They first appeared together in 1959 in The Bluefrets. Early songwriting work was for Dean Ford and the Gaylords (later to become Marmalade). Signed by The Beatles in 1968 to write for Apple Records' Mary Hopkin.
In 1970 they joined Tom McGuinness and Hughie Flint to form McGuinness Flint and penned the hits ''When I'm Dead And Gone'' (which reached No 2 in the UK in 1970) and ''Malt And Barley Blues'' (No 5 in 1971).
In 1972 they formed their own duo and enjoyed UK chart successes in 1976 and 1977 with four hits, including ''I Wanna Stay With You'' and ''Heart On My Sleeve'' both of which reached No 6. They split in 1979.
Gallagher & Lyle compositions have provided hits for Art Garfunkel (Breakaway) and Don Williams (Stay Young) . Graham Lyle later wrote with Terry Britten and their hits included ''What's Love Got To Do With It'' and ''We Don't Need Another Hero'' for Tina Turner and ''Just Good Friends'' for Michael Jackson. Benny Gallagher spent nine years as founding director of Performing Artists Media Rights Association (PAMRA) and also performed in The Manfreds with Paul Jones, Mike D'Arbo, Tom McGuinness and Mike Hugg.
Love on the Airwaves
Gallagher & Lyle Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Do you realize?
What a cupid you cursed out to be
There′s love
We the age transmitted everywhere
By hand permission of Mister Marconi
Dear Mister Bell
You did very well
I miss you just won't go
When you're five thousand miles from your home
Love on the airwaves
Over the sea
Love on the airwaves
Between you and me
Love on the airwaves
To everyone
Love on the airwaves
Just turn your radio on
Turn your radio on
Turn your radio on
Mister Marconi
I′m not the only one
Who′s got a lot to thank you about
There's many a one who′d still be unknown
If you hadn't got your wires sorted out
Love on the airwaves
Over the sea
Love on the airwaves
Between you and me
Love on the airwaves
Short, medium and long
Love on the airwaves
Just turn your radio on
Turn your radio on
Turn your radio on
(Solo)
Love on the airwaves
Love on the airwaves
Love on the airwaves
To everyone
Love on the airwaves
Just turn your radio on
Turn your radio
Turn your radio on.
The song “Love on the Airwaves” by Gallagher and Lyle appears to be a tribute to the power of love broadcasted through the airwaves, with specific references to the pioneers of modern communication technology such as Marconi and Bell. The lyrics start with a note of gratitude to Marconi for making it possible for love to be transmitted across the world, “Mister Marconi, do you realize, what a Cupid you’ve caused out to be?” Honouring Marconi as an “age transmitter” for love. The reference to Bell highlights the limitations of telephones, despite their efficacy in conveying messages, there are “things can’t be said over the phone”. The song ends by reminding us all to tune in to love on the airwaves and “Turn your radio on”.
The song seems to be an appreciation of how technology has brought people together through love, both in the past and present. It is a reminder that love knows no boundaries and is omnipresent through technology. The lyrics are supported by a simple but effective melody, which easily captures the uplifting spirit of the song. It is an enjoyable song that celebrates love as a universal force that brings people together despite distance and other challenges.
Line by Line Meaning
Mister Marconi
Oh Mr. Marconi, the inventor of radio
Do you realize?
Do you understand the power behind the creation you have made?
What a cupid you cursed out to be
Radio waves carry love across the world, and Marconi was the originator of this technology
There’s love
Love as a force and feeling exists everywhere, traveling through the airwaves created by radio communication
We the age transmitted everywhere
In this era, love is able to be transmitted in a way that it never could before
By hand permission of Mister Marconi
With the blessing and genius of Marconi, love is able to be transmitted through the airwaves
Dear Mister Bell
Referencing Alexander Graham Bell, the inventor of the first telephone
You did very well
Bell's invention of the telephone was significant, but there are still some things that people can't say on the phone
But there's some things can’t be said on the phone
The telephone is a powerful communication tool, but some things people just can't say over it
I miss you just won't go
Longing for someone doesn't disappear just because they aren't physically present
When you're five thousand miles from your home
Distance only intensifies missing someone
Love on the airwaves
The love shared through the radio waves
Over the sea
Love knows no boundaries and can travel anywhere through radio waves
Between you and me
Love is personal and shared between two people, even if they are geographically separated
To everyone
The message of love can also be shared with everyone who tunes into the radio
Short, medium and long
Regardless of the frequency of the radio waves, love can still be transmitted
Just turn your radio on
By simply turning on your radio, you can access and experience the love that is carried in the airwaves
Turn your radio on
The song encourages listeners to turn on their radios to experience and share in the love that is transmitted through the airwaves
Mister Marconi
Again referencing the inventor of radio waves, thanking him for the power that radio has brought to love transmission
I’m not the only one
Others also have much to thank Marconi for, as radio has affected and connected a great many people
Who’s got a lot to thank you about
Marconi's invention of radio is one of the most impactful contributions to communication in human history
There's many a one who′d still be unknown
Without the reach and connection that radio provides, some people may have never been noticed or become famous
If you hadn't got your wires sorted out
Marconi's innovation and hard work laid the foundation for the radio technology that we use today
Solo
Instrumental portion of the song
Love on the airwaves
Reiteration of the message of the song: transmitting love through the airwaves
Just turn your radio on
A call to action to access and appreciate this wonderful technology
Turn your radio
Repeating the call to action
Turn your radio on
Emphasizing the importance of tuning in to the radio wave frequency and the message of love that transcends it
Writer(s): Graham Lyle, Bernard Gallagher
Contributed by Avery J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@gerrybrown5100
What a great band live
@stevebriggs4448
Thanks for putting this on You Tube, saw them several times back in the 70s, always excellent!
@helensephton670
Encapsulating a time when things were calmer, simpler, kinder and slower. Miss those years.
@lfarrell6375
Saw them in Glasgow in 70’s. They were good. The support act was Chris de Burgh.
@gelubatir9794
Gallagher and Lyle- Love On The Airwaves - Love on the Airwaves is the sixth studio album by Scottish duo Gallagher and Lyle and was released in 1977.Track listing
All songs are written and performed by Benny Gallagher and Graham Lyle, with additional horn arrangements by John Mumford and Jimmy Jewell and string arrangements by Brian Rogers.
Side 1
"Love on the Airwaves" - 4:20
"The Runaway" - 5:53
"Every Little Teardrop" - 3:52
"I Had to Fall in Love" - 5:09
"Street Boys" - 3:46
Side 2
"Never Give Up On Love" - 3:23
"Dude in the Dark" - 4:43
"Head Talk" - 3:49
"Call for the Captain" - 4:05
"It Only Hurts When I Laugh" - 2:57Personnel
Benny Gallagher - vocals, piano, keyboards, bass guitar, percussion
Graham Lyle - vocals, guitar
Alan Hornall - bass
Iain Rae - piano, organ, synthesizer
Ray Duffy - drums
Jimmy Jewell - saxophone
John Mumford - trombone
@jessjackdad
Does anyone know why this album isn’t available for streaming?