The founding members of the group were Conleth (Con) Cluskey (born 18 November 1941; died 8 April 2022), Declan (Dec) Cluskey (born 23 December 1942), and John Stokes (Sean James Stokes) (born 13 August 1940). In 1957 they formed their first band together, "The Harmonichords" (also seen as "The Harmony Chords"), a classically styled instrumental harmonica-act.
As The Harmonichords, they appeared on Hughie Green's 'Opportunity Knocks' on Radio Luxembourg[1] and on the 'Ed Sullivan' TV Show St. Patrick's Day Special (filmed in Dublin, broadcast 15 March 1959), where they played "Danny Boy."[2] They also played background music plus featured pieces in a 25 week radio comedy series called 'Odd Noises' on Radio Éireann featuring Eamonn Andrews.[3] They changed their name to "The Bachelors" in 1962 at the suggestion of Dick Rowe, A&R at Decca Records, who reportedly recommended the name "because that’s the kind of boy a girl likes."
During the 1960s, they had many successful songs in music charts in Europe Australia, South Africa, South America, parts of the USSR, and the United States. Some of the most successful were "Diane" (1964), "Marie" (1965), "I Wouldn't Trade You For the World" (1965), and "In the Chapel in the Moonlight" (1965). In 1965 they had the 'most played juke box track' with "The Stars Will Remember" from a film they made with then-current DJ Sam Costa.
Live work carried them into the 1970s with record breaking theatre season shows, but after a successful start to the decade with the album World of the Bachelors hitting the top 5, the band became less and less dominant in the music industry. Along with singers like Tom Jones they found themselves stuck in a decade of Glam Rock, unable to change with the times. They remained successful recording artists and moved to the Pye label, which contracted easy listening stars like Frankie Vaughan and Max Bygraves. Despite their last chart single being in 1967, they continued to play the cabaret circuit, still maintaining the original line-up until 1984, when there was "a messy split" between the Cluskey brothers and Stokes.
Following the split, the Cluskey brothers appeared as "The New Bachelors" and Stokes as "Stokes & Coe", Stokes allegedly also then appeared as "The New Bachelors" so the Cluskey's now perform as "Con & Dec The Bachelors"
In 2008 a compilation CD, "I Believe - The Very Best of The Bachelors," featuring the 60s hits together with two new songs recorded by Con and Dec Cluskey, was released through Universal who had acquired the Decca catalogue (available in the US as an import from Uni Classics Jazz UK), reached #7 in the UK Radio One album chart 27 July - 2 Aug 2008. Con and Dec Cluskey appeared on TV and radio to promote the album.
I Wouldn't Trade You for the World
The Bachelors Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ooh ooh ooh, ooh ooh ooh
I wouldn't trade you for the world
Or the pearls in the sea (pearls in the sea)
All the treasures of a kingdom
That's how much you mean to me
With a love so divine (so divine)
You're like precious gems and spices
It's so wonderful you're mine
I love your tender lips
My heart is at your fingertips
I love the starlight in your eyes
More than you will ever realize
I wouldn't trade you for the world
Or the heavens above (heavens above)
I have heaven here on earth, dear
Since you've given me your love
I wouldn't trade you for the world
Or the heavens above (heavens above)
I have heaven here on earth dear
Since you've given me your love
Your love
Your love
Your love
The Bachelors' song "I Wouldn't Trade You for the World" is a tribute to the singer's love interest. The lyrics express the depth of the singer's adoration for their significant other through the use of elaborate metaphors. The song begins by establishing the idea that the singer considers their partner to be priceless, stating that they wouldn't trade them for all the wealth in the world, including pearls and material riches. This establishes the idea that the singer places immense value on their relationship, which is further emphasized in later verses.
The second verse builds on the initial metaphor through a comparison of the singer's partner to precious gems and spices. This further emphasizes the idea that the singer considers their partner to be a rare and valuable treasure. The chorus repeats the idea that the singer would not trade their partner for anything, including the heavens above. This serves to emphasize the extent of the singer's devotion and creates a sense of permanence in their relationship.
The final verse emphasizes the singer's love for their partner, describing their tender lips and the starlight in their eyes. This creates a romantic atmosphere and highlights the physical and emotional connection the singer feels with their partner. The final repetition of "Your love" drives home the idea that the singer's love and devotion is the most valuable thing they possess.
Overall, "I Wouldn't Trade You for the World" is a romantic ballad that uses metaphors to express the depth of the singer's love for their partner. It emphasizes the value and importance of their relationship and creates a sense of permanence and devotion.
Line by Line Meaning
Ooh, ooh ooh ooh, ooh ooh ooh
Backing vocals to create an engaging melody for the song.
I wouldn't trade you for the world
Expressing a deep love and devotion towards the person and declaring that they are irreplaceable.
Or the pearls in the sea (pearls in the sea)
No amount of materialistic wealth or luxury can surpass the value of the person's love and presence.
All the treasures of a kingdom
Even the grandest and richest possessions of the world pale in comparison to the worth of the loved one.
That's how much you mean to me
The person's value and significance in the lover's life is beyond measure or words.
You fill all my sweetest dreams
The person is the source of happiness and fulfillment for all the lover's aspirations and desires.
With a love so divine (so divine)
The love between the two individuals is pure, sacred and heavenly.
You're like precious gems and spices
The person is rare, special and adds flavor and richness to their life.
It's so wonderful you're mine
The blissful feeling of having the loved one in one's life is immeasurable and priceless.
I love your tender lips
Expressing physical attraction and admiration towards the person's lips.
My heart is at your fingertips
The person holds complete control over the lover's emotions and feelings.
I love the starlight in your eyes
Admiring the beauty and radiance of the person's eyes, which shine like stars.
More than you will ever realize
The person is unaware of how deeply and intensely they are loved and valued.
Or the heavens above (heavens above)
Emphasizing the point that even the vast expanse of the sky and the universe cannot compare to the loved one.
I have heaven here on earth, dear
Being in a fulfilling and happy relationship with the person feels like being in paradise on earth.
Since you've given me your love
The person's love is the reason for the lover's contentment and joy.
Your love
Repeated emphasizing of how much the person's love is valued and cherished.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Curtis Kirk, Bill Smith, Bill Taylor
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Courageous Lion
I love this song! It brings back childhood memories when my mom would play it on their huge stereo system.
Susan Braden
Marcus .Reynolds I grew up with these too listening to my mam singing as she washed up, fabulous memories
Philomena Peterson
I've heard this song during my childhood and love it until today. They harmonise very well.
Jackie Henderson
I remember my dad playing this to my mum when I was a little girl. He still sings it to her when he’s in trouble. 😍
Carmel Camenzuli
Generations of people passes away but these songs lives forever.
Milton Williams
One of the great groups from the 60's. Great to still be able to listen to their fantastic sound.
lagu2gua
Love it !!!! What a beautiful song !!
Pat Mackay
Beautiful song l love them all by the batchelors. Always listen to these when am feeling down.
Rose Borkett
Beautiful voices , bring back memories, you don't get voices like this now or songs.
lewstone1934
you do get voices like this; thousands of them - but nobody in the music business is interested. They just want kids with looks. And a formula that sells. It's ripping people off culturally.