Love Boat (song)

Song information

The song was written by Charles Fox (music) and Paul Williams (lyrics). It became the theme music of the popular American television series The Love Boat, broadcast between 1977 and 1986. Jones's version was used as the opening tune for most of the seasons, only to be replaced by Dionne Warwick's cover in the last one.

Jack Jones released the track on a single in 1979 as "Love Boat Theme", with "Ready to Take a Chance Again" as the B-side (the latter was earlier recorded by Barry Manilow and released as the single in 1978). Later that year the song appeared as the opening track on Jones's album Nobody Does It Better, this time billed as "The Love Boat".

Track listing

7" Single

A. "Love Boat Theme" - 2:57 B. "Ready to Take a Chance Again" - 2:51

Amanda Lear version

French singer Amanda Lear recorded the song for her 2001 comeback album Heart. It was released as the first single from the album and has since become a standard in Lear's concert performances. In 2004 "Love Boat" was released in limited picture disc format, with only 500 copies available.

Music video

The music video was actually an edited performance from a French television show. It later appeared on Amanda's 2005 single "Copacabana".

Track listing

CD Maxi-Single (2001)

1. "Love Boat" (Radio Edit) - 3:13
2. "Love Boat" (Instrumental) - 3:12
3. "Rainbow Love Boat" (Oriental Mix) - 5:10

CD Single (2001)

1. "Love Boat" (Radio Edit) - 3:13
2. "Love Boat" (Instrumental) - 3:12

12" Picture Disc (2004)

A. "Love Boat" (Radio Edit) - 3:12 B. "Love Boat" (Instrumental) - 3:10

Other cover versions

Spanish-American actress and singer Charo recorded her version in 1978.

Dionne Warwick's version was used as the theme song for the last season of The Love Boat.

Dutch singer Mike Peterson recorded a house version in 1996 under his alias The Pacific Prince. In The Netherlands, it peaked at number 17 for two weeks on the Mega Top 50 chart in November 1996. The Pacific Prince is considered a one-hit wonder, as he never released a follow-up single.

Kylie Minogue performed elements of the song combined with her track "Loveboat" on her 2008 tour KylieX2008.

Olivia Newton-John covered the song for the soundtrack to the 2011 film A Few Best Men.

A cover by Frankie Bostello is playable in the videogame Just Dance 2014.