ALL YOU NEED IS LOVE

Tis the season to be jolly, and to dig out a yuletide classic by DARLENE LOVE. Phil Spector’s secret weapon gets festive with TERRY STAUNTON

In the run-up to Christmas every year there’s not many people who could claim to be busier than Santa, but Darlene Love might just be one of them. At the root of this whirlwind of activity is two minutes and 45 seconds of music she made during the sweltering Los Angeles summer of 1964, a song that has become the hardiest of festive perennials, a true pop classic.

Darlene was one of dozens of singers or musicians under the rule of Phil Spector at Gold Star Studios when he put together his celebrated seasonal long player, A Christmas Gift For You. Nestled among the sleigh bells, standards, singalongs and carols was one track written specifically for the project, the mighty Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) – which the volatile Phil decreed should showcase the equally mighty voice of Miss Love.

It was a rare starring role for the Californian church singer, who, more than a couple of times previously, had seen her efforts hit the charts with the name of a different performer on the label, and the song’s enduring appeal has meant that Darlene’s date book fills up pretty swiftly every winter.

“Things are goin’ a little wild, but that’s OK,” says the 67-year-old singer, taking a breather in her New York home. “It’s a good kind of …

by TERRY STAUNTON
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