A Groovy Kind of Love
A song adapted from a Clementi sonatina, popularized by the Mindbenders and Phil Collins.
"A Groovy Kind of Love" is a song written by Toni Wine and Carole Bayer Sager, based on a melody by the classical composer Muzio Clementi. It was first recorded by the American singing duo Diane & Annita and released in 1965. The song has since been recorded by many artists, with notable successful versions by the Mindbenders and Phil Collins.
Quick Facts
- Artist
- Diane & Annita
- Released
- 1965
- Length
- 2:02
- Label
- Disques Vogue
- Lyricist
- Carole Bayer Sager, Toni Wine
- Composer
- Muzio Clementi
Facts from the source article.
Background
The lyrics of "A Groovy Kind of Love" were written by Carole Bayer Sager and Toni Wine, with music derived from Muzio Clementi's Sonatina, Opus 36, No. 5, published in 1797. The song was composed at Bayer Sager's home in New York City, a few blocks from the Brill Building and 1650 Broadway, where many music publishers and record labels were based. Wine and Bayer Sager's label, Allegro Music (later Screen Gems), was among those housed there, but the residence was chosen for its comfort and privacy. Wine composed the music while Bayer Sager wrote the lyrics. The title was an early use of the slang word "groovy," which both women recognized as new and "happening." Wine recalled that the song came together quickly, written in about 20 minutes. Bayer Sager first pitched the song to pop star Lesley Gore in early 1965, but her producer Shelby Singleton rejected it, finding the word "groovy" too slangy.
The Mindbenders version
Shelby Singleton gave the song "A Groovy Kind of Love" to the group after deciding not to record it with Lesley Gore. The recording featured Stewart on lead vocals with backing from Lang, drummer Ric Rothwell, and a female singer, produced by Jack Baverstock in 1965. Released by Fontana Records in the UK on December 10, 1965, as the trio's first single without Fontana, it initially struggled due to the Christmas rush but eventually charted. It entered the Record Retailer chart on January 19, 1966, at number 34, peaked at number two on March 16 (kept from the top by Nancy Sinatra's "These Boots Are Made for Walkin'"), and exited on April 20 after 14 weeks. In the US, it entered the Billboard Hot 100 on April 10 at number 78, reached number two on May 28 (held off by Percy Sledge's "When a Man Loves a Woman"), and exited on July 9 after 13 weeks.
Phil Collins version
Phil Collins put his own spin on "A Groovy Kind of Love" in 1988. He first thought the song would suit Stephen Bishop, with Collins producing. While working on the film Buster, Collins suggested it as a love theme for the main character and his wife. He cut a demo to show the producers, but they ended up using that demo in the movie. Collins was initially uneasy about appearing on the soundtrack, but changed his mind because the demo fit the scene well. He then recorded a complete version, co-produced by Anne Dudley, which first came out on the Buster soundtrack album. The song later appeared on the compilations Hits, Love Songs: A Compilation... Old and New, and The Singles, with a live take on Serious Hits... Live!. In contrast to the Mindbenders' upbeat, guitar-driven original, Collins' take is a slow ballad built around keyboards and strings. Released as a single, it hit number one in both the United States and the United Kingdom, making it Collins' only single to top the charts in both countries and his final UK number one. It also reached number one on the US Adult Contemporary chart and spent twenty-five weeks on the US Hot 100, longer than any of his other singles. The song earned Collins a Grammy nomination for Best Pop Vocal Performance, Male in 1989. The Phil Collins version appeared in the TV series New Girl in two episodes, one from 2011 and another from 2018. Music & Media magazine called it "a slushy version of the original '66 hit of the Mindbenders." Collins handled vocals, keyboard, and drums, with an orchestra conducted by Anne Dudley.
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