Dean Martin’s take on a playful euphemism for the facts of life.
The Sweet, Nostalgic Charm of “The Birds and the Bees”
Ah, the mid-sixties. A time when the world seemed to be spinning just a little faster, yet the music still offered a comforting, familiar hug. And who better to deliver that warmth than the incomparable Dean Martin? While most remember the original chart success of Jewel Akens‘ infectious 1964 version of “The Birds and the Bees,” it’s Dino’s smooth, effortless rendition that holds a special, reflective place in the hearts of many older listeners. It’s a testament to his talent that he could take a song already popularized by another artist and imbue it with his own unique, laid-back charm, turning a piece of pop fluff into something gently nostalgic.
Dino’s recording of “The Birds and the Bees” was never released as a single and therefore did not chart on the Billboard Hot 100 or other major singles charts, but it was a key track on his beloved 1965 album, (Remember Me) I’m the One Who Loves You. This album, released in August 1965, continued the successful countrypolitan and adult contemporary sound that Dean Martin had cultivated with great success during this era. While his cover didn’t grab the headlines the way Akens’ version had—which peaked at a remarkable No. 2 on the Cash Box singles chart and No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 in early 1965—its inclusion cemented the song as part of the Great American Songbook, interpreted by one of its most enduring voices. The original song’s success, in fact, was a massive international hit, which likely prompted the inclusion of this cover on Dean Martin‘s album to appeal to a broad audience who had loved the tune.
The story behind the song itself is as charmingly simple as its lyrics. The song was written by Herb Newman—or possibly his twelve-year-old son, depending on which delightful rumor you follow, though the standard songwriting credit is “Barry Stuart”—and its meaning is beautifully straightforward, a playful, innocent take on the common euphemism used to introduce youngsters to the facts of life. It’s not a heavy-handed lesson, but a gentle, rhyming preamble: “Let me tell you ’bout the birds the bees and the flowers and the trees / And the moon up above and a thing called love.” The lyrics evoke that almost cinematic ideal of youthful romance: the stars in the sky, a girl and a guy, and the tender way they could kiss on a night like this. It’s a lovely, non-threatening narrative about the dawning of love and maturity.
When Dean Martin sings it, the song transforms. His voice, that warm, liquid baritone, bypasses the rock-and-roll novelty of the original and instead delivers a performance laced with knowing maturity. It’s the sound of a relaxed, charming uncle or a family friend casually offering wisdom. His rendition, arranged by the talented Ernie Freeman and produced by Jimmy Bowen, trades the original’s honky-tonk piano for a smoother, more lush orchestration, characteristic of his work at the time. It feels like a late-night chat over a glass of something amber, reflective and tender. This isn’t just a song about explaining life to a youngster; in Dino’s hands, it becomes a nostalgic echo of simpler times, reminding us of the very first time we heard those words, or perhaps the first time we experienced that kind of love. It’s music that takes you back to a moment when the world was vast and full of romantic possibilities under the moon. This recording, while a cover, is quintessential Dean—easy-going, utterly charming, and timeless.
Oldies Songs