The 10 Best Captain and Tennille Songs and the Stories Behind Them

What is Captain and Tennille's most famous song?

"Love Will Keep Us Together" is Captain and Tennille's most famous song: a number one in 1975 that won the Grammy for Record of the Year and was Billboard's biggest hit of the year. Their other number one, "Do That to Me One More Time", came in 1979, and "Muskrat Love", "Lonely Night (Angel Face)", "The Way I Want to Touch You" and "Shop Around" all reached the top five.

Captain and Tennille's greatest hits

1. "Love Will Keep Us Together", 1975: the Neil Sedaka and Howard Greenfield song that made them stars.
2. "Do That to Me One More Time", 1979: a smooth, romantic number one written by Toni Tennille.
3. "Lonely Night (Angel Face)", 1976: a bouncy number three hit, another Neil Sedaka song.
4. "The Way I Want to Touch You", 1975: a tender ballad written by Tennille, and a number four hit.
5. "Muskrat Love", 1976: a gentle, quirky love song that reached number four.
6. "Shop Around", 1976: their number four version of the Miracles classic.
7. "You Never Done It Like That", 1978: a funky top ten single.
8. "Por Amor Viviremos", 1975: the Spanish-language version of "Love Will Keep Us Together".

More Captain and Tennille songs

9. "Can't Stop Dancin'", 1977: an upbeat single from Come In from the Rain.
10. "Come In from the Rain", 1977: their version of a Melissa Manchester and Carole Bayer Sager song.

Who were Captain and Tennille?

Daryl Dragon was a keyboard player in the Beach Boys' touring band, where Mike Love nicknamed him Captain Keyboard, and the son of the conductor Carmen Dragon. Toni Tennille was a singer and songwriter working in theater in Los Angeles. They met when Tennille's stage show needed a keyboardist, he recommended her to the Beach Boys, who hired her as a touring musician, and the two began performing as a duo. They married in 1975, the year "Love Will Keep Us Together" made them one of the biggest acts in America.

The story behind Love Will Keep Us Together

Neil Sedaka wrote "Love Will Keep Us Together" with his longtime partner Howard Greenfield and recorded it himself in 1973. Captain and Tennille's bright, keyboard-driven version spent four weeks at number one in 1975, won the Grammy for Record of the Year, and was the top song of the year on Billboard. At the end of the record, Tennille sings a quick tribute to Sedaka, who was enjoying his own comeback at the time. For more of his songs, see our Neil Sedaka songs.

The Captain and Tennille sound

Their records were built on two strengths: Toni Tennille's warm, versatile voice, often stacked into rich harmonies, and Daryl Dragon's keyboards and arrangements, which mixed piano, organ and early synthesizers with a polished studio sound. Tennille also wrote two of their biggest hits, "The Way I Want to Touch You" and "Do That to Me One More Time", while Dragon's playful synth parts gave songs like "Love Will Keep Us Together" and "Muskrat Love" their signature touches.

Muskrat Love

"Muskrat Love" was written by the Texas songwriter Willis Alan Ramsey and recorded by the band America before Captain and Tennille made it a hit in 1976, with Dragon's synthesizers imitating the sounds of two muskrats in love. It became one of the most talked-about songs of the decade, and they performed it at the White House for President Ford and Queen Elizabeth II during the Bicentennial year.

TV and later years

At the height of their fame they hosted The Captain and Tennille, a variety show on ABC in 1976 and 1977. Tennille also sang backing vocals for other artists, including Elton John and Pink Floyd on The Wall. Their last number one, "Do That to Me One More Time", came in 1979. The couple divorced in 2014 after 39 years of marriage, and Daryl Dragon died on January 2, 2019, with Tennille at his side.

Captain and Tennille songs for a wedding or an anniversary

"Love Will Keep Us Together" is a joyful choice for a ceremony exit or an anniversary party, and "Do That to Me One More Time" and "The Way I Want to Touch You" are lovely slow dances for a couple who grew up in the 70s. For more, see our old love songs and 70s disco songs.

Captain and Tennille songs for a 70s party or a road trip

For a 70s-themed party or a sunny drive, play "Love Will Keep Us Together", "Shop Around", "Lonely Night (Angel Face)" and "You Never Done It Like That", then slow things down with "Do That to Me One More Time". Guests of every age will recognize the hits and sing along. For more, see our road trip songs.

More 70s pop

If you love Captain and Tennille, explore our Christine McVie songs, Dan Fogelberg songs and top songs of 1985 for the decade that followed.

A love song for the two of you

Captain and Tennille sang about a love that lasts. A personalized song can tell your own love story: your names, how you met and the moments that kept you together, with a bright 70s pop or soft rock sound. It makes a sweet anniversary or wedding gift.

How to create a personalized love song

1. Choose a style from 14 genres: pop, acoustic, jazz and more.
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5. Listen to 4 free 45-second previews and choose your favorite.

The full 3 to 4 minute song costs $35.99, or $40.99 for Premium with four full versions and editable lyrics. You get the MP3, a gift page and the lyrics as a PDF.

Give your love story its own song: create a song and hear four previews for free.