Comments on: THE SEARCHERS - “Don’t Throw Your Love Away”

By: DJ Punctum

DJ Punctum — Mon, 12 May 2008 09:52:30 +0000

Or perhaps to get it played on the Light Programme.

The Searchers turned up on the Johnnie Walker show yesterday; very funny and entertaining as people but I wish I could feel more passionate about their music.

By: wichitalineman

wichitalineman — Mon, 12 May 2008 01:02:39 +0000

A pedant writes… it was originally by Philadelphia girl (and one guy) group The Orlons, b-side of small US hit Bon Doo Wah. And they sing “go out and have a ball, have a ball with one and all” instead of the “have your fun” line. So the Searchers adapted this virginity-promoting item to make it a little more risque.

By: Doctor Mod

Doctor Mod — Mon, 31 Jul 2006 10:01:35 +0000

“A pro-virginity message”. . . hmm. My mother didn’t think so! She banned the song from the house after hearing the line “Go out and have your fun/ you better have your fun with anyone,” thinking it was advocating promiscuity! (I’ll not speculate on my mother’s idea of “fun,” although I rather think she was opposed to it, whatever it was.)

I didn’t know that this was a Shirelles cover. (Someday I’m going to write something on the the Shirelles’ influence on British male pop music, but don’t hold your breath.) Considering the girl-group ethos, then, the “pro-virginity message” is probably correct, even if I find the lyrics a bit ambiguous–just what is this “fun” one is supposed to have with “anyone,” eh? But the Shirelles were great at what I call the “advice” song (think “Foolish Little Girl”), and this particular advice, for what it’s worth, makes an interested addition to that genre.