The Searchers – Don’t Throw Your Love Away

“Don’t Throw Your Love Away” was a #1 hit for the Searchers in Britain in 1964, and rose to #16 in the United States a few months later, where it became their second big Stateside hit (following “Needles and Pins”). Few people knew at the time, and few people know now, that it was actually a cover of an obscure B-side by the American soul-pop group the Orlons. And few people have heard that original version, even among listeners who know the source

“Don’t Throw Your Love Away” is another Beat-pop song with a less-than-positive message. A song about a man who has been burned in the past, and who now sits at the end of the bar doling out advice to anyone who’ll listen. Lovers of today, Just throw their dreams away, And play at love… They give their love away, To anyone who’ll say, I love you… He doesn’t refer to himself specifically; but you just know he’s had his heart broken. Don’t throw your love away… he counsels… For you, Might need it, Someday…

“Don’t Throw Your Love Away” is one of the gentler hits from a group renowned for their gentleness, and if that might lend the track a timorous quality, it’s still a nice and memorable early British Invasion single.

“Don’t Throw Your Love Away” – Single by The Searchers from the album It’s the Searchers
Released April 1964
Songwriters Billy Jackson / Jimmy Wisner
Producer Tony Hatch
Charted No.1 UK on May 7 and May 14 1964; No.16 US Billboard Hot 100.