The timeless classic “When Will I Be Loved” was written by Phil Everly, who found inspiration while parked outside an A&W root beer stand. This song is deeply rooted in Phil’s personal life, notably his turbulent romance with Jackie Ertel-Bleyer, stepdaughter of Cadence Records founder Archie Bleyer. Their relationship, marked by on-again, off-again bouts, culminated in marriage in 1963 and separation in 1972.
Narrating the woes of a man plagued by relentless heartbreak, the song embodies the universal question of when true love will finally come. At the time of its release, the Everly Brothers had transitioned from Cadence Records to Warner Bros., pivoting from their rockabilly roots to a polished pop-rock sound. While Warner Bros. was pushing hits like the chart-topping “Cathy’s Clown,” Cadence Records, aiming to capitalize on their former stars, issued “When Will I Be Loved” as a single in 1960.
This release threatened to disrupt the momentum the Everlys were building, as airplay was split between their newer pop numbers and this nostalgic throwback. However, the public’s appetite for their music was insatiable—they secured four Top 10 hits that year, with “When Will I Be Loved” climbing to #8 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Recorded in Nashville in February 1960, the track boasted contributions from legendary musicians Chet Atkins on guitar and Floyd Cramer on piano. The song opens with a distinctive four-note intro, leading into the Everlys’ signature harmonies sung in diatonic thirds, which became a hallmark of their style. Importantly, “When Will I Be Loved” stands as one of the last echoes of their original country-rockabilly sound before they fully embraced a mainstream pop identity.
Every word of the lyrics resonates with heartfelt despair and longing, capturing the sorrow of repeated emotional rejection. The verses describe a man who has been made blue, lied to, pushed around, cheated, and mistreated, yet still yearns for love:
I’ve been made blue
I’ve been lied to
When will I be loved?
I’ve been turned down
I’ve been pushed ’round
When will I be loved?
When I meet a new girl
That I want for mine
She always breaks my heart in two, it happens every time
I’ve been cheated
Been mistreated
When will I be loved?
This song remains not just a nostalgic gem but a powerful reminder of love’s painful uncertainties and the hope that keeps us searching. The Everly Brothers’ ability to channel raw emotion through harmonies has ensured this recording endures through generations, echoing in the hearts of listeners old and new.
