THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

376-Jack Jones-Wives and Lovers.

1963-It has never charted in the UK.

Best Bit-At 1.44. This is probably the most controversial song in the world ever (especially if you are female.) There will be people out there who’s blood will be boiling at the very mention of it.

‘Wives and Lovers’ was written by the legendary song writing team of Burt Bacharach, (1928-2023) (music) and Hal David (1921-2012) (lyrics.) The song was written for the the 1963 comedy film ‘Wives and Lovers,’ the song doesn’t appear in the film but was written to promote it, this was known as an ‘exploitation song,’ Bacharach and David had done the same the previous year with the song ‘The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance.’ The best known version of the song is this one recorded by Jack Jones in 1963, and released as the first of two singles from his eighth Album release also called ‘Wives and Lovers,’ from 1963. The song was produced by Pete King, who arranged the track, and also directed the orchestra. Pete King was born C. Dudley King, on August 8th, 1914, in Ohio. United States, and studied music at the ‘Cincinnati Conservatory,’ and the ‘University of Michigan, in 1967 he was elected president of the ‘National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences.’ Pete King conducted orchestras for a variety of Hollywood films, including adapting the works of the Norwegian composer Edvard Grieg, (1843-1907) for ‘The Pied Piper of Hamelin,’ (1957) and two comedies ‘The Family Jewels,’ (1965) and ‘The Last of the Secret Agents’ (1966.) His arrangements were heard often in the American television series ‘Happy Days,’ (1974-1984) and ‘The Brady Bunch’ (1969-1974.)

Jack Jones was born John Allan Jones, on January 14th, 1938, in Los Angeles, California, United States, he died on October 23rd, 2024, from leukaemia, at the age of 86. His father Allan Jones (1907-1992) was an actor, and tenor, and his mother Irene Hervey (1909-1998) was a film and television actress. As well as his recording career as a singer, Jack Jones has also made appearances as an actor, and singer in films, making his first appearance in 1959 in the American musical film ‘Juke Box Rhythm.’ In the 1960’s he became a regular on American television variety shows, including ‘The Ed Sullivan Show,’ and ‘The Dean Martin Show.’ In 1989, he received a star on the ‘Hollywood Walk of Fame,’ and in 2003, he received a ‘Golden Palm Star,’ on the Palm Springs, California, ‘Walk of Stars.’ You could say that Jack Jones was well qualified to sing ‘Wives and Lovers,’ as he was married six times.

The discography of Jack Jones who recorded in the musical genres of ‘Traditional Pop,’ ‘Jazz,’ and ‘Big Band,’ and is probably best remembered as an ‘Easy Listening’ singer, includes 61 Albums released between 1959-2002, and 41 singles released between 1962-1980. In America on the Billboard Hot 100, five of his singles have made the top 40, with ‘Wives and Lovers’ peaking the highest at Number 14, while in the UK, none of his singles have ever charted. Of all the songs recorded by Jack Jones, he will always be best remembered for his recording of the ‘Love Boat Theme’ in 1977, which was used as the theme song in the American television series ‘The Love Boat,’ when it was in its first nine season run on television from 1977 to 1986, on the ‘ABC’ network. In 1979 Jones recorded a ‘Disco’ version of ‘Wives and Lovers’ for his 47th Album release ‘Nobody Does It Better,’ which also includes his studio version of ‘The Love Boat.’

Like many other Burt Bacharach and Hal David compositions (see also best songs 902-832-815-740-644 and 224) ‘Wives and Lovers’ has been recorded over the years by dozens of other artists. Burt Bacharach recorded the song himself in 1965, and released it as the ‘B’ side to ‘Trains and Boats and Planes’ (UK-Number 4.) ‘Surprisingly’ (in my opinion) many female artists have recorded the song, including Dionne Warwick, (in 1963) Julie London, (1026-2000) (in 1964) and Nancy Wilson, (1937-2018) (in 1964.) ‘Wives and Lovers’ is a song of advice to married women, to stay attractive to their husband’s (‘wives should always be lovers too,’) to avoid their husband’s straying with girls at the office. In the first line, the wife is addressed as ‘Hey little girl,’ before a ‘warning’ to ‘fix your make up,’ and ‘run to your husbands arms arms the moment he comes home to you.’ But in my opinion, (once again) ‘Wives and Lovers’ should be be seen as a warning not to take each other for granted.

‘Hey, little girl comb your hair, fix your makeup, soon he will open the door. Don’t think because there’s a ring on your finger you needn’t try anymore.’