David and Jonathan, the hit artist alter ego of songwriters Roger Cook and Roger Greenaway. As writers between 1965 and 1973 they wrote 25 UK top ten hits, plus many others around the world, for the likes of the Fortunes, Cliff Richard, the Hollies, Blue Mink, the Drifters and one of the biggest 'in the world ever' as Virgin would say, in I'd Like To Teach The World To Sing. Ironically David and Jonathans own biggest hit was a cover of the Beatles Michelle, which made No.11 in the UK, and No.18 in the US.
Their link with the Beatles was not so surprising however given that they were picked up as artists by producer George Martin, who produced the majority of their recordings for his Air Studios set up, during a peak period between 1965 and 1968. It yielded two more international hits in their own songs Lovers Of The World Unite, and How Bitter The Taste Of Love.
Musically Cook and Greenaway recorded in a similar vein to the Ivy League with close harmonies over beat backings.
Their vocal skills were further in demand as session singers, such as backing the first Paul and Barry Ryan hits, Peter Sellers on his memorable take on the Beatles A Hard Days Night, and the lead on the title song to the cult movie Modesty Blaise. During their period as David and Jonathan, Cook and Greenaway recorded early versions of many of their songs that became hits for others, such as You've Got Your Troubles, This Golden Ring, Softly Whispering I Love You, Somethings Gotten Hold of My Heart, Green Grass. All the hits and versions of hit songs for others, mentioned above, are present on this new compilation of the best of David And Jonathan, compiled with the assistance of messers Cook and Greenaway.
You've Got Your Troubles / How Bitter The Taste Of Love / Bye Bye Brown Eyes / This Golden Ring / I Know / Michelle / Speak Her Name / Ten Storeys High / I've Got That Girl On My Mind / Take It While You Can / A Little Like You / The End Is Beginning / Lovers Of The World Unite / One Born Every Minute / Green Grass / Scarlet Ribbons(For Her Hair) / Gilly Gilly Ossenfeffer Katzennellenbogen By The Sea / Softly Whispering I Love You / She's Leaving Home / Somethings Gotten Hold Of My Heart / Turn Around And Start Again / Magic Book / Time / Penthouse / You Oughta Meet My Baby
