Theme for Young Lovers (Instrumental)
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“Theme for Young Lovers” | |
---|---|
| |
Single by The Shadows | |
from the album Wonderful Life | |
B-side | “This Hammer“ |
Released | 28 February 1964 |
Recorded | 1 November 1963 |
Studio | EMI Studios, London |
Genre | Instrumental rock |
Length | 2:38 |
Label | Columbia |
Songwriter(s) | Bruce Welch |
Producer(s) | Norrie Paramor |
The Shadows singles chronology | |
“Geronimo“ (1963)”Theme for Young Lovers“ (1964)”The Rise and Fall of Flingel Bunt“ (1964) |
“Theme for Young Lovers” is an instrumental by British group the Shadows, released as a single in February 1964. It peaked at number 12 on the UK Singles Chart.
Release and reception
Despeite being written by the Shadows’ Bruce Welch, he does not actually feature on the recording as he was not in the studio during the recording session. Instead, his part, the acoustic rhythm guitar, was played by Hank Marvin. It was also the last Shadows recording to feature bassist Brian Locking, who left the group before the release of their previous single “Geronimo“, being replaced by John Rostill. It was the lead single from the film Wonderful Life, featuring Cliff Richard, and was included on the soundtrack album by Richard and the Shadows. The B-side “This Hammer” is a traditional song, originally titled “Take This Hammer” and was arranged by the Shadows.
Reviewed in Record Mirror, “Theme for Young Lovers” was described as an “easy on the ear treatment of a number from the film “Wonderful Life”. It’s a delicate sounding slower-than-usual number which should give them a pretty big hit once more”. For Disc, Don Nicholl wrote that “at first hearing, the line appears simple enough with roots, perhaps, in an old Scottish folk item. But I find it takes a few spins before you’re able to remember it properly. It’s a soothing guitar special”.
Track listing
7″: Columbia / DB 7231
- “Theme for Young Lovers” – 2:38
- “This Hammer” – 2:68
7″: Atlantic / 45-2235 (US)
- “Theme for Young Lovers” – 2:41
- “The Rise and Fall of Flingel Bunt” – 2:42
Personnel
- Hank Marvin – electric lead guitar, acoustic rhythm guitar
- Brian “Licorice” Locking – electric bass guitar
- Brian Bennett – drums, tom-toms
Charts
Chart (1964) | Peak position |
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Australia (Kent Music Report) | 19 |
Netherlands (Single Top 100) | 35 |
Sweden (Kvällstoppen) | 18 |
UK Singles (OCC) | 12 |
The song was also recorded by Marlene Dietrich as “Ich werde Dich lieben” with German lyrics by herself.
It should not be confused with the 1960 instrumental of the same name composed and recorded by Percy Faith.
Covers and soundtrack
- Covered by the Peruvian band Los Belkings, and retitled as “Tema para jóvenes enamorados”.
- The song was used as soundtrack in the British film Wonderful Life.
- Paul Würges released a cover.
- German rock musician and singer Rio Reiser covered the Marlene Dietrich version on his Am Piano 1 (1998) album
- Guitar Sensation – Theme For Young Lovers
- Ricky King – Theme for Young Lovers
- Jerry Vale – Theme for young lovers
- Las Sombras De La Serpiente – Tema de Jóvenes Enamorados
- Dave Monk – Theme for Young Lovers
- Theme for young lovers – The Shadows (cover played by Eric)
- The Shadows “Theme for the young lovers” on Tyros 5.
- Theme For Young Lovers – The Jet Blacks (Lp Mono 1966)
- Zoe McCulloch – Theme For Young Lovers
- The Shadows – Theme for young Lovers live on Final Tour
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