"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.[2]
| "Theme for Young Lovers" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Cover of the single released in Sweden | ||||
| Single by The Shadows | ||||
| from the album Wonderful Life | ||||
| B-side | "This Hammer" | |||
| Released | 28 February 1964 | |||
| Recorded | 1 November 1963[1] | |||
| Studio | EMI Studios, London | |||
| Genre | Instrumental rock | |||
| Length | 2:38 | |||
| Label | Columbia | |||
| Songwriter(s) | Bruce Welch | |||
| Producer(s) | Norrie Paramor | |||
| The Shadows singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
Release and reception
editDespeite 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.[1] 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.[3]
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".[4] 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".[5]
Track listing
edit7": 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
edit- Hank Marvin – electric lead guitar, acoustic rhythm guitar
- Brian "Licorice" Locking – electric bass guitar
- Brian Bennett – drums, tom-toms
Charts
edit| Chart (1964) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australia (Kent Music Report)[6] | 19 |
| Netherlands (Single Top 100)[7] | 35 |
| Sweden (Kvällstoppen)[8] | 18 |
| UK Singles (OCC)[2] | 12 |
References
edit- ^ a b Koers, Ivo. "Instrumentation On Shadows Recordings II: The Primary Singles" (PDF). malcolmcampbell.me.uk. p. 17. Retrieved 30 November 2021.
- ^ a b "Shadows: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company.
- ^ "The Shadows - Theme For Young Lovers". 45cat. Retrieved 1 December 2021.
- ^ "Pop Disc Jury" (PDF). Record Mirror. 29 February 1964. p. 13. Retrieved 1 December 2021.
- ^ "Shads 'Theme' may sell smoothly" (PDF). Disc. 29 February 1964. p. 10. Retrieved 30 November 2021.
- ^ Kent, David (2005). Australian Chart Book 1940–1969. Australian Chart Book Pty Ltd, Turramurra, N.S.W. ISBN 0-646-44439-5.
- ^ van Slooten, Johan (2005). Top 40 Hitdossier 1965-2005 (inclusief alle 'prehistorische' hits van 1956 to 1965)" (in Dutch) (9th ed.). Haarlem: J.H. Gottmer / H.J.W. Becht BV. ISBN 90-230-1144-9.
- ^ "Shadows". NostalgiListan (in Swedish). Retrieved 1 December 2021.