From the album; “A Tramp Shining – Richard Harris – “MacArthur Park”
When MacArthur Park, sung by Richard Harris, first came out it became an easy target for ridicule, however coming a year after The Beatles’ Sgt Pepper’s and The Moody Blues’ Days Of Future Passed, this psychedelic swingin’ mind-bender quickly went from ridicule to a track that was held in high esteem,
MacArthur Park” copyright 2014 00individual TLL
EXPERIENCE ROCK HISTORY!
Richard Harris – “MACARTHUR PARK”
from the album, “A Tramp Shining”
00individual has always heard and felt this track as sincere and moving, never to be made fun of, that was too easy; as it was harder to admit to connecting to the depth of robust sincere heartbreaking emotion which Richard Harris achieved and presented honestly and with no tongue-in-cheek attitude whatsoever – a very dramatic and heartfelt portrayal..
The fact that it was released during the height of the psychedelic period only added to the far-out aspects of the lyrics which simply, or complexly, convey the emotions within the break-up of a relationship.
Richard Harris, was a great Irish actor, singer, theatrical producer, film director and writer; known for a rowdy drunken lifestyle, but loved by friends and fellow actors alike for his kind, considerate and gregarious ways, he was a man who lived life to it’s fullest – right up to the end.
This Album Track Gem, which reached #2 in the Billboard Hot 100, is from his debut solo album which was #4 in the Billboard Pop Albums of 1968 – the album and track were well-received and well-liked world-wide.
MacArthur Park is a telling rarity; at nearly seven and a half minutes with lush orchestration, harpsichords and swingin’ ’60s interludes driven by dramatic symbolic psychedelic lyrics and imagery sung mostly in a spoken word style, it stands as a true example of the heights that Psychedelic Pop/Rock’s creativity, through overwhelming acceptance, would and could achieve.
“MACARTHUR PARK”
written, arranged and composed by the highly prolific Jimmy Webb
(Webb is the only artist ever to have received Grammy Awards for music, lyrics, and orchestration.)
Spring was never waiting for us, girl
It ran one step ahead
As we followed in the dance
Between the parted pages and were pressed
In love’s hot, fevered iron
Like a striped pair of pants
MacArthur’s Park is melting in the dark
All the sweet, green icing flowing down
Someone left the cake out in the rain
I don’t think that I can take it
‘Cause it took so long to bake it
And I’ll never have that recipe again, oh noooooo
I recall the yellow cotton dress
Foaming like a wave
On the ground around your knees
Birds like tender babies in your hands
And the old men playing checkers, by the trees
MacArthur’s Park is melting in the dark
All the sweet, green icing flowing down
Someone left the cake out in the rain
I don’t think that I can take it
‘Cause it took so long to bake it
And I’ll never have that recipe again, oh noooooo
(Short instrumental interlude)
There would be another song for me
For I will sing it
There would be another dream for me
Someone will bring it
I will drink the wine while it is warm
And never let you catch me looking at the sun
And after all the loves of my life
After all the loves of my life, you’ll still be the one
I will take my life into my hands and I will use it
I will win the worship in their eyes and I will lose it
I will have the things that I desire
And my passion flow like rivers through the sky
And after all the loves of my life
Oh, after all the loves of my life
I’ll be thinking of you – and wondering why
(Longer instrumental interlude)
MacArthur’s Park is melting in the dark
All the sweet, green icing flowing down
Someone left the cake out in the rain
I don’t think that I can take it
‘Cause it took so long to bake it
And I’ll never have that recipe again
Oh noooooo, o-oh no-ooooo
“MacArthur Park II” copyright 2014 00individual TLL
(Created in Classic ’60’s Mad Men-era Painting Style.)
Click on image for full-screen enjoyment!