"Love of the Common People" is a song written by John Hurley and Ronnie Wilkins, eventually released in 1970 on John Hurley's album John Hurley Sings about People, but first sung in January 1967 by The Four Preps.
The Four Preps recording was not a hit, but, later in 1967, The Everly Brothers and Wayne Newton would each issue their versions of the song, both of which "bubbled under" in the US charts; Newton's version peaked at No. 106, the Everlys' at No. 114. However, the Everly Brothers' recording was a major hit in Canada, peaking at No. 4. In 1968, Irish artist Joe Dolan and backing grouping The Drifters recorded a version which hit the Top 10 in the Irish Singles Chart, but did not chart elsewhere.
Soul group The Winstons recorded their version in 1969, where it peaked at No. 54 on the US Hot 100.
A year later, Nicky Thomas had a major UK hit (No. 9) with a reggae-inspired version, and Paul Young had a No. 2 UK hit (and No. 1 in several European countries) in 1983 with his interpretation of the song.