"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."[3] It was first recorded by the only vocal group of which he was a member,[2] the Teddy Bears. Their recording spent three weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1958,[4] while reaching No. 2 on the UK's New Musical Express chart.[5] 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.
"To Know Him Is to Love Him" | ||||
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Single by The Teddy Bears | ||||
B-side | "Don't You Worry My Little Pet" | |||
Released | September 1958[1] | |||
Recorded | 1958 | |||
Genre | Pop | |||
Length | 2:18 | |||
Label | Doré | |||
Songwriter(s) | Phil Spector[2] | |||
The Teddy Bears singles chronology | ||||
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The song is in 12/8 time.
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All-time charts edit
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"To Know You Is to Love You" | ||||
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Single by Peter and Gordon | ||||
from the album True Love Ways | ||||
B-side | "I Told You So" | |||
Released | 1965 | |||
Recorded | 1965 | |||
Genre | Pop rock | |||
Length | 2:33 | |||
Label | Capitol | |||
Songwriter(s) | Phil Spector | |||
Producer(s) | John Burgess | |||
Peter and Gordon singles chronology | ||||
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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,[9] while also reaching No. 5 on Canada's "RPM Play Sheet".[10] In the United States, the song spent seven weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, peaking at No. 24.[11]
Chart (1965) | Peak position |
---|---|
Ireland (IRMA)[12] | 5 |
UK Singles Chart | 5 |
Canada – RPM Play Sheet [13] | 5 |
US – Billboard Hot 100 | 24 |
"To Know You Is to Love You" | ||||
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Single by Bobby Vinton | ||||
from the album Vinton | ||||
B-side | "The Beat of My Heart" | |||
Released | 1969 | |||
Recorded | 1969 | |||
Genre | Pop | |||
Length | 2:21 | |||
Label | Epic | |||
Songwriter(s) | Phil Spector | |||
Producer(s) | Billy Sherrill | |||
Bobby Vinton singles chronology | ||||
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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,[14] while reaching No. 8 on Billboard's Easy Listening chart,[15] No. 16 on Canada's RPM 100,[16] and No. 6 on RPM's Adult Contemporary chart.[17]
Chart (1969) | Peak position |
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US – Billboard Hot 100 | 34 |
US – Billboard Easy Listening | 8 |
Canada – RPM 100 | 16 |
Canada – RPM Adult Contemporary | 6 |
Canada – CHUM 30[18] | 14 |
"To Know Him Is to Love Him" | ||||
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Single by Dolly Parton, Linda Ronstadt, and Emmylou Harris | ||||
from the album Trio | ||||
B-side | "Farther Along" | |||
Released | January 26, 1987 | |||
Genre | Country | |||
Length | 3:48 | |||
Label | Warner Bros. | |||
Songwriter(s) | Phil Spector | |||
Producer(s) | George Massenburg | |||
Dolly Parton singles chronology | ||||
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Linda Ronstadt singles chronology | ||||
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Emmylou Harris singles chronology | ||||
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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.[19][20]
Chart (1987) | Peak position |
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U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles[21] | 1 |
Canadian RPM Country Tracks | 1 |