If you walked into a teenager’s bedroom in 1969, you weren't just looking at four walls. You were looking at a shrine. Specifically, a shrine to a man with a cleft chin, a shaggy mop-top, and a smile that seemed to promise everything was going to be okay. That man was Bobby Sherman. While most people remember him for bubblegum anthems like "Little Woman" or his role as Jeremy Bolt on Here Come the Brides, there is one track that catches modern listeners off guard. It’s his cover of Bobby Sherman A Time for Us.
It wasn't a high-energy dance track. It didn't have a catchy "la la la" hook.
Instead, it was a lush, sweeping take on the love theme from Franco Zeffirelli's Romeo and Juliet. Honestly, it’s kinda weird when you think about it. Here was the king of teeny-bopper pop taking on a heavy, Shakespearean melody composed by Nino Rota. But for the fans? It was everything.
The Story Behind the Song
To understand why he recorded it, you have to look at the landscape of 1969. Henry Mancini’s instrumental version of the theme had just spent two weeks at number one, actually kicking the Beatles’ "Get Back" off the top spot. Everyone was obsessed with the star-crossed lovers. Sherman’s label, Metromedia, knew exactly what they were doing. They needed to show that Bobby wasn't just a "TV kid" who could carry a tune—they wanted to prove he had range.
He put the song on his self-titled debut album, Bobby Sherman, which dropped in 1969.
The track itself is only about two minutes and twenty-three seconds long. It’s short. But in those two minutes, Sherman ditches the upbeat "Seattle" energy and leans into a more vulnerable, almost operatic vocal style. You’ve got these dramatic lyrics by Larry Kusik and Eddie Snyder about "chains being torn by courage born." It’s heavy stuff for a guy who was usually singing about "Julie, Do Ya Love Me."
Why this version stands out
Most people who search for this song today are looking for a hit of pure nostalgia. But if you listen closely to the 1969 recording, there’s a specific production quality that screams late-60s Hollywood.
- The orchestration is heavy on the strings, typical of the "Easy Listening" era.
- Sherman’s voice is mixed very "dry" and forward, making it feel like he’s singing right in your ear.
- Unlike the Johnny Mathis or Andy Williams versions, which felt like they were for "parents," Bobby’s version felt like it was for the youth.
It was a bridge. It bridged the gap between the classic Hollywood sound and the new era of the teen idol.
The Peak of the Bobby Sherman Phenomenon
You can't talk about Bobby Sherman A Time for Us without talking about the sheer insanity of his fame at the time. By 1970, the guy was getting 25,000 fan letters a week. Think about that for a second. That is a small stadium's worth of mail every seven days. He was the face of Tiger Beat and 16 Magazine.
His popularity was so intense that during his concerts, the screaming of the girls was actually documented as causing him permanent hearing loss. He literally couldn't hear his own band because the "Sherman-mania" was so loud.
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Recording a song like "A Time for Us" was a tactical move. It allowed him to play the "romantic lead" role in the minds of his fans. It wasn't just music; it was a vibe. It was the soundtrack to a million daydreams of escaping a boring suburban life for a "world of shining hope," as the lyrics say.
The 2025 Passing and a Renewed Interest
In June 2025, the world lost Bobby Sherman at the age of 81. It hit hard. His wife, Brigitte Poublon, shared the news, and it sparked a massive wave of people revisiting his discography. While the "hits" got the most airplay, "A Time for Us" started trending again on social media and streaming platforms.
Why? Because it captures the gentleness he was known for.
Bobby wasn't a rebel. He wasn't a rock-and-roll bad boy. He was the guy who eventually left Hollywood to become an EMT and a reserve deputy because he "wanted to help people." Hearing him sing about a time "when dreams so long denied can flourish" hits different when you know the guy actually spent his later years delivering babies in the back of cars and teaching CPR to police recruits.
What Most People Get Wrong
There’s a common misconception that Bobby Sherman was just a manufactured product. Critics at the time called his music "bubblegum"—a pejorative for soft, disposable pop for kids. But if you look at the credits on his albums, he was actually quite involved. He wrote several of his own songs (like "Love" and "Time" on that same debut album).
He played multiple instruments. He had a deep understanding of what his audience wanted.
When he tackled "A Time for Us," he wasn't just "covering a hit." He was asserting his place as a legitimate vocalist. While he might not have had the power of a Pavarotti, he had a sincerity that resonated. It’s that sincerity that keeps the song on playlists decades later.
How to Experience the Song Today
If you’re looking to dive back into this era, don't just stop at the digital single.
- Find the Original Vinyl: The 1969 Metromedia LP (MD 1014) is relatively easy to find in thrift stores or on Discogs. Hearing the crackle of the needle before the strings of "A Time for Us" kick in is the intended way to hear it.
- Watch the Live Clips: There are archival clips from The Bobby Sherman Special (1971) and his appearances on American Bandstand. You can see the shift in his stage presence when he moves from the upbeat numbers to the ballads.
- Compare the Themes: Listen to the Henry Mancini version right after Bobby’s. You’ll notice how Sherman’s vocals actually change the rhythm of the melody to make it feel more like a pop ballad than a film score.
Basically, the song is a time capsule. It represents a moment when the world felt both incredibly romantic and incredibly fragile. For a generation of fans, Bobby Sherman didn't just sing a song; he provided a sanctuary.
If you're building a 1960s pop playlist, skip the usual suspects for a minute. Put on "A Time for Us." It’s a reminder that even in the height of "teen idol" fever, there was room for something a bit more soulful.
Next Steps for the Collector:
Check your local record shops for the Metromedia pressing of the 1969 Bobby Sherman album. Most copies include an insert color photo that is a holy grail for collectors. If you're looking for the best audio quality, seek out the 2002 All-Time Greatest Hits compilation, which remastered the track for a much cleaner, fuller sound than the original 45rpm singles.