Georgy Girl (The Seekers)

6 DECEMBER 1966



The Seekers' breezy ‘’ - the theme song to the hit movie of the same name - entered the US Billboard Hot 100 charts during this week. It eventually climbed to #2, and reached #3 in the UK, enough to make it their biggest transatlantic hit. It also marked the end of a brilliant two-year run of hits, and the years to come proved to be generally leaner for the group.

The lyrics were written by Jim Dale (of 'Carry On' fame), who along with co-writer Tom Springfield was nominated for the Best Original Song Academy Award, but this lost out to the theme song from 'Born Free'. Although it might be considered something of a 'lightweight' easy-listening tune in some quarters, it was actually listed at #36 on Rolling Stone magazine's '500 Greatest Pop Songs of all time' in 2002.

Another version was recorded for the closing scene of the movie, in which - SPOILER ALERT - don't read this if you haven't seen the movie - our Georgy ends up married to the rich old man and adopting her friend's baby, and the new lyrics take a very cynical turn:
'Hey there, Georgy girl
Now that you’re no longer on the shelf
Better try to smile and tell yourself
That you got your way
(You’ve made it!) 
Hey there, Georgy girl
Now you’ve got a future planned for you
Though it’s not a dream come true
At least he’s a millionaire
So don’t despair! You’re rich, Georgy Girl!'
The juxtaposition between the insanely happy melody and arrangement, and these dark lyrics is quite striking.
Released: 10 October 1966 (US), 17 February 1967 (UK)
Highest chart position: #3 (UK), #2 (US)
Length: 2:21 
Label: EMI Columbia DB 8134
Writers: Tom Springfield (music), Jim Dale (lyrics)

Georgy Girl (The Seekers)