‘The Loved One’ was the debut single released by the Melbourne rhythm and blues band The Loved Ones.

The band was formed in October 1965, and was fronted by the charismatic London-born Gerry Humphrys. The band members had a striking mod style and good looks and gained popularity quickly.

Over its short two-year existence, The Loved Ones released five singles, an EP and an album.

‘The Loved One’ was written by Humphrys and fellow band members Ian Clyne and Rob Lovett. It featured a distinctive two-beat hand clap rhythm and repetitive guitar backing; Humphrys’ growling blues-influenced baritone also distinguished The Loved Ones’ music from other local pop acts. The song reached No. 2 on the Go-Set National Top 40 charts.

INXS later recorded the song twice and in 2001, ‘The Loved One’ was No. 6 on the Australasian Performing Right Association's (APRA) list of Top 30 Australian songs of all time.

Watch a music video for the song from 1966 featuring an intro from 3AK DJ Lionel Yorke.