Rediscovering “Will You Love Me Tomorrow”: The Shirelles’ Timeless Heartbreak Anthem

“Will You Love Me Tomorrow” is one of the most iconic and emotionally honest songs by the girl group The Shirelles.

Written by the legendary songwriting duo Gerry Goffin (lyrics) and Carole King (music), the song captures the vulnerable moment of a young woman who wonders whether her lover will still care once the moment has passed.

The track became a breakthrough: it was the first song by an all-female Black group to reach No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100.

The Shirelles – Will You Love Me Tomorrow

When first presented with the song, lead singer Shirley Owens (of The Shirelles) thought it sounded “too country.”

Some radio stations reportedly banned the track at the time, because they felt its lyrics were “too sexually suggestive” for 1960.

Recording took place at Bell Sound Studios in New York City.

The song is written in AABA form, a structure common in Tin Pan Alley-style pop.

Over the years, many artists have covered it — including Carole King herself on her landmark 1971 album Tapestry.
At the time, the girl-group sound was rising in popularity, and “Will You Love Me Tomorrow” exemplified it perfectly. The Shirelles delivered not just a catchy pop tune, but a deeply emotional narrative — asking for reassurance in love with genuine vulnerability.

Musically, the track combines doo-wop harmonies, soft orchestration (strings), and a gentle Latin-influenced rhythm.
The production, helmed by Luther Dixon, elevated the song’s sophistication while keeping it accessible.

Lyrically, the song is about uncertainty. The singer recognizes the sweetness of the moment (“Tonight you’re mine completely …”), but she fears what comes after: “Will you still love me tomorrow?” This tension — between desire and fear — is central to the song’s emotional impact.

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