You ever hear a song that feels like it’s drifting out of a screen door on a humid 1970s afternoon? That’s Bobbi Martin for the love of him. It’s a track that managed to be everywhere for a few months and then, somehow, became a phantom of the radio—one of those “oh yeah, I remember this!” moments that hits you when you’re digging through a crate of dusty 45s.
Honestly, the song is a weird piece of pop history. It’s not quite country, not quite easy listening, but it sits in that perfect, syrupy middle ground that define the turn of the decade.
Bobbi Martin wasn't exactly a newcomer when the track blew up. She’d been grinding since the early 60s, coming out of Baltimore with a voice that could handle the grit of a nightclub but was polished enough for The Ed Sullivan Show. When she released For the Love of Him in late 1969, it felt like a culmination.
The Secret Behind the Credits
People often look at the songwriter credits and see "Al Mortimer."
Who is that?
It sounds like a guy who sells insurance in Queens. Actually, it was a pseudonym for Henry Jerome, the legendary producer who worked closely with Bobbi.
He and Bobbi wrote the song together, though Jerome liked to hide behind the pen name. It worked. The song didn't just bubble under; it exploded. By May 1970, it was sitting at Number 1 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart and reached Number 13 on the Hot 100.
Why the Lyrics Get a Reaction Today
If you listen to the words now, they’re... well, they're a time capsule.
"Tell him you love him... give him all the love you can."
It’s a manual for the "good housewife" era. Some people find it incredibly sweet; others find it a little subservient. It’s basically about making a man your "reason for living." In 1970, that was the standard romantic script. Today, it feels like a glimpse into a social dynamic that was just about to be challenged by the 70s feminist movement.
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But here’s the thing: Bobbi’s delivery makes it work. She doesn't sound weak. She sounds like she’s sharing a secret. Her voice has this lived-in, warm quality—a mix of Brenda Lee’s rasp and a sophisticated pop vibrato.
The Career That Followed
Bobbi Martin wasn't a one-hit wonder, even if some people categorize her that way.
Remember "Don't Forget I Still Love You" from 1964? That was her first real taste of the big time.
She was a regular on the variety show circuit, appearing with Jackie Gleason and Dean Martin. She was a professional. She knew how to work a room and a microphone. But Bobbi Martin for the love of him remains her definitive statement. It was the moment where the production, the vocal, and the cultural mood all aligned perfectly.
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It’s easy to forget how much she actually contributed to the "country-politan" sound. She grew up in Oslo, Minnesota (though she was born in Brooklyn), and that Midwestern-meets-East-Coast background gave her a versatility that many of her peers lacked. She could play the guitar, she could write, and she wasn't afraid to bridge the gap between Nashville and New York.
The Tragedy and the Legacy
Sadly, Bobbi’s story ended far too soon.
She passed away in May 2000 at the age of 56. Lung cancer.
It’s a common story in the music industry of that era—hard work, a lot of travel, and perhaps not enough credit given while they were still in the spotlight. But her music hasn't vanished. You’ll still hear that distinctive opening chord of her biggest hit on "oldies" stations that actually know their history.
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Wait, did you know? * The song was also a massive hit in Canada and Australia.
- She was once voted "Most Promising Female Vocalist" by Cashbox DJs.
- She recorded for a bunch of labels including Coral, United Artists, and MGM.
If you’re looking to dive deeper into the Bobbi Martin catalog, don’t just stop at the hits. Look for her 1971 album Tomorrow. It’s got some incredible textures that show she was moving toward a more mature, slightly more experimental sound before the industry moved on.
How to Appreciate Her Today
To really "get" the magic of Bobbi Martin for the love of him, you should:
- Listen to the Mono version: If you can find the original 45rpm single, the mix is much punchier than the digital remasters.
- Watch her Ed Sullivan performance: Seeing her hold the guitar and command the stage adds a layer of respect for her musicianship that a simple audio stream doesn't provide.
- Contextualize the "Advice": View the lyrics as a historical document of 1970 gender roles rather than a modern lifestyle guide. It makes the song more fascinating.
She was a talent who bridged the gap between the girl-group era and the singer-songwriter decade. Bobbi Martin deserved more time, but she definitely made the most of the years she had.
For those building a classic pop or country-politan playlist, start with "For the Love of Him" and then jump back to "Don't Forget I Still Love You" to see her evolution from a teen-pop stylist to a sophisticated adult contemporary star.