Poll: Who sings your favorite rendition of 'MacArthur Park'?

[tedoll78]

I'm only 25, & I heard it for the very first time this week on NPR.

[Newsjock]

1. The 18-minute version, of course

The full "MacArthur Park Suite." Sing it, Donna.

[tedoll78]

2. After some research online..

I have learned that Dave Barry has declared it one of the worst songs of all time - but I really, really love it! The lyrics are so rich!
I guess that's just another case of me being out of step with the mainstream once again..

[MrScorpio]

3. So tell me...

Why would someone leave the cake out in the rain? WHY?

[tedoll78]

8. The author of the song was on NPR recently..

and confirmed that it was about a broken-up relationship. The cake was the relationship.

"Someone left the cake out in the rain.
And I don't think that I can take it
'cause it took so long to bake it -
and I'll never have the recipe again!
Oh noooooo..."

So obviously, it was an important relationship to him, one that had reached such a big stage - and he thinks that he'll never ever have another relationship that would reach such a level of emotional deepness and meaning:

"After all the loves in my life
I'll be thinking of you
and wondering - whhhhy???"

For the rest of the song, the jist seems basically to be that he'll go on with his life and move on, but that he'll still wonder about that girl who left the cake out in the rain. It's a weird metaphor, but it's at the same time unique (not like most cookie-cutter tripe on the radio these days) and understandable. Also keep in mind that this was written in the 60's, and that the author liked "psychedelic" style that was en vogue then..

[mmm]

11. It is in fact a very touching lyric, I agree.

[charliebrown]

21. Cake out in the rain=Wedding Cake

Stood up at the wedding.

[SOteric]

4. For incredibly small values of 'favourite,' Richard Harris.

[Burma Jones]

5. I like Maynard Ferguson's version

but it's an instrumental

[charliebrown]

22. I voted Harris, But thank you for making me think

Maynards version is by far the best!!!!

[earthside]

6. Sheeesh!

My god, what is wrong with you people?

The ONLY authentic (and best) version of 'MacArthur Park' was sung by Anthony Newley!

[mmm]

10. Jolly Good! Newley sure could sing when he wanted to.

I think it's a cool song.

[Alopenia]

7. This is like asking my favorite Elton John lyrics

Talk about STOOPID lyrics 'Someone left the cake out in the rain" I'm sorry. I only deal in songs whose lyrics have discernible meaning.

[supernova]

9. "I don't think that I can take it..

'Cause it took so long to baaaakkkke it..
And I'll neeever haaaave that reccccipe aggggaaaaaaiiiinnnnn...."

:wtf: does that mean?

[tedoll78]

12. It's a metaphor for his ended relationship.

He'd baked-up a magnificent partnership with this young woman, and it was ruined by the breakup. (See above.)

[earthside]

13. So how long have you hated ...

... rock and roll?

:silly:

[Alopenia]

15. I don't hate rock and roll

I just dislike stupid nonsensical drug-induced lyrics.

[JVS]

14. A mute!

[BlueEyedSon]

16. Fifth Dimension

Live album, 1971

[ConcernedCanuk]

19. Did they do the 45 single too -

.
.

I had one,

the 45,

all I can remember is the label was red - -

LOoooooooooong time ago y'know ?

[CanuckAmok]

17. I like the "Richard Harris" version on SCTV.

"Harris" (I think it was Dave Thomas) singing the entire version, with a woman on stage, who is inexplicably seated on a folding chair, reading a paperback.

As "Harris" gets near the crescendo, the woman bookmarks her page, calmly stands up, and walks tyo the mic, just in time to take over the high note for "Harris": "OHHHHHHH NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!"

[starroute]

18. Weird Al -- Jurassic Park

Clearly superior to the original.

Jurassic Park is frightening in the dark
All the dinosaurs are running wild
Someone shut the fence off in the rain
I admit it's kinda eerie
But this proves my chaos theory
And I don't think I'll be coming back again
Oh no

[tedoll78]

20. Haha!

Wow - the man's still kickin' parody butt after all these years, hehe..

[LoZoccolo]

24. I thought it was funny that it was from the point-of-view...

...of the Jeff Goldblum character - he had curly hair like him!

[leftofthedial]

23. whoever is farthest away

and out of earshot.

I LOVE Jimmy Webb. I HATE that so-called "song."

[GoddessOfGuinness]

25. Marcel Marceau

I especially love the way he mimes the bit about leaving the cake out in the rain.

[BigMcLargehuge]

36. BWAAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!!!!!!!!

man that hot coffee stings in the sinuses!!!!

How about a duet of the song by Shields and Yarnell?

[tedoll78]

26. BUMP

For the daytime crowd.

[undergroundrailroad]

27. The Four Tops (A Motown Group) are slamming on 'MacArthur's Park'!

[Whitacre D_WI]

Even Levi Stubbs couldn't make that song good.

They sure did tear up "If I Had a Hammer" live at the Roostertail, though.

Damn, "Four Tops Live" is a good album.

[Whitacre D_WI]

28. Pahusacheta Nahasapeemapetilon.

"Tonight, I'll be playing 'MacArthur Park' on the tablas. No, I am serious."

[CanuckAmok]

35. LOL!

n/t

[terrya]

29. Sinatra did a version of this????!!!???

That sounds almost as heinous as his version of "Send in the Clowns"

Terry

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[joeybee12]

31. How the hell is Harris beating Donna Summer???????

Hers is the only good version!!!

Has the poll been freeped?????????????????

[1monster]

34. Maybe it depends on how old you were when you heard it first and which

version you heard first. I loved the Richard Harris version...

(The same for THE FIRST CUT IS THE DEEPEST ... a silly song, but Rod Stewart and Sheila Crow (or whatever her name is) did really bad renditions of it. The best one was by the original back in the early seventies, Keith somebody or other...

It is rare that I like a cover better than the original. It happens (I much prefer Judy Collins version of DESPERARDO), but very rarely.

[joeybee12]

37. I see your point, however....

...I recall the original version by Richard Harris, and I disliked it even as a kid!

I think it's a really bad song--some of the stupidest lyrics ever recorded, and even when I listen to Donna's version, I can still tell the words are incredibly dumb--but what a beat!!!!!!!!

[NightTrain]

32. You forgot the Four Tops and Waylon Jennings.

Not that it matters to me. I can't stand that fucking song no matter who sings it! :puke:

[philosophie_en_rose]

33. Pahusacheta Nahasapeemapetilon