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Sonny James’ Timeless Cover of the Classic Hit “Young Love”

Sonny James' Timeless Cover of the Classic Hit “Young Love”
by
  • Riley is a Senior Country Music Journalist for Country Thang Daily, known for her engaging storytelling and insightful coverage of the genre.
  • Before joining Country Thang Daily, Riley developed her expertise at Billboard and People magazine, focusing on feature stories and music reviews.
  • Riley has a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from Belmont University, with a minor in Cultural Studies.

In 1957, legendary country singer Sonny James released one of the timeless covers of the classic hit song “Young Love.”

The song was originally released by Ric Cartey and Jiva-Tones in 1956. Although it was such a hit among young listeners at that time, Cartey’s version never charted. But this was not the end of the song’s chart success. 

One year after its initial release, country singer Sonny James released his version of the song – which fans didn’t expect coming, considering “Young Love” was more of a pop song rather than a country one.

Despite that, Sonny proves he is a jack of all trades. With his smooth and relaxed voice, complimented by his amazing electric guitar skills, he created one of the best “Young Love” covers in history. 

RELATED: A Moment To Remember: Country Singer Sonny James’ Death At 87

His version became a hit to listeners landing at the no. 1 spot on the Country & Western Best Seller Chart and no. 2 on the Billboard Country Music Charts, making it one of Sonny James’ greatest hits. 

But what made Sonny James’s cover special? And why do listeners can’t get enough of it? Let’s find out the answer as we dive right into the meaning behind the song. 

Meaning Behind the Song

Written by Ric Cartey and Carole Joyner, the song simply captures the essence of youthful romance. It gives off that nostalgic feeling of innocent love. 

In the song, the protagonist expresses his deepest admiration for the person he loves. Since the story takes place during the protagonist’s youthful years, many listeners were able to relate to it, as we all had that one person our hearts skipped a beat for as young, naïve kids. 

RELATED: Tragic Tale of Two Lovers in “Running Bear” Became Sonny James’ Country Hit

That’s why Sonny James’s version became a hit to many. Although he was already an established singer at the time, singing it during his early days made it all the more relatable. 

His calm demeanor and charismatic performance gave listeners a fresh listening experience. 

If you haven’t checked it out yet, you can listen to Sonny James’ cover of “Young Love” below. 

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