Song of the Day - MacArthur Park - Donna Summer

Since Donna Summer was such an icon, I've decided to dedicate a whole week's worth of videos to her memory. Donna Summer, of course, first became famous when she hit the big time during the 70's disco era, but I hate that moniker Disco Queen when it refers to her. Though her brand of disco was famous and enduring, Donna was not just disco. She managed to endure for years after the genre had passed and she kept us entertained with her rich beautiful voice for 30-plus years. If Diana Ross was my first diva, then Donna was my second, and she deserves plenty of accolades from this fan on this blog, so stay tuned for special Song of the Day posts, tidbits, memories and more of the late, great Donna Summer.

"MacArthur Park" is one of Donna's earlier iconic songs, and it was actually a remake of a song written by songwriter Jimmy Webb. It was originally part of a 17-minute long track called "MacArthur Park Suite," which featured bits and pieces of other songs. The record hit the number one spot for three weeks in 1978 and I can remember singing it in the car when I was a young teenager, and always being confused by the 'strange' lyrics. ("Someone left my cake out in the rain" What the heck did that mean?) MacArthur Park was also the name of a bar where I was the house deejay for more than three years, and of course it was the very first song I played on opening night.

So check out this vintage footage of Donna Summer singing "MacArthur Park," which was originally made famous on her fabulous "Live and More" set.

 

  MacArthur Park

Spring was never waiting for us dear

It ran one step ahead

As we followed in the dance

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, nooooo

I recall the yellow cotton dress

Foaming like a wave

On the ground beneath your knees

The birds like tender babies in your hands

And the old men playing chinese 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, nooooo

MacArthur's Park is melting in the dark

All the sweet green icing flowing down

Someone left my cake out in the rain

I don't think that I can take it

'Cause it took so long to make it

And I'll never have that recipe again

Oh, nooooo


Image Source: vinyl surrender

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