Songs by the Ronettes: 9 of the Ultimate '60s Girl Group's Greatest Hits
During the golden age of '60s girl groups the Ronettes and their unforgettable songs made a major impression. The soaring vocals and lush production (by the infamous Phil Spector) on their most famous tracks beautifully captured youthful romance while their sky-high beehives, winged eyeliner and miniskirts telegraphed stylish sass.
Composed of Ronnie Spector (née Veronica Bennett), her sister, Estelle Bennett, and their cousin, Nedra Talley, the trio may have only released one official studio album (Presenting the Fabulous Ronettes in 1964) but their impact looms large in pop culture, as they've influenced everyone from Debbie Harry to Amy Winehouse.
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Sadly, Nedra Talley remains the only Ronette still with us today, as Estelle Bennett passed away in 2009 and Ronnie Spector passed away in 2022. There's no question that their songs will live on forever, and their signature singles remain sparkling pop gems some six decades after they were first released. Here are nine songs by the Ronettes that embody their catchy girl group perfection.
1. "Be My Baby" (1963) Songs by the Ronettes
It doesn't get more iconic than this! "Be My Baby" is hands down one of the greatest songs of the '60s, and it's justly known as the Ronettes' signature work. The pop classic peaked at number 2 on the Billboard Hot 100, making it their biggest hit by far.
"Be My Baby" packs all the swooning drama of young romance into just under three minutes, turning a pop tune into a lasting piece of highly emotional art. The song has proven incredibly influential over the decades, and its instantly recognizable opening drum beat has been copied by countless artists across a range of genres.
2. "Baby, I Love You" (1963) songs by the Ronettes
"Baby, I Love You" is another timeless anthem of girl group romance. On the heels of "Be My Baby," the song landed the Ronettes back on the pop charts, though it wasn't quite as successful as their earlier hit, peaking at number 24.
The song was later covered by punk rockers the Ramones for their 1980 album End of the Century, which was produced by the Ronettes' collaborator Phil Spector.
3. "Sleigh Ride" (1963) Christmas songs by the Ronettes
A Christmas Gift for You from Phil Spector, featuring Christmas songs performed by the Ronettes, Darlene Love, Bob B. Soxx & the Blue Jeans and the Crystals, is the quintessential holiday album. The Ronettes' covers of "Frosty the Snowman," "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus" and "Sleigh Ride" are all nostalgic holiday staples, and the charm of hearing their tough New York accents take on Christmas classics never gets old.
"Sleigh Ride" has been proven to have particular staying power in recent years: After decades of being a seasonal standard, it peaked at number 8 on the Hot 100 in December of 2023, making it the Ronettes' second highest-charting song. Not bad for a song that's 60 years old!
4. "(The Best Part of) Breakin' Up" (1964) songs by the Ronettes
1964 was a big year for the Ronettes, as they grew even more popular when many girl groups were going out of style. That year, they met (and inspired!) the Rolling Stones and the Beatles. They also released "(The Best Part of) Breakin' Up," an upbeat song centered around the sweet rhyme, "The best part of breaking up is when you're making up."
5. "Walking in the Rain" (1964) songs by the Ronettes
Spector was known for his dramatic, evocative production work (called "the Wall of Sound") and "Walking in the Rain" features some of his most over-the-top flourishes. The track famously pairs the sounds of a thunderstorm with the group's soulful vocals, making it feel particularly cinematic.
6. "Do I Love You?" (1964)
In classic girl group fashion, many songs by the Ronettes feature "baby" or "love" in the title. The name "Do I Love You?" may be a question, but it's mostly rhetorical, as the sweet and simple lyrics (backed by romantic oh oh ohs) answer "Yes, I love you."
7. "Is This What I Get for Loving You?" (1965)
"Is This What I Get for Loving You?" is a baroque ballad of romantic disappointment. While the song wasn't the Ronettes' biggest hit, it signaled the group's shift in a more mature direction, and it was covered by another '60s icon, British singer Marianne Faithfull.
8. "I Can Hear Music" (1966)
Punctuated by handclaps and horns, "I Can Hear Music" uses the idea of "sweet sweet music" as a metaphor for falling in love. In 1969, the song was covered by the Beach Boys. It was a perfect fit for the band, and even eclipsed the original on the pop charts.
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9. "You Came, You Saw, You Conquered" (1969)
By 1969, popular music had changed considerably from when the Ronettes started out, and "You Came, You Saw, You Conquered," was their final single. While the later song isn't as well-known as some of their others, it still sounds like classic Ronettes, with their street-smart vocals and layered production.
Even long after the Ronettes disbanded, their impact can be felt everywhere, touching every genre from pop to R&B to punk rock, and their songs remain some of the sweetest of the '60s.
Read on for more about our favorite women of the '60s!
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