy who said he'd be true
What will happen to
The life I gave to you
What will I do with my heart now?
DIANE AND BRENDA
Remember
CONNIE
Walking in the sand
DIANE AND BRENDA
Remember
CONNIE
Walking hand in hand
DIANE AND BRENDA
Remember
CONNIE
The night was so exciting
DIANE AND BRENDA
Remember
CONNIE
His lips were so inviting
DIANE AND BRENDA
Remember
CONNIE
Then he touched my cheek
DIANE AND BRENDA
Remember
CONNIE
With his fingertips
DIANE AND BRENDA
Remember
CONNIE
Softly, softly we’d meet with
our lips
Whatever happened to
The boy that I once knew
The boy who said he'd be true
What will happen to
The life I gave to you
What will I do with my heart now?
DIANE AND BRENDA
Remember
CONNIE
Walking in the sand
DIANE AND BRENDA
Remember
CONNIE
Walking hand in hand
DIANE AND BRENDA
Remember
CONNIE
The night was so exciting
DIANE AND BRENDA
Remember
CONNIE
His lips were so inviting
DIANE AND BRENDA
Remember
CONNIE
Then he touched my cheek
DIANE AND BRENDA
Remember
CONNIE
With his fingertips
DIANE AND BRENDA
Remember
Remember
Remember
FLASH (V.O.)
That’s it! We got somethin’ here, girls. Back in a flash.
CONNIE
I like this song!
DIANE
I hate it. I’m trying to concentrate and there’s big birds
squawking away in the background.
BRENDA
Just leave it to Flash, okay?
DIANE
So, what, is he gonna put like, a motorcycle crash in “Leader of
the Pack?”
CONNIE
Oh, c’mon, he’s not that crazy.
FLASH (V.O.)
Alright, girls, let’s get goin’ with “Great Big Kiss.” Brenda, see
where you come in there?
BRENDA
I wanna talk a little before the intro starts, okay?
FLASH
Anything, doll.
CONNIE
And I’ll play around with the back up vocals. Just follow me,
Diane. Hey, Flash, maybe Diane and me can talk during the bridge?
FLASH (V.O.)
You girls sure like to talk.
BRENDA
(spoken)
(to DIANE) When I say I’m in love you
best believe I’m in love L.U.V.!
(singing)
Here comes my guy walking
down the street
Look how he walks with a dancing beat
CONNIE begins to sing back-up vocals, and DIANE follows along.
Thick wavy hair,
a little too long
All day long he's
CONNIE and DIANE
All day long he’s
BRENDA
Singing his song
And when I see him in the street
My heart takes a leap and skips a beat
BRENDA, CONNIE and DIANE
Gonna walk right up to him
BRENDA stomps her boots.
Give him a great
big kiss – Moi!
Tell him that I love him
Tell him that I care
Tell him that I'll always be there
CONNIE
(Spoken)
What color are his eyes?
BRENDA
I don't know, he's always wearing shades
CONNIE elbows DIANE.
DIANE
How’s he comb his hair?
BRENDA
In a “D.A.”
CONNIE
Grease?
BRENDA
Buckets!
DIANE
Is he tall?
BRENDA
Well, I gotta look up.
CONNIE
Where’s he live?
BRENDA
Who cares?
DIANE
He in a gang?
BRENDA
Better be.
DIANE
You gonna take him home to
meet Ma?
BRENDA
She wouldn’t like ‘im.
CONNIE
Why?
BRENDA
His boots are dirty.
DIANE
What if he's just plain bad?
BRENDA
Mmm, he's good/bad - but he's not evil –
CONNIE
Yeah? Well I hear he stabbed
a guy in Jackson Heights
BRENDA
That guy had it comin’.
CONNIE
Is he -
FLASH
(interrupting) Okay, that’s enough talkin’. Brenda, make sure you sing directly into
the mike. And don’t wiggle and wave your arms so much.
BRENDA
I gotta move when I sing.
FLASH (V.O.)
No one can see you on the radio.
BRENDA
That’s why I like singin’ live.
FLASH (V.O.)
Look into my eyes, Brenda. (she does) Sing it just for me,
baby.
CONNIE
Flash, I got a neat idea for a back up vocal. Ready? Here
goes.
CONNIE
Tell me more, tell me more.
FLASH
Great. Keep goin’.
BRENDA
Big bulky sweaters
CONNIE and DIANE
Tell me more
BRENDA
To match his eyes
CONNIE and DIANE
Tell me more
BRENDA
Dirty fingernails
CONNIE and DIANE
Tell me more
BRENDA
Oh boy what a prize
CONNIE and DIANE
Tell me more
BRENDA
Tight tapered pants
CONNIE and DIANE
Tell me more
BRENDA
High button shoes
CONNIE and DIANE
Tell me more
BRENDA
He's always looking like he's got the blues
CONNIE and DIANE
Tell me more
BRENDA
And when I see him in the street
My heart takes a leap and skips a beat
BRENDA, CONNIE and DIANE
Gonna walk right up to him
Give him a great big kiss
Tell him that I love him
Tell him that I care
Tell him that I'll always be there.
DIANE
(spoken)
Is he a good dancer?
BRENDA
What do you mean is he a good
dancer?
DIANE
Well, how does he dance?
BRENDA
Do you mean dance, or (with
sexual innuendo) dance?
DIANE
I mean dance. Period. How
does he dance?
BRENDA
Close. Very, very close
(moving away from the
microphone, in her own world)
Yeah, baby
He’s my love
The butcher, the baker, the
candlestick maker
He’s everything
Listen to me sing
Yeah, yeah
FLASH (V.O.)
I might have to edit out some of the talk, but that one’s a wrap,
girls. Need a break or you wanna keep goin’?
BRENDA
I’m not stayin’ here all day. I gotta get to the Village and look
for new boots. Then I might go to Folk City and see Bob Dylan.
DIANE
Who’s that?
BRENDA
He sings “Blowin’ in the Wind.”
CONNIE
That’s Peter, Paul and Mary.
BRENDA
He sings it too.
DIANE
You gonna be a beatnik now?
CONNIE
I don’t like folk singers.
DIANE
They don’t even dress up or wash their hair.
CONNIE
Diane, we should go shoppin’ in the Village with Brenda.
DIANE
That place scares me. And I hate shoppin’ with her – she’s always
stealin’ somethin’.
CONNIE
We’re gonna have a hit record, Diane. We need a “look.”
DIANE
(looking at her outfit) We got a “look.” Each of us has her own “look.”
CONNIE
Well, we gotta start wearin’ the same thing whatever it is.
DIANE
I am not dressin’ like Brenda.
CONNIE
You gotta do what’s best for the group. And I’m thinkin’ we should
try somethin’ like, you know – “tough chicks”.
DIANE
The popular groups all wear taffeta and stuff! And these new girls
from Motown are wearin’ evening gowns.
BRENDA
Can you see me in an evening gown?
DIANE
I love The Supremes. They’re so glamorous.
BRENDA
They look fake. We’re doin’ what Connie says.
DIANE
No one else is doing it.
CONNIE
That’s my point. The Shangri-Las need their own image. And boots
and leather’ll go great with these songs.
FLASH (V.O.)
You girls ready for “Leader of the Pack?”
CONNIE
‘Specially that song.
DIANE
(dismayed) Oh boy oh boy.
CONNIE
C’mon, Diane. He wrote it just for you.
DIANE
You two planned this whole thing behind my back.
FLASH (V.O.)
Brenda, Connie - why don’t you girls talk at the beginning like
you were doin’ before?
And Diane, just ignore the sound effects.
DIANE
What sound effects?
FLASH (V.O.)
Thunder and rain, a motorcycle revving up. And the sound of a
crash.
DIANE
You’re gonna put a motorcycle crash on a 45? Babalu’s not gonna
play that! Nobody is!
FLASH (V.O.)
I thought you wanted a hit? Diane, you gotta let me do my thing.
DIANE
We’re gonna get arrested.
CONNIE
Look, if it doesn’t work, he can always take it out.
DIANE
(to CONNIE, choking up) I can’t do this.
FLASH (V.O.)
I understand, Diane. Just think of Jimmy, and how much he meant to
you. I know it hurts, but that’ll make the song better. I’ll dim the lights.
BRENDA
(spoken)
Is she really going out with him?
CONNIE
Well, there she is, let's ask her.
BRENDA
Diane, is that Jimmy's ring you're wearing?
DIANE
Uh huh.
CONNIE
Gee, it must be great riding with him
BRENDA
Is he picking you up after school today?
DIANE
Uh uh.
BRENDA and CONNIE
By the way, where'd you meet him?
Effortlessly, DIANE accesses the emotional depths and the
performance heights of the song.
DIANE
(singing)
I met him at the candy store
He turned around and smiled at me
(spoken)
You get the picture?
BRENDA and CONNIE
(spoken)
Yes, we see
(singing)
That's when I fell for
ALL
The leader of the pack.
The lighting shifts and the recording studio disappears. The girls
are now on “Shindig,” performing live for a television audience.
SHINDIG HOST (V.O.)
Get ready, all you Shindiggers! Here are The Shangri-Las singing
the number one hit in the whole U. S.A., “Leader of the Pack!”
DIANE
My folks were always putting him down
BRENDA and CONNIE
Down, down
DIANE
They said he came from the wrong side of town
BRENDA and CONNIE
Whatcha mean when ya say that
he came from the wrong side of town?
DIANE
They told me he was bad
But I knew he was sad
That's why I fell for
ALL
The leader of the pack.
DIANE
One day my dad said, "Find someone new"
I had to tell my Jimmy we're through
BRENDA and CONNIE
Whatcha mean when ya say that
ya better go find somebody new?
DIANE
He stood there and asked me why
But all I could do was cry
I'm sorry I hurt you
ALL
The leader of the pack
DIANE
(spoken)
He sort of smiled and kissed me goodbye
The tears were beginning to show
As he drove away on that rainy night
I begged him to go slow
But whether he heard, I'll never know
(screaming)
Look out! Look out! Look out! Look out!
(screeching tires, crash)
I felt so helpless, what could I do?
Remembering all the things we'd been through
In school they all stop and stare
I can't hide the tears, but I don't care
I'll never forget him
ALL
The leader of the pack
The leader of the pack - now he's gone
The leader of the pack - now he's gone
The leader of the pack - now he's gone
The leader of the pack - now he's gone
APPLAUSE. The Girls beam. Blackout.
