Tuesday January 11, 2022 “Love Is All Around” The Troggs

Chip Taylor, John Voight’s brother, a singer of some small repute as well as a songwriter had a contract in 1966 with a record company to write some songs.  He was given a big advance and when he hadn’t delivered the record company gave him the expected ultimatum, he needed to either give them a song or return the advance.  In desperation Taylor wrote what he considered was a crap tune if only to fullfill his obligation.

That crap song, “Wild Thing” would be an international 1966 number one song, and become one of a small group of iconic three chord (E A D) garage band songs. Yeah, thanks for the irrelevant lead up, you’re thinking, what about “Love Is All Around”?

“Wild Thing” would introduce us to The Troggs and their lead singer Reg Presley, born Reginald Ball, so no relation to Elvis, would after their “caveman rock” number one hit write today’s romantic song “Love is All Around” which would be an international top ten hit in 1968.  

And then, after being included on the soundtrack of the 1994 movie Four Weddings and a Funeral by the group Wet Wet Wet it would be a chart topping song.  It was also included as a kind of running joke in the film Love Actually with lyrics changed to “Christmas Is All Around” sung disparagingly by aging rock star Billy Mack (Bill Nighy).  The ‘Christmas…’ video is worth a view just for Nighy’s performance and the sexy Santa’s Helpers.

Easy fun song to play (D Em G A) with the chorus being a variation on the sequence of those same chords (G Em D G Em D G Em A).

Stay safe and well…and I am convinced that it is safe to agree with Reg Presley and the Troggs, love is all around us, so don’t overlook it.

I feel it in my fingers, I feel it in my toes

Love is all around me and so the feeling grows

It's written on the wind, it's everywhere I go

So if you really love me, come on and let it show

 You know I love you, I always will

My mind's made up by the way that I feel

There's no beginning, there'll be no end

'Cause on my love you can depend

 I see your face before me, as I lay on my bed

I kinda get to thinking of all the things you said

You gave a promise to me, and I gave mine to you

I need someone beside me in everything I do

 You know I love you, I always will

My mind's made up by the way that I feel

There's no beginning, there'll be no end

'Cause on my love you can depend

 It's written on the wind, it's everywhere I go

So if you really love me, come on and let it show

Come on and let it show

Come on and let it show

Come on and let it show

Come on and let it show

Come on and let it show