Theme for Young Lovers

Not to be confused with the 1960 instrumental of the same name by Percy Faith.
"Theme for Young Lovers"
Cover of the single released in Sweden
Single by The Shadows
from the album Wonderful Life
B-side"This Hammer"
Released28 February 1964 (1964-02-28)
Recorded1 November 1963[1]
StudioEMI Studios, London
GenreInstrumental rock
Length2:38
LabelColumbia
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.[2]

Release and reception[edit]

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.[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[edit]

7": Columbia / DB 7231

  1. "Theme for Young Lovers" – 2:38
  2. "This Hammer" – 2:68

7": Atlantic / 45-2235 (US)

  1. "Theme for Young Lovers" – 2:41
  2. "The Rise and Fall of Flingel Bunt" – 2:42

Personnel[edit]

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]

  1. ^ a b Koers, Ivo. "Instrumentation On Shadows Recordings II: The Primary Singles" (PDF). malcolmcampbell.me.uk. p. 17. Retrieved 30 November 2021.
  2. ^ a b "Shadows: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company.
  3. ^ "The Shadows - Theme For Young Lovers". 45cat. Retrieved 1 December 2021.
  4. ^ "Pop Disc Jury" (PDF). Record Mirror. 29 February 1964. p. 13. Retrieved 1 December 2021.
  5. ^ "Shads 'Theme' may sell smoothly" (PDF). Disc. 29 February 1964. p. 10. Retrieved 30 November 2021.
  6. ^ Kent, David (2005). Australian Chart Book 1940–1969. Australian Chart Book Pty Ltd, Turramurra, N.S.W. ISBN 0-646-44439-5.
  7. ^ 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.
  8. ^ "Shadows". NostalgiListan (in Swedish). Retrieved 1 December 2021.
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