To Know Him Is to Love Him by The Teddy Bears
Artist: The Teddy Bears Weeks at #1: 3 weeks Chart dates: December 1, 1958 – December 15, 1958
About
"To Know Him Is to Love Him" is a song written by Phil Spector, inspired by the words on his father's gravestone, "To Know Him Was to Love Him". It was first recorded by the only vocal group of which he was a member, the Teddy Bears. The single spent three weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1958, while reaching No. 2 on the UK's New Musical Express chart. Peter & Gordon and Bobby Vinton later each experienced chart success with the song (with its title and lyrics altered to the gender-neutral "To Know You Is to Love You"), in 1965 and 1968, respectively. In 1987, the song was resurrected in a country style by the vocal group Trio—consisting of Dolly Parton, Linda Ronstadt, and Emmylou Harris—and featured on their album Trio (1987), topping the US Hot Country Songs chart and the Canadian country music chart. The song is in 128 time, played at a thoughtful, steady pace.
