About the song
“A Teenager in Love” isn’t just a catchy tune; it’s a snapshot of a specific era in music history. Released in March 1959, the song captured the burgeoning doo-wop scene and resonated with teenagers experiencing the heady rush of first love.
Composed by the songwriting team of Doc Pomus and Mort Shuman, “A Teenager in Love” was originally intended for another group, The Mystics. However, fate intervened, and the song landed in the hands of Dion and the Belmonts. This fortuitous turn of events propelled the song to success.
Dion himself wasn’t initially a fan, finding the song a little “wimpy.” However, everything changed when the Belmonts’ signature “ooh-wah” harmonies kicked in, adding a dynamic layer that Dion readily embraced. Released as a single with “I’ve Cried Before” as the B-side, “A Teenager in Love” quickly climbed the charts, peaking at number 5 on the Billboard pop charts in May 1959.
The song’s enduring appeal goes beyond its chart success. It became a staple on Dion and the Belmonts’ “best of” compilations, cementing its place as a doo-wop classic. Its influence extends beyond the original artists, with other musicians like Marty Wilde and Craig Douglas releasing successful covers that charted in the UK the same year.
“A Teenager in Love” isn’t without its playful parodies. The Fugs, a counterculture band known for their unconventional music, offered a humorous reinterpretation titled “Septuagenarian in Love,” injecting humor into the song’s theme with a senior citizen character struggling with romance.
From its initial popularity to its lasting influence and playful parodies, “A Teenager in Love” offers a timeless glimpse into the world of teenagers navigating the exhilarating world of first love. It’s a song that continues to resonate with listeners across generations.
Video
Lyrics
Ooh, wa-ooh
Ooh, wa-ooh
Each time we have a quarrel, it almost breaks my heart
‘Cause I’m so afraid that we will have to part
Each night I ask the stars up above
Why must I be a teenager in love?
One day I feel so happy, next day I feel so sad
I guess I’ll learn to take the good with the bad
‘Cause each night I ask the stars up above
Why must I be a teenager in love?
I cried a tear for nobody but you
I’ll be a lonely one, if you should say we’re through
Well, if you want to make me cry, that won’t be so hard to do
And if you should say goodbye, I’ll still go on loving you
Each night I ask the stars up above
Why must I be a teenager in love?
I cried a tear for nobody but you
I’ll be a lonely one, if you should say we’re through
Well, if you want to make me cry, that won’t be so hard to do
And if you should say goodbye, I’ll still go on loving you
Each night I ask the stars up above
Why must I be a teenager in love? (In love, wa-ooh)
Why must I be a teenager in love? (In love, wa-ooh)
Why must I be a teenager in love? (In love, wa-ooh)
Why must I be a teenager in love?