This week's commentary is on the front page and the latest news box as ever

Some people think that MacArthur Park is one of the worst Singles ever made. I think it is splendid.

Jim Webb wrote it, & it's about the break up of his relationship with Suzy Horton, who later became

related to Linda Ronstadt, by marriage.

 

This is encapsulated in the big ending of the Song, where Richard Harris sings, Someone

left a cake out in the rain, I don't think that I can take it, 'Cause it took so long to bake

it, & I'll never have that recipe again - and then you get the Choir singing 'Oh No!' over

and over. (Some people think the Song is about a cake!).

 

MacArthur Park - Richard Harris (1968)

 

 

And Jim Webb wrote another unusual Song. This was for Glen Campbell, & I think it is

the best thing Glen ever did:,

 

Where's The Playground Susie? - Glen Campbell (1969)

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s17Be3PZA8c

 

 

 

Edited August 19, 201311 yr by zeus555

The lyrics are mad, the production is ever so slightly OTT but I love MacArthur Park.

Suedehead2 - I don't mind that MacArthur Part has an OTT Production. I love dramatic

music, & I think it is great when a Pop Single is made to sound much bigger by sort of

'strapping' it to a Symphony Orchestra - and a backing Choir.

 

Another such OTT Production was Eloise, by Barry Ryan, which was a Global Hit in 1968,

& reached No.2 in the UK. Because he is so pretty, some people forget that his voice is

excellent. It was written by his twin brother, Paul. Like MacArthur Park, it has a slow

part in the middle. The Damned covered it, & took it to No.3 in 1986.

 

Eloise - Barry Ryan (1968)

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WD9Wz7Mt160

Edited August 19, 201311 yr by zeus555

To be honest, 'Eloise' is a song I know pretty well and quite like, but I've no idea what either Paul or Barry Ryan looked like. They were better singers than Richard Harris, to be sure.

 

Legend has it that The Beatles deliberately made 'Hey Jude' [in the original mono mix] 7 minutes and 11 seconds because that was one second longer than 'McArthur Park'.

No, I had no idea what Barry Ryan looked like either but I've always loved Eloise. The Damned cover version was pretty good too. There are some terrific songs with OTT production. Here's another...