“La La La (If I Had You)” is a vibrant pop single by Bobby Sherman, released in November 1969 by Metromedia Records. Following the massive success of his breakout hit “Little Woman,” which peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 earlier that year, this song solidified Sherman’s status as a leading teen idol of the late 1960s. Born Robert Cabot Sherman Jr. on July 22, 1943, in Santa Monica, California, Sherman captivated young audiences with his boyish good looks, earnest vocals, and wholesome charm. “La La La (If I Had You)” reached No. 9 on the Billboard Hot 100, No. 7 in Canada, and No. 14 in Australia, earning a gold certification for selling over one million copies in the United States.
---> Scroll down for the VIDEO
The song was written by Danny Janssen and Bobby Hart, a songwriting duo known for crafting hits for artists like The Monkees. Produced by Jackie Mills, who also helmed “Little Woman,” the track featured a talented ensemble of session musicians, including James Burton on guitar, Don Randi on piano, and Jim Gordon on drums, contributing to its polished, upbeat sound. The single’s B-side was “Time,” a lesser-known track penned by Sherman himself. “La La La (If I Had You)” was included on Sherman’s self-titled debut album, Bobby Sherman, released in November 1969, which climbed to No. 11 on the Billboard 200 and also went gold.
Sherman’s rise to fame was multifaceted. Before his music career took off, he gained visibility as a house singer on ABC’s Shindig! (1964–1966) and as Jeremy Bolt in the TV series Here Come the Brides (1968–1970). By 1969, his transition to pop stardom was in full swing, fueled by a cultural appetite for bubblegum pop and romantic ballads that offered an escape from the era’s social turbulence, including the Vietnam War and counterculture movements. “La La La (If I Had You)” arrived at a time when Sherman’s image—complete with shaggy hair and a shy smile—graced teen magazines like Tiger Beat, making him a heartthrob for millions of young fans, particularly teenage girls.
---> Scroll down for the VIDEO
The song’s release was a strategic move by Metromedia Records to maintain Sherman’s momentum after “Little Woman.” Its catchy melody and joyful tone were designed to keep him competitive in a pop landscape dominated by acts like The Archies and Tommy Roe. The track’s success helped pave the way for Sherman’s subsequent hits, such as “Julie, Do Ya Love Me” and “Easy Come, Easy Go,” and underscored his ability to deliver relatable, radio-friendly songs that resonated with a broad audience.
Reasons Behind the Creation of “La La La (If I Had You)”
The creation of “La La La (If I Had You)” was driven by a combination of commercial ambition and artistic alignment with Bobby Sherman’s persona as a romantic, approachable star. After the triumph of “Little Woman,” Metromedia Records sought to capitalize on Sherman’s growing fanbase and his appeal as a teen idol. The label enlisted Danny Janssen and Bobby Hart, seasoned songwriters with a knack for crafting infectious pop tunes, to write a song that would showcase Sherman’s vocal warmth and reinforce his image as a sincere, lovestruck everyman.
Janssen and Hart tailored the song to fit the bubblegum pop trend of the late 1960s, which emphasized catchy hooks and lighthearted themes. Unlike the more earnest “Little Woman,” “La La La (If I Had You)” leaned into a playful, exuberant vibe, reflecting the youthful optimism of Sherman’s audience. Producer Jackie Mills aimed to create a track that was both commercially viable and distinct from Sherman’s earlier hit, ensuring it would stand out on radio playlists. The use of top-tier session musicians guaranteed a professional sound that could compete with other pop acts of the era.
Sherman’s personal context likely influenced the song’s emotional resonance, even though he did not write it. At 26, he was navigating his own romantic life, having married Patti Carnel in the early 1960s. His ability to convey genuine emotion—whether joy, longing, or devotion—made the song’s themes feel authentic, endearing him further to fans. The song’s upbeat tone also aligned with Sherman’s public persona, which contrasted with the edgier, more rebellious artists of the time, like Jimi Hendrix or Janis Joplin. His wholesome image made him a safe, relatable figure for young listeners and their parents alike.
The broader cultural landscape of 1969 played a role in the song’s creation. Amidst historic events like the moon landing and Woodstock, pop music served as a counterbalance to social and political unrest. “La La La (If I Had You)” offered a dose of uncomplicated joy, appealing to listeners seeking lighthearted entertainment. Its release was timed to maintain Sherman’s visibility as a multifaceted entertainer, bridging his television fame with a robust music career, and to meet the demand for songs that celebrated love and optimism in a turbulent world.
Content and Themes Conveyed Through “La La La (If I Had You)”
“La La La (If I Had You)” is a buoyant, romantic pop song that celebrates the transformative power of love. Its lyrics, delivered with Bobby Sherman’s warm and enthusiastic vocals, express the narrator’s overwhelming joy at the thought of being with his beloved. The song’s title and recurring refrain, “La la la, if I had you,” encapsulate a sense of carefree happiness, as if the mere possibility of love inspires a melody that can’t be contained. Unlike the pleading tone of “Little Woman,” this track exudes confidence and delight, focusing on the euphoria of romantic connection.
The lyrics paint a vivid picture of the narrator’s devotion, with lines like “If I had you, I’d be happy all the time / I’d be singin’ la la la, all the world would be mine.” Here, love is portrayed as a source of boundless joy, capable of making every moment blissful. The use of “la la la” as a lyrical device adds a playful, almost childlike quality, reflecting the innocence and simplicity of the narrator’s feelings. It’s as if words alone can’t capture the depth of his emotions, so he resorts to a universal, melodic expression of happiness.
The song’s narrative centers on the narrator’s daydreams about a life with his beloved, imagining a world where her presence makes everything perfect. Phrases like “Every star would shine for me” and “I’d be walkin’ on a cloud” evoke a sense of transcendence, where love elevates the mundane to the magical. The imagery is deliberately exaggerated, aligning with the song’s bubblegum pop aesthetic, but Sherman’s sincere delivery grounds it in genuine emotion. The narrator doesn’t dwell on obstacles or uncertainties; instead, he focuses on the certainty that her love would complete him.
Thematically, “La La La (If I Had You)” explores the idea that love is both a personal and universal force. The song’s upbeat tempo and bright instrumentation—featuring jangly guitars and a driving rhythm—mirror the narrator’s optimism, inviting listeners to share in his joy. The lyrics avoid complex or melancholic undertones, instead embracing a straightforward celebration of romantic possibility. This simplicity made the song accessible to a wide audience, particularly young fans experiencing the thrill of crushes or first loves.
The song also reflects the cultural context of 1969, when pop music often served as an antidote to societal tensions. Its lighthearted tone and focus on love as a source of happiness resonated with listeners seeking escape from the era’s challenges. While the lyrics don’t explicitly address gender dynamics, the narrator’s adoration of his “girl” aligns with the romantic idealism common in teen pop of the time, where love was often framed as a transformative, all-encompassing force.
Ultimately, “La La La (If I Had You)” conveys a timeless message about the joy of imagining a life with someone special. Its infectious melody and heartfelt lyrics capture the giddy excitement of love, making it a quintessential Bobby Sherman hit that continues to evoke nostalgia for the carefree spirit of 1960s pop.