PHIL COLLINS - A GROOVY KIND OF LOVE

Released: August 22, 1988

Charts: UK: #1 (2 weeks)  US: #1 (2 weeks)

“A Groovy Kind of Love” is a song written by Toni Wine and Carole Bayer Sager, inspired by a melody from classical composer Muzio Clementi. The song was written in just 20 minutes in the mid-1960s when Sager was 22 years old and working as a high school English teacher, while Wine was still in high school at 17. They aimed to incorporate the word “groovy” into the title, as it was a popular slang term at the time.

The first version was recorded by the American duo Diane & Annita in 1965 under the title “Groovey Kind of Love”, but it gained major success when recorded by The Mindbenders in 1965 and later by Phil Collins, whose 1988 version became a number one hit.

Phil Collins recorded his version of “A Groovy Kind of Love” in 1988 for the soundtrack of the film “Buster”, in which he starred. Initially, Collins suggested the song for Stephen Bishop, but while filming, he proposed it as a love theme for the main character. He recorded a demo, which unexpectedly ended up being used in the film.

Co-produced with Anne Dudley (of The Art of Noise), Collins’ version slowed down the original 1965 hit by The Mindbenders, adding synths, echoing drum beats, and orchestral strings. Though the lyrics celebrate the joy of love, Collins’ melancholic delivery gives the song a bittersweet tone. The track became a number one hit, appearing on several of his compilation albums, including “…Hits”, “Love Songs: A Compilation…” “Old and New”, and “The Singles”.

When released as a single, “A Groovy Kind of Love” reached No. 1 in both the U.S. and UK, making it Phil Collins’ only song to top the charts in both countries. It was also his last UK No. 1 hit. The single was certified silver in the UK and topped the U.S. Adult Contemporary chart. It remained on the Billboard Hot 100 for 25 weeks, the longest run of any Collins single. The song also earned him a Grammy nomination for Best Pop Vocal Performance, Male in 1989.