Which song by The Shirelles became the first No. 1 hit by an all-female group on the Billboard Hot 100?

“Will You Love Me Tomorrow” became the first Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 by an all-female group.

The Shirelles released the song in 1960, with Shirley Owens singing lead. Written by Gerry Goffin and Carole King, it asks whether a romantic encounter will have lasting meaning the following day. The record reached No. 1 in January 1961.

Its achievement was significant because girl groups were becoming a major force in American pop, but none had previously led the newly established Hot 100. The production combined the group’s harmonies with a polished pop arrangement that helped bridge rhythm and blues and mainstream radio.

The song is sometimes mixed up with “Please Mr. Postman,” another landmark girl-group hit. That later song gave The Marvelettes the first No. 1 for Motown, but The Shirelles reached the top first among all-female groups.