About the Song
Released in 1962, “Johnny Angel” is a tender pop classic performed by Shelley Fabares. Written by Lyn Duddy and Lee Pockriss, the song quickly captured listeners’ hearts, becoming a #1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 and cementing Fabares’ place in music history.
The song tells the story of a young girl hopelessly in love with a boy named Johnny, who remains unaware of her feelings. Her devotion is so strong that she turns down other suitors, dreaming only of winning Johnny’s heart.
The Creation of “Johnny Angel”
Duddy and Pockriss wrote “Johnny Angel” during a New York City blackout. Stranded in Duddy’s apartment, they decided to work on a song, with Duddy envisioning a soliloquy about unrequited love. The original title was “Seven-thirty,” but Pockriss suggested using a boy’s name instead. Duddy picked “Johnny” at random, unaware it would soon become synonymous with their hit.
Despite the success of their collaboration, Duddy and Pockriss never worked together again, focusing on other projects afterward.
Shelley Fabares and the Song’s Impact
Fabares, best known as an actress, sang “Johnny Angel” during an episode of The Donna Reed Show, where she played Mary Stone. The performance became a cultural moment, helping propel the song to the top of the charts. Although Fabares doubted her singing abilities, she was supported by an all-star lineup of session musicians, including:
- Glen Campbell and Carol Kaye on guitar
- Hal Blaine on drums
- Darlene Love and The Blossoms on backup vocals
This elite team provided a lush backdrop for Fabares’ delicate voice.
After “Johnny Angel”
Fabares released a sequel, “Johnny Loves Me,” which narrated her character’s success in capturing Johnny’s affection. However, this was her last major charting hit. By 1966, she had shifted her focus entirely back to acting, where her talents flourished.
“Johnny Angel” remains a nostalgic classic, remembered fondly for its sweet innocence and timeless appeal.
Lyrics
Johnny Angel
You’re an angel to me (Sha dum da dum, sha dum da dum)
Johnny Angel (Sha dum da dum)
How I love him (Sha dum da dum)
He’s got something that I can’t resist (Ah, da dum, da dum dum)
But he doesn’t even know (Ah, da dum, da dum dum)
That I exist (Sha dum da dum dum, sha dum da dum)
Johnny Angel (Sha dum da dum)
How I want him (Sha dum da dum)
How I tingle when he passes by (Ah, da dum, da dum dum)
Everytime he says hello (Ah, da dum, da dum dum)
My heart begins to fly (Sha dum da dum)
I get carried away
I dream of him and me
And how it’s gonna be
(Other fellas)
Call me up for a date
But I just sit and wait (Da dum)
I’d rather concentrate
On Johnny Angel (Johnny Angel)
‘Cause I love him (‘Cause I love him)
And I pray that someday he’ll love me (Ah, da dum, da dum dum)
And together we will see (Ah, da dum, da dum dum)
How lovely Heaven will be (Sha dum da dum)
I get carried away
I dream of him and me
And how it’s gonna be
(Other fellas)
Call me up for a date
But I just sit and wait (Ooh ooh ooh ooh)
I’d rather concentrate (Ooh ooh ooh ooh)
On Johnny Angel (Johnny Angel)
‘Cause I love him (‘Cause I love him)
And I pray that someday he’ll love me (Ah, da dum, da dum dum)
And together we will see (Ah, da dum, da dum dum)
How lovely Heaven will be (Johnny Angel)
Johnny Angel (Johnny Angel)
You’re an angel to me (Ooh)
Johnny Angel (Johnny Angel)
You’re an angel to me (Ooh)
Johnny Angel
