Adventures Through The Mines Of Mellow Gold 16
Welcome back! Wednesday means only one thing – more Adventures Through The Mines Of Mellow Gold! Let’s get feminine! No, seriously: let’s get feminine.
Mary MacGregor – Torn Between Two Lovers (download)
As I’m sure you’ve noticed, we’ve not had many women featured in Adventures Through The Mines Of Mellow Gold. (If memory serves correctly, the only woman we’ve covered has been Lauren Wood.) There’s a reason for this.
Mellow Gold is pretty much a Boys’ Club.
I’m pretty sure you’ll agree with me, but in case you don’t, or you’re a woman and you’re offended by such a thought (why, I’d have no clue), hear me out: if we go back to our original thoughts on what defines a Mellow Gold song, which I’ve always felt is well-summarized from Mike’s statement from a while ago: they are often (and ideally) songs that contain “some variation on the theme of “I love you so much that I will never bother you again” or “come on baby, just allow me to be in your beatific presence and I will not even think of putting any kind of sexual move on you. I promise.””
In short, what self-respecting woman would lower herself to the level of Mellow Gold men?
Sure, there are always exceptions, and I encourage you to throw ’em up in the comments. Anyway, not so long ago, Scraps asked for a shout-out for some Mellow Women, and named a few songs – including “Torn Between Two Lovers.” Although it does encompass the classic ’70s Mellow Sound quite well, the lyrics are not really Mellow Gold. I think it’s worth covering, though, and I think I even know what would tip it over the edge. First, let’s tell you about Mary MacGregor.
Already a pianist and a singer from a young age, Mary MacGregor was given her first guitar as a high school graduation present – her first introduction to the wonderful yet highly dangerous and rebellious world of…folk music. She took the guitar to college with her, where she joined a folk duo and did the coffeehouse thing. One gig led to another, and before she knew it, she was touring around the country with a number of bands. She auditioned for a backing vocal spot for Peter Yarrow, of Peter, Paul and Mary. Peter recorded her singing “Torn Between Two Lovers,” which was picked up by Ariola Records.
(Can I just pause here and say: ARIOLA RECORDS? I mean, seriously, we couldn’t come up with a better name for this record company? I know the spelling is off, but….Ariola Records?) (I know I’ve just invited a history of Ariola Records in the comments.)
Anyhoo, “Torn Between Two Lovers” entered the Top 10 nearly thirty years ago to this week – January 22, 1977 – and topped the Hot 100 for two weeks. It remained on the Top 10 through the end of March. It also topped the AC charts, and for Mary, it…well, let’s hear her describe it, courtesy of her website:
During the next four years I moved to LA, recorded 4 albums, performed on 37 television shows, had another top ten single, signed with Ariola records, and then when it folded, got a recording contract with RSO Records, made 3 trips to Hong Kong, with two of those going on to other points in the Far East and Australia, performed with many other established and popular entertainers, was awarded “New Female Artist” by Billboard Magazine in 1978, and, mostly, traveled all over the US and South America, (this time mostly on planes). In November of 1980 I competed in The Yamaha World Popular Song Festival in Tokyo, Japan, and won the two top prizes for “Best Song” and “Best Performance”. It was a magical, wild and frightening roller coaster ride. I called it my “crash course” in the music business.
(She doesn’t mention that “Torn Between Two Lovers” also inspired a movie.)
MacGregor wasn’t one for stardom. She didn’t like the way her career consumed her life. Although she did have some other minor hits, she eventually moved out of the spotlight. As you can see by her website, she does still perform from time to time.
Okay, enough history. Time to make fun of the song.
Usually I try to analyze these songs for both their music and words. Well, musically, there ain’t a hell of a lot going on here. Lyrically, however….hoo boy. Do yourself a favor and crank up “Torn Between Too Lovers” (not too loud, unless you’re okay with rocks being thrown at you from passersby), and let’s go over these lyrics together as we listen, okay? And away we go!
There are times when a woman
Has to say what’s on her mind
Even though she knows how much it’s gonna hurt
Okay, pretty typical stuff here. Vague, generalized statement. Keep talkin’.
Before I say another word
Let me tell you, I love you
Okay, now I’m going to play the role of the guy she’s talking to: Uh oh. Nothing good can come of this.
Let me hold you close and say these words
As gently as I can
Hmmm. Maybe it won’t be so bad. She wants to hold me close and say something gently. That’s sweet, right?
There’s been another man
That I’ve needed and I’ve loved
But that doesn’t mean I love you less
(deer in headlights) WHAT THE FUCK??
And he knows he can’t possess me
And he knows he never will
Wait wait wait…I know you’re saying this “gently” and all, but…am I crazy, or did you just flat-out insult me? Are you saying I’m possessive? Couldn’t you just dump me and not tell me all of this? (my wife thinks that I’m reading this line wrong, but screw her, this is my website.)
There’s just this empty place inside of me
That only he can fill
Holy shit! Holy shit, holy shit, holy shit. Do you see now why this song is so wonderful? There are tons of songs about this kind of subject – loving two people for different reasons and not knowing exactly what to do – but how often, I ask you, is the song sung directly to the guy that’s losing? That’s classic, my friends. CLASSIC!
Here comes the chorus!
Torn between two lovers
Feeling like a fool
Loving both of you
Is breaking all the rules
Here’s how I see this song: I see it as a sketch from a comedy show, played as straight as possible. She’s dropping this bomb on him, then suddenly turns away, looks out into the night sky, and goes all dramatic with the chorus, and the humor is that she’s obviously not really torn. How can she be fucking torn between two lovers? She pretty much said that Guy #1’s got nothin’!
On to Verse #2!
You mustn’t think you’ve failed me
Just because there’s someone else
Oh no? Because I’m pretty sure you just said, and I quote: “There’s just this empty place inside of me that only he can fill.” I don’t know if that’s an emotional thing, or you’re literally talking about your vagina, or what, but if that’s not a perfect example of failure…
You were the first real love I ever had
Oh, great consolation. I’ll think of that as I’m sitting in the garage with carbon monoxide slowly filling my lungs.
And all the things I ever said
I swear they still are true
For no one else can have the part of me I gave to you
What the hell part is she talking about? If I didn’t get the cooter, what did I get? The boobs? Is it the boobs? I probably got the elbow or something. Jesus.
Back to the chorus. She turns away. The audience goes wild. Wild!
Torn between two lovers
Feeling like a fool
Loving both of you
Is breaking all the rules
What, you think it can’t get better? Verse 3, bitches!
I couldn’t really blame you
If you turned and walked away
Oh, that’s kind of you. Thanks for not blaming me for walking away after you told me – straight out – that you have the mist in your eyes from the smoke of a distant really fucking close fire.
But with everything I feel inside
I’m asking you to stay
?!?!?!?!?!?!???!
??!?!?!?!?!?!?!?
Do you guys see my jaw dropping??
And, since comedy is best in threes, the guy is left to ponder such a ridiculous statement while she faces the audience and heads back to the chorus a third time:
Torn between two lovers
Feeling like a fool
Loving both of you
Is breaking all the rules
I should be a director. I’ve just created a great music video/comedy sketch. I mean, it’s way better than MacGregor’s performance on American Bandstand, which leaves me wondering if she even knew what the song was about at the time (check out her blank stare!):
[youtube]Mu_dTjsMALc[/youtube]
Here’s why this song can’t possibly be Mellow Gold: this woman is flat-out admitting she’s a cheating slut, that guy #1 can’t fulfill her in any way, shape or form, yet she’s asking him to stay. In Mellow Gold, we have rules. Like you guys said last week, vibe trumps guitars, but in addition, in Mellow Gold, the singer cannot have the upper hand. (This is why Sanford-Townsend is on the border. Yeah, the guy is being cheated on, but “don’t let the screen door hit you on your way out” shows he’s got the situation under control. I bet you had no clue that this much analysis went into Mellow Gold.)
But, you know…we could turn this song into a Mellow Gold song. Hopefully you know where I’m going with this.
What if the song was sung from the point-of-view of Guy #1…to the woman, and the audience?
There are times when a woman
Has to say what’s on her mind
Even though she knows how much it’s gonna hurt
Before you say another word
Won’t you tell me you love me
Please just hold me close and say the words
As gently as you can
There’s been another man
That you’ve needed and you’ve loved
But that doesn’t mean you love me any less
And he knows he can’t possess you
And he knows he never will
There’s just this empty place inside of you
That only he can fill
Torn between two lovers
Feeling like a fool
Loving both of us
Is breaking all the rules
Now that, my friends, is pathetic. THAT’S Mellow Gold. Don’t pretend you can’t hear Randy VanWarmer singing this one! And of course, because it’s Mellow Gold…the guy stayed with her. He got approximately one Cool Night a week.
Actually, there is one reason why the original IS Mellow Gold: Peter Yarrow wrote it. PETER YARROW! A GUY! Any guy who would write such a song….well, I don’t need to finish that statement, do I?
Will another woman do some bitch-slapping next week? Will we witness the emasculation of yet another male? You’ll have to come back next week for another Adventure Through The Mines Of Mellow Gold to find out!
January 17th, 2007 at 11:59 am
Hi Jason. I’ll confess that I actually WAS wondering why more female artists hadn’t been featured here, but I think you just made a strong case against it! ha ha. I’ve always disliked this song, but your role playing with the lyrics made sitting through it again worthwhile. Thanks for the laugh!
BTW, I think this may have been suggested already, but Maxine Nightingale’s “Lead Me On” strikes me as having characteristics of Mellow Gold.
Good post!
January 17th, 2007 at 1:24 pm
From the polyamorous viewpoint, I take minor umbrage ("oh, sure! take all our umbrage!") at the concept that she can only be a "cheating slut," but I have my own objections to the song, along the lines of: "Look, bitch, you don’t just spring this on him as a fait accompli, and expect him to just accept it happily. That’s a surefire way to have your partner say, ‘I’m out of here!’ And even if he doesn’t leave now, do you think he’ll ever trust you again? Not after you’ve told him that you’ve been hiding things from him of that level of importance!"But that’s how I read the song — as someone who’s not willing to be honest with her love, but expects to be forgiven because she really wants it, regardless of the betrayal of trust of the other parties involved. And what, exactly, has she told the other guy? Or has she yet? Does he get this sung to him tomorrow?
January 17th, 2007 at 1:24 pm
Awesome. I laughed out loud.
This is similar to the explanation I once heard about why there aren’t more women power-poppers. The reason is that much power pop explores Mellow Gold lyrical themes, albeit with a pleasing Big Star guitar crunch. As much as I love the Shoes, for example, so many of their songs have to do with admiring women from afar while, at the same time, wanting to "save" them from being such slutty bitches who could be with a nice guy like…oh, the singer, for example! You end up wondering what kind of woman would date such a codependent, controlling dude.
January 17th, 2007 at 1:52 pm
Wow. Wow. Just wow.
I’ve always known this song but never bothered with the lyrics, while frantically racing to turn the radio dial.
There has only been one song more pointedly direct and confused: "U Stink But I Love U" by Billy And The Boingers (a/k/a Deathtongue, a/k/a Mucky Pup)
This is like a woman taking a switchblade to your testicles… Through Song!!
Worse that it’s a song written by the dude who wrote Puff The Magic Dragon!!!
EXCLAIMATION POINTS ROCK!!!!!
DwD
January 17th, 2007 at 1:58 pm
Good point, Mike. Melllow gold and power pop are something like fraternal twins. A year or so ago I read a quote from Alex Chilton in which he said (I’m paraphrasing here), "Big Star’s old albums seem to be discovered these days by guys who are just starting college and feeling sorry for themselves." Pretty much true in my case, although I did discover Big Star one year before college via Alex Chilton solo albums. But in my sophomore year I discovered Todd Rundgren’s Something/Anything?, which contains power pop ("Couldn’t I Just Tell You" and "Slut," which became a Big Star concert staple once they reunited in the ’90s) and borderline mellow gold ("Hello It’s Me," "Torch Song," "It Wouldn’t Have Made Any Difference," "Cold Morning Light")! I was in self-pity heaven.
I like that McGregor is proud of her "New Female Artist" honor. Not "Best," mind you — just "New." I’ve won "New Employee" at work several times throughout my career, and I have to tell you, it’s pretty exciting for the first week or so.
Great write-up once again, Jason.
January 17th, 2007 at 2:56 pm
O.M.G! This song is one I have heard so many times, it used to literally make me feel sick to my stomach. During this time period, I had to ride the bus home from school, in a rural area, and I lived at the end of the line. Our bus driver used to play AM radio and I heard my FILL of this song. Just thinking about it gives me that 45-minutes-in-the-schoolbus-back-seat feeling. All the songs from this time period give me the same feeling. There was Englebert Humperdinck, Captain & Tennille, Leo Sayer, Fat Elvis — ugggh. I can hear them all. Through that tinny, round speaker at the top of the bus. My stomach. Okay, new paragraph: hey Velma, you hit it right on the head, and I’ll go one step further: she wants him to forgive her, because she’s being honest NOW. It’s a twisted, nonsensical feminist anthem, gone wrong. And Jason, when guy #1 can’t fulfill her in any way, yet she’s asking him to stay, you have to remember that he’s probably her sugar daddy. Kind of like the slut in the Eagles’ Lyin’ Eyes. She might need her fulfillment from her lover, but she knows where her bread is buttered. And isn’t the 70’s feminist credo basically ‘walk like a man?’ [nod]
January 17th, 2007 at 2:58 pm
So she lets some other dude park his Chevy in her Van-Warmer, and then she has the ovaries to go and tell her steady? Not only *tell* him, but follow up with the fact there ain’t shit he — or she, for that matter — can do about it?
Dude, this isn’t Mellow Gold – it’s Mellow Rumplestiltskin. Every spin of this record launched a score of sensitive cuckolds into fits of writing their own whiny, golden screeds, which they unleashed upon the public, who in turn decides these songwriters were wussies, so they (the female half, anyway) rededicated themselves to getting their “spaces” filled by other, manlier men, after which they blabbed about it, which depressed the mellow men enough to write MORE mellow gold, etc. etc. etc., Jason Hare etc. Mines of Mellow Gold.
We should be thanking this woman.
January 17th, 2007 at 3:36 pm
There aren’t many songs I have outright hatred for, but this is one.
January 17th, 2007 at 3:41 pm
"Just thinking about it gives me that 45-minutes-in-the-schoolbus-back-seat feeling."
Backseat of any vehicle = MELLOW GOLD!
I wonder if Peter Yarrow wrote down his original lyrics on paper, realized they sounded sexist and self-pitying, and then decided to change the perspective to a woman’s and see if he could find a female singer to record it for him. You’re a sly devil, Peter!
January 17th, 2007 at 6:53 pm
Jason, very funny stuff. I was so perplexed to see a woman’s perspective on Mellow Gold that for a moment I thought I was in the wrong place. But then I was intrigued by your take on Guy #1’s perspective – you’re right, it IS Mellow Gold. This in turn led me to do add some music to your alternative lyrics, and all of a sudden that’s how I spent an entire evening. Yup, I’m a sad case. Of course, now I’m about to share the result with those of you who dare (oh, dear, I know). I put on my best Michael Franks-impersonation and added some smooth background music. Please, I present to you: guy #1.
January 17th, 2007 at 7:58 pm
(wild fucking applause)
Holy shit, Terje. Once again, you blow my mind. Unbelievable harmonies, great use of the "What A Fool Believes"-esque piano riff, and the ending is the ending of a man who just realized what the hell he’s singing.
These comments from everyone are getting better and better every week. They’re way better than the posts themselves. I’ve laughed at all of them.
January 17th, 2007 at 10:33 pm
The scary thing is I had the same 45-minutes-in-a-school-bus experience with this and many songs of its ilk…but I grew up in the early 90s. It seems like so many baby boomers (read: my parents and school officials) just stopped listening to music around 1982.
January 17th, 2007 at 10:48 pm
Just be glad that Terje didn’t come up with a logo for Ariola Records.
January 17th, 2007 at 11:32 pm
"Ariola Records – Sharing the tit with every man in town, one song at a time"
January 18th, 2007 at 8:38 am
I’ve heard this song approximately 1,438 times, and this is the first time I’ve enjoyed it. Great job, Jason – and commentors.How about Maureen McGovern’s "The Morning After"? Would that qualify as female Mellow Gold?
January 18th, 2007 at 9:09 am
It’s funny that you mention McGovern, because for a long time I thought McGovern sang “Torn Between Two Lovers.”
In addition to “The Morning After,” there’s gotta be other McGovern tune contenders …. wasn’t she also on The Towering Inferno soundtrack? and then we’d have Mellow Gold, The Oscar Edition ….
January 18th, 2007 at 9:20 am
I think "The Morning After" was the soundtrack tune (The Poseidon Adventure, wasn’t it?). My nomination for a future Mellow Gold post: Dr. Hook’s "Sharing The Night Together." It is the archetypal track of its type – the entire lyric is about some dude playing sensitive to get some chick into bed. Thing is, he knows he’s a jerk and he’s trying to use it to his advantage! "If I seem to come on too strong/I hope that you will understand/I say these things because I’d like to know If you’re as lonely as I am." Meanwhile, he acts like he’s doing this poor (and no doubt annoyed) woman a favor by blessing her with his company. You know he used this same come-on at this same last weekend. Ah, yeah; all right.
January 18th, 2007 at 9:21 am
Ah yes. Maureen McGovern – the voice that launched a thousand telethons.
January 18th, 2007 at 9:22 am
(bowing)Jason, thanks a lot. I didn’t hate the song until I spent a couple of hours with it yesterday. Now I’ll probably never play it again.Bob, I would never do that (even though I must say, it tickles my imagination)
January 18th, 2007 at 9:25 am
Good call on the Dr. Hook song, Mike. I also have his song "A Little Bit More" in the queue.
January 18th, 2007 at 10:42 am
How about Maureen McGovern’s "The Morning After"?
There is an entire South Park episode based around how horribly, soul suckingly emasculating that song is.
January 18th, 2007 at 12:20 pm
Adventures Through the Mines of Mellow Gold #6 — “It Might Be You” from “Tootsie” and “Arthur’s Theme (Best That You Can Do)” from “Arthur” — was the first Oscar edition of this column. Bring on the second!
Great work, Terje! Now I’d like to hear you write a Michael Franks-type song, with at least two references to French Impressionist painters. Have you ever heard his theme song for the Al Pacino bomb “Author! Author!,” which was probably considered to be an Oscar contender until people actually saw it. I think Alan and Marilyn Bergman, the people behind “It Might Be You,” wrote the song, “Come Home to You,” and it features lyrics Franks would probably never think of writing himself, e.g. “Coming home to you is like coming home to milk and cookies.” But the song does have a memorable lite melody, and I love Franks’s voice. Sadly, I don’t think the song was ever released on an album, so you’ll have to put the movie in your Netflix queue if you want to hear it.
January 18th, 2007 at 12:30 pm
You’re mean, Robert. ;)
January 18th, 2007 at 12:36 pm
I second the motion on “Sharing the Night Together.” I heard it on the Muzak system at the drug store the other day and immediately thought of Jason Hare. Go figure.
By the way, Dr. Hook is a “them,” not a “him.” And they’re pure Mellow Gold all the way.
January 18th, 2007 at 12:39 pm
I suppose nobody wants to know this–but Mary Macgregor actually hit the Top 40 a second time (for one week in October 1979) with a song called “Good Friend.” It was–amazingly enough–even more bland than “Torn Between Two Lovers.” It does, however, contain the quintessentially Mellow-Gold opening, “If you let me/I could be your good friend/I know that if you let me/We could walk together.” As I type, I can hear M-Mac’s earnestly blank whine in my head, and I’m afraid it will be there all afternoon now.
January 18th, 2007 at 1:25 pm
Robert, maybe I’ll see your offer and raise you a nod to Brazil and a classic movie reference. All in good time, though. Never knew about the theme song from "Author! Author!" Franks singing Bergman & Bergman? Interesting for sure – I can’t imagine him singing anything not written by himself… Browsing the web just now suggests it’s not as magic as it could’ve been (mmm, could it have been?)… Btw., did y’all know there’s a picture of Robbie Dupree on Michael Franks’ homepage, with a puppy. (just trying to keep the Dupree thread alive here:))
January 18th, 2007 at 2:33 pm
I had to finish what I started – no matter what pain I had to go though. I added a version of the second verse and another chorus. The last verse was just too confusing, so I left it out. Here it is: the full version, guy #1. Now, how about someone doing guy #2?
January 18th, 2007 at 3:58 pm
“You’re mean, Robert. ;)”
Because I mentioned a song about milk and cookies that I can’t provide? I don’t blame you if you’re mad. But it’s out there in cyberspace somewhere, I bet. And I should note that Franks did write a song called “When the Cookie Jar Is Empty,” but it’s not like the Bergmans’ song about milk and cookies.
January 18th, 2007 at 4:43 pm
Hi Jason-I just discovered your Mellow Gold (and Chart Attack) posts last week, and I’ve been enjoying them immensely (mostly because I’ve always enjoyed this schlocky stuff). Did you know there was a 2-disc set called "Mellow Gold" from the early 90s that used to be advertised on television? ("40 original hits by the original artists…just listen!") I should scan the cover in and email it to you-it’s a keeper.The lyrics of this song are completely atrocious, and I can’t help but think Peter Yarrow was indeed referring to guy #2 filling a certain physical void. It’s more fun to imagine it that way anyway.As for the Maureen McGovern tracks mentioned here in the comments, BOTH of them were from movies (and nominated for an Oscar): "The Morning After" was from ‘The Poseidon Adventure’, and since that was such a huge success, they had her return to sing "We May Never Love Like This Again" for ‘The Towering Inferno’ (which she also is seen singing in the film).Lastly, I nominate Nicolette Larson’s "Lotta Love" as prime female sung Mellow Gold….
January 18th, 2007 at 4:45 pm
Oh, and Mary MacGregor’s follow-up hit "Good Friend" was from the soundtrack to the Bill Murray film ‘Meatballs’.
January 18th, 2007 at 4:55 pm
Ooooh, “Lotta Love” — good choice!
January 18th, 2007 at 5:08 pm
Welcome, Pete. I think you’re going to fit in juuuuuuust fine here. :D
January 18th, 2007 at 5:14 pm
“Lotta Love” was written for Larson by by Neil Young, wasn’t it?
January 18th, 2007 at 5:21 pm
Oh, and here’s the most I could find about “Come Home to You” on the Internet, courtesy of http://cinebomb.wordpress.com/author-author/:
Oh, and don’t even get me started on the music. Don’t do it, because I’ll probably go on all day. Alright, you asked for it, people. The movie begins with the opening credits and a tracking shot of this really quaint cityscape painting, all set to a song called “Come Home to You.†All I have to say is, screw you Alan and Marilyn Bergman for writing this tripe, and another screw to Michael Franks for actually recording it for future use. This song will make you vomit. It will make you vomit candy canes and sugar plums and pictures from your childhood where you’re smearing birthday cake on your little rosy-cheeked baby face. It is That Ridiculously Cute.
January 18th, 2007 at 5:28 pm
Now, that’s mean. I hope no one would ever write something like that about my music.
January 18th, 2007 at 5:57 pm
Jeez.. you miss a day.. you miss a lot!
It’s hard to imagine a more vapid performer than McGregor. Good call on "Good Friend" – that was indeed her other top 40 hit (I think it was 39 for a week) from "Meatballs".
I was thinking about the female mellow gold, too – I’m glad Pete mentioned Nicolette Larson – she may be one of the rare ones. Besides "Lotta Love", she hit with a duet with some McDonald guy the next year..
Another contender (besides Carly and Ronstadt): Karla Bonoff, who was uber sensitive on the FM dial, even if she didn’t have any big hits..
Still enjoying the "Michael Franks song with references to two French impressionist painters" line.. Classic!
January 18th, 2007 at 6:12 pm
Does anyone else find it frightening that such an in depth discussion is taking place on the merits of Mary McGregor?!?This posting may be more than anyone has written about here since 1977!
January 18th, 2007 at 7:03 pm
Actually, Karla Bonoff had a top 20 hit with “Personally” in 1982. And it’s a kick-ass soft-rock tune. If that’s even possible.
And Pete: I, too, own the “Mellow Gold” double-CD!
January 18th, 2007 at 9:15 pm
woofpop,
Did … did you just say Carly Simon was Mellow Gold? … (furrows brow) … I mean, MAYBE the lyrics in “Jesse,” or the production value of “Nobody Does It Better,” but … I dunno. I give her a lot more credibility. And musicianship.
I dunno.
January 18th, 2007 at 11:22 pm
Personally by Karla Bonhoff.
Has there ever been a creepier double entendre in song? Yeah, she’s sending the message personally, but in fact, she’s inviting his one-eyed mailman to drop a delivery in her mailbox.
I mean, damn.
DwD
January 19th, 2007 at 12:49 am
So glad to see I’m not the only one who owns the Mellow Gold collection! I really could do without "Kokomo" being on there, as I just consider that bad 80s more than mellow gold, but it was a huge hit.Carly did indeed have fantastic musicianship/song craft, but she definitely has some mellow gold-esque things in her catalog, the prime one being "You Belong to Me" cowritten with a certain guy known around these parts as "McD"…."Lotta Love" is a cover of a Neil Young song, but it wasn’t written expressly for her. She sang backing vocals on a ton of albums in the 70s, including Young’s.And while I don’t recall "Personally", I am a fan of Karla’s song "Somebody’s Eyes" from the movie ‘Footloose’.
January 19th, 2007 at 10:02 am
Hey, has "I’ve never been to me" been looked at? That may qualify as mellow gold. I used to love that song as a child.
Oh and to be completely new-age-y (which a lot of the mellow gold stuff is in a way)–
Maybe MacGregor is saying: "I want both of you, can I keep you both, please? I’ll understand if you don’t want to be a threesome, but I love you both, and I don’t know how to choose."
Remember–this was the era before AIDS, when free love and swinging was all the rage!
January 19th, 2007 at 10:23 am
Frankly, honestly, truly, “Personally” is awful. And the only thing worse on planet Earth is “I’ve Never Been To Me.” So … freakin … bad. It’s an earworm that shits. And now I CAN’T GET IT OUT OF MY HEAD!
I never really put either song in Mellow Gold territory, though … I don’t know why. To me, they belong in that larger camp of songs that were holdovers from the early 70s squaresville music (Starland Vocal Band, The Association, etc.) that I’d call “A.M. Gold.”
Too cheesy and calculated to be the sincere, heartfelt dreck of Mellow Gold.
But that’s just me.
January 19th, 2007 at 11:14 am
Would Charlie Dore’s "Pilot of the Airwaves" count as female mellow gold?
January 19th, 2007 at 11:20 am
David,
Carly Simon is one of the architects of mellow gold. "That’s the Way I’ve Always Heard It Should Be" is maybe the prototype song. And, as Pete mentioned "You Belong To Me" is a prime candidate, too. Plese don’t confuse mellowness with a lack of musicianship – that is far from the case in most of these situations. But, I will definitely agree with you about "I’ve Never Been To Me" – a song that is so profoundly bad on so many levels.
January 19th, 2007 at 11:21 am
Oh man, Andrew – bonus points to you for remembering that one!
January 19th, 2007 at 11:34 am
Listening to “Pilot …” now (how frightening is that, that it took me 5 seconds to find it) and again … I dunno. It’s cheese, it’s 70s (barely – it sounds every bit the 1979-1980 semi-hit it was … my God, did everyone use the same mixing board settings as “Lookin’ For Love” back then?), but is it Mellow Gold?
The MG Purist in me says that we’re mixin’ the streams here … MG = Cheese, but Cheese doesn’t always = Mellow Gold.
Discuss.
January 19th, 2007 at 11:38 am
… And re: Carly, maybe I should’ve said “songcraft” instead of “musicianship,” woofpop. No doubt, most of these guys (‘n gals) are great players. I just hear a lot more subtlety in Carly’s songwriting. Like the difference between jazz and smooth jazz*.
*see “Mueller, Lance”
January 19th, 2007 at 12:28 pm
Quite possible (re: mixing the streams). The timeline puts "Pilot" toward the end of the MG era, but I was going on the overall sound (especially the harmonies as I remember them) and sheer passivity of the lyrics. "I’m calling in to request a song, but I don’t care if you play it at all…I really just want to hear your lovely speaking voice because it makes me feel all fuzzy inside" seemed like a rather mellow sentiment to me. However, I’m no expert, by far.Now, if it was a GUY singing this song, I’m guessing all bets would be off…
January 19th, 2007 at 1:50 pm
If Carly figures prominently in Mellow Gold, what about Carole King? Every time I see one of her songs in 70’s concert footage context, I cringe. Is anyone here old enough to describe how that all unfolded in real time? Or anyone who has already gone back and pieced it together. It’s kind of like a history project. You had Carole, Carly, JT, I don’t know who else… Rita Coolidge?, Melissa Manchester, Yvonne Elliman, Roberta Flack… you know what I mean. How did all these mellow ladies interlock? I don’t know. (Notice I slipped James Taylor in the middle of all those female names, and he fits right in.)
January 19th, 2007 at 2:19 pm
I realize Joni Mitchell’s "Help Me" isn’t Mellow Gold, but it’s a great soft rocker from a female artist. Prince even quoted it on "The Ballad of Dorothy Parker."
January 19th, 2007 at 2:39 pm
I’m sure no expert either, Andrew. Last time I checked, this was Jason’s website – mayhap he has an opinion as to the bounds of Mellow Gold (if there are any)? Or, we could ring up that guy at Time/Life to be final arbiter …
:)
(PS: Must … resist … urge … to make “slipped in” joke about James Taylor … Carly Simon …)
January 19th, 2007 at 3:35 pm
I almost made that "slipped in" joke myself, David, but in the end I decided to pull out.
January 19th, 2007 at 5:07 pm
David,
Point taken about Carly and songcraft. But, one of her facets definitely was mellow.
I agree on your assessment of mellow vs. pure cheese, and both the songs you cited indeed are more on the cheese side.
Elaine, I’m old. I can timeline it for you. Actually, you are right on, except that Roberta Flack would belong with the first group (the big ole girl JT, Carly and Carole as the forefathers of mellow) – the others were around during that time, too, but not having hits until later on. I think you did a good job with that!
January 19th, 2007 at 5:30 pm
[…] Jason, as always, tore shit up with his Adventures through the Mines of Mellow Gold and Chart Attack! posts. […]
January 22nd, 2007 at 5:10 pm
"Pilot Of The Airwaves" is on some Play Misty For Me shit. I used to get bizarre callers like her when I did an overnight college radio show, and I’d humor them lest they suddenly turn abusive. I don’t know, is stalking considered "mellow?"
January 22nd, 2007 at 6:26 pm
J – sorry I’m just getting to this fantastic Mellow Gold now! Your playful dissection of "Torn Between Two Lovers" was VERY enjoyable reading. So funny that you wrote that Jess thinks your reading of that line was wrong; I’m with her. :-) It was another brilliant Mellow Gold post by you, great job.
January 30th, 2009 at 9:31 am
[…] movie Meatballs?). No, I mean it’s nice to see you again after we tore this song apart on Adventures Through the Mines of Mellow Gold. If you aren’t familiar with this song and the story behind it (quick summary: it’s a […]
June 17th, 2009 at 6:31 am
[…] was MacGregor’s sixth Hot 100 hit, but her only big hit was also about lovers: “Torn Between Two Lovers,†which went all the way to the top as her first single back in […]
December 13th, 2009 at 8:10 pm
Jason, I have looked and looked – but I am almost POSITIVE that the original song had a very controversial verse (TBTL) that was removed. I dont usually have auditory hallucinations when listening to music, and it WAS a long time ago, but I am sure there was another verse. What say you??
December 13th, 2009 at 8:12 pm
Jason, I have looked and looked to no avail but I am certain the original lyrics of TBTL had another, controversial verse that was removed. I am not in the habit of having auditory hallucinations when listening to music even though it was a long time ago. What say you?
December 13th, 2009 at 11:45 pm
None that I know of, Myrna, but admittedly, it’s been almost three years since I’ve thought much about this song!