Girl Don't Come

Album: Princess of Britpop (1964)
Charted: 3 42
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This Chris Andrews penned song was originally the B-side to the ballad "I'd Be Far Better Off Without You," also written by Andrews. However the DJ's started picking up on "Girl" and after Shaw performed both songs on a late night chat show and this tune got a better response, the decision was made to switch it to the A-side.
  • This song caused Sandie Shaw to be banned from the US. Around the time Rough Trade released Shaw's Hello Angel album in 1988, she provided some personal notes on her past releases. About this song she claimed: "Girl Don't Come was the beginning and end of my US career, and as a result of Chris (Andrews) and I teasing our manager Eve (Taylor) about the title of the song - she gave the label details to the American company as Girls Don't Come. The song went straight into the charts and was immediately banned. When I applied to work in the States, I discovered that I had joined a very different 'hit list' and was refused entry with others like John Lennon."
  • Cher covered the song in 1965 on her solo debut album, All I Really Want to Do. The Pretenders often used it as an encore during their early-'80s tours, though they never released it.

Comments: 3

  • Barry from Sauquoit, NyOn April 28th 1965, Sandie Shaw performed "Girl Don't Come" on the ABC-TV program 'Shindig!...
    Two month earlier on February 17th she first performed the song on the same show (See post below)...
    On this April 28th show she also performed the record's flip-side, "I'd Be Far Better Off Without You"...
    R.I.P. Jimmy O'Neill (Shindig's host; 1940 - 2013).
  • Barry from Sauquoit, NyOn February 17th 1965, Sandie Shaw performed "Girl Don't Come" on the ABC-TV program 'Shindig!'...
    Eleven days later on February 28th it entered Billboard's Hot Top 100 chart at position #90; and on April 18th it peaked at #42 (for 1 week) and spent 9 weeks on the Top 100...
    It reached #2 on the Canadian RPM Top Singles chart and in her native U.K. it peaked at #3...
    Ms. Shaw, born Sandra Ann Goodrich, will celebrate her 67th birthday in nine days on February 26th (2014).
  • Stefanie from Rock Hill, ScThis song was included on a boxed set of 1960's girl groups and singers called One Kiss Can Lead to Another: Girl Group Sounds Lost and Found, which is one of my favorite compilations. This song is one of many highlights on there. I wish more people knew it.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

James Bond Theme Songs

James Bond Theme SongsMusic Quiz

How well do you know the 007 theme songs?

Hawksley Workman

Hawksley WorkmanSongwriter Interviews

One of Canada's most popular and eclectic performers, Hawksley tells stories about his oldest songs, his plentiful side projects, and the ways that he keeps his songwriting fresh.

Dave Pirner of Soul Asylum

Dave Pirner of Soul AsylumSongwriter Interviews

Dave explains how the video appropriated the meaning of "Runaway Train," and what he thought of getting parodied by Weird Al.

Tom Keifer of Cinderella

Tom Keifer of CinderellaSongwriter Interviews

Tom talks about the evolution of Cinderella's songs through their first three albums, and how he writes as a solo artist.

John Kay of Steppenwolf

John Kay of SteppenwolfSongwriter Interviews

Steppenwolf frontman John Kay talks about "Magic Carpet Ride," "Born To Be Wild," and what he values more than awards and accolades.

Brenda Russell

Brenda RussellSongwriter Interviews

Brenda talks about the inspiration that drove her to write hit songs like "Get Here" and "Piano in the Dark," and why a lack of formal music training can be a songwriter's best asset.