I'd Much Rather Be With the Girls

Album: single release only (2015)
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Songfacts®:

  • Originally titled "I'd Much Rather Be With The Boys," this song was written by Keith Richards and Andrew Oldham (the former manager of The Rolling Stones) in 1964. It was recorded by the group for their 1975 album Metamorphosis. This new version by The Ronettes had its first play on BBC Radio 4's Today programme on November 6, 2015.
  • The Rolling Stones were the support act for The Ronettes when they first toured in England in 1964; the song was written while the groups were traveling together. "They would write and do stuff on the bus", Ronnie Spector told the BBC. "All bands back then they would write on napkins or anything they could get their hands on."
  • The song was re-written by Ronnie Spector and released by The Ronettes as their first single in 50 years. Spector told the BBC she had no idea that Richards and Oldham had written the tune. "Two months ago my managers brought it to my attention, but it was called, 'I'd Much Rather Be With the Boys,'" she said. I just changed it to 'I'd Much Rather Be With the Girls.'"
  • Asked why she altered the title, Spector alluded to her former record producer husband Phil Spector, who virtually imprisoned the singer in his Los Angeles mansion during their marriage. "You know my past life. I think everybody knows who I am singing about," she said. "There is a line in the song, 'I don't need you anymore.' By listening to the lyrics I think you'll understand why I'd much rather be with the girls."

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