David and Jonathan (band)

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David and Jonathan (Dutch TV, 1967)

David and Jonathan were a British pop duo from Bristol, England, featuring Roger Greenaway and Roger Cook. They had two top 20 hits in 1966.

They began working together in 1965 in Bristol, England, and wrote the hit songs "This Golden Ring" and "You've Got Your Troubles" for the British group the Fortunes.[1] They teamed with George Martin to do a cover of the Beatles' "Michelle", which was a hit single in 1966 in both the UK (No. 11 UK Singles Chart)[2] and the U.S. (Billboard Hot 100 No. 18, U.S. AC No. 3). They had a top 10 in the UK in 1966 with "Lovers of the World Unite", which reached No. 7.[1] The stage names "David and Jonathan" were suggested by Judy Lockhart Smith (who became the wife of George Martin) and allude to the ancient Hebrew king David and prince Jonathan, whose close personal friendship was documented in the First Book of Samuel.

David and Jonathan sang the main title theme (composed by Johnny Dankworth), for the eponymously titled spy-spoof film, Modesty Blaise.

After David and Jonathan had run its course, the duo formed The Congregation and also continued to write successful hit singles both alone and together, for artists such as Blue Mink, the Hollies, Engelbert Humperdinck, Whistling Jack Smith, Bobby Goldsboro and others.[3]

David and Jonathan also did their own version of the Beatles' "She's Leaving Home", produced by George Martin in 1967.

Discography[edit]

Singles[edit]

Year Single Chart Positions
UK US AU CAN
1965 "Laughing Fit to Cry" - - - -
1966 "Michelle" 11 18 42 1
"Speak Her Name" 59[A] 109 - -
"Lovers of the World Unite" 7 - 42 -
"Ten Storeys High" - - - -
"Tu cambi idea" - - - -
"Scarlet Ribbons (For Her Hair)" - - 92 -
1967 "The Magic Book" - - - -
"She's Leaving Home" - 123 93 -
"Softly Whispering I Love You" - - 19 -
1968 "You Ought to Meet My Baby" - - - -

Albums[edit]

  • David and Jonathan (UK) (1966)
  • Michelle (USA) (1966)
  • The Very Best of David and Jonathan (Germany) (1967)
  • Lovers of the World Unite (1984)

See also[edit]

Notes[edit]

  1. ^ Chart position is from the official UK "Breakers List".

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b Colin Larkin, ed. (1992). The Guinness Encyclopedia of Popular Music (First ed.). Guinness Publishing. p. 635. ISBN 0-85112-939-0.
  2. ^ Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 142. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
  3. ^ Biography, AllMusic