Theme for Young Lovers
{{short description|1964 single by the Shadows}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2021}}
{{Use British English|date=December 2021}}
{{distinguish|text=the 1960 instrumental of the same name by Percy Faith}}
{{Infobox song
| name = Theme for Young Lovers
| cover = The Shadows Theme for Young Lovers.jpg
| alt =
| caption = Cover of the single released in Sweden
| type = single
| artist = The Shadows
| album = Wonderful Life
| B-side = This Hammer
| released = {{start date|1964|2|28|df=yes}}
| studio = EMI Studios, London
| venue =
| genre = Instrumental rock
| length = 2:38
| label = Columbia
| writer = Bruce Welch
| producer = Norrie Paramor
| prev_title = Geronimo
| prev_year = 1963
| next_title = The Rise and Fall of Flingel Bunt
| next_year = 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.{{Cite web|title=The Shadows - Theme For Young Lovers|url=http://www.45cat.com/record/db7231|website=45cat|access-date=2021-12-01}}
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".{{cite magazine|date=29 February 1964|title=Pop Disc Jury|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Record-Mirror/60s/64/Record-Mirror-1964-02-29-S-OCR.pdf|magazine=Record Mirror|page=13|access-date=1 December 2021|accessdate=}} 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".{{cite magazine|date=29 February 1964|title=Shads 'Theme' may sell smoothly|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Disc/1964/Sisc-1964-02-29.pdf|magazine=Disc|page=10|access-date=30 November 2021}}
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
| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" |
| Chart (1964)
!Peak |
|---|
| scope="row"|Australia (Kent Music Report){{cite book|title=Australian Chart Book 1940–1969|last=Kent|first=David|author-link=David Kent (historian)|publisher=Australian Chart Book Pty Ltd, Turramurra, N.S.W. |year=2005|isbn=0-646-44439-5|title-link=Kent Music Report}}
|19 |
| scope="row"|Netherlands (Single Top 100){{cite book |last=van Slooten |first=Johan |title=Top 40 Hitdossier 1965-2005 (inclusief alle 'prehistorische' hits van 1956 to 1965)"|edition=9th |year=2005 |publisher=J.H. Gottmer / H.J.W. Becht BV |location=Haarlem |language=Dutch |isbn=90-230-1144-9 }}
|35 |
| scope="row"|Sweden (Kvällstoppen){{Cite web|title=Shadows|url=https://www.nostalgilistan.se/shadows-14064|access-date=2021-12-01|website=NostalgiListan|language=sv}}
|18 |
| {{singlechart|UKsinglesbyname|12|artist=Shadows|artistid=8804|rowheader=true|refname=uk}} |
Versions
- "Ich werde dich lieben" by Marlene Dietrich (1965, album Die neue Marlene).