Friend & Lover - Reach Out of the Darkness (1968)

From the husband-and-wife team of Jim and Cathy Post, known as the folk duo Friend & Lover, this was one of many pop anthems of 1968. A song with an irresistible soul beat and
thrilling vocals, it would be the couple's only major hit. I can still remember this playing on the jukebox, the girls dancing to this on the beach sand, if not with a guy, then with each other, acting out the choruses of "reach out IN the darkness" (the lyric slightly different than the title "Reach Out OF the Darkness"). The memories are still so vivid, it is hard to believe that was 56 years ago. The sunshine pop hit was actually released in October 1967, ahead of the 1968 release of the album, Friend & Lover. However,
"Reach Out of the Darkness" did not really begin getting much notice nationwide until spring 1968. The song peaked at #7 on Cash Box on July 13, 1968, for two weeks, and made it
to #10 on the Billboard and #6 in Canada.

[@tonyezar7547]

Love this song.

[@mikemunrowsretro8973]

Thanks Tony! One of the greatest years, 1968.

[@tonyezar7547]

@@mikemunrowsretro8973 I was one.

[@leightonfarms4962]

Groovy!

[@mikemunrowsretro8973]

It is! Thanks Leighton!

[@jgcaulfield]

I liked this song. But I also remember, in late June or early July of 1968, when this song reached its peak, how its sweet, so innocent "summer of love" vibe seemed comically, tragically outdated by events that had overtaken it. And 1968 was not even half over yet.

[@randyinghram5550]

Love this song. Have sung with my gf a few times. :)

[@mikemunrowsretro8973]

It is one of the catchiest songs I have ever heard, hard to believe that Friend & Lover was actually a folk duo. This is actually hard to classify, although it is considered "sunshine pop," it had so many different elements in it, was so danceable too, a scat style chorus, a stunning lyrical chorus, only one verse, and a fabulous bridge.

[@randyinghram5550]

@@mikemunrowsretro8973 Definitely one of the songs that defines the late 60's....others...Scott McKenzie/San Francisco, Zombies/Time Of The Season, CCR/Fortunate Son, Doors/Light My Fire...and a little known song by Crabby Appleton/Go Back.

[@randyinghram5550]

Although Go Back was technically 1970.

[@randyinghram5550]

One I forgot.....Get Together/The Youngbloods

[@lannes2000]

👍

[@mikemunrowsretro8973]

Thanks!