About the Song
“Young Girl” is a song written by Jerry Fuller and recorded by American pop group Gary Puckett & The Union Gap. It was released in 1968 as the second single from their second album of the same name. The song topped the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the United States for two weeks in May 1968, and also reached number one in Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. It was also a top ten hit in several other countries, including the United Kingdom, Ireland, and Germany.
The song is a ballad about a young man who is in love with a girl who is too young for him. He knows that their relationship is wrong, but he can’t help himself. The song’s lyrics are simple but effective, and they capture the pain and frustration of unrequited love.
Gary Puckett was born in Hibbing, Minnesota, in 1942. He began singing in high school, and after graduation he formed a band called The Union Gap. The band moved to Los Angeles in 1967, and they were soon signed to Columbia Records.
“Young Girl” was the band’s breakthrough hit. It was a massive success, and it made Puckett a household name. The song also helped to launch the career of Jerry Fuller, who went on to write and produce hits for other artists, including Bobby Vee and The Supremes.
“Young Girl” is a classic pop song that has stood the test of time. It is a beautiful and moving ballad that captures the essence of young love. The song has been covered by many artists over the years, but Gary Puckett & The Union Gap’s version remains the definitive one.
Here are some additional details about the song and its impact:
- The song was inspired by Fuller’s daughter, who was 12 years old at the time.
- The song’s distinctive sound was created by using a fuzzbox on the guitar.
- The song was featured in the 1968 film “The Sweet Ride.”
- “Young Girl” has been covered by many artists, including Donny Osmond, Cliff Richard, and Engelbert Humperdinck.
- The song was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2008.
“Young Girl” is a timeless classic that continues to be enjoyed by people of all ages. It is a song about love, loss, and longing, and it speaks to the universal human experience.