Love Grows (Where My Rosemary Goes) Cover

This week’s “Remake of a Classic” was an absolute blast to do. Although the tune was originally recorded by the English singer, Jefferson (a.k.a Geoffrey Turton), the early 1970 release by Edison Lighthouse is the version that most people know. Written by British producers Tony Macaulay and Barry Mason, along with Mason’s wife at the time, Sylvan, “Love Grows (Where My Rosemary Goes)” was given to a group of studio musicians led by prolific session singer Tony Burrows. The group’s original name had been Greenfield Hammer, but the recording was credited to Edison Lighthouse. The tune became the first British number one hit of the 70s. Because of the song’s success, Macaulay put together a live touring band, but Burrows declined the opportunity to go on the road. After all, he had five number one hits with five different bands. One of his bands, the Flower Pot Men, included Deep Purple founding members Jon Lord and Nick Simper.

“Love Grows” stayed at number one five weeks and sold 250,000 copies in the UK. It reached the top of the chart in its second week. In the U.S., where the song was released in February 1970, it reached number five on the Billboard Hot 100; selling a million copies by April and earning an RIAA gold disc. In Canada, the song reached number three.

Movie fans may remember the song from the film “Shallow Hal” with Jack Black and Gwyneth Paltrow.

As far as my cover goes, I pretty much stayed with the original Edison Lighthouse version. I have to say, I’m particularly pleased with the guitar tone on this one. This is the first time using a modified Glarry Telecaster (new neck, pickups, tuners, etc.) and a cool, sea foam green/blue Telecaster I built from parts I ordered from various guitar parts suppliers online. The vintage style Wilkinson pickups sound great.