Love's Theme

Last updated
"Love's Theme"
Loves theme by love unlimited orchestra New Zealand single.png
Side A of the New Zealand single
Single by The Love Unlimited Orchestra
from the album Under the Influence of... Love Unlimited and Rhapsody in White
B-side "Sweet Moments"
ReleasedNovember 1973
Recorded1973
Genre
Length(Single) 3:30 (Album) 4:08
Label 20th Century/Pye International
Songwriter(s) Barry White
Producer(s) Barry White
The Love Unlimited Orchestra singles chronology
"Love's Theme"
(1973)
"Rhapsody in White"
(1974)
Music video
Love Unlimited Orchestra – Love's Theme (live at TopPop) on YouTube

"Love's Theme" is an instrumental piece written by Barry White around 1965.[ citation needed ] Recorded and released as a single by White's Love Unlimited Orchestra in 1973, it was one of the few instrumental and purely orchestral singles to reach #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the United States, which it did in early 1974. [2] Billboard ranked it as #3 on the Year-End Hot 100 singles of 1974.

Contents

The song was included on two albums: 1973's Under the Influence of... Love Unlimited (by the vocal group Love Unlimited) and 1974's Rhapsody in White by the Love Unlimited Orchestra. Love Unlimited would re-release the song for their subsequent album, In Heat (1974), only this time with different orchestral arrangements and lyrics written by Aaron Schroeder.

The recording (with a large string orchestra, modified guitar and big rhythm) was considered to be an influence on the disco sound, which would increase popularity the following year. The song was also popular on the Adult Contemporary chart in the United States (spending two weeks at #1) and was also a #1 on Cash Box. For several years, a shortened version of the original instrumental release was used in the opening sequence of the television golf PGA Tour on ABC broadcasting program.[ citation needed ]

In Canada, the single was similarly successful, being a #1 on the RPM 100 National Singles Chart on March 2, 1974. [3] "Love's Theme" was sampled by the Italian group Black Box in their 1989 song "Ride on Time". [4]

In 1975–76, WPIX-TV in New York would end its 10:00pm broadcast of Harper News (later Action News ) with "Love's Theme". [5]

It was also used as the boarding music for Cathay Pacific during the 1980s [6] and as the theme song of the Brazilian soap opera Celebridade .

The 2024 PBS series Disco: Soundtrack of a Revolution explores the importance of "Love's Theme" to the history of disco music. [7]

Charts and certifications

Weekly charts

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gonna Fly Now</span> 1977 single by Bill Conti

"Gonna Fly Now", also known as "Theme from Rocky", is the theme song from the movie Rocky, composed by Bill Conti with lyrics by Carol Connors and Ayn Robbins, and performed by DeEtta West and Nelson Pigford. Released in 1976 with Rocky, the song became part of 1970s American popular culture after the film's main character and namesake Rocky Balboa as part of his daily training regimen runs up the 72 stone steps leading to the entrance of the Philadelphia Museum of Art in Philadelphia and raises his arms in a victory pose, while the song plays. The song was written in Philadelphia. The song is often played at sporting events, especially in Philadelphia. Most notably, the Philadelphia Eagles play the song before the opening kickoff of every home game at Lincoln Financial Field.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">You're All I Need to Get By</span> 1968 single by Tammi Terrell and Marvin Gaye

"You're All I Need to Get By" is a song recorded by the American R&B/soul duo Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell and released on Motown Records' Tamla label in 1968. It was the basis for the 1995 single "I'll Be There for You/You're All I Need to Get By" from Method Man and Mary J. Blige.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">December, 1963 (Oh, What a Night)</span> 1975 single by the Four Seasons

"December, 1963 " is a song originally performed by the Four Seasons, written by original Four Seasons keyboard player Bob Gaudio and his future wife Judy Parker, produced by Gaudio, and included on the group's album Who Loves You (1975).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Thank You for Being a Friend</span> 1978 single by Andrew Gold

"Thank You for Being a Friend" is a song recorded by American singer Andrew Gold. It appears on Gold's third album All This and Heaven Too. The song reached number 25 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1978. On the Cash Box chart, "Thank You for Being a Friend" spent two weeks at number 11. A cover by Cynthia Fee was the theme song for the NBC sitcom The Golden Girls.

Evergreen (Love Theme from <i>A Star Is Born</i>) 1976 single by Barbra Streisand

"Evergreen" is the theme song from the 1976 film A Star Is Born. It was composed and performed by American singer, songwriter, actress and director Barbra Streisand with lyrics by Paul Williams, and arranged by Ian Freebairn-Smith. The song was released on the soundtrack album to A Star Is Born.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Always (Atlantic Starr song)</span> 1987 single by Atlantic Starr

"Always" is a song by American R&B group Atlantic Starr. The track was the second single from the group's seventh studio album All in the Name of Love (1987). The single was the biggest hit for Atlantic Starr; it peaked at number one on both the US Billboard Hot 100 and Billboard Hot Black Singles charts in June 1987, being the band's only number one song. The song also spent two weeks atop the U.S. adult contemporary chart. In July, it topped the Canadian RPM 100 national singles chart, where it remained for two weeks. The British Phonographic Industry (BPI) certified it silver.

Theme from <i>S.W.A.T.</i> 1975 single by Rhythm Heritage

"Theme from S.W.A.T." is an instrumental song written by Barry De Vorzon and performed by American funk group Rhythm Heritage, released on their debut album Disco-Fied. It reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart in the United States on the chart date of February 28, 1976.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rock the Boat (The Hues Corporation song)</span> 1974 single by Hues Corporation

"Rock the Boat" is a song by American trio The Hues Corporation, written by Wally Holmes. "Rock the Boat" was first featured on their 1973 debut studio album Freedom for the Stallion. It was released as the third single from the album in early 1974, to follow up Stallion's title song, which had peaked at number sixty-three on the Hot 100, and "Miracle Maker " which did not chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Another Saturday Night</span> 1963 Sam Cooke single

"Another Saturday Night" is a 1963 hit single by Sam Cooke from the album Ain't That Good News. The song was written by Cooke while touring in England when staying in a hotel where no female guests were allowed. It reached No. 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 and was No. 1 on the R&B chart for a single week. In the UK, the song peaked at No. 23 on the UK Singles Chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">More Love (Smokey Robinson and the Miracles song)</span>

"More Love" is a 1967 hit single recorded by the American soul group The Miracles for Motown Records' Tamla label. The single, included on the group's 1967 album Make It Happen, later reissued in 1970 as The Tears of a Clown. Kim Carnes's 1980 cover of the song reached the Top 10 of Billboard's Adult Contemporary and Hot 100 charts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Can't Get Enough of Your Love, Babe</span> 1974 single by Barry White

"Can't Get Enough of Your Love, Babe" is a song written, recorded, and produced by American musician Barry White. Released in June 1974 as the first single from his third album, Can't Get Enough (1974), the song topped the US Billboard Hot 100 and Billboard R&B charts. It became one of White's signature tunes and achieved gold record status in the US. It was also his second American chart-topper, after "Love's Theme".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Show and Tell (song)</span> 1973 single by Al Wilson

"Show and Tell" is a popular song written by Jerry Fuller and first recorded by Johnny Mathis in 1972. This original version made it to #36 on the Easy Listening chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cupid (Sam Cooke song)</span> 1961 song by Sam Cooke

"Cupid" is a song by American singer Sam Cooke, released on May 16, 1961. It charted at number 17 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 20 on the Hot R&B Sides chart; the track performed best in the United Kingdom, peaking at number seven on the UK Singles Chart. The song is featured on Cooke's greatest hits album, The Best of Sam Cooke (1962). Cooke's producers had asked him to write a song for a girl they had seen on a Perry Como TV show—but once they heard her sing, they kept "Cupid" for Cooke himself.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">My Melody of Love</span> 1974 single by Bobby Vinton

"My Melody of Love" is the title of a popular song from 1974 by the American singer Bobby Vinton. Vinton adapted his song from a German schlager song composed by Henry Mayer, and it appears on Vinton's album Melodies of Love. The song was also recorded by Spanish pop singer Karina as "Palabras de Cristal".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">A Little More Love (Olivia Newton-John song)</span> 1978 single by Olivia Newton-John

"A Little More Love" is a song recorded by British-Australian singer Olivia Newton-John for her tenth studio album, Totally Hot (1978). Written and produced by Newton-John's long-time record producer John Farrar, the song was released as the lead single from Totally Hot in November 1978 and became a worldwide hit single.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">My Love (Lionel Richie song)</span> 1983 single by Lionel Richie

"My Love" is a song by American singer-songwriter Lionel Richie. It was released in 1983 as the third and final single from his self-titled debut solo album. The song features harmony backing vocals by country music singer Kenny Rogers. It reached the top 10 on three notable Billboard magazine charts in the spring of 1983: on the Billboard Hot 100 the song peaked at No. 5; on the Adult Contemporary chart, the song spent four weeks at No. 1; and on the R&B chart, the song topped out at No. 6. "My Love" was not among Richie's more successful singles in the United Kingdom, where it only managed No. 70 on the UK Singles Chart. In Canada, it peaked at No. 28 on the RPM Top 100 Singles chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Always and Forever (Heatwave song)</span> 1977 single by Heatwave

"Always and Forever" is an R&B song written by Rod Temperton and produced by Barry Blue. It was first recorded by the British-based multinational funk-disco band Heatwave in 1976. Released as a single on 3 December 1977, the song is included on Heatwave's debut album Too Hot to Handle (1976) and has been covered by numerous artists, becoming something of a standard.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">It's a Miracle (Barry Manilow song)</span> 1975 single by Barry Manilow

"It's a Miracle" is a 1975 single by Barry Manilow and was the second release from his album, Barry Manilow II. "It's a Miracle" went to number twelve on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and was Manilow's second number one on the U.S. Easy Listening chart, spending one week at number one in April 1975. The single also peaked at number fifteen on the disco/dance chart, and was the first of four entries on the chart. "It's a Miracle" was followed by "Could It Be Magic".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Do I Love You (Yes in Every Way)</span> 1971 single by Paul Anka

"Do I Love You" is a song co-written and recorded by Paul Anka, from his 1972 eponymous LP. Released as an advance single in late 1971, "Do I Love You" reached number 14 on the Easy Listening Singles charts of both the U.S. and Canada, number 16 on the Canadian Pop chart, and was a modest hit on the U.S. Hot 100 as well. As with the earlier "My Way", it was adapted from a French-language song popularized by Claude François, and Anka composed the English lyrics.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ready to Take a Chance Again</span> 1978 single by Barry Manilow

"Ready to Take a Chance Again" is a 1978 international hit single performed by Barry Manilow. The song was composed by Charles Fox, with lyrics by Fox's writing partner, Norman Gimbel. Manilow conceived and supervised the song's recording in partnership with Ron Dante.

References

  1. The Best of Barry White's Love Unlimited Orchestra - Love Unlimited Orchestra | Songs, Reviews, Credits at AllMusic
  2. Whitburn, Joel (2013). Joel Whitburn's Top Pop Singles, 14th Edition: 1955-2012. Record Research. p. 518.
  3. "Item Display – RPM – Library and Archives Canada". collectionscanada.gc.ca. Archived from the original on 2012-10-23. Retrieved 2011-07-16.
  4. Breihan, Tom (2019-05-08). "The Number Ones: The Love Unlimited Orchestra's "Love's Theme"". Stereogum . Retrieved 2023-04-13.
  5. Action News close with the Harpers, followed by Editorial Feedback, 7/10/75, 12 March 2015, retrieved 2023-06-27
  6. Lee, Cobaj (22 May 2019). "6 Hongkongers share 'what Cathay means to me'".
  7. "Disco: Soundtrack of a Revolution | Rock the Boat | Episode 1 | PBS". PBS .
  8. "Cash Box - International Best Sellers" (PDF). worldradiohistory.com. Cash Box. 29 June 1974. p. 41.
  9. Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (doc). Australian Chart Book, St Ives, N.S.W. ISBN   0-646-11917-6.
  10. "The Love Unlimited Orchestra – Love's Theme" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved July 18, 2017.
  11. "CAN Charts > The Love Unlimited Orchestra". RPM. 17 July 2013. Retrieved 2016-02-29.
  12. "Item Display - RPM - Library and Archives Canada". Collectionscanada.gc.ca. 1974-02-16. Retrieved 2018-09-26.
  13. "The Love Unlimited Orchestra – Love's Theme" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved July 18, 2017.
  14. Flavour of New Zealand, 10 August 1974
  15. "SA Charts 1965–March 1989" . Retrieved 5 September 2018.
  16. "Love Unlimited Orchestra: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved July 18, 2017.
  17. "Love Unlimited Orchestra Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved July 18, 2017.
  18. "Love Unlimited Orchestra Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard . Retrieved July 18, 2017.
  19. "Love Unlimited Orchestra Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard . Retrieved July 18, 2017.
  20. "National Top 100 Singles for 1974". Kent Music Report. December 30, 1974. Retrieved January 15, 2022 via Imgur.
  21. Canada, Library and Archives (January 16, 2018). "Image : RPM Weekly". Library and Archives Canada .
  22. "Top 20 Hit Singles of 1974" . Retrieved 2 September 2018.
  23. Top 50 Adult Contemporary Hits of 1974
  24. Musicoutfitters.com [ permanent dead link ]
  25. "American single certifications – Love Unlimited – Love's Theme". Recording Industry Association of America.