Pop Music

One of the popular golden oldies from this era is “Only Love Can Break a Heart” by Gene Pitney.  The song was written by the famous duo of Hal David (words) and Burt Bacharach (music).  It was released in 1962, both as a single with “If I Didn’t Have a Dime (to Play the Jukebox)” on the B-side and on Pitney’s second album Only Love Can Break a Heart.  The song went to #2 on the Billboard Hot 100, topped the Billboard Easy Listening Chart, and went to #16 on the R&B Chart. There have been numerous covers, including those by Sonny James, Kenny Dale, Dionne Warwick, Bobby Vinton, and Margaret Whiting.

Gene Pitney had success both as a performer (e.g., “Town Without Pity” and “The Man Who Shot Liberty Valence” among many others) and as a songwriter for other artists. He was prolific, and a short list includes “Hello Mary Lou,” which was a hit for Ricky Nelson; “Rubber Ball,” a hit for Bobby Vee;” and “He’s a Rebel,” a hit for The Crystals.

Here are the lyrics to “Only Love Can Break a Heart” by Gene Pitney:

“Only love can break a heart only love can mend it again

(whistling and instrumental)

Last night I hurt you but darlin? Remember this
Only love can break a heart only love can mend it again, hmm, hmm
You know I’m sorry, I’ll prove it with just one kiss
Only love can break a heart only love can mend it agai-ai-ain

Give me a chance to make up for the harm I’ve done
Try to forgive me and let’s keep the two of us one.

Please let me hold you and love you for always and always
Only love can break a heart only love can mend it agai-ai-ain
Only love can break a heart only love can mend it–again

(whistling and instrumental)”

If you are interested in listening to and reading about other songs by Gene Pitney: “Town Without Pity,” “Half Heaven Half Heartache,” and “(The Man Who Shot) Liberty Valance.”

For More Golden Oldies Music       

The Daily Doo Wop Rec Room has daily featured doo wop, rock and roll, R&B, or rockabilly songs that were hits during the first era of rock and roll (that is, from about 1952 until the British invasion in 1964). After a song is featured, it then goes into the juke box. You are welcome to listen to any of the 40+ selections there. Every weekend, there is a Juke Box Saturday, and the juke box is full of song requests from the 1950s and 1960s.

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