Love of the Common People

"Love of the Common People"
Single by The Four Preps
B-side"What I Don't Know Can't Hurt Me"
ReleasedJanuary 21, 1967[1]
Recorded1966
GenrePop
Length2:35
LabelCapitol
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.[citation needed]

Soul group the Winstons recorded their version in 1969, where it peaked at No. 54 on the US Hot 100.[5] 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.

  1. ^ Date of Release in hitparade.ch
  2. ^ "The Four Preps - Love Of The Common People". 45cat.com. Retrieved 3 January 2019.
  3. ^ John Hurley Sings about People, John Hurley, with Ronnie Wilkins. RCA Records LSP-4355, 1970
  4. ^ Finnis, Rob; Rounce, Tony (2010). You Heard It Here First! Volume 2 (CD booklet). London: Ace Records Ltd. p. 3. CDCHD 1250.
  5. ^ Whitburn, Joel (2013). Joel Whitburn's Top Pop Singles, 14th Edition: 1955-2012. Record Research. p. 922.