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John Rowles | If I Only Had Time (1968)

"If I Only Had Time" is a song recorded by the New Zealand singer John Rowles in 1968 that became a worldwide hit single. It was his first release in the UK.

The song is the English translation of "Je n’aurai pas le temps", a French ballad, recorded by Michel Fugain in 1967. Peter Gormley who had signed Rowles to MCA, got Mike Leander to handle the arrangements for the song.


As reported in the issue of Billboard on July 6th, 1968, the single was at that time number 2 in Belgium, number 27 in Britain, number 5 in the Netherlands, and number 5 in New Zealand. It had eventually peak at number 1 in Rhodesia, number 3 in the UK, number 2 in New Zealand, number 2 in Belgium number 2 in the Netherlands, number 15 in Germany, and number 17 in Austria.


It did well in the Australian cities, registering at number 5 in Sydney, number 14 in Melbourne, number 3 in Brisbane, number 6 in Adelaide and number 7 in Perth.


The song was re-released in 1988 on the Old Gold label.

It was backed with "Hush Not A Word To Mary".

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