The verdict
Documented Sampling History
Confirmed songwriters of record (Phil Spector, Jeff Barry, Ellie Greenwich). The Ronettes’ real court dispute over royalties and master-tape ownership — revealing they collectively received just $14,000 — is presented factually as a confirmed dispute, without asserting a specific final resolution not confirmed in this research pass.
Quick Facts
Released1963
GenrePop, Rock And Roll, Girl Group
LabelPhilles Records
ProducerPhil Spector
Recorded atGold Star Studios, Hollywood
More infoWikipedia → · Discogs →
Who you need to ask
The songwriters of record — Phil Spector, Jeff Barry & Ellie Greenwich
Wikipedia → · checked Jul 2026
The current administrator — Complicated by the Ronettes’ royalty/master-tape litigation
Encyclopedia → · checked Jul 2026
Has it been reused?
A definitive Wall-of-Sound record and one of the most influential pop productions ever; connects to “Da Doo Ron Ron” and “Then He Kissed Me.” A real royalty/master-tape court dispute is flagged, resolution not asserted.
Do they allow reuse?
No standalone policy found; confirmed songwriter(s) of record.
Related Songs
Same album, answer records, and songs worth knowing about
Same Spector/Barry–Greenwich songwriting trio (this batch)
Same songwriting trio (this batch)
Who Owns It
Licenses explained →The two permissions you need, and who holds them
The song itself (the writing)Phil Spector, Jeff Barry & Ellie Greenwich
A real court dispute (resolution not asserted)The Ronettes later revealed in court proceedings that they had received a collective total of just $14,000 following the song’s release, with no further payment for subsequent recordings or royalties. They maintained their right to further royalties and separately disputed ownership of their own original master tapes, in a documented, involved court battle. This research pass did not confirm the specific final outcome — presented as a real, confirmed dispute, not an asserted resolution.
The recording (current administrator)Genuinely complicated by the litigation history above
Receipts
Every public mention of terms, policy, or past deals we've found
One Ronette on the track, 42 takes
Ronnie Bennett (later Ronnie Spector) is the only actual Ronette on the recording; Spector rehearsed the song with her for weeks, then required 42 full takes before capturing the vocal. A young Cher (also on “Da Doo Ron Ron,” this batch) sang uncredited backgrounds. No lyrics reproduced.
Rolling Stone (via PressReader) · read it →
Brian Wilson pulled off the road
Beach Boys leader Brian Wilson recounted having to pull his car off the road because the song, on his radio, overwhelmed his ability to keep driving — he has named it his favorite song.
Library of Congress · read it →
Can You Use It for Free?
How to check PD →Is it public domain?No
Sample History
—
Times sampled
A definitive Wall-of-Sound production
Covers
—
First flip
Who to Contact
BB
Spector, Barry & Greenwich (Philles)
The confirmed songwriters of record
What they'll chargeNobody's shared numbers yet
Don't Want the Hassle?
Sample something pre-cleared insteadCheck Tracklib →
Find a similar sound that's 100% freeBrowse the catalog →
References
Every source cited on this page — 5 in total
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Page history · 2 updates
Jul 2026Page created — full research (Research Queue Batch 19/20)
Jul 2026BPM/Key pending the automated GetSongBPM/Deezer pass