In the spring of 1967, as Beatlemania was still shaking the world, something unexpected happened in the UK music charts — a romantic ballad by an unknown crooner stopped The Beatles from reaching No.1. The song? Engelbert Humperdinck’s Release Me. The track not only catapulted the singer into instant fame, but also marked a defining moment in British music history.
Released in January 1967, Release Me was a cover of a country song previously recorded by several artists. But Engelbert’s soaring vocals and emotional delivery turned it into something extraordinary. The single was released by Decca Records at a time when The Beatles were poised to dominate the charts with their double A-side single Penny Lane / Strawberry Fields Forever.
Yet, Release Me did the unthinkable — it held The Beatles at No.2 on the UK charts. The song stayed at No.1 for six consecutive weeks and sold over a million copies in the UK alone. This incredible feat not only introduced Engelbert Humperdinck to the world but also reshaped perceptions of what could top the pop charts.
To this day, music historians still reference 1967 as the year when Engelbert, with his velvet voice and suave looks, outshined the world’s biggest band — at least for a moment. Release Me remains a testament to the power of heartfelt ballads in an era of experimentation and rock revolution.