The Shirelles, an African-American girl group from Passaic, New Jersey, gained prominence in the music industry during the 1960s. They initially caught attention with their doo-wop song “I Met Him on a Sunday” performed at a school talent show. Discovered by Florence Greenberg, owner of Tiara Records, the group faced initial success with Decca Records but encountered setbacks leading them to sign with Scepter Records.

Under Scepter, the Shirelles collaborated with songwriter Luther Dixon, achieving a breakthrough with “Will You Love Me Tomorrow,” the first girl-group song to reach #1 on the Billboard charts. The group re-released “Dedicated to the One I Love,” which became a hit, followed by a string of successful songs, establishing them as pop music powerhouses.

However, their success took a downturn when financial issues arose. Florence Greenberg had assured the teenage group that their royalties were held in trusts until they turned 21, but this turned out to be false. Legal battles ensued, and though settled out of court, the Shirelles faced challenges in signing with another label during the litigation period. Additionally, they struggled against competition from other girl groups and the British Invasion.

The narrative ends on the note that “Will You Love Me Tomorrow,” one of the Shirelles’ hits, delves into serious and frank themes, portraying a young woman’s contemplation about intimacy with her boyfriend amid concerns about potential consequences for their relationship.