Love Grows (Where My Rosemary Goes) by Edison Lighthouse

Album: Already (1970)

Charted: 1 5

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Songfacts®:

The British producers Tony Macaulay and Barry Mason wrote this song with Sylvan Mason, who was Barry's wife at the time. (Sylvan is often uncredited, but her divorce agreement provides hard evidence that she co-wrote this song and the Tom Jones hit "Delilah.") The song is about a free spirit named Rosemary who leaves the singer besotted.

Many have claimed to be the actual Rosemary the song is about, but Sylvan Mason says that like Delilah, no such person exists. She told Songfacts: "Tony [Macaulay] came over with a melody and rough idea for a song, which title originally was 'It's My Heart You'll Be Breaking Apart,' but he said he wanted to put a girl's name in the title because that's what sold records in those days. The girl's name Rosemary fitted with the title so we started the song from scratch merely using the name Rosemary."
Macaulay and Barry Mason recorded the song using session musicians. When it became a hit, they put together a band from members of the group Greefield Hammer in order to perform it live. McCaulay eventually put together another group using the Edison Lighthouse name.
A session singer named Tony Burrows sang lead. He was the voice of several studio groups, including White Plains, The Pipkins, and Brotherhood Of Man, First Class ("Beach Baby") and the Flowerpot Men ("Let's Go To San Francisco"). He famously appeared on one UK TV show three times in one night when three different groups (all fronted by him) were due to perform their current chart hits. He said, "I just kept changing hats." >>
Suggestion credit:
Victor - Haworth, England
Why is the love growing? That's a play on the name Rosemary, which is an herb.
Tony Macaulay also co-wrote and sang lead on "Smile A Little Smile For Me" (recorded by The Flying Machine), which is about "Rose Marie." >>
Suggestion credit:
Tony - Vero Beach, FL
This song is mentioned in the dialogue on the Reservoir Dogs soundtrack by a faux-'70s DJ (voiced by deadpan comedian Steven Wright), although the song itself is not used in the film.
"Love Grows (Where My Rosemary Goes)" was featured in the 2001 movie Shallow Hal, starring Jack Black as a man who comes under a spell and sees only the inner beauty of women. He falls for an overweight girl named Rosemary, who to him looks like Gwyneth Paltrow.

The song also appears in the 2018 movie The Kissing Booth, and in the 2004 episode of The Sopranos, "All Happy Families."
The song enjoyed a revival in early 2022 after TikTok user Rosemary Blake (exhibitionbuffalo) posted a video on the platform. Her "I love Rosemary" visual shows the TikToker acting along to the opening lines.

She ain't got no money
Her clothes are kinda funny
Her hair is kinda wild and free
Oh, but Love grows where my Rosemary goes.

Blake's clip sparked a major TikTok trend of users posting videos and snapshots of themselves to accompany the song's lyrics.
Tony Macaulay had just inked a new deal and, as these things tend to go, was immediately under pressure to produce a hit. So when he found himself in a room with Barry Mason, he knew they needed to come up with something simple, catchy, and with the kind of Motown flair that would practically compel you to tap your foot whether you liked it or not.

Macaulay had a concept in mind that played around with the timing, something designed to make the song's message hit fast and linger. With no particular artist in mind, he laid down a few demos, guided mostly by instinct. The key of A? No deep musical philosophy there - it just seemed to give the riff a bit more oomph.

The whole recording process was, by all accounts, a rather spontaneous affair. Macaulay began by building a basic drum loop, then layered on some guitar and bass.

"I just put the Fender guitar on twice and damped it down, played a very basic track," Macaulay recalled to The Tennessean.

"The reason it sounds tight is that it's just one person playing it. That afternoon, strings and brass came in, and I just shouted out the notes. There was no orchestration for that intro - everyone just played it on the hoof."

It was loose, it was improvised, and it worked. As soon as the brass and strings kicked in, Macaulay knew he had something.
As Macaulay was packing up, session singer Tony Burrows walked in, fresh off recording a Frankie Valli cover. He heard Burrows' voice and asked, "Can you sing through your nose?" Burrows gave it a shot, and that was that. Macaulay booked him to record the track, later adding female backing vocals that he double tracked and mixed into the final cut.
The record company loved what Macaulay had put together and released it right away. To everyone's surprise, the song rocketed up the charts.

"It was the fastest-moving record by an unknown band in English history," Macaulay recalled. "It came in at #14, shot to #1, and stayed there for quite a while."

The problem? There was no actual band. When Top of the Pops came calling for a live performance, Macaulay had to scramble. He quickly auditioned a few groups and found a band called Greenfield Hammer. They were a bunch of good-looking lads, even if they weren't exactly seasoned in playing that kind of music. There wasn't time to teach them the song, so Macaulay had a full orchestration ready, and they just mimed the performance.

As they prepared for the performance, Macaulay realized they had no name to slap on the bass drum - usually a prime spot for a band logo. So he improvised.

"I ran to a motorbike shop and bought some stick-on plastic letters," he said. "I stuck 'Edison Lighthouse' on the drum."

Why Edison Lighthouse?

"My dad had just watched a film called The Great Edison, a 1930s movie. I must've also heard of Eddystone Lighthouse, a real place, and confused the two," Macaulay explained. "It was the first thing that came to mind."

And so, out of a bit of confusion and quick thinking, Edison Lighthouse was born.

Comments: 55

Dennis from New JerseyLove the song , when I was in Vietnam in 1969 and 1970 the would be played over armed services radio every day,
Obviousguy2025 from La-la Land, CaSome of those who are down on "BubbleGum pop really need to "Come on, Get Happy." It actually helped many get over a hard time, especially the then-returning Vietnam Vets, as Raunchy from OK pointed out.
Other great powerful/feel-good songs of the era::
• Don't Pull Your Love, by Hamilton, J, F & R
• Vehicle, by The Ides of March
• Ride Captain Ride, by Blues Image
and the softer
• Get Together, by the Youngbloods.

Separately, Leya Qwest from Alaska commented on Shock-Jock Howard bad-mouthing this song. Yeah, he turned into "Sell-Out Stern" after becoming everything that he railed against, right down to the trophy wife (just like Don Imus had, on which Stern used to mock).
Obvious Guy 2025 from La-la Land, CaHey, we got some famous people commenting on here!
1) RE: Really?123 from Usa
"This song is a pathetic fraud like the sixties era.. Does he love this woman out of pity? Just what the world needs... more pathetic baloney."
-- OMG! It's DEBBIE DOWNER!
C'mon, get happy! This song was created at the tail end of the Viet Nam era, when America's youth and retuning Vets could use a good pick-me-up! Read Raunchy from CA's comment below!

2) Level1 from Isa
"Plain and simple. Rosemary is good at oral sex. ...love grows...(the male singer) where my Rosemary goes...(down on him)...and nobody knows like me."
Hey! It's Quagmire! GIGGITY! Don't dirty the image, dude, just enjoy the song, ya' horny bastid'!

Other commenters:
RE: Rosemary from Canada:
It's a pity to have a such a dour association with your name, and this song. Both are wonderful.
Maybe you can find a guy who can tell you that.
Hey, maybe give the song a chance! Think of it as your own theme song, when you enter a place.
The guys will all say, " Here comes Rosemary -- so joyous!"
C'mon, be a "Smiley Coyote!"

RE: Debtheweb:from PA
You don't like your name? Aww, but Debbie's a happy appellation!

RE: Raunchy from Ok
"This song peaked when I got out of Vietnam and the Army in 1970. ...brings back some good memories of learning to value life in a harsh world."
I couldn't have put it better, buddy. And, thanks for your service.

Finally, Lynn K: from Canada: The fact that you connect this song to your late Dad is so touching. Love lives on... Keep smiling!
Seventh Mist from 7th HeavenInteresting to read these comments from women named after this song, in part, because a family in our church just named their new daughter after it. I suppose most songs named after women caused an uptick in its usage on newborns. A few years later, “Brandy” had the same effect. My sister’s stepdaughter was born in 1973 and was named after it.
Music Lover from Out West In The UsaI hate when people have to ruin the history of a really great song.
This song was recorded in a studio with studio musicians similar to the USA’s famous wrecking crew.
It’s notes by the writer producer that the video is mimed. Not performed by the stand in band including the lead.
The Monkee’s had several albums (very popular) same process.
Rosemary is a spectacular song. Happens to be thrown together. Who gives a?
Love it or leave it.
Like Beach Baby, and tons of others. One hit wonders are some of the best songs ever recorded.
2525, Brandy and so on.
Just have fun with them. Like the artist’s did. GEEZ!!!
Lynn K. from Calgary , Ab , CanadaBeautiful memories , FOREVER , from this song ! Loved it from the time I heard it in ( about June 1970 ) ! I was in my last year of high school and about to start studying for my nursing degree in Sept. . I asked my dad to buy it for me ( on a 45 ) . My dad passed 2 years ago and today ( July 31 st. 2024 ) is his birthday !! I haven’t stopped playing this song ( and watching the Edison Lighthouse video ) today - - over and over ; and crying , thinking of my wonderful Dad !
Loved the song , anyway , but the fact that my dad bought it for me made it that much more special !
BUBBLEGUM or not , still a great song . You would have had to have grown up in those times to cherish some of this fantastic music ! Love the beginning notes of the song ! Also had a mad crush on the lead singer - - so cute ! As people have said here : ending of the Vietnam War , Pure Innocence , Sounds of Happiness and The Time of The Best Music Ever - - - What else could you ask for , especially with the instability of the world today !! I am going to go now and listen to LGWMRG , YET AGAIN , to build up my spirits !
BTW : would love to see the band ( from the video ) perform this song , live .
LOVE YOU DAD
Von Funkenstein from East GermanyMy ensemble does an up tempo jazz version of this tune. Level1 from Isa is desperately projecting.
Level1 from IsaPlain and simple. Rosemary is good at oral sex. ...love grows...(the male singer) where my Rosemary goes...(down on him)...and nobody knows like me.
I know it sounds far fetched but it's obvious.
Really?123 from UsaThis song is a pathetic fraud like the sixties era. I prefer how the greatest generation was more blunt. No wonder people adore them. Does he love this woman out of pity? Does she even need it if she is so secure? Just what the world needs... more pathetic baloney.
Mario Camacho from South CarolinaThis song fit the bill of soft rock. Very popular lyrics of the times and good arrangements. This song would be popular in today's musical genre.
Rosemary from California Well, unlike poor Rosemary from Canada I always found this song to be fun and I love my name!
Debtheweb from Lake Nockamixon PaLove that song. Well written with great chord structure and a key change to boot. The name is beautiful too. I'd rather that name then Deb for sure!!
Jim from FloridaThere's something both nostalgic and innocent about the song now. I guess one had to grow up in the late 60's and early 70's to understand.
Rosemary from CanadaHate this song. Simply hate it. I was tormented for years because of this song having my name in it by a family member. Even today people send me links to the song thinking it is funny. I don't !!!!. Wish this song never existed. And I hate the name Rosemary as well....would change it if I could afford to.
Marilyn from VirginiaI always liked this song, and had a unique experience hearing it on the radio--in my first year of marriage, as a teacher who had a memorable student I really appreciated--the first time I ever taught a class.. To Kaylea from Arkansas, I'm just wondering if your grandma by any chance every lived in Missouri, and went to high school there for a time? If so, I'd love to know! Thanks!
Kaylea from ArkansasThis song is actually about my grandma. She lived in New York and a boy wrote a poem about her. He ended up sending the poem into a radio contest and it won. This poem was turned into a song as the winning prize. She had a red record for a long time because of this that she ended up giving to some kids she had babysat. Her name was Rosemary Russo, now Rosemary Mediema.
Kelly from Pennsylvania The single was released on Jan 9th, the day AFTER the TOTP performance. The song wasn’t a hit before the band was auditioned. It was pre-planned. The band insists they were brought in for the recording. Tony states it was the demo that was released as the single. Although, Tony Burrows has a history of fibbing. He didn’t sing lead on the verses on “My Baby Loves Lovin’”. It was Ricky Wolff (who didn’t want to front the band on TV). And the 3 bands in 1 episode of TOTP has been debunked. I’m more inclined to believe the band with that kind of track record.
Mark from MiOn the one video of them performing this song at Top of the Pops, they show a clip of girls go-go dancing in polka dot jumpsuits. Does anyone have any idea who they are?
Dave from Modesto, CaLove this song. I have always thought it was about a girl who wasn't popular because she wasn't what popular girls should be. Not strange, just different. Someone took the time to look beyond these things and he was glad he did. I meet a girl like that during my last year of high school and we were together for over a year. Great relationship, great memories, great song!
Sylvan from LondonSylvan Whittingham, Barry's ex-wife co-wrote the lyric and found the group (Greenfields) who successfully auditioned to play on Top of The Pops with Tony Burrows the following week on the fastest rising hit on record. Have evidence but not unable to attach it on here. Can send if you supply email address.
Tammy from WashingtonDiane- San Francisco
The frontman in the video is Andy Locke. He has a facebook page under Andy Locke Edison Lighthouse and a Youtube channel "getlockey." He is still performing.
Daniel from Baltimore, MdI too was a great fan of this song when I was a junior in high school. However, it kind of drives me nuts when people say that this way a great "song of the 70's". It was released in 1970, which was the last year of the sixties. Just like the first penny of a hundred is counted as number one and not zero, the first year in history was number "one" making the first year of a decade the one that starts with "one" and the last one ends in "zero" as in 1961 - 1970. Perhaps an issue of no importance to most but this was definitely a "sixties" song! Keep on lovin' on a great song everyone as this is one we'll all remember forever.
Barry from Sauquoit, NyOn February 15, 1970, "Love Grows (Where My Rosemary Goes)" by Edison Lighthouse entered Billboard's Hot Top 100 chart at position #68; and on March 22nd it peaked at #5 (for 3 non-consecutive weeks) and spent 13 weeks on the Top 100 (and for 7 of those 13 weeks it was on the Top 10)...
And on January 31st, 1970 it reached #1 (for 5 weeks) on the United Kingdom's Singles chart (the record the succeeded it at #1 was "Wanderin' Star" by the Academy Award winning actor, Lee Marvin)....
The quintet had only one other record make the Top 100, "It's Up To You Petula", and it stayed on the Top 100 for six weeks, peaking at #72.
Raunchy from Tulsa, OkThis song peaked when I got out of Vietnam and the Army in 1970. Back in those times, some called it a mellow song. In 1970, the music charts showed a wide variety of music genres & developing forms of rock & pop music. This was a good song for the times. But don't ever get the version by Wayne Newton. What a bizarre piece of trash that is! Anyway, the original brings back some good memories of learning to value life in a harsh world.
Cindy from Bedford, InThe cutie singing in the video is Andy Locke! Video was filmed in 1971 in front of the Bristol Town Hall in Uk.

Andy Locke, David Kerr-Clemenson (bass guitar), Eddie Richards (drums) and Wally Scott (guitar).
Tom from St. Louis, FlRick Wakeman was undoubtedly hired to play keyboard (there is a piano on this track) for this session, he didn't play "strings" on it.
The brass and strings are live, real people on this guys, unlike much of today's stuff...

Great single, probably the ultimate happy pop single. We arranged, well sung...try it in a convertible on a Summer day!

TH
Rosemary from Alexandria, VaI was named after this song :)
whenever it comes on, I feel like it's good luck for me
Jim from Everett, MaTony Macaulay also co-wrote and sang lead on "Smile A Little Smile For Me" (recorded by The Flying Machine), which also is about "Rosemary." (thanks, Tony - Vero Beach, FL)

That was "Smile A Little Smile For Me Rosemarie",
not Rosemary.
Diane from San Francisco, Cacan someone please tell me the name of the man singing in this video I know it is not Tony Burrows.
I would like to find out what else he has done.
thanks
Jeff from Reading, PaThis is one of the best pop records of all time, and one of my first 45s. My wife once asked me why I love this song so much. After all, there is no Rosemary in my life. It's just so happy. It makes me smile. I was glad to read the song lyrics because for years I garbled over the line, "There's something about her hand holding mine". I always thought the line was about her hair and her mind! LGWMRG is played at the end of "Shallow Hal".
Erica from Bronxville, NyLove Grows was also co written by Sylvan Whittingham though she does not get credit for it.
Paul from Brooklyn, Ny, NySimply one of the best of the post-Beatles pop rock songs of the early 70s (see No Matter What, Go All The Way, etc.). Pure joy and a lot of wonderful menmories from the summer of 1970.
Bryan from Ellenville, NyThe strings in the backround were played by Rick Wakeman of Yes (I got this info from a site with all his musical credits listed.
Joe from New York, NyMy favorite song from the 70's handsdown. Just a great infectious tune!!!!!!!!!!!
Chris from Manchester, United KingdomOne of the most perfect pop records ever cut - the feeling of happiness and optimism is just infectious! It was the first UK number 1 of the seventies (I was eight at the time, just becoming interested in music), and it set the tone for the decade ahead. Even the mighty ABBA never made a better lightweight pop record.

I was watching a Sopranos season 5 DVD with a friend yesterday, and there's a scene where a mobster is brutally murdered in her house, whilst this song plays in the background - an immaculate juxtaposition of the serious and the frivolous, but both top-quality in every way. Great TV show - and the song does it justice in every way.

Regards Chris
Isabella from Minneapolis, MnI am 13, and I like this... LOL
Mike from Atlanta, GaNew Orleans-based cowpunk crazies Dash Rip Rock used to do an absolutely killer version of this song live.
Web from Grand Rapids, Mithis song, (as well as Hamilton, Joe, Frank and Reynolds, "Don't pull your love"), were written for The Grass Roots, but for reasons unknown, they chose not to record them. I saw the Grass Roots live at a small auditorium last night and despite Rob's recent knee replacement, they played a wonderful show. They performed "LGWMRG" and "Don't pull your love" as well as all their other hits. Both songs are featured on the new c.d., "The Grass Roots- Live at Last".
Khin from New York, NyThis songs should be reintroduced today
Susanne from Boyd, TxSONG FACT: This song was also used in a USAF commercial in the early 70's
Susanne(Boyd,TX)
Darrell from EugeneThis is one of those songs that sounds best on 8-track or vinyl, or so I say.
Guy from Benson, NcOne of the weirdest cover songs ever is Wayne Newton's version of this song.
Victoria from Istanbul, TurkeyAm I the only one who noticed that the song from Sweden at the recent Eurovision Contest had a great portion "borrowed" from this song??
Peter from Ashford, EnglandThe touring band is still on the road, (based in Kent), and Love Grows is as popular as ever with live audiences. See www.edison-lighthouse.com/. Martin, Ashford UK
Lucy from Nova Scotia, CanadaThis song is fun,and singable, unlike the songs of today!
Lawrence from Saranac Lake, NyI actually can play this song on guitar! I grew up in the seventies, and I will always think that the music you grow up with is more special than any other you listen to. I can play lots of seventies songs, and some friends are amazed that I remember these songs, while others just grimmace because it ain't what they call rock n roll! This is an easy song to play on guitar, and a fun song to sing!
Ken from Manchester, NhI remember hearing LGWMRG for the first time in early 1970. I always loved bubblegum music and this song was no exception. 36 years later I still get a kick out of hearing it and sing it loud and offkey in the car when it comes on the radio. For those radio jocks today who make fun of bubblegum music, let's see if anyone still wants to hear 50 Cent, Black Eyed Peas or Usher 36 years from now.
Vickie from Street, MdThis played on the radio one day and my 21 year old daughter heard me singing every word and thought it was the weirdest song... but- I loved it when I was 17 and I love it still at 53!
Howard from St. Louis Park, MnThis was a prime example of 70s bubblegum. Even the title was strange. Edison Lighthouse's followup hit that didn't make the charts was titled "It's Up to You Petula."
Leya Qwest from Anchorage, AkYeah, this song has always been a pretty cool one to listen to in my book, no matter what shock jock Howard Stern says. I usually found his show entertaining except for the times when he'd go overboard. One day he and Robin Quivers commented on LGWMRG, saying it wasn't rock'n'roll and that it sucked. Well, not every hit tune can sound like it's been done by Ozzy Osborne or Van Halen. Their particular comment left a bad taste in my mouth, yet everyone's entitled to their opinion. I'd continue listening to his show, but that was back in the Lower 48 and it's not syndicated up here in The Great Land. LGWMRG STILL ROCKS THOUGH AND ALWAYS WILL!
Teri from Newcastle, Englandthis song is mad. the movie is great. wot more can i say?
Scott from Chicago, Ilpossibly the happiest a song can sound without being insipid...always reminded me of the
Partridge family with a slight edge....just again
pretty much everything on early 70's am radio sounded like this....think "beautiful sunday"
"sweet city women" "build me up buttercup", etc.
I grew up in early 70's and things really were
as happy as these songs sounded....long live
70's happy top 40 songs!
Keith from Slc, UtLA jocks Hudson and Landry, in their early '70s skit "Ajax Liquor Store" made an oblique reference to this song and to the Deer Park (at the time, an attraction in Buena Park, CA), when the inebriated caller tells the clerk that he's "by the deer place . . .where Bambi goes, NOTHIN' grows!"
Dave from Cardiff, WalesThe only hit for Edison Lighthouse, but, interestingly in 1996 several UK music mags mistakenly claimed that the band's name had inspired the name of a more successful 1990s band, the Lighthouse Family. Surely a mistake...
Jordan from Springfeild, Arfreedie johnston has nice lil version of this song..which is not bad

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