About The Song
“Never My Love” is a pop standard penned by American siblings Don and Dick Addrisi, gaining widespread recognition through a hit 1967 rendition by the Association. Although the Addrisi Brothers had modest success as recording artists, “Never My Love” became their notable triumph as songwriters. In 1999, Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI) declared it the second most-played song on U.S. radio and television in the 20th century.
The Association, a California-based American sunshine pop band, achieved the first successful recording of “Never My Love.” Produced with members of the Wrecking Crew, their version reached number two on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in October 1967, narrowly missing the top spot occupied by “The Letter” by the Box Tops. However, it secured the number-one position on the Cashbox charts and became one of the band’s five top-ten hits in the late 1960s. Notably, it was the third number-one single on the Cashbox Top 100 Singles Chart for the Association, following “Cherish” (1966) and “Windy” (1967). The song featured on their album “Insight Out” (1967) and also reached number one on Canada’s RPM charts.
By December 1967, when the RIAA certified the Association’s record as Gold for selling one million copies, Billboard reported that 16 artists had recorded “Never My Love.” The success of the single elevated the band to top concert status, leading to numerous appearances on TV variety series, specials, and talk shows, including The Ed Sullivan Show, The Andy Williams Show, and others.
AllMusic’s Stewart Mason described the single as “laid-back and dreamy” with a “sleek and sophisticated” tune. The dual lead vocals by Terry Kirkman and Larry Ramos, accompanied by airy wordless harmonies, contributed to the song’s charm. Mason praised Ray Pohlman’s arrangement, noting the clever use of space in the sound through elements like the five-note bass riff and electric piano lick. The arrangement showcased a resemblance to Burt Bacharach’s work with Dionne Warwick, a similarity later amplified by the 5th Dimension in their cover of the song.
Video
Lyrics
You ask me if there’ll come a time
When I grow tired of you
Never my love
Never my loveYou wonder if this heart of mine
Will lose its desire for you
Never my love
Never my loveWhat makes you think love will end
When you know that my whole life depends
On you (on you)Never my love
Never my loveYou say you fear I’ll change my mind
And I won’t require you
Never my love
Never my loveHow can you think love will end
When I’ve asked you to spend your whole life
With me (with me, with me)