Hunter was born in New York City, New York to immigrants from Germany. His father, Charles Kelm, was Jewish and his mother, Gertrude Gelien, a Lutheran who later converted to Judaism. Within a few years of his birth, his parents divorced and his mother moved with her two sons to California. She reassumed her maiden surname, Gelien, and changed the sons' name to that as well. Hunter's older brother, Walter, a medic, was killed in Vietnam. As a teenager, Hunter was a figure skater, competing in both singles and pairs.
Hunter was signed to a contract at Warner Bros. and re-named "Tab Hunter" by his first agent, Henry Willson. His good looks got him pegged as a teen idol. He landed a role in the film Island of Desire opposite Linda Darnell. Although he believed that he had a mediocre singing voice, he had a 1957 hit record with a cover of the Sonny James song, "Young Love," which was #1 for Hunter for over a month. Hunter's success led Warner Bros. to form Warner Bros. Records.
Hunter was perhaps best known for his starring role in the 1958 musical movie, Damn Yankees. In the movie, Hunter plays Joe Hardy of Washington D.C's American League baseball club. (The movie had originally been a broadway show, but Hunter was only in the movie version. The show was based on the 1954 best-selling book, "The Year The Yankees Lost the Pennant" by Douglass Wallop).
While doing The Tab Hunter Show (1960-1961) on television, he was one of the finalists for the lead in the movie version of West Side Story, but did not get the part, because the producers felt he was "too old" at 29. On July 9, 1960, he was arrested by Glendale, California police for beating his dog. He was acquitted by a jury, but the incident dealt a severe blow to his squeaky-clean image.
For a short time in the late 1960s, Hunter settled in the south of France, where he acted in "spaghetti westerns". His career was revived in the 1980s, when he starred opposite transvestite actor Divine in John Waters' Polyester (1981) and Paul Bartel's Lust in the Dust (1985). He is particularly remembered by later audiences as Mr. Stewart, the substitute teacher in "Grease 2," when he sang "Reproduction." He also wrote and starred in Dark Horse (1992).
Personal life
In his autobiography, Tab Hunter Confidential: The Making of a Movie Star, he acknowledged his homosexuality, confirming rumors that had circulated since the height of his fame. The book became a best-seller, though the news of his relationship with Paramount star Anthony Perkins was first explored in the book Anthony Perkins: Split Image (Alyson Books).
Hunter lived in Montecito, California, near Santa Barbara with his partner of 23 years, film producer Allan Glaser. He has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6320 Hollywood Blvd.
Hunter's homosexuality contrasted sharply with his image as a "ladies man." His agent planted stories in teen and gossip magazines that Hunter was involved with many famous young starlets of the day, and, for a long time, Hunter was linked as Natalie Wood's "boyfriend." At a party the two attended, a female songwriter in attendance quipped openly, "Natalie Wood, but Tab wouldn't."
His agent and later his studio would go so far as to have Hunter appear at red carpet events and at night clubs with the starlet he was linked to.
Young Love
Tab Hunter Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
There's just one love in this whole world
And I know I've found mine
The heavenly touch of your embrace
Tells me no one could take your place
Ever in my heart
Young love, first love
Young love, our love
We share with deep emotion
Just one kiss from your sweet lips
Will tell me that you love is real
And I can feel that it's true
We will vow to one another
There will never be another
Love for you or for me
Young love, first love
Filled with true devotion
Young love, our love
We share with deep emotion
The lyrics of "Young Love" by Tab Hunter is a classic 1950s love song that is all about the intensity and purity of teenage love. The opening lines of the song suggest that there is one true love for every boy and girl and that the singer believes he has found his love. The lyrics speak of the heavenly touch of the loved one's embrace and how no one else could take their place in the singer's heart. The chorus speaks of young love's devotion, that it is shared with deep emotion and that it is true.
The lyrics depict the excitement and intensity of young love โ that first kiss that tells the singer that the love is real and true. The singer believes that he and his partner will pledge themselves to each other, and there will never be another love for either of them. The song is an ode to first love that is pure and innocent, and at the same time, it is also a testament to the depth of emotion that young love can elicit.
Overall, "Young Love" is a feel-good song that celebrates the beauty and intensity of teenage love. Its lyrics are simple yet touching, and it still remains a classic song that many generations have grown up with and continue to sing along to.
Line by Line Meaning
They say for every boy and girl
Rumors have it that for every male and female there exists only one love in the entire world.
There's just one love in this whole world
According to popular opinion, there is only one true love for each person on this earth.
And I know I've found mine
I am aware that I have discovered my one true love.
The heavenly touch of your embrace
When you wrap your arms around me, the feeling is divine and otherworldly.
Tells me no one could take your place
Sensing the sensation that I receive from being held by you, I am convinced that nobody can replace you.
Ever in my heart
I will always remember you and the love that we share, it will remain within me until the end of time.
Just one kiss from your sweet lips
A single kiss from your luscious lips evinces pure, genuine love.
Will tell me that you love is real
This kiss shall assure me of the authenticity of your affection.
And I can feel that it's true
I have a sense of our relationship being genuine and sincere.
We will vow to one another
Together we will make a solemn oath and commitment.
There will never be another
We vow never to have another romantic partner but each other.
Love for you or for me
Our love is enduring and exclusive.
Young love, first love
This youthful love is our first true romantic experience.
Filled with true devotion
It is an exemplary model of devoted and sincere love.
Young love, our love
Our love, being as it is, is a representation of the youth and the innocence of the past.
We share with deep emotion
We both intensely and wholeheartedly share our love for one another.
Lyrics ยฉ CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: Carole Joyner, Ric Cartey
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Rube Waddell
Australia's 180th number one hit along with a version by Sonny James.
dave whitley
you may say Sonny James owns this song but, he lost out here this song was at number 1 in uk and usa
granada scarf
!ove this!
Peter Emmert
Warner Bros. (which had Tab in pictures) didn't have a record label and Tab recorded for their competiton (Paramount). Tab may have started Warner Bros. Records (now Warner/Rhino).
Gary Wayne
Warner Bros. ruined his recording career because when they heard his records being played on the radio they told him you have to record for Warner Bros. But Warners was a new record label and did not have an A&R dept. So without his old A&R at Dot records the magic was gone and the hits stopped coming.
Asko Varjorinne
Nyyh so nice young love!!๐๐๐
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Don Sperline
Not bad for an actor
Gray Blanchard
He was dreamy
Regina Hyde
Turned out he was gay!