Artist: Richard Harris
Author: Jimmy Webb
Label: Dunhill
Year: 1968
Irish actor, personal friend of Jimmy Webb. N°2 US. Commisioned by producer Bones Howe (Elvis, Tom Waits), who envisioned a symphonic album side for his band The Association. The real MacArthur Park is a place in L.A. near Jimmy's house. The basic track (with Jimmy's voice) was cut in Hollywood. Richard's voice was overdubbed in London.
Covers:
Nicoletta [as Le Luxembourg]
Richard Anthony [as Séverine]
Camouflage feat. Mystic [Donna Summer's German disco example]
Donna Summer [n°1 US]
Frank Sinatra [skipping the four first stanzas; and so MacArthur Park is not even mentioned in his version]
Jimmy Webb [author on cd Ten Easy Pieces]
Jimmy Webb also wrote Highwayman, By The Time I Get To Phoenix (see there), Up Up And Away (My Beautiful Balloon) and Wichita Lineman.
If you noticed blunt omissions, mis-interpretations or even out-and-out errors,
please let me know:
Arnold Rypens
Rozenlaan 65
B-2840 Reet (Rumst)