Tuesday, September 17, 2019

"It's Getting Harder All the Time" by The Mindbenders

Tonight I watched one of my fall time favourite movies, To Sir, with Love (1967). Most people know that the movie's theme song, "To Sir, with Love" by Lulu, was released as a single. What many people might not know is that there was another single released from the movie's soundtrack as well. That single was by The Mindbenders, who appear in the film.

The Mindbenders were a beat group originating from Manchester, England. They began as the backing band for Wayne Fontana, and with him had the hit "Game of Love." Wayne Fontana left The Minbenders in 1965 and the band continued without him. They had a hit with "Groovy Kind of Love" on both sides of the Pond. Their song "Can't Live with You (Can't Live Without You)" and "Ashes to Ashes" were hits in the United Kingdom.

The Mindbenders would have two songs featured in To Sir, with Love. "Off and Running" was featured during a scene set at lunch break, where it was playing on a record player. For the movie's dance at its climax The Mindbenders appeared on screen performing, "It's Getting Harder All the Time." Strangely enough, even though "It's Getting Harder All the Time" was featured more prominently in the movie, it was "Off and Running" that was chosen as the A-side of the single and "It's Getting Harder All the Time" that was chosen as the B-side. Personally I have always thought this was a mistake. Not only was "It's Getting Harder All the Time" featured more prominently in the movie, but I think it was also the better song. Unfortunately the single did not chart in either the United Kingdom or the United States.

Without further ado, here is "It's Getting Harder All the Time" by The Mindbenders.

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