Their first hit, "I'm Into Something Good", was produced by Mickie Most, reaching #1 in the UK (1963) and #13 in the US (1964). Other hits followed such as "Mrs. Brown, You've Got a Lovely Daughter" (1965) and "I'm Henry VIII, I Am". The last was said at the time to be "the fastest-selling song in history". The band played on these singles but many of their subsequent singles employed session musicians, including Jimmy Page and John Paul Jones, with contributions from the band. The band's singles were written by top songwriters of the day. Regardless of how the records were made, the guitar player, Lek Leckenby, was a gifted guitarist. Indeed, all the other members were capable players and Peter Noone was a charismatic front man. The band was nominated for two Grammy awards in 1965, both for "Mrs. Brown, You've Got a Lovely Daughter". Noone and the band deliberately emphasized their Manchester accents on the record, which was never intended to be a single.
Born in Manchester, England, Noone was a child TV star in Coronation Street and in other TV work. He was still only 15 when he achieved international fame as teenage heart-throb as leader of the Hermits.
Herman's Hermits, whilst hugely successful in the mid-1960s, never topped the British charts again after their first hit, "I'm Into Something Good". However, they had two US No. 1's with "Mrs. Brown, You've Got a Lovely Daughter" and "I'm Henry the Eighth, I Am". The band disliked both songs, and never released them as singles in Britain. They appeared in several movies, including When The Boys Meet The Girls (1965) and Hold On! (1966). They also appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show, The Dean Martin Show and The Jackie Gleason Show.
They enjoyed consistent success in Britain throughout the rest of the decade but they were even more popular in America for a while. Their hits continued until 1967's "No Milk Today". Soon, however, the Monkees had replaced Herman's Hermits as the simple pop rock act, and the Hermits' career declined. "There's a Kind of Hush (All Over the World)" engendered a revival, but the Hermits never again cracked the top 10 in the U.S. This song was, however, successfully covered by The Carpenters in their album "A Kind of Hush", released in 1976. The band continued releasing records throughout the 1970s with little success. In the end, Herman's Hermits were a band which were both blessed and cursed by the 'niche' in which originally they found success.
(Adapted from Wikipedia)
Can't You Hear My Heartbeat
Herman's Hermits Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Baby, baby, can't you hear my heartbeat?
In the car or walkin' down the highway
Baby, baby, can't you hear my heartbeat?
When you move up closer to me
I get a feeling that's ooo-wee (ah)
Can't you hear the poundin' of my heartbeat?
'Cause you're the one I love
You're the one I love
When I feel you put your arms around me
Baby, baby, can't you hear my heartbeat?
Then I'm glad, I'm mighty glad I found you
Baby, baby, can't you hear my heartbeat?
When you asked me to meet your ma
I knew that baby, we'd be going far (ah)
Can't you hear the pounding of my heartbeat?
'Cause you're the one I love
You're the one I love
All my friends are cryin' out to meet you
Baby, baby, can't you hear my heartbeat?
Now's the time to go and see the preacher
Baby, baby, can't you hear my heartbeat?
Wedding bells are gonna chime
Baby, baby, you're gonna be mine
Can't you hear the pounding of my heartbeat?
'Cause you're the one I love
Baby, baby, can't you hear my heartbeat?
Baby, baby, can't you hear my heartbeat?
Baby, baby, can't you hear my heartbeat?
Baby, baby, can't you hear my heartbeat?
The Herman's Hermits song "Can't You Hear My Heartbeat" is a classic pop tune from the mid-1960s that boasts a lively, upbeat sound paired with lyrics that are simple yet filled with romantic longing. The song is addressed to a woman who is the object of the singer's affection, and he is trying to convey to her how much she means to him. He asks her repeatedly, "Can't you hear my heartbeat?", implying that his love for her is so strong that his physical response to being in her presence is palpable.
The opening lines of the song set the scene: "Every time I see you lookin' my way / Baby, baby, can't you hear my heartbeat?" The singer describes how his heart races when he catches sight of the woman he loves, whether they are in a car or out walking. When she gets closer to him, he admits that he feels a rush of emotions that he struggles to put into words. Later in the song, he talks about how happy he is that they have met each other's families and that he feels they are destined for a long-term relationship.
Overall, "Can't You Hear My Heartbeat" is a charming, infectious song that captures the innocence and energy of the 1960s pop scene. It's a snapshot of a particular era, but its simple message of love and devotion still resonates with listeners of all ages.
Line by Line Meaning
Every time I see you lookin' my way
Whenever I catch a glimpse of you glancing towards me
Baby, baby, can't you hear my heartbeat?
Do you not hear how my heart races in excitement whenever I see you?
In the car or walkin' down the highway
Whether I'm driving or walking alongside the road
When you move up closer to me
At the moment you draw near to me
I get a feeling that's ooo-wee (ah)
I experience a sensation of exhilaration in that instance
Can't you hear the poundin' of my heartbeat?
Can you not perceive the thumping sound of my heart beating rapidly?
'Cause you're the one I love
This happens because of my deep affection towards you
When I feel you put your arms around me
Whenever I sense your embrace wrapping around me
Then I'm glad, I'm mighty glad I found you
In that moment, I feel an overwhelming sense of joy for having discovered you
When you asked me to meet your ma
When you proposed that I pay a visit to your mother
I knew that baby, we'd be going far (ah)
I felt certain that we would go a long way together if we met each other's family
All my friends are cryin' out to meet you
All of my companions are eager to make your acquaintance
Now's the time to go and see the preacher
This is the moment to arrange an appointment with the clergyman
Wedding bells are gonna chime
Soon we will hear the sound of wedding bells
Baby, baby, you're gonna be mine
My dear, you will become my beloved companion
Can't you hear the pounding of my heartbeat?
Are you not attuned to the loud thuds of my heart racing with excitement?
'Cause you're the one I love
This happens because of my deep affection towards you
Baby, baby, can't you hear my heartbeat?
My dear, can you not sense the intense throbbing of my heart?
Baby, baby, can't you hear my heartbeat?
My dear, can you not sense the intense throbbing of my heart?
Baby, baby, can't you hear my heartbeat?
My dear, can you not sense the intense throbbing of my heart?
Baby, baby, can't you hear my heartbeat?
My dear, can you not sense the intense throbbing of my heart?
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: John Carter, Kenneth Hawker
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Philip Kassabian
on Mrs. Brown, You've Got A Lovely Daughter
A great and classic song by Herman's Hermits.