🔘 Can't Nobody Love You – Single: Dec. 1965

In the winter of 1965, an 18-year-old David Essex stepped into the recording studio for his second solo single. Still years away from his 1970s stardom, he delivered “Can't Nobody Love You” — a raw, passionate bluesy soul belter that showcased his powerful, emotive voice.

Released on December 3, 1965, the single appeared on Fontana Records under catalogue number TF 620 (also listed as 267503 TF). Backed with “Baby I Don't Mind,” this 7-inch release highlighted the young Essex’s early talent for soulful, heartfelt singing.

Label: Fontana Records

Catalogue Number: TF 620 / 267503 TF

Format: 7" Vinyl Single (Push-Out/Solid Centre)

Released: December 3, 1965 (UK)

🔘 Track List

UK 7" Single — Fontana – TF 620 — 1965

A. Can't Nobody Love You

B. Baby I Don't Mind

Written by:

- Can't Nobody Love You: Traditional (adapted)

- Baby I Don't Mind: David Essex

Produced by:

Recorded: 1965

🔘 Key Highlights

• Released December 3, 1965

• David Essex’s second solo single

• Raw, bluesy soul track that showcased his powerful early vocal style

• Record Mirror praised: “This new boy is really wild… very good.”

• Did not chart in the UK

🔘 The Story

At just 18 years old, David Essex was already showing the vocal intensity that would later make him a star. “Can't Nobody Love You” was a gritty, emotional soul number, delivered with raw passion. The B-side “Baby I Don't Mind” was an original composition that further highlighted his early songwriting efforts.

Although the single failed to chart, it remains an important early milestone in Essex’s career — the first steps of a journey that would eventually lead to massive success with “Rock On” and “Gonna Make You a Star” in the 1970s.

🔘 Variants (UK)

• 7", 45 RPM, Push-Out Centre — Fontana – TF 620 — UK — 1965

• 7", 45 RPM, Solid Centre — Fontana – TF 620 — UK — 1965

• Issued in standard Fontana company sleeve

🔘 Chart Performance

UK — Official Singles Chart

Did not chart.

Total Weeks: 0

🔘 Context & Notes

• A-side: “Can't Nobody Love You” – raw, bluesy soul belter showcasing Essex’s powerful voice.

• B-side: “Baby I Don't Mind” – original track written by the young Essex.

• Production: Early Fontana-era production typical of mid-1960s soul/pop singles.

• Sleeve notes: Standard Fontana company sleeve.

• Historical placement: Released in the mid-1960s beat and soul era, long before David Essex’s glam and pop breakthrough in the 1970s.

• Reissues / compilation appearances: Extremely rare; occasionally appears on David Essex early career compilations.

🔘 Related Material

• The Day The Earth Stood Still (1969)

• Rock On (1973)

• Gonna Make You a Star (1974)

🔘 Discography

The Day The Earth Stood Still – Single: 1969

Can't Nobody Love You – Single: 1965 (early release)

Rock On – Single: 1973

🔘 Mini‑Timeline

✦ 1965 — Recorded as David Essex’s second solo single

✦ December 3, 1965 — UK single released

✦ Did not enter UK Singles Chart

🔘 Glam Flashback

Long before the leather and the hits, an 18-year-old David Essex poured his soul into “Can't Nobody Love You” in December 1965 — the raw, early fire of a voice that would later light up the 1970s charts.

#ReleaseChronicle #DavidEssex #CantNobodyLoveYou #1965 #Fontana

🔘 Sources

Primary reference sources: Fontana Records, Discogs, Official Charts Company, contemporary music-press documentation, archival references.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gpIF15CBAP0

Legacy and Collectibility

“Can’t Nobody Love You” is David Essex’s ultra-rare debut single — pre Rock On, pre-Stardust. Original UK Fontana pressings fetch £100–£300+ on eBay/Discogs. Verify catalogue TF 620. Streams extremely limited. This single is a must-have for Essex completists and ‘60s UK soul collectors.

Do you have Can't Nobody Love You in your vinyl stack? Did the wild new boy blow you away? Share in the comments!

Sources

Information is drawn from my personal knowledge and supplemented by web sources, including Discogs, 45cat, AllMusic, Rate Your Music, Wikipedia, BBC Official Charts Company, Billboard Chart History and YouTube

Whilst every effort is made to provide accurate information, mistakes do happen. Simply leave a comment and the post will be updated. Thank you.