Love of the Common People

Last updated
"Love of the Common People"
Love of the Common People Four Preps.jpg
Single by The Four Preps
B-side "What I Don't Know Can't Hurt Me"
ReleasedJanuary 21, 1967 [1]
Recorded1966
Genre Pop
Length2:35
Label Capitol
Songwriter(s) John Hurley and Ronnie Wilkins
Producer(s) Al De Lory
The Four Preps singles chronology
"Let's Call It a Day Girl"
(1966)
"Love of the Common People"
(1967)
"Draft Dodger Rag"
(1967)

"Love of the Common People" is a song written by John Hurley and Ronnie Wilkins, [2] eventually released in 1970 on John Hurley's album John Hurley Sings about People, [3] but first sung in January 1967 by the Four Preps. [4] The Four Preps' recording was not a hit, but, later in 1967, the Everly Brothers and Wayne Newton would each issue their versions of the song, both of which "bubbled under" in the US charts; Newton's version peaked at No. 106, the Everlys' at No. 114. However, the Everly Brothers' recording was a major hit in Canada, peaking at No. 4. In 1968, Irish artist Joe Dolan with backing group the Drifters recorded a version which hit the top 10 on the Irish Singles Chart, but did not chart elsewhere. [5] [ circular reference ]

Contents

Soul group the Winstons recorded their version in 1969, where it peaked at No. 54 on the US Hot 100. [6] A year later, Nicky Thomas had a UK hit (No. 9) with a reggae-inspired version, and Paul Young had a No. 2 UK hit (and No. 1 in several European countries) in 1983 with his interpretation of the song.

Lyrics

The lyrics tell a bleak story of poverty and unemployment. There is a mention of "free food tickets," a reference to government food stamp and welfare programs, in the first line, and the lyrics also describe the subject family as having holes in their clothes, their roof and their shoes. The last verse advises the subject family to keep their faith strong and to maintain hope for improvement.

Nicky Thomas version

Nicky Thomas recorded a Joe Gibbs-produced reggae version of the song in 1970, which sold over 175,000 copies in the United Kingdom and reached number 9 on the UK Singles Chart. [7] [8] It was Thomas's largest selling single, and, according to Steve Leggett of AllMusic, "practically defines the term 'pop reggae.'" [9]

Paul Young version

"Love of the Common People"
Paul Young Love of the Common People single cover.jpg
Artwork for European releases, including the 1983 UK re-release
Single by Paul Young
from the album No Parlez
B-side
Released7 January 1983
7 November 1983 (re-release)
Genre Blue-eyed soul
Length3:33 (7")
5:50 (12")
4:56 (Original Album)
Label CBS
Songwriter(s) John Hurley
Ronnie Wilkins
Producer(s) Laurie Latham
Paul Young singles chronology
"Iron Out the Rough Spots"
(1982)
"Love of the Common People"
(1983)
"Wherever I Lay My Hat (That's My Home)"
(1983)

"Come Back and Stay"
(1983)

""Love of the Common People"
(re-release)
"
(1983)

"Everytime You Go Away"
(1985)

In 1982, English singer Paul Young released his interpretation of "Love of the Common People" as a single, but initially it failed to chart. Only after Young's first and second solo hits in 1983, with "Wherever I Lay My Hat (That's My Home)" and "Come Back and Stay", and the single's re-release did it become successful. The single peaked at No. 2 in the UK, and reached the No. 1 spot in Ireland, Italy and the Netherlands. This version also contained a solo by ska and reggae trombonist Rico Rodriguez.

Chart performance

Weekly charts

Chart (1983/1984)Peak
position
Australia (Kent Music Report) [10] 8
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40) [11] 3
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders) [12] 1
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40) [13] 1
Netherlands (Single Top 100) [14] 1
France (IFOP) [15] 24
Germany (Official German Charts) [16] 5
Ireland (IRMA) [17] 1
Italy (FIMI) [18] 1
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ) [19] 10
South Africa (Springbok Radio) [20] 8
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade) [21] 3
UK Singles (OCC) [22] 2
US Billboard Hot 100 [23] 45
US Cash Box [24] 50

Year-end charts

Chart (1984)Position
Australia (Kent Music Report) [25] 54
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40) [26] 13
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders) [27] 8
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40) [28] 20
Netherlands (Single Top 100) [29] 10
Germany (Official German Charts) [30] 34
UK Singles (Official Charts Company) [31] 25

Other versions

See also

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References

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  3. John Hurley Sings about People, John Hurley, with Ronnie Wilkins. RCA Records LSP-4355, 1970
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  5. "Joe Dolan".
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  7. "Love of the Common People - Nicky Thomas". Official Charts Company . Retrieved 1 June 2016.
  8. Moskowitz, David V. (2006) Caribbean Popular Music: an Encyclopedia of Reggae, Mento, Ska, Rock Steady, and Dancehall, Greenwood Press, ISBN   0-313-33158-8, p. 292
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  10. Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (Illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 347. ISBN   0-646-11917-6.
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