Pop Music

The song “A Lover’s concerto” was written by Sandy Linzer and Denny Randell, and the girl group The Toys recorded it in 1965. The melody, which is based on “Minuet in G major” has a long history. It was first attributed to Johan Sebastian Bach, and was published in J.S. Bach’s Notebook for Anna Magdalena Bach. Over the years, it was found that the composer was probably Christian Petzold, an German composer and organist. In the 20th century, in the 1940s, bandleader Freddy Martin employed the melody in a composition and titled it “A Lover’s Concerto.” The Linzer-Randell is different than “Minuet in G major” in that it is in 4/4 time rather than 3/4 time (which is typical for many minuets). Anyway, in 1965, “A Lover’s Concerto” by The Toys went to #2 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, #1 on Cashbox and in Canada, and #5 in the U.K. It sold more than two million copies and was awarded an RIAA gold record.

The Toys formed in 1961 in Queens, New York, and were active until 1968. They were Barbara Harris, Barbara Parritt, and June Montiero. They were discovered by manager Vince Marc, who introduced them to Linzaer and Randell. They also had charting success with a cover of Brian Hyland’s “Sealed with a Kiss.” They were on most of the TV rock programs and had a small role in the 1967 film It’s a Bikini World.

Here are the lyrics to “A Lover’s Concerto” by The Toys:

“How gentle is the rain
That falls softly on the meadow,
Birds high up the trees Serenade the clouds with their melodies

Oh, see there beyond the hill,
The bright colors of the rainbow.
Some magic from above
Made this day for us just to fall in love

Now, I belong to you
From this day until forever,
Just love me tenderly
And I’ll give to you every part of me.

Oh, don’t ever make me cry
Through long lonely nights without us.
Be always true to me,
Keep this day in your heart eternally.

One day we shall return
To this place upon the meadow.
We’ll walk out in the rain,
See the birds above singing once again

Oh, you hold me in your arms,
And say once again you love me,
And if your love is true,
Everything will be just as wonderful.

You’ll hold me in your arms,
And say once again you’ll love me,
And if your love is true,
Everything will be just as wonderful. [Repeat]”

Check Out The Groove Pad for More 1960s Music

The Pass the Paisley Groove Pad is a resting stop, a place to chill out and listen to the featured song on the stereo. If the mood strikes you, click on the juke box to access and listen to the 50+ free online songs there. The TV has several channels, with selections updated twice a week. Every now and then, Pass the Paisley hosts an all-request of 1960s and 1970s songs for a Be-In at the juke box in the Groove Pad. Keep on truckin’. Hope you enjoyed “A Lover’s Concerto” by The Toys.