Introduction
Engelbert Humperdinck’s “A Time For Us” isn’t the work of the famed German composer of the same name behind operas like Hansel und Gretel. Instead, it’s a beautiful ballad born from the enduring love story of Romeo and Juliet.
The song’s origins trace back to the 1968 Franco Zeffirelli film adaptation of Shakespeare’s classic tragedy. Italian composer Nino Rota was tasked with the film’s score, and “A Time For Us” emerged as the movie’s central love theme. The lyrics, a collaboration between English lyricists Edward Abraham Snyder and Lawrence Kusik with an adaptation from the original Italian by Giovanni Rota Rinaldi, capture the yearning and hope that blossom between Romeo and Juliet despite the obstacles dividing them.
Humperdinck, a rising star in the late 1960s known for his powerful vocals and romantic ballads, recorded “A Time For Us” in 1968. His rich baritone perfectly conveyed the song’s passionate message, and the single became a runaway success. It topped the charts in the UK and reached the Top 20 in the US, solidifying Humperdinck’s status as a global heartthrob.
“A Time For Us” transcended the film itself. The song’s enduring popularity lies in its ability to capture the universal yearning for love and a future together, even in the face of adversity. It became a popular wedding song choice, a timeless reminder that love can persevere through any storm.
So, as you listen to Engelbert Humperdinck’s “A Time For Us,” let it transport you to the world of Romeo and Juliet, a world where love burns bright even amidst the darkness. Let it remind you that even in the most trying times, there’s always a time for us, a time for love to conquer all.
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