We open with the Melissa who got the "Rain" ball rolling, and we'll end with a completely different Melissa! In between, veritable legends tackle this 1976 classic ballad!
Same here as Dan — I only knew the Captain & Tennille version, and honestly, the song never really stuck with me. But clearly, I was wrong, judging by how many versions there are! Great overview, guys!
I made a mental note to do just that, Dan. This is exactly what I love about Substack and the music-writing community, you stumble upon your future favorites instead of getting spoon-fed algorithmic sludge 😁
Thanks, Pe! I hear ya! I was re-introduced to this one, too, by working with Dan on this! I was well aware of Melissa's hit at the time (I was 21, and in radio), but like you, have a much clearer (and stronger) appreciation of the song by simply being aware, now, of not just how many covers....but, the preponderance of classy/classic singers have chosen to cover it!
Great work gents. Really enjoyed reading this. Gonna take awhile to check out all the covers you picked. Again, I had no idea. For that matter, what blew me away the most was seeing the release dates on those albums from Peggy Lee, Rosemary, Vic, etc from the early 80s.
Thanks, Taz! This was a DanCo Production all the way! His love for her and the song propelled this.....as it always is for me, I love digging for the un-known and little-known covers, including these by those legends! You hear those names, and mention the early-'80s, one might think they might've been dipping collective toes in the new wave pool!! Thankfully, they each chose a song that was right in their wheelhouses (wait'll you hear Ms. Gorme's money note)! Thanks again, Taz!
Thanks, Dan and Brad! I only know Melissa's hits, so appreciated being introduced to this beautiful piece she co-wrote with that dynamo Carole Bayer Sager.
It sounds perfect for Broadway to me. I'm glad you referred to it as American Standard, because it really does sound like the Great American Songbook more than rock or pop.
Loved the Rosemary Clooney version, but then she's always been a favorite. But fun to hear all these amazing ladies give it their take.
Thanks Ellen! Other people have also mentioned they only know a few of Manchester's songs. It might time for me to do a more substantial series on her work. I was listening to her albums as a lonely adolescent! She really spoke to me!
Thanks so much, Ellen! This was a winner for both Dan and me, and we'll be doing more "Inside Tracks" together in this similar vein, so stay tuned! You DO know that Bayer Sager has recorded a couple albums, yes? Late-'70s on Elektra (she's done more, but I had those late-'70s ones).....if you only know her from her songwriting prowess, she's quite a unique singer!
As for worthy GAS entry for the song, I had only given a passing nod to it before researching the covers, but once I saw all those classy, classic ladies lining up to cover it (and Vic Damone and a couple other gents!), slam dunk! If they deem the song worthy of covering, en masse, then there ya go....how proud must Melissa and Carole be?!?!
And, for me, too, Ms. Clooney has long been a favorite! Thanks again, Ellen! Lemme know what you think of Ms. Sager as an artist, especially if this would be your first exposure to that side of her career!
Carole does have quite an unusual voice. Seems to have a bit of a disco vibe, maybe reflecting that era. A lot of songwriters have wanted to be singers, and I think timing may have something to do with who made the jump and who didn't. Seemed more likely in the 60s (e.g. Glenn Campbell, Neil Diamond, Carole King) than the 70s.
Yes, I do believe Carole was encouraged/pushed by Elektra to lean a little more into the disco bag! As for songwriters moving into the recording/performing arena, you named a lot of the major successes! But, I've always had a 💖for the songwriters given a contract, and they did little-to-nothing in the sales department, and many/most should shoulder no blame, but should lay a lack of energy/excitement/promo by the labels on their corporate doorsteps.
I became fascinated, in the '70s and '80s with the songwriters, in particular, whose songs were picked up by Barry Manilow, and made into hits. I made a mix-tape (Barry hit songs as performed by the original songwriters) that's mirrored a bit in the 3 separate articles I wrote a couple years ago (the first part, below).
Examples of singer/songwriters whose songs Barry covered, and who also had recording contracts/albums out (with varying degrees of success, but none with the popularity reached by Barry...but, each of these are worth hearing, most on major labels!): Randy Edelman, David Pomeranz, Scott English, Richard Kerr, Gerard Kenny, and some others!
Interesting interviews with Barry. Thanks for sharing that post.
The problem is that songwriters are not necessarily great singers, performers, or entertainers. They also may not be the best arrangers of their own tunes. And labels as you say haven't always been behind their artists, and they aren't always a good judge of what will hit either. What's a poor songwriter to do when they manage to get a record contract but can't seem to notch up a hit? Tough industry, no doubt about it.
Nail squarely on head, Ellen! But, with all the Neils, Carole Kings, Jonis, Lauras, et al, it's tough to blame labels for offering contracts to known hit writers! Sadly, it's only AFTER a single or album is recorded and released might we come to know what you just said....that they're not up to snuff! But, I love that they gave them a shot, at least!
You take a look at a lot of our legends....Neil, Carole, maybe Joni....(certainly Carly!): So many of them started out insecure and/or eventually "grew into" an anxiety about performing and/or stage fright, so there's that unfortunate angle! Some grew past it, but many couldn't.
To me, as I look at my songwriting heroes, that art is so personal and uniquely full of a person's heart and soul, that many just aren't "made" to go out there and perform their art....that's too public an exhibition for the art they created in their souls!
I think of a painter going out onstage and painting in front of a cheering crowd (suspend the time factor necessary for that visual!).....most are only able to create (and certainly prefer) in their private space.
Fascinating discussion, and it's tempting (for me) to go look up how many of our more successful songwriters actually felt/feel comfortable, ever, in performing from the get-go!
Yes, it's a very interesting topic, isn't it? Who makes it, who doesn't, and why.
Re your painting analogy, I know quite a few fiction writers and they have the same anxiety about facing their readers even in terms of doing a public reading of something they've already written.
But then, at the opposite end of the spectrum, there are the hacks who think their art is great and have no trouble promoting it avidly, clueless about how bad it is!!!
What a great Inside Tracks! Didn’t know the song, and I’m not overly familiar with Melissa’s repertoire, so this deep dive came in very handy. I loved reading about how the song came about. Great collab, guys!
Thanks, Andy! We love this collabbin' on "Inside Tracks," so we've committed to having the same format for some more songs in Dan's "I love this song/artist" satchel! We've been held over....at least, that's what we're declarin'! Restful weekend, bud!🤗✨
Enjoyed reading this! I’ve always known and loved Melissa’s version of the song. It’s one of my all time favorites (along with her Don’t Cry Out Loud). I actually had never heard Tennille’s version and she really sings her a•• off! I was very impressed. I agree with those who say it should have been a big hit.
Thanks so much, Frank! I love how your man and I seem to have hit upon a terrific collab recipe🍜! And, with his recent agreeing to pick out some more songs, we've been "held over," it seems......not unlike a Broadway musical!🎭🎵SRO, anyone?😁👍
Thanks for reading, listening, and enjoying, Debra! I agree....and, this was Dan's 🎶pick, and I JUST asked him to pick out one/some more for future Inside Tracks pieces! Stay tuned!
Thanks so much, Louise, for being here and commenting! I love it when you do! I know....Ms. Clooney! And, the whole bunch of covers by these legendary legacy artists on this song! I think once Diana got a hold of it, and these gals saw what could be done with it in the classic/standard style, they just got in line! Thanks again, Louise!😁👍
Great article, Brad. It’s a beautiful song. I only knew the Cap’n & Tenille version, but Peggy Lee? And all the others! What a great honor for Melissa and Carole. 🎶
Thanks again, Louise! And, mad props to Dan for the meat of it! Honoring the songwriters is one of my passions! And, I have to think Melissa and Carole were beside themselves once they saw the ball rolling down the Great American Songbook hill of classic singers covering it!
Thank you, Dan, for being here, enjoying, and commenting! This really was a happy merging of Dan's love of the song (and Melissa!) with my love of carrying around my "musical shovel," and digging around for that which may not have been unearthed!
I love your musical journey with the song....that's what's cool about "Inside Tracks" overall...digging up the little-known covers, and discovering other peoples' journeys with them, too!
Same here as Dan — I only knew the Captain & Tennille version, and honestly, the song never really stuck with me. But clearly, I was wrong, judging by how many versions there are! Great overview, guys!
Fair enough Pe! Maybe this will inspire you to dive into more of Melissa's music!
I made a mental note to do just that, Dan. This is exactly what I love about Substack and the music-writing community, you stumble upon your future favorites instead of getting spoon-fed algorithmic sludge 😁
#MusicStack.....we do algo-rhythm!🎶💪😎Can't beat it!
Thanks, Pe! I hear ya! I was re-introduced to this one, too, by working with Dan on this! I was well aware of Melissa's hit at the time (I was 21, and in radio), but like you, have a much clearer (and stronger) appreciation of the song by simply being aware, now, of not just how many covers....but, the preponderance of classy/classic singers have chosen to cover it!
Great work gents. Really enjoyed reading this. Gonna take awhile to check out all the covers you picked. Again, I had no idea. For that matter, what blew me away the most was seeing the release dates on those albums from Peggy Lee, Rosemary, Vic, etc from the early 80s.
Thanks, Taz! This was a DanCo Production all the way! His love for her and the song propelled this.....as it always is for me, I love digging for the un-known and little-known covers, including these by those legends! You hear those names, and mention the early-'80s, one might think they might've been dipping collective toes in the new wave pool!! Thankfully, they each chose a song that was right in their wheelhouses (wait'll you hear Ms. Gorme's money note)! Thanks again, Taz!
Thanks Taz and Brad! I loved taking this deep dive into the song. I had no idea Melissa Etheridge covered it!
Thanks, Dan and Brad! I only know Melissa's hits, so appreciated being introduced to this beautiful piece she co-wrote with that dynamo Carole Bayer Sager.
It sounds perfect for Broadway to me. I'm glad you referred to it as American Standard, because it really does sound like the Great American Songbook more than rock or pop.
Loved the Rosemary Clooney version, but then she's always been a favorite. But fun to hear all these amazing ladies give it their take.
Thanks Ellen! Other people have also mentioned they only know a few of Manchester's songs. It might time for me to do a more substantial series on her work. I was listening to her albums as a lonely adolescent! She really spoke to me!
Thanks so much, Ellen! This was a winner for both Dan and me, and we'll be doing more "Inside Tracks" together in this similar vein, so stay tuned! You DO know that Bayer Sager has recorded a couple albums, yes? Late-'70s on Elektra (she's done more, but I had those late-'70s ones).....if you only know her from her songwriting prowess, she's quite a unique singer!
https://www.discogs.com/artist/169899-Carole-Bayer-Sager
As for worthy GAS entry for the song, I had only given a passing nod to it before researching the covers, but once I saw all those classy, classic ladies lining up to cover it (and Vic Damone and a couple other gents!), slam dunk! If they deem the song worthy of covering, en masse, then there ya go....how proud must Melissa and Carole be?!?!
And, for me, too, Ms. Clooney has long been a favorite! Thanks again, Ellen! Lemme know what you think of Ms. Sager as an artist, especially if this would be your first exposure to that side of her career!
Carole does have quite an unusual voice. Seems to have a bit of a disco vibe, maybe reflecting that era. A lot of songwriters have wanted to be singers, and I think timing may have something to do with who made the jump and who didn't. Seemed more likely in the 60s (e.g. Glenn Campbell, Neil Diamond, Carole King) than the 70s.
Yes, I do believe Carole was encouraged/pushed by Elektra to lean a little more into the disco bag! As for songwriters moving into the recording/performing arena, you named a lot of the major successes! But, I've always had a 💖for the songwriters given a contract, and they did little-to-nothing in the sales department, and many/most should shoulder no blame, but should lay a lack of energy/excitement/promo by the labels on their corporate doorsteps.
I became fascinated, in the '70s and '80s with the songwriters, in particular, whose songs were picked up by Barry Manilow, and made into hits. I made a mix-tape (Barry hit songs as performed by the original songwriters) that's mirrored a bit in the 3 separate articles I wrote a couple years ago (the first part, below).
Examples of singer/songwriters whose songs Barry covered, and who also had recording contracts/albums out (with varying degrees of success, but none with the popularity reached by Barry...but, each of these are worth hearing, most on major labels!): Randy Edelman, David Pomeranz, Scott English, Richard Kerr, Gerard Kenny, and some others!
https://bradkyle.substack.com/p/they-write-the-songs-pt-1-barry-manilow?utm_source=publication-search
Interesting interviews with Barry. Thanks for sharing that post.
The problem is that songwriters are not necessarily great singers, performers, or entertainers. They also may not be the best arrangers of their own tunes. And labels as you say haven't always been behind their artists, and they aren't always a good judge of what will hit either. What's a poor songwriter to do when they manage to get a record contract but can't seem to notch up a hit? Tough industry, no doubt about it.
Nail squarely on head, Ellen! But, with all the Neils, Carole Kings, Jonis, Lauras, et al, it's tough to blame labels for offering contracts to known hit writers! Sadly, it's only AFTER a single or album is recorded and released might we come to know what you just said....that they're not up to snuff! But, I love that they gave them a shot, at least!
You take a look at a lot of our legends....Neil, Carole, maybe Joni....(certainly Carly!): So many of them started out insecure and/or eventually "grew into" an anxiety about performing and/or stage fright, so there's that unfortunate angle! Some grew past it, but many couldn't.
To me, as I look at my songwriting heroes, that art is so personal and uniquely full of a person's heart and soul, that many just aren't "made" to go out there and perform their art....that's too public an exhibition for the art they created in their souls!
I think of a painter going out onstage and painting in front of a cheering crowd (suspend the time factor necessary for that visual!).....most are only able to create (and certainly prefer) in their private space.
Fascinating discussion, and it's tempting (for me) to go look up how many of our more successful songwriters actually felt/feel comfortable, ever, in performing from the get-go!
Yes, it's a very interesting topic, isn't it? Who makes it, who doesn't, and why.
Re your painting analogy, I know quite a few fiction writers and they have the same anxiety about facing their readers even in terms of doing a public reading of something they've already written.
But then, at the opposite end of the spectrum, there are the hacks who think their art is great and have no trouble promoting it avidly, clueless about how bad it is!!!
What a great Inside Tracks! Didn’t know the song, and I’m not overly familiar with Melissa’s repertoire, so this deep dive came in very handy. I loved reading about how the song came about. Great collab, guys!
Thank you Andy! I'm a HUGE fan of Melissa Manchester. If you ever want a playlist of some of her greatest work, let me know!
Thanks, Andy! We love this collabbin' on "Inside Tracks," so we've committed to having the same format for some more songs in Dan's "I love this song/artist" satchel! We've been held over....at least, that's what we're declarin'! Restful weekend, bud!🤗✨
Enjoyed reading this! I’ve always known and loved Melissa’s version of the song. It’s one of my all time favorites (along with her Don’t Cry Out Loud). I actually had never heard Tennille’s version and she really sings her a•• off! I was very impressed. I agree with those who say it should have been a big hit.
Looking forward to more of these!
Thanks so much, Frank! I love how your man and I seem to have hit upon a terrific collab recipe🍜! And, with his recent agreeing to pick out some more songs, we've been "held over," it seems......not unlike a Broadway musical!🎭🎵SRO, anyone?😁👍
Hopefully you’ll have a long run!!
You betcha! But, I welcome all the big B.O. (I know you know, Frank, but for the uninitiated, that's B-way lingo for "box office")!
That reminds me.....best be off to the gym!💪😉
Beautiful music!
Thanks for reading, listening, and enjoying, Debra! I agree....and, this was Dan's 🎶pick, and I JUST asked him to pick out one/some more for future Inside Tracks pieces! Stay tuned!
Rosemary Clooney?!?!?!? Wow. 🤩
Thanks so much, Louise, for being here and commenting! I love it when you do! I know....Ms. Clooney! And, the whole bunch of covers by these legendary legacy artists on this song! I think once Diana got a hold of it, and these gals saw what could be done with it in the classic/standard style, they just got in line! Thanks again, Louise!😁👍
Great article, Brad. It’s a beautiful song. I only knew the Cap’n & Tenille version, but Peggy Lee? And all the others! What a great honor for Melissa and Carole. 🎶
Thanks again, Louise! And, mad props to Dan for the meat of it! Honoring the songwriters is one of my passions! And, I have to think Melissa and Carole were beside themselves once they saw the ball rolling down the Great American Songbook hill of classic singers covering it!
The only version I knew, oddly enough, was Captain & Tennille's version. Thanks for this overview of a great song!
Thanks Dan! That Captain & Tennille cover really is excellent! It should have been a bigger hit.
Thank you, Dan, for being here, enjoying, and commenting! This really was a happy merging of Dan's love of the song (and Melissa!) with my love of carrying around my "musical shovel," and digging around for that which may not have been unearthed!
I love your musical journey with the song....that's what's cool about "Inside Tracks" overall...digging up the little-known covers, and discovering other peoples' journeys with them, too!