About the song
“There’s a Kind of Hush” is a timeless song that captures the essence of a bygone era while continuing to resonate with audiences around the world. Written by the talented duo Les Reed and Geoff Stephens, this song has traversed decades and continents, leaving a significant mark in the music industry. The song was originally recorded by Stephens’ group, the New Vaudeville Band, in 1967, showcasing a neo-British music hall style. This version became a notable hit in Australia and South Africa, where it found a receptive audience.
The song’s journey, however, did not stop with the New Vaudeville Band. Around the same time, Herman’s Hermits, a group well-known for their contributions to the British Invasion, released their cover of “There’s a Kind of Hush.” This version quickly captured the hearts of listeners in the United States, climbing the Billboard Hot 100 chart to reach an impressive peak at number 4. It became the group’s final US Top Ten hit, earning a Gold certification for sales exceeding one million units by April 1967. The success of Herman’s Hermits’ rendition wasn’t confined to the US; it also achieved a peak position of number 7 on the UK charts, further cementing the song’s popularity.
Interestingly, “There’s a Kind of Hush” had an earlier version recorded by Gary and the Hornets, a young band from Ohio. Their version, titled “Kind of Hush,” was a regional hit, showing signs of national success. Despite this, it was Herman’s Hermits’ cover that truly catapulted the song into the spotlight on an international scale.
The enduring appeal of “There’s a Kind of Hush” is also highlighted by its revival in 1976 when the Carpenters brought their unique touch to the song, making it a mild hit once again. This speaks to the song’s versatile charm and its ability to be reinterpreted across different musical styles and generations.
Overall, “There’s a Kind of Hush” is a classic example of how a beautifully crafted song can transcend time and place, appealing to a wide range of listeners with its melodic charm and heartfelt lyrics. Its journey from a neo-British music hall number to a pop hit in various countries underscores its universal appeal and the timeless quality of Reed and Stephens’ songwriting.
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Lyrics
There’s a kind of hush all over the world tonight
All over the world, you can hear the sounds of lovers in love
You know what I mean
Just the two of us and nobody else in sight
There’s nobody else and I’m feelin’ good just holdin’ you tight
So listen very carefully
Closer now and you will see what I mean
It isn’t a dream
The only sound that you will hear
Is when I whisper in your ear
I love you forever and ever
There’s a kind of hush all over the world tonight
All over the world people just like us are fallin’ in love
La la-la la-la la-la
La-la la-la la-la la-la
La-la-la-la-la la-la la-la-la
La la-la la-la
So listen very carefully
Closer now and you will see what I mean
It isn’t a dream
The only sound that you will hear
Is when I whisper in your ear
I love you forever and ever
There’s a kind of hush all over the world tonight
All over the world, people just like us are fallin’ in love
Yeah, they’re fallin’ in love
(Hush) They’re fallin’ in love
Hush