The Best Love Songs From The Everly Brothers

The Everly Brothers were one of the earliest rock outfits to grace the music industry. Starting their run in the 50’s, The Everly Brothers were an American country rock duo who were primarily distinguished by their steel-string acoustic guitar sound and close harmonic singing. Being the pioneers that they are, their signature sound influenced younger groups that would later rule the world of rock, including the Beatles, the Beach Boys, and Simon and Garfunkel. Here are some of the best songs about romance by the Everly Brothers!

“All I Have To Do Is Dream” – (1958)

Written by Boudleaux Bryant of the husband and wife duo of Felice and Boudleaux Bryant, the track was recorded by the Everly Brothers in just two live takes, with the inclusion of the iconic Chet Atkins on guitars. The effective vocal harmonies of the song lives up to its title, a dreamy arrangement that sings about longing for one’s dear lover.

“Till I Kissed You” – (1959)

Don Everly wrote the track, and with the help of Chet Atkins and Jerry Allison, the Everly Brothers finished recording the song. The playful progression features drum rolls and guitar twangs that add detail to the poignant vocal harmonies of the brothers, in this song of realization and confession of a lover’s effect on the main character.

“When Will I Be Loved” – The Fabulous Style Of The Everly Brothers (1960)

Though the track is most known by Linda Ronstadt’s own rendition of it, the authentic Everly Brothers’ sound has a charm of its own that deserves more attention, with a rockabilly-styled progression that showed the duo’s flexibility in composing songs. The love-starved lyrics are rather sad, but is countered by the deceptively catchy arrangement.

“Wake Up Little Susie” – The Everly Brothers (1957)

This playful track talks about the thrills of young love, where a couple goes to a cinema, but falls asleep till 4am, way past the 10pm curfew. The fun in the song comes with the couple worrying about what their parents and friends will say. The song features the earliest variants of a rock n’ roll opening riff, with a driving progression and the Everly Brothers’ signature vocal harmonies. “Wake Up Little Susie” was reported to have been banned in Boston due to its “suggestive” lyricism.

“So Sad (To Watch Good Love Go Bad) – It’s Everly Time (1960)

The nostalgic message brought by the song sends deep pangs of regret to the listener, especially to those who have experienced the same situation. Beautifully-woven vocal harmonies, and a serene guitar progression with makes for a surreal sonic masterpiece that makes the Everly Brothers one of the most harmonically-able rock acts of all time.