The Shadows | Members, Songs, Music, & Facts | Britannica

About the Song

“Don’t Talk to Him” is a song by British singer Cliff Richard and his backing band The Shadows. It was released in November 1963 as the third single from Richard’s fifth studio album, Summer Holiday. The song was written by Bruce Welch and Hank Marvin, two members of The Shadows.

The song is a pop ballad about a young man who is warning a girl not to talk to his rival. The song’s lyrics are simple but effective, and the melody is catchy and memorable. Richard’s vocals are strong and passionate, and The Shadows provide excellent backing with their distinctive guitar sound.

“Don’t Talk to Him” was a commercial success. It reached number two on the UK Singles Chart and number one in Australia. The song was also a critical success, with many critics praising Richard’s vocals and The Shadows’ musicianship.

The song has been covered by many artists over the years, including:

  • The Beatles
  • The Rolling Stones
  • The Beach Boys
  • Roy Orbison
  • Elvis Presley

“Don’t Talk to Him” is a classic pop ballad that has stood the test of time. It is a song that is sure to continue to be enjoyed by listeners for many years to come.

Here are some additional details about the song:

  • The song was recorded in London, England.
  • The song was produced by Norrie Paramor.
  • The song’s B-side was “Do You Want to Dance”.
  • The song was a commercial success, reaching number two on the UK Singles Chart and number one in Australia.
  • The song has been covered by many artists, including The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, and The Beach Boys.

Here are some interesting facts about the song:

  • The song was originally written for Cliff Richard’s film Summer Holiday.
  • The song was inspired by the film’s plot, which features a love triangle.
  • The song was a major hit in the UK and Australia, and it helped to establish Cliff Richard as one of the most popular singers in the world.

The Shadows interview: 'Cliff Richard was always one of us'

Video

Lyrics: Don’t Talk to Him

If some guy tells you, I don’t careAnd tells you lies, while I’m not thereDon’t talk to him
And if he tells you, I’m untrueThen darling, here’s what you must doDon’t talk to him
And if he tells you, I’ve been seenWalking round with Sue and JeanHe’s lying again (lying again)
Do anything that you want toBut darling, this I beg of youDon’t talk to him
If you hear the words he has to sayHe’ll break your heartLet your love for me prove strongWhile we are far apart
So just remember what I sayAnd trust in me, while I’m awayFor I’ll be true
And just rememberMy true love is brighter than the moon aboveFor only you
And if this guy should try to sayMy love for you is only playMerely a whim (merely a whim)
Just close your eyes and count to tenThink of me againBut don’t you talk to him
And if he tells you, I’ve been seenWalking round with Sue and JeanHe’s lying again (lying again)
Do anything that you want toBut darling, this I beg of youDon’t talk to him
If you hear the words he has to sayHe’ll break your heartLet your love for me prove strongWhile we are far apart
So just remember what I sayTrust in me, while I’m awayFor I’ll be true
And just rememberMy true love is brighter than the moon aboveFor only you
And if this guy should try to sayMy love for your is only playMerely a whim (merely a whim)
Close your eyes, count to tenThink of me againBut don’t you talk to him

You Missed

Dolly Parton turned a simple handmade coat into one of the most powerful songs of her life because to her, it was never really about the fabric. “Coat of Many Colors” sprang directly from Dolly’s growing-up years in East Tennessee. Her mother, Avie Lee, pieced the jacket together by sewing colorful rags the family already owned. Cash was mighty tight, so there was no running down to the store for brand-new clothes. Instead, Avie Lee took what was on hand and stitched together something warm for her little girl to wear. While the needle flew, she shared the Bible story of Joseph and his coat of many colors, turning an ordinary piece of clothing into something special in Dolly’s eyes. Proudly wearing that coat to school, Dolly felt rich, but the other kids saw it differently. They laughed at the patches and teased her for having so little. Years down the road, Dolly penned those childhood memories into “Coat of Many Colors.” Released in 1971, the tune became a shining example of why her songwriting touched so many souls. She never tried to hide hard times or dress up her youth to look prettier than it was. She simply laid the sting of teasing side-by-side with the deep love that stitched the coat together, letting that honest truth speak for itself. The song eventually grew far beyond that original vinyl record. Its spirit inspired the 2015 television movie Dolly Parton’s Coat of Many Colors, followed by Christmas of Many Colors: Circle of Love the very next year. Those films opened a window into Dolly’s mountain home, introducing folks to the hardworking parents and siblings who shaped her long before the bright lights found her. By then, Dolly had worn glittering stage gowns worth more than her family could ever have dreamed. Yet the garment folks remember best remains that humble little coat stitched by a mother’s loving hands when buying something new simply wasn’t in the cards. That is why the memory stayed alive. The scraps faded away, but the lesson underneath never did.