"The Colour of My Love" is a song written by Paul Ryan. Two artists first released it as a single on the same day, 14 March 1969. A version by Jefferson became a top-30 hit in the UK as well as charting in the UK.[1] The other, by Billy J. Kramer, was only released in the UK and failed to chart. Paul Ryan's brother Barry also recorded a version that was released as a single in several countries.
| "The Colour of My Love" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by Jefferson | ||||
| from the album The Colour of My Love | ||||
| B-side | "Look No Further" | |||
| Released | 14 March 1969 | |||
| Genre | Pop | |||
| Length | 2:32 | |||
| Label | Pye | |||
| Songwriter(s) | Paul Ryan | |||
| Producer(s) | John Schroeder | |||
| Jefferson singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
Jefferson version
editRelease
editAfter leaving beat group the Rockin' Berries in 1968, Geoff Turton began a solo career under the pseudonym Jefferson. His first release, "Montage", failed to chart, but it was the follow-up "The Colour of My Love" that saw him first enter the charts as a solo artist. However, composer Paul Ryan was not impressed with Jefferson's version, saying "quite frankly, I think it's a load of rubbish. The production is terrible. Jefferson's a nice bloke, but it's very upsetting to hear what someone has done to your song. It's like someone framing a picture you're proud of in a tatty frame".[2]
Track listing
edit- "The Colour of My Love" – 2:32
- "Look No Further" – 2:35
Charts
edit| Chart (1969) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[3] | 19 |
| Canada Top Singles (RPM)[4] | 45 |
| Canada Adult Contemporary (RPM)[5] | 37 |
| Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[6] | 23 |
| Netherlands (Single Top 100)[7] | 20 |
| UK Singles (OCC)[1] | 22 |
| US Billboard Hot 100[8] | 68 |
Barry Ryan version
edit| "The Colour of My Love" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by Barry Ryan | ||||
| from the album Barry Ryan Sings Paul Ryan | ||||
| B-side | "My Mama" | |||
| Released | May 1969 | |||
| Genre | Baroque pop | |||
| Length | 2:46 | |||
| Label | MGM | |||
| Songwriter(s) | Paul Ryan | |||
| Producer(s) | Bill Landis | |||
| Barry Ryan singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
Release
editCapitalising on the success of Barry Ryan's previous two singles "Eloise" and "Love Is Love" which were particularly successful in Europe, MGM released "The Colour of My Love" as a follow-up single from the album Barry Ryan Sings Paul Ryan. It was released in continental Europe, Scandinavia, South Africa and Rhodesia (Zimbabwe) with the B-side "My Mama", also written by Paul Ryan.[9]
Track listing
edit- "The Colour of My Love" – 2:46
- "My Mama" – 3:46
Charts
edit| Chart (1969) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia)[10] | 19 |
| Denmark (IFPI)[11] | 4 |
| Germany (Official German Charts)[12] | 23 |
| Rhodesia (Lyons Maid)[13] | 6 |
Other versions
edit- In late 1969, Danish singer Bjørn Tidmand released a Danish-language version titled "Et billed af min kærlighed" as a single which peaked at number 15 on the IFPI Danmark chart.[14]
- In 1970, French singer Dalida released a French-language version titled "Les couleurs de l'amour" as a single.[15]
References
edit- ^ a b "Jefferson: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company.
- ^ Schroeder, John (2016). All for the Love of Music. Troubador Publishing Ltd. ISBN 978-1-78589-165-6.
- ^ "Jefferson – The Colour of My Love" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50.
- ^ "Top RPM Singles: Issue 6091." RPM. Library and Archives Canada.
- ^ "Top RPM Adult Contemporary: Issue 6088." RPM. Library and Archives Canada.
- ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – Jefferson" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40.
- ^ "Jefferson – The Colour of My Love" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
- ^ "Jefferson Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
- ^ "Barry Ryan - The Colour Of My Love / My Mama". discogs. 1969. Retrieved 2022-05-18.
- ^ "Barry Ryan – The Colour of My Love" (in French). Ultratop 50.
- ^ "Creedence på vej". Ekstra Bladet. 10 July 1969. p. 24.
- ^ "Barry Ryan – The Colour of My Love" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts.
- ^ Kimberley, C. Zimbabwe: Singles Chart Book. Harare: C. Kimberley, 2000
- ^ "Top 20". Ekstra Bladet. 12 December 1969. p. 33.
- ^ "Dalida - Les Couleurs De L'Amour". 45cat. Retrieved 2022-05-19.
