In a career spanning more than six decades, Engelbert Humperdinck has recorded countless love songs. Yet A Time for Us, adapted from the Love Theme of Romeo and Juliet (1968), stands apart. It is not merely a song—it is a cinematic memory, a symbol of love shaped by fate.
When a film theme became a love song
Composed by Nino Rota, the original theme was written as instrumental music for Franco Zeffirelli’s Romeo and Juliet. Its melody quickly transcended the film itself, becoming one of the most recognizable love themes of the 20th century. Once lyrics were added, the song took on new life—and eventually found its way into Engelbert Humperdinck’s repertoire.
Why Engelbert hesitated
Unlike conventional pop ballads, A Time for Us carries emotional weight tied to tragedy and loss. Engelbert has mentioned in interviews that he approached the song with great caution. He felt that singing it incorrectly could strip it of its purity.
Rather than showcasing vocal power, Engelbert chose restraint. His performance is soft, measured, and reflective. That decision made his version resonate deeply with mature audiences who understood the story behind the song—not just as Romeo and Juliet’s tale, but as a universal reflection on love that cannot last.
Not Romeo, not Juliet—just memory
Engelbert did not sing the song as a young lover. He sang it as someone who had lived long enough to understand that some loves exist only in memory. His interpretation feels less like passion and more like acceptance—acceptance that some moments are meant to be brief, yet unforgettable.
Why it still endures
Among countless recordings of A Time for Us, Engelbert Humperdinck’s version is not the most dramatic—but it may be the most intimate. It feels like a quiet conversation with the listener, especially those who have loved, lost, and looked back with bittersweet gratitude.
For many fans, the song no longer belongs solely to Romeo and Juliet. It becomes their own story—the love that once was, and the time that can never return.