This is the Searchers' first single with their new bass guitarist and singer, Frank Allen, who was formerly with Cliff Bennett and the Rebel Rousers.It was the first line-up change in a major group from the Mersey Beat Boom. Some music papers prophesized the end of the group, not being aware that Tony Jackson's voice hadn't been the prominent vocal trademark for the group for more than seven months. But the future - right up to the present day - showed that the decision to recruit Frank and his acceptance was one of the best things that could have happened to the Searchers

The UK release date was September 1964. It came out on Pye 7N-15694, and it entered the charts on September 17th, went to number 3 and stayed in the charts for 12 weeks. The lead singer is Frank Allen, harmony vocal by Mike with back-up vocals by Chris. The flip side is "I'll Be Missing You", mainly sung by Mike supported by Chris. This is an original composition by Chris, who had already sung the lead vocal on a demo version in 1963.
Having a brand new member take lead vocals (which was not essential, the Searchers already having an trademark sound) was a daring experiment - which worked successfully.

“The song we chose between us was When You Walk In The Room, a powerful Jackie DeShannon piece chock full of ingredients that were the hallmarks of a Searchers hit. The simple but effective melody, embellished by the expected harmonies and one of the most memorable of all guitar riffs, could have been tailor-made for us (...)  Not only was I playing on my first single as a Searcher but I also found myself becoming a lead singer, not a natural position for me as someone having a voice that was adequate but without any great merits to speak of. It was at Chris's initial suggestion and with everyone else's agreement that we decided to try doubling the vocals' It was normal for most artistes to double-track, which is the process of having the singer repeat his performance on a separate take in order to give it a texture and body that would be lacking in one voice on its own. The difference this time was that Mike and I sang the lead line together and then proceeded to double both vocals thus giving it twice the power in theory. Because we were using this technique the sound was a tad different from the recordings that had gone before. Mike's voice matched my own very well and in fact throughout much of the record mine tended to cut through more.”    Frank Allen: The Searchers And Me  Castle-upon-Alun 20099, page 157

 “As I recall, our mood at the recording session at Pye's Marble Arch studios was buoyant and happy. Chris and I were the main contributors on the recording. We decided to double-track my vocal and also double-track my l2-string Rick, adding Chris's harmony vocal.”  Mike Pender: The Search For Myself, Malpas 2014, page 68

Musicpapers in 1964 also credited Frank as leadsingsinger together with Mike, but Frank's voice is more in front. Mike has a different memory. The easiest way to find out who is right, is to listen to the single. At least my ears hear Frank clearer than Mike.

lease

still

with

Tony

on

the

cover

below: Record from Sweden, cover was printed in two different colours. The A-Side reached no. 20 in the Swedish charts

left:

two different

pressings from

New Zealand

left: Philippines, below: Italy, When ... only b-side to Love Potion No. 9

UK in

November

1964, coupled

with the last

record with

Tony Jackson.

Entered the

charts in

March 1965,

reached no.

12 and

disappeared

after only two

weeks.

 Israel, Australia and New Zealand used the same cover, slightley different colour in Australia, see below