Song #203 - "This Guy's In Love With You" - Herb Alpert

Recorded - Winter or Spring, 1968

Released - May 1968

#1 for weeks June 22 and 29 & July 6 and 13, 1968. 

     It really must have been a result of the troubled times, but easy listening music really flourished on the charts in 1968. June of this year in particular saw the tragic death of Bobby Kennedy, which no doubt caused uncomfortable flashbacks to just five years prior when his brother had been killed. Just like how the extremely inoffensive "Dominique" hit the top of the charts back in '63, Herb Alpert's equally mellow "This Guy's In Love With You", became a #1 pop hit five years later. 

     While most of the modern generation aren't directly familiar with Herb Alpert, they are surely familiar with his record label: A&M records, which he co-founded with Jerry Moss in 1963 (Get it? "Alpert & Moss".) With this label in place, Alpert formed the Tijuana Brass and they released their first single, "The Lonely Bull" in 1962. Being a jazz trumpeter, much of the Tijuana Brass recordings feature Herb on lead trumpet. 

     Throughout much of the 1960's, Herb Alpert remained in the niche easy listening genre, with little to no crossover success on the pop charts. Much of these records are forever doomed to spend eternity on thrift store record shelves. On April 22, 1968, he starred in a television special called The Beat Of The Brass. The song that got the strongest reception was "This Guy's In Love With You", a then-unreleased composition by Burt Bacharach and Hal David. Due to the special and the song being such a success, as well as the aforementioned turbulent June of '68, it's no surprise that "This Guy's..." had a chance of charting on the pop charts. 

     You can tell this is a Bacharach co-composition without even checking out liner notes. There is a heavy amount of syncopation as well as a very jazzy sound overall. Unusually, Herb Alpert himself is the lead singer, and although I was initially skeptical about this fact, I think he certainly can carry a tune. I also appreciate the use of electric organ, which helps the song sound at least semi-modern, and not like an early 1960's ballad. 

     The only criticisms I could give to "This Guy's In Love With You" would be more about how it's not exactly my style, and how it sharply contrasts with the creative melting pot that was 1968. Easy listening piano pop isn't the first thing that comes to mind when talking about what best represents 1968 in terms of ambitious music. Then again, these were times when perhaps something milder was needed, and "This Guys'..." fit the bill perfectly it seems. 

Final Verdict - "This Guy's In Love With You" may be a bit too lightweight for my taste, but perhaps due to it coming from the Bacharach/David pen, it certainly has an element of class and elegance. If you're a hard rock fan, this song will probably not do anything for you, but if you like trumpet-based jazz music, I'm sure you'll at least appreciate a listen. 

         Coming Up Next - "Grazing In The Grass" by Hugh Masekela. 

                         Until Next Time, This guy's Dr. Rock -