As music hall comedians, they would often feature a mixture of comedy and music in their act; this led to a successful recording career as a duo and roles in film and television. Flanagan and Allen were both also members of The Crazy Gang and worked with that team for many years concurrently with their double-act career.
Flanagan and Allen's songs featured the same, usually gentle, humour for which the duo were known in their live performances, and during the Second World War they reflected the experiences of ordinary people during wartime. Songs like 'We're Gonna Hang out the Washing on the Siegfried Line' mocked the German defences (Siegfried Line), while others like 'Miss You' sang of missing one's sweetheart during enforced absences. Other songs, such as their most famous, 'Underneath the Arches' (which Flanagan co-wrote with Reg Connelly), had universal themes such as friendship. The music was usually melodic, following a binary verse, verse chorus structure, with a small dance band or orchestra providing the accompaniment. The vocals were distinctive because while Flanagan was at least a competent singer and sang the melody lines, Allen used an almost spoken delivery to provide the harmonies.
Love Is the Sweetest Thing
Flanagan & Allen Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's the April rose that only grows in the early Spring
Love is nature's way of giving a reason to be living
The golden crown that makes a man a king
Once on a high and windy hill, In the morning mist
Two lovers kissed and the world stood still
Then your fingers touched my silent heart and taught it how to sing
Yes, true love's a many splendored thing
Love is a many splendored thing
It's the April rose that only grows in the early Spring
Love is nature's way of giving a reason to be living
The golden crown that makes a man a king
Once on a high and windy hill, In the morning mist
Two lovers kissed and the world stood still
Then your fingers touched my silent heart and taught it how to sing
Yes, true love's a many splendored thing
The song "Love Is the Sweetest Thing" by Flanagan & Allen speaks about the beauty and power of love. The lyrics describe love as a "many splendored thing" that is like an April rose that only grows in early spring. The song also suggests that love is nature's way of giving us a reason to live and that it can make a man feel like a king when he is in love.
The song tells the story of two lovers who kiss on a high and windy hill, causing the world to stand still. The woman's touch on the man's heart teaches it how to sing, indicating that her love has had a transformative effect on him. The lyrics suggest that true love is not only beautiful but also has a powerful impact on our lives that can change us for the better.
Overall, "Love Is the Sweetest Thing" is a song that celebrates the beauty and transformative power of love. It suggests that love can make us feel like we are living for a reason and that it can inspire us to become better people. The song's lyrics show that love is not just an emotion but also a force that can have a profound impact on our lives.
Line by Line Meaning
Love is a many splendored thing
Love is a complex and wonderful feeling
It's the April rose that only grows in the early Spring
Love is like a rare and beautiful flower that only blooms during a specific time
Love is nature's way of giving a reason to be living
Love gives us a purpose and a reason to keep on living
The golden crown that makes a man a king
The joy and fulfillment that comes from being in love can make a person feel like royalty
Once on a high and windy hill, In the morning mist
Evokes a sense of a beautiful, remote and idyllic place surrounded by nature's elements
Two lovers kissed and the world stood still
The moment of being lost in love can make everything around you feel like it's paused in time
Then your fingers touched my silent heart and taught it how to sing
A lover's touch can awaken dormant emotions and feelings, giving them a voice
Yes, true love's a many splendored thing
Reiterating that love is a multifaceted, wonderous feeling
Lyrics © Kanjian Music, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Royalty Network, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Sammy Fain, Paul Webster
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Walter Gray
This reminds me of the many times I listened to the radio broadcasts of the Henry Hall Guest Night programs. This version of "Love is the Sweetest Thing" is beautiful.
Thank you for sharing.
C Porter
One of those unbelievably wholesome and sweet songs that you have to TRY to make it sound bad.
Dino Vanjak
I love this record this is a beautiful recording i love it
Spencer Smith
One of Ray Noble’s very best tunes…one of Henry Hall’s best records.
Brian's 78's
Thanks, Spencer :)
Gramophonic Reevolution
Super nice
Alex McKenna
How forgetful of Columbia to omit the mention of Jack Payne's film "Say it with Music"......
All My 78s
It was youbwho brought this dance orchestra to my attention and this is one I would keep...