I never bothered asking Kate what she thought of my deep girl group appreciation (and particularly of the Shangri-Las), but I’m guessing that, as my resident astrologist, she’d defer to the Scorpio framework. “Their feelings are so intense that even when their love is of the highest, and most idealistic kind, they are nevertheless frequently protagonists in tragic, even violent romances.” “Out In the Streets” is textbook tragedy: girl loves guy for who he is, but love changes him; he feels torn between who he is (who the girl loves) and who he’s become. He doesn’t leave, she forces him out. This performance, from the short-lived Shindig! show on ABC, doesn’t have the best audio quality, but it perfectly represents the balance of affectation and true, deep pain at the heart of the Shangri-Las. Shadows, then lights; ghost faces in the darkness… their monolithic sadness is so… sensual… I’m actually… wow… am I crying?… I have this thing for ultra-melancholy, romantic, batshit women…

This is where my therapist usually says “Well, our time is up for today.”