Lipstick on Your Collar: Choral SoundPax
Words by Edna Lewis, music by George Goehring / arr. Jay Althouse
Item: 00-PK-0004128
$30.00
One moment…
Description
What a tale Connie Francis sang back in 1959! But what a fun, sassy song for girl groups to sing today! "Lipstick on your collar told a tale on you! Boy!" Also featured in the current off-Broadway musical The Marvelous Wonderettes.
Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, Lipstick on Your Collar: Choral SoundPax comes alive with professional accompaniment, adjustable tempo, and built-in practice tools that turn solo practice into real progress.
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Additional Details
Series:
Alfred Pop Choral Series
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
26
SKU:
00-PK-0004128
Instrumentation:
SoundPax
More about this title
Why we love this
Jay Althouse's arrangement captures everything that made the original a hit while tailoring it specifically for contemporary girl groups. The sass and storytelling come through without requiring massive vocal ranges or technical gymnastics, so your singers can focus on personality and delivery. It's rare to find pop repertoire this fun that also works as a legitimate performance piece.
What to expect
Cheeky and confident. The song bounces with retro charm while staying modern enough for today's audiences to connect with immediately. There's a theatrical sparkle to it, enhanced by its lineage in The Marvelous Wonderettes, that makes singers feel like they're part of something clever and fun rather than just performing a cover.
Who it's for
Girl groups and treble choirs looking for contemporary pop material with genuine theatrical roots. This works equally well for a cappella ensembles who want a recorded accompaniment option and for choirs who prefer the flexibility of having instrumental parts available. Any treble ensemble that can deliver both musicality and attitude will thrive with this piece.
How to get the most out of it
- Lean into the conversational quality of the lyric. This song thrives when singers treat it like they're telling a story to friends, not performing a formal choral work.
- Use the recorded accompaniment to lock the groove early in rehearsal. The rhythmic pocket matters as much as the pitch.
- Balance the lead voice prominently enough that the narrative stays clear, while keeping the supporting parts lively and engaged rather than relegated to background duty.
- The sass is earned through rhythmic precision and attitude, not volume. Tight articulation on the repeated figures will land the humor more effectively than belting.
How to use it
Program this alongside other pop arrangements from the Alfred Pop Choral Series to build a contemporary set, or use it as a palate cleanser in a concert that mixes classical and show music. It's sized right for a standalone number or as part of a shorter medley focusing on 1950s pop hits. Consider it for festivals, pops concerts, or any program where you want the audience laughing and smiling by the end of the first verse.
Skills your students will build
- Rhythmic precision in syncopated pop grooves
- Storytelling and character development in choral singing
- Blending harmony parts that serve the narrative rather than dominating it
- Balancing ensemble cohesion with individual personality and attitude