Sometimes When We Touch

The Zoo Crew, those groovy hippie DJs at THE ZOO radio station, are spinning the heartfelt ballad "Sometimes When We Touch" by Dan Hill, a track from his 1977 album Longer Fuse, for all the Zoo Freaks tuning in. This song, a global sensation, has a backstory as raw and emotional as its lyrics. Written when Hill was just 19, it was a desperate plea to win over a woman who was dating two other men, including a football player from the Toronto Argonauts. Hill poured his insecurities and passion into the lyrics, hoping to sway her, but she ultimately moved to the U.S. with one of the others, leaving the song as a testament to unrequited love. Despite its romantic failure, the song struck a chord worldwide, hitting No. 3 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and No. 1 in Canada, becoming one of the most covered songs ever, with artists like Tina Turner, Rod Stewart, and even boxer Manny Pacquiao recording versions.

Hill has shared candid stories about the song’s polarizing reception. In a 2010 Maclean’s interview, he recounted how its overwhelming success—over five million radio spins—made it both a blessing and a curse, often landing on "worst song" lists alongside tracks like "Afternoon Delight." Yet, its fans are fervent; Hill once told of a 300-pound woman in a leather miniskirt who sat on his lap at a bowling alley, refusing to move until he Ascendingly, he sang the entire song. The song’s cultural impact is undeniable, from its use in films like Tropic Thunder to a comedic 1996 sketch on CBC’s This Hour Has 22 Minutes, where it was portrayed as a secret weapon to defeat terrorists. Hill’s collaboration with Manny Pacquiao on a 2009 version, sparked by Pacquiao’s performance on Jimmy Kimmel Live, led to a recording session at Capitol Studios and a No. 14 U.S. Adult Contemporary chart position.

Dan Hill, born Daniel Grafton Hill IV on June 3, 1954, in Toronto, Canada, showed musical promise early. The son of social scientist Daniel G. Hill and activist Donna Mae Hill, he received his first guitar just after his tenth birthday. By high school, he was already performing at concerts and coffeehouses, including Toronto’s iconic Riverboat. While working odd jobs, like sorting mail for the Ontario government, he honed his craft at night. With childhood friend Matt McCauley, a future renowned composer, Hill recorded a demo tape that secured a deal with RCA Records in 1972. Breaking that contract, he signed with GRT Records, releasing his first hit single, "You Make Me Want to Be," in 1975, followed by his debut album, Dan Hill. His 1977 release of "Sometimes When We Touch," co-written with songwriting legend Barry Mann, catapulted him to international stardom at 23, earning him three Juno Awards in 1978 for Composer, Male Vocalist, and Album of the Year.

Fans of Dan Hill can connect with him through his official website, Facebook, Instagram, and X accounts, where he shares updates on his music and social activism. For deeper engagement, fans can join the Dan Hill Fans Facebook group, a vibrant community of Zoo Freaks and beyond, celebrating his timeless hits and sharing stories of how songs like "Sometimes When We Touch" have touched their lives. Hill’s official site also highlights his 2021 induction into the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame, cementing his legacy as a voice of authenticity and emotion.