"Love of the Common People" | ||||
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Single by The Four Preps | ||||
B-side | "What I Don't Know Can't Hurt Me" | |||
Released | January 21, 1967[1] | |||
Recorded | 1966 | |||
Genre | Pop | |||
Length | 2:35 | |||
Label | Capitol | |||
Songwriter(s) | John Hurley and Ronnie Wilkins | |||
Producer(s) | Al De Lory | |||
The Four Preps singles chronology | ||||
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"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.