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To Know Him Is to Love Him
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Wikipedia article
"'To Know Him Is to Love Him'" is a song written by Phil Spector, inspired by words on his father's tombstone, "To Know Him Was to Love Him." It was first recorded by the only vocal group of which he was a member, the Teddy Bears. Their recording spent three weeks at No. 1 on the 'Billboard' Hot 100 chart in 1958,Whitburn, Joel (1987). 'The Billboard Book of Top 40 Hits'. Billboard Publications, Inc. p. 301. while reaching No. 2 on the UK's 'New Musical Express' chart.[http://www.officialcharts.com/artist/6763/teddy-bears/ Teddy Bears Full Official Chart History], 'Official Charts Company'. Accessed October 27, 2015 Peter & Gordon and Bobby Vinton later had hits with the song, with its title and lyrics changed to "To Know You Is to Love You". In 1987, the song was resurrected by Dolly Parton, Linda Ronstadt, and Emmylou Harris, whose 'Trio' recording topped the U.S. country singles chart. The song is in 12/8 time. The tune is essentially a slowed-down version of the 1926 hit "When the Red, Red Robin (Comes Bob, Bob, Bobbin' Along)".
Chart performance
All-time charts
Peter and Gordon version
In 1965, Peter and Gordon released a version of the song, titled "To Know You Is to Love You". Peter and Gordon's version spent 10 weeks on the UK Singles Chart, peaking at No. 5,[http://www.officialcharts.com/artist/11023/peter-and-gordon/ Peter & Gordon Full Official Chart History], 'Official Charts Company'. Accessed October 27, 2015 while also reaching No. 5 on Canada's "'RPM' Play Sheet"."[http://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/films-videos-sound-recordings/rpm/Pages/item.aspx?IdNumber=10169& R.P.M. Play Sheet]", 'RPM Weekly', Volume 3, Ed. 25, August 16, 1965. Accessed October 27, 2015 In the United States, the song spent seven weeks on the 'Billboard' Hot 100 chart, peaking at No. 24.[http://www.billboard.com/artist/328816/peter-gordon/chart Peter & Gordon Chart History The Hot 100], 'Billboard.com'. Accessed October 27, 2015
Charts
Bobby Vinton version
In 1969, Bobby Vinton released a version of the song, titled "To Know You Is to Love You". Vinton's version spent seven weeks on the 'Billboard' Hot 100 chart, peaking at No. 34,[http://www.billboard.com/artist/295525/bobby-vinton/chart?page=1&f=379 Bobby Vinton Chart History The Hot 100], 'Billboard.com'. Accessed October 25, 2015 while reaching No. 8 on 'Billboard's Easy Listening chart,[http://www.billboard.com/artist/295525/bobby-vinton/chart?page=2&f=341 Bobby Vinton Chart History Adult Contemporary], 'Billboard.com'. Accessed October 25, 2015 No. 16 on Canada's 'RPM' 100,"[http://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/films-videos-sound-recordings/rpm/Pages/item.aspx?IdNumber=4848& The RPM 100]", 'RPM Weekly', Volume 11, Ed. 11, May 12, 1969. Accessed October 25, 2015 and No. 6 on 'RPM's Adult Contemporary chart."[http://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/films-videos-sound-recordings/rpm/Pages/item.aspx?IdNumber=10495& Young Adult]", 'RPM Weekly', Volume 11, Ed. 11, May 12, 1969. Accessed October 25, 2015
Charts
Dolly Parton, Linda Ronstadt, and Emmylou Harris version
In 1987, Dolly Parton, Linda Ronstadt, and Emmylou Harris covered the song, including it on their Grammy Award-winning, multi-million selling 'Trio' album, and releasing it as the album's first single. Their version hit No. 1 on the U.S. Hot Country Songs chart on May 16, 1987. The accompanying music video was played continuously on CMT and directed by George Lucas Ronstadt's boyfriend at that time.
Charts
Other versions
*The Beatles recorded two versions, both retitled "To Know Her Is to Love Her". One version was on their January 1962 audition tapes with Decca, not released during the band's existence and not included on 'Anthology 1'. The second version was recorded on 16 July 1963 for the 'Pop Go The Beatles' radio show and was not officially released until 1994, on their 'Live at the BBC' compilation album. John Lennon recorded his own version of the song in 1973 ("To Know Her Is to Love Her"), but it would not see release until the 1986 posthumous compilation 'Menlove Ave.'
*In 1972, Jody Miller released her version as a single and on the album 'There's a Party Goin' On'."[https://books.google.com/books?id=wigEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA34 Billboard Album Reviews]", 'Billboard'. September 2, 1972. p. 34. Retrieved February 14, 2021. Miller's version reached No. 18 on 'Billboard's Hot Country Singles chart,"[https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/70s/1972/BB-1972-12-23.pdf Hot Country Singles]", 'Billboard'. December 23, 1972. p. 28. Retrieved February 14, 2021. No. 20 on 'Record World's Country Singles Chart,"[https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Record-World/70s/72/RW-1972-12-16.pdf The Country Singles Chart]", 'Record World'. December 16, 1972. p. 62. Retrieved February 14, 2021. and No. 21 on the 'Cash Box' Country Top 75 chart."[https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Cash-Box/70s/1972/Cash-Box-1972-12-16.pdf Cash Box Country Top 75]", 'Cash Box'. December 16, 1972. p. 38. Retrieved February 14, 2021. It also reached No. 12 on Canada's 'RPM' Country Playlist."[https://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/films-videos-sound-recordings/rpm/Pages/item.aspx?IdNumber=7355& The Programmers Country Playlist]", 'RPM'. Volume 18, No. 19. December 23, 1972. Retrieved February 14, 2021.
*In 2006, Amy Winehouse included her recording of the song as the B-side to the UK release of her single, "You Know I'm No Good".
References
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