About the song

“I Will Follow Him,” originally penned by Franck Pourcel and Paul Mauriat as an instrumental titled “Chariot” in 1961, underwent a transformative journey to become a global sensation when American singer Little Peggy March recorded it with English lyrics in 1963. Composed under the pseudonyms J.W. Stole and Del Roma respectively, and adapted by Arthur Altman, the song’s evolution into a vocal piece marked the beginning of its meteoric rise to fame.

Percy Faith further popularized the song with his 1963 instrumental rendition, retitled “I Will Follow You,” which became a prominent track on his album *Themes for Young Lovers*, achieving Gold Record status and solidifying its place in the era’s musical landscape.

However, it was Little Peggy March’s interpretation that truly captured the hearts of listeners worldwide. Recorded in RCA Victor Studio A, New York City, her version of “I Will Follow Him” soared to number one on the Billboard Hot 100 in April 1963, where it remained for three consecutive weeks. At just 15 years old, March became the youngest female artist at the time to achieve a chart-topping single in the United States. The song’s success transcended borders, reaching number one in Australia, Hong Kong, Israel, South Africa, Uruguay, Canada, New Zealand, and even topping Billboard’s Hot R&B Singles chart.

“I Will Follow Him” wasn’t just a hit; it became a cultural phenomenon and a commercial success. It topped the Cash Box Top 100 and earned a nomination for the prestigious Grammy Award for Best Rock and Roll Recording in 1964, cementing its status as an enduring classic.

Decades later, Peggy March revisited the song in collaboration with Dutch singer José Hoebee, releasing a new version in 2011 that echoed the original’s success in the Netherlands and Belgium. This remake, featured on March’s album *Always and Forever*, showcased the song’s timeless appeal and its ability to resonate across generations and musical landscapes.

“I Will Follow Him” remains a quintessential piece of pop music history, cherished for its emotive lyrics, unforgettable melody, and the remarkable talent that brought it to life, making it a perennial favorite among audiences worldwide.

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Lyrics

Love him, I love him, I love him
And where he goes I’ll follow, I’ll follow, I’ll follow
I will follow him
Follow him wherever he may go
There isn’t an ocean too deep
A mountain so high it can keep me away
I must follow him (follow him)
Ever since he touched my hand I knew
That near him I always must be
And nothing can keep him from me
He is my destiny (destiny)
I love him, I love him, I love him
And where he goes I’ll follow, I’ll follow, I’ll follow
He’ll always be my true love, my true love, my true love
From now until forever, forever, forever
I will follow him (follow him)
Follow him wherever he may go
There isn’t an ocean too deep
A mountain so high it can keep, keep me away
Away from my love (I love him, I love him, I love him)
I love him, I love him, I love him
And where he goes I’ll follow, I’ll follow, I’ll follow
He’ll always be my true love, my true love, my true love
From now until forever, forever, forever
I will follow him (follow him)
Follow him wherever he may go
There isn’t an ocean too deep
A mountain so high it can keep, keep me away
Away from my love
And where he goes I’ll follow, I’ll follow, I’ll follow
I know I’ll always love him, I love him, I love him
And where he goes I’ll follow, I’ll follow, I’ll follow
I know I’ll always love him, I love him, I love him
And where he goes I’ll follow

By Tam Le

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