Fifth grade. The year was defined by a song, an earworm that burrowed its way into every girl’s heart at Griffith Elementary School, and likely every school across America: “I Think I Love You.” We were all collectively smitten with David Cassidy, the ultimate teen idol, the face and voice of a band seemingly crafted for our TV screens and daydreams.
That band was The Partridge Family, a fictional ensemble loosely inspired by the real-life musical family, The Cowsills, who had their own wave of popularity in the late 1960s. Debuting in the fall of 1970, the TV show arrived hot on the heels of “I Think I Love You,” released as a single just a month prior. The premise was simple and appealing: Shirley Jones played Shirley Partridge, a widowed mother of five who, with her musically inclined children, forms a band to improve their family’s finances. In a delightfully improbable television twist, this newly formed family band makes their debut at none other than Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas! Adding to the show’s allure was the casting of Shirley Jones’s real-life stepson, David Cassidy, as Keith Partridge, the eldest son and heartthrob of the family. Rounding out the on-screen family were Susan Dey, Danny Bonaduce, and two younger siblings, creating a perfect family dynamic for early 70s television.
Like countless girls my age, Friday nights were synonymous with tuning into The Partridge Family. It holds a special place in my memory as the inaugural program we watched on our brand-new color television. I vividly recall sitting there, marveling at Shirley Partridge and her musical brood, when the camera zoomed in for an extreme close-up of Shirley Jones’s face. And there it was: bright orange lipstick, practically neon against the new color screen. It was quite a sight! My younger brother, ever the astute observer, exclaimed, “Look at them lips!” And in a moment of comedic timing that only television can provide, the TV sparked and abruptly died. The Partridge Family vanished in a puff of smoke, or rather, an electrical surge. The memory of Shirley Jones’s technicolor lips and our TV’s dramatic demise has been a source of laughter in our family ever since.
While the actors were presented as performers on the show, the reality behind the music was a carefully constructed illusion. With the exception of David Cassidy, the lead vocalist, and Shirley Jones, who contributed backing vocals, the rest of the cast primarily lip-synced to pre-recorded tracks. The catchy 45s and albums that fueled our allowance-funded purchases weren’t actually featuring Susan Dey’s or Danny Bonaduce’s musical talents. Instead, they were the work of anonymous, but undeniably skilled, studio musicians. However, this behind-the-scenes fact held little weight for us devoted fans. Our focus was unwavering: we were there for David Cassidy, and he was always front and center, radiating teen idol charisma.
Even as fifth-grade girls, pre-pubescent and perhaps not fully grasping the complexities of romantic love, we instinctively understood the “pressing, anxious, heart-stopping feeling” that the song captured – that exhilarating anticipation of falling in love, the unspoken confession hanging in the air. We wholeheartedly sang along, each of us secretly nurturing the fantasy that Keith, or rather David, was directing those heartfelt lyrics directly at us. That was the inherent magic of “I Think I Love You”: this impossibly cute heartthrob appeared to be confessing his burgeoning love to me, and in our young hearts, we reciprocated that affection with equal fervor.
David Cassidy in a 1974 portrait by Allan Warren. This image captures the teen idol charisma that captivated audiences and fueled the success of “I Think I Love You.”
In a testament to its undeniable appeal, “I Think I Love You” – a song performed by a fictional band – defied expectations and soared to #1 on the Billboard charts. Its infectious melody and relatable lyrics transcended the screen, becoming a genuine cultural phenomenon. Since 1970, the song’s legacy has continued through numerous cover versions, interpreted by artists ranging from pop icons like Andy Williams and Perry Como to alternative rockers like Paul Westerberg, and even David’s own daughter, Katie Cassidy. David Cassidy himself revisited the song, recording an updated solo version in 2003, demonstrating its enduring place in his repertoire and in popular music history.
For a deeper dive into the world of The Partridge Family, Shirley Jones penned her memoirs in 2014, offering a behind-the-scenes perspective. David Cassidy also shared his experiences in two autobiographies: C’mon, Get Happy: Fear and Loathing on the Partridge Family Bus and Could It Be Forever? My Story. For fans wanting to connect with Cassidy’s legacy, his official website remains a valuable resource. To experience the original hit, The Partridge Family Album, featuring “I Think I Love You,” is readily available. And for those wanting to relive the entire television phenomenon, The Partridge Family: The Complete Series is available on DVD.
While acknowledging that The Partridge Family might not represent the pinnacle of television artistry, and the music might be classified as bubblegum pop at best, the nostalgic pull of “I Think I Love You” remains potent. To this day, I confess to knowing every single lyric and remain ready to enthusiastically perform it on request. My fifth-grade self, completely enthralled by the song and the Partridge Family phenomenon, would undoubtedly approve.
Watch: Relive the magic of The Partridge Family performing “I Think I Love You” in the episode “My Son, the Feminist.”
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Image Credit: 1974 portrait of David Cassidy taken by Allan Warren. Used with permission. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:David_Cassidy_Allan_Warren.jpg.
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