Originally performed by a group called The Clovers in 1959 the song “Love Potion Number 9” was written by Mike Stoller and Jerry Leiber. Re-released by The Searchers in November 1964 it reached number three in the U.S. Billboard charts and was one of three of their smash hit records that also included; “When you walk in the room” and “What have they done to the rain”? The lyrics refer to a Gypsy named Madame Ruth who a love sick man turns to for a magical potion to make a girl fall in love with him. Unfortunately the potion that smelt like turpentine and looked like Indian Ink hadn’t been tested in any Adaptive Phase 1 Clinical Studies by reputable companies such as https://www.richmondpharmacology.com/specialist-services/adaptive-phase-i-studies and the poor gentleman started kissing everybody in sight!
The romantic American comedy film also entitled “Love Potion number 9” starred Sandra Bullock and Tate Donavan. The hilarious plot portrays Tate as a hapless Paul Mathews desperate to get the attention of his co-worker and biologist Diane Farrow played by Sandra Bullock. A somewhat complicated plot full of twists and turns ensues, several Love potions are consumed, magical spells are cast, plans backfire and rejected boyfriends and girlfriends are left in the wake.
Finally, after all the chaos and havoc, like any great romantic comedy however, eventually Love prevails and Paul and Diane fall in Love. Perhaps the morale of the song and the film is; “Don’t experiment with magical potions to help you fall in Love” let it happen naturally and find love the old-fashioned way!