Lou Christie wasn't exactly your typical 1960s pop star. While the rest of the world was obsessing over the British Invasion, Lou was hitting notes so high they could shatter a glass of milk at a hundred paces. Honestly, his voice was a weapon. But there is one specific chapter of his career that most casual listeners completely miss. We all know "Lightnin' Strikes"—that massive #1 hit from 1966. Yet, right before that lightning actually struck, Christie released a cover of Lou Christie A Teenager in Love that remains one of the most interesting "what-ifs" in his discography.
It was 1965. Lou was in a weird spot. He’d already had huge hits like "The Gypsy Cried" and "Two Faces Have I" on the Roulette label, but things had cooled off. He eventually landed at Colpix Records, a label better known for The Monkees and The Donna Reed Show soundtracks than for high-octane falsetto pop. It was during this stint that he tackled the Doc Pomus and Mort Shuman classic.
The Colpix Mystery and the 1965 Single
Most people associate "A Teenager in Love" with Dion and the Belmonts. That 1959 version is the blueprint. It’s got the doo-wop soul, the Bronx attitude, and that iconic "each time we have a quarrel" hook. So, why did Lou Christie record it six years later?
The 1965 release on Colpix (CP 778) was basically a transition piece. If you find the original 45rpm vinyl today, it’s a collector's item. It wasn't a chart-topper. In fact, it didn't even crack the Billboard Hot 100. But looking back, it served as the bridge between his early doo-wop roots and the operatic, theatrical pop he was about to unleash on the world.
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What Lou Brought to the Table
Lou didn't just sing the song; he "Lou Christie-ized" it. Most singers would try to mimic Dion’s cool, rhythmic delivery. Not Lou. He brought that signature tension.
- The Vocal Dynamics: He starts in his natural baritone/tenor range, sounding almost vulnerable. Then, he hits those upper registers that make you wonder if his vocal cords are made of steel.
- The Production: Arranged by Artie Butler, the track has a slightly more "modern" 1965 feel compared to the 1959 original. It’s got a bit more punch, a bit more of that Wall of Sound influence that was dominating the mid-60s.
- The B-Side: Interestingly, the flip side was a track called "Back Track," co-written by Lou and his long-time collaborator, the "mystic" Twyla Herbert.
Twyla Herbert is a story in herself. She was 20 years older than Lou and claimed to be a psychic. She’d help Lou write songs based on the "vibrations" she felt. It sounds crazy, but they wrote "Lightnin' Strikes" together, so maybe she was onto something.
Why Lou Christie A Teenager in Love Still Matters
You might ask why a non-charting cover from 1965 is worth talking about in 2026. Fair question. The truth is, Lou Christie was one of the first true "auteur" pop stars. He co-wrote his hits. He controlled his image. He was a teenager from Glenwillard, Pennsylvania, who became Lugee Sacco, then Lou Christie, and refused to let the industry turn him into a cookie-cutter crooner.
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The song "A Teenager in Love" is fundamentally about the melodrama of being young. "Why must I be a teenager in love?" is the ultimate 1950s/60s lament. Lou’s version captures that melodrama perfectly because his whole style was melodramatic. He didn't do "subtle." He did "operatic."
The Tragic Timing
Timing is everything in music. Lou’s version of the song was released just as the music industry was undergoing a massive shift. People weren't looking for 1950s covers in late '65; they were looking for Dylan going electric and the Beatles getting psychedelic.
However, the failure of this single actually cleared the path for his move to MGM Records. It was there, just months later, that he released "Lightnin' Strikes." If "A Teenager in Love" had been a massive hit, he might have stayed at Colpix and never recorded the song that defined his career.
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Actionable Insights for Collectors and Fans
If you're looking to dive deeper into this specific era of Lou’s career, here is what you should actually do:
- Hunt for the Colpix 778 Single: If you find a promo copy of the 7" vinyl, grab it. They are increasingly rare. Look for the "Not For Sale" stamp on the yellow label.
- Listen to the Stereo Mix: If you can find the 1966 Lou Christie Strikes Again album (where the track was eventually collected), listen to it on a good pair of headphones. The vocal layering Artie Butler used is much more apparent in the stereo version than the mono 45.
- Compare it to the 1959 Original: Play the Dion version and then Lou’s version back-to-back. Notice the "shriek" factor. Dion is asking the stars; Lou is practically demanding an answer from them.
- Explore the Twyla Herbert Connection: Look up the songwriting credits for the B-sides of Lou's early records. Understanding their partnership is the key to understanding why his music sounds so "off" compared to other pop of the era—in the best way possible.
Lou Christie passed away in June 2025 at the age of 82. He remained a touring force until near the end, still hitting those impossible high notes. While "A Teenager in Love" isn't the song they'll play first in his tribute videos, it's the song that proves he could take a standard and make it sound like it was written just for his four-octave range.