he is most definitely one of the greatest American Songwriters in my book!!

To call this man a musical genius is an understatement. Maybe one of the most influential writers of our lifetime.

What a beautifully written romantic song. The girl that the song was written for must have been very special to Jim. It is almost like a forever memory and devotion to their special and treasured relationship...and this is 2024 and the song still endures!

I was born in 56 so I’ve had the pleasure of enjoying fantastic music all my life, but when one comes across something like this, it genuinely stops one in one’s tracks….straight from the heart ,

@beverlyhayshouston2770

2 жыл бұрын

Same here. January 1st.

@56pinksunbunnyable

Жыл бұрын

Hi Peter, another 56 birthday. We have been privileged.

@kennethhoneycutt2481

Жыл бұрын

Well put Peter. It's a classic! And I'm a huge Glen Campbell fan and Jimmy Webb hit another grand slam. These two talents together made some greatest music of my time.

@valtergalhego553

Жыл бұрын

Maravilhoso sua discrição sou de 56 nós que ouvimos estás obras dos deuses da música somos únicos e privilegiados ☮️

@scoremxcom

Жыл бұрын

Class of "74".

The inspiration for "MacArthur Park" was the relationship and breakup between Webb and Susan Ronstadt, a cousin of singer Linda Ronstadt. MacArthur Park was where the two occasionally met for lunch and spent their most enjoyable times together. At that time(1965), Ronstadt worked for a life insurance company whose offices were located just across the street from the park. Webb and Ronstadt remained friends, even after her marriage to another man. Source: wikipedia.

One of the most beautiful songs ever written. Performed the best in 1968 by Richard Harris. I was 14. It still makes me emotional…

@djf750

Жыл бұрын

except for some of the absurd lyrics

@davesmith5470

Жыл бұрын

@@djf750 The lyrics may feel absurd to you, but to me (and many others lol) they are poetic genius - very much of their time in the late 60's, a beautiful poem of lost love, each line has depth and meaning if you know the story of the writers love affair. He actually saw everything in the park - including the cake in the rain, so symbolic, something delicious going sour. Do a little research with an open mind and hopefully, you'll see it.

@djf750

Жыл бұрын

@@davesmith5470 Did you not notice that I wrote "some" of the lyrics??

@pauldavies5611

10 ай бұрын

@@davesmith5470I agree with djf750. The line, “Between the parted pages and were pressed in love’s hot-fevered iron like a striped pair of pants.” Be honest here, man! This is poetic genius? Webb should have spent more time thinking of the lyrics. I too was 14 when this song came out, it’s one of my favorites, but the fact is Webb was lucky the beauty of the melody and the very sophisticated harmony were not ruined by that clumsy verse.

@davesmith5470

10 ай бұрын

@@pauldavies5611 Its good that we can all have different perspectives and understanding of music, and what is poetic genius, and its not necessary to rubbish someone else's experience and view of what's beautiful and what's not, its completely subjective. I am very happy of how 'lucky' Webb must have been and how much joy this song has brought to my life over the years and I wish the same for everyone. If you can't see it and don't agree - thats OK with me.

The songwriter's version is the authentic version, in my most humble opinion. Always respect the songwriter.

@kennethberger5864

2 жыл бұрын

You’re so right. Singing from their whole beings.

There is nothing like a stellar songwriter like Jimmy Webb singing his own songs.

@pongocampo3362

3 жыл бұрын

only the writer knows the true emotion of this song...

@claudpiro6469

6 ай бұрын

​@@pongocampo3362ok... But...

I love, love Harris's version, it's a great performance but Webb gets to the heart of the matter, he gets to the absolute sadness. This version makes me cry

A classic that will never die. LOVED this song in my youth and continue to love it. Thanks Jimmy for this gift.

I wish that someone had loved me this much.Jimmy Webb is a beautiful soul.

I finally get it too. What an interpretation! A poet reciting his own prose....simply beautiful.

It's so great to have a visual record of Webb performing this curiously haunting song that has had a life of its own for decades -- a song whose initial success (the Richard Harris recording) and subsequent life flies in the face of musical and lyrical convention that would've predicted a different fate for it.

This man is one of the best modern music composers. What a music genius.

This song was born of tragedy. It was about young Jimmy Webb, budding songwriter but also a Poor Okie lost in LA, loosing the love of his life, who was "out of his league" but who saw his potential and whom he knew also loved him deeply too (and would in time write her own song for him making this clear!), and that he knew there would never be another even close to her for him, even though he would indeed go on to marry and become successful, to immaturity, distance and personal hardship, neglect and misplaced priorities, and societal pressures & circumstances beyond ones control. Much of it happened in or near the Actual MacArthur Park in LA.. And with the additional undertone of loosing his mother who was taken by the angels, she who had been his almost sole support as a struggling young songwriter in LA. His dad then moved back to Oklahoma after his storefront Church failed, and a young Jimmy Webb was kicked out of community college while writing this song, and ended up homeless on the streets of LA for a time. Through it all this masterpiece came to be. 🌈🌄🌻

@RezSkel

12 күн бұрын

*losing

I just heard Jimmy Webb sing this on Wednesday night in San Juan Capistrano. The most beautiful, heartfelt singing and playing I have ever heard. I feel truly blessed to have shared this moment in time with him.

When you listen to a Jimmy Webb song,have a box of tissues nearby,so melancholic and sadly beautiful.

the most enigmatic song ever written.

Mac Arthur Park . Adoro esta música MARAVILHOSA Ela é longa mas é linda demais. É demais lembrar sempre pois adoro ouvir. Agora vou curtir mais uma vez pois já ouvi não sei quantas vezes nestes últimos dias. Espero que gostem como eu . Beijos no coração para quem curtiu comigo ou não. AMO VOCÊS.

Spring was never waiting for us, girl It ran one g step ahead As we followed in the dance Between the parted pages and were pressed In love's hot, fevered iron Like a striped pair of pants 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 noooooo I recall the yellow cotton dress Foaming like a wave On the ground around your knees Birds like tender babies in your hands And the old men playing 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 noooooo There would be another song for me For I will sing it There would be another dream for me Someone will bring it I will drink the wine while it is warm And never let you catch me looking at the sun And after all the loves of my life After all the loves of my life, you'll still be the one I will take my life into my hands and I will use it I will win the worship in their eyes and I will lose it I will have the things that I desire And my passion flow like rivers through the sky And after all the loves of my life Oh, after all the loves of my life I'll be thinking of you - and wondering why 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 noooooo, o-oh no-ooooo

Jimmy Webb was "out there", over the top, cerebral. A poet and song writer on a par with Jim Morrison and a young John Prine who was breaking out at about the same time. I remember when Richard Harris first cut this song around 1968 and people absolutely loved the song but said to each other 'what the hell is he talking about? Why does he go on for over 7 minutes about a birthday cake?' In those dark ages before the Net hardly anyone back East even knew what a McArthur Park was and why on earth it was relevant to a cake. Then someone finally explained what it was really about and the genius of Webb broke through as we wondered how a 20-21 year old kid could have done enough living to write something like this.

It just does not get any better than this! I have never heard this song sung with such passion and feeling. Brought tears to me eyes.To hear Jimmy Webb sing his song touches a place no cover has ever done.

@stephendevore

Жыл бұрын

Cover?

@davesmith5470

Жыл бұрын

@@stephendevore All other versions are covers - he wrote the original, and offered it (eventually after it had been turned down by others) to his friend Richard Harris.

"I will win the worship in their eyes and I will lose it". Game over.

@geferris83

4 жыл бұрын

my feelings 100 percent

@ludwigbooth4882

4 жыл бұрын

Yes. A brick. Right in the face. A real bone crusher of a pearl of a line. And what would it be like to be able to write em like ol J-Webb?

MacArthur Park - Genius song writing. This song will live on through the centuries like a Mozart concerto. Jimmy Webb I bow to your gift. How fantastic to see a video of you performing it live in 1971!

@stuarthaynes1508

8 жыл бұрын

+Robert Ozn (OZN Robert M Rosen) Indeed. To hear the Original. Timeless music in anyones opinion

@probation1016

7 жыл бұрын

yes & well said

@probation1016

7 жыл бұрын

a wonderful performance that brings tears to my eyes

@probation1016

7 жыл бұрын

it certainly will!!

@probation1016

7 жыл бұрын

same here!!

Breath taking passion. Could only come from the writer. Brilliant Jimmy Thank you.

Without the gloss of production and vibes of what sounds right. This is of course the most passionate, albeit melancholy, yet still beautiful.

Maravilha de música!! Clássico de Jimmy Webb imortalizado por Richard Harris ( RIP ).Excelente vídeo. Hugs desde São Paulo - Brasil.

As a 9year old kid, I remember hearing this song and thinking, get over it dude its just pastry. Over the years, this song frighteningly makes me feel something different, something new each time I hear it. That's when I realized I have experienced genius. This song Made me think at 8 years old, And is still giving to me for 50 some odd years. Genius.

Translating this into disco was a wonder in itself. Well done Donna Summer

hearing the song writer perform his creation is special, beyond special. Jimmy Webb, like Leon Russell, didn't have the greatest voice, but when he sang his song he was the best to ever sing this song. It is a special treat for all!

He sure can play that Piano! Great song writer

A Masterpiece.. Jimmy Webb is a Musical Genius

Wow, could almost cry listening to Jimmy express the sweet pain of love unrequited.

@stevewoods5226

7 жыл бұрын

Nammy Deplume I am crying. weeping groaning

@probation1016

7 жыл бұрын

it was the unrequited love of Susan Ronstadt, he lost it & could never get over the pain

@probation1016

7 жыл бұрын

wrong--it was her cousin; Susan Horton!!

@probation1016

6 жыл бұрын

unrequited love

@hueyjmedina0

5 жыл бұрын

@@probation1016 You were right in both instances. According to "Jimmy Webblog" by Susan Harrington, Susan Horton married Linda Rondstadt's cousin Bobby Ronstadt in 1993.

Probably one of the most beautiful, sublime and unconventional melodic pop songs written during the 1960s. The lyrics is an emotional rollercoaster ride. It is genius writing.

@bandofmountains

3 жыл бұрын

This is literally considered the worst song ever written. If you like this, you have bad taste lmao it's all good though. Enjoy. It doesn't matter but this is terrible.

@mgspatheticchannel1496

3 жыл бұрын

@@bandofmountains I'd rather listen to this than someone like Cardi B or Taylor Swift or even Imagine Dragons.

@bandofmountains

3 жыл бұрын

@@mgspatheticchannel1496 congratulations.

@bandofmountains

3 жыл бұрын

@@mgspatheticchannel1496 turning down bad music in order to listen to the worst song ever written still means you have bad taste. Nice try tho lol

@theyoungoldguy2457

3 жыл бұрын

@@bandofmountains Just because the internet says it's the worst song ever, doesn't mean it is.

The one of the coolest songs ever.

Mr, Webb, I thank you for this song about that tortuous first love! Harris gets the air play but you just kept writing unbelievably lyrical tunes. I bow to you, sir.

Jurassic Park is frightening in the dark.

This has grown on me so much. Love the distinctive pronunciation of "it ran one step a head". His eyes never open...lost in the song.

@kennethberger5864

2 жыл бұрын

You’re so right!

I believe is is the most incredible song on the planet. I want my sisters to wear sundresses & perform it at my wake

leaving a cake out in the rain ...it took so long to bake it....ill never have that recipe again.... People...who hate this song look up the definition of metaphor....this song is about love lost ...simple. The melody is beautiful. The poetry is beautiful...DONT take the lyrics literally...its a metaphor for lost love. America wrote songs about horses with no names....feeling good to be out of the rain....in the desert you cant remember your name...for there aint no one for to give you no pain...all metaphors....temember yjat.

Breathtakingly poignant......sigh......Thank you,Jimmy Webb, for this and the many other songs you have gifted us with.

Song of broken Love. Genius.

I recently saw him at City Winery in Atlanta and was so glad to listen to this legend. He was 72 years old, and so much better late than never at all

I was fortunate enough to meet Jimmy Webb after one of his concerts here in Sydney Australia...It was just 6 days after Cyclone Katrina wiped out New Orleans...He is such a Charismatic Guy I wanted to adopt him as my New Best Friend.....I was Star Struck for days after...And I still am....the Guy is a Genius .

It's so beautiful... and true. If one has to start again say after 40?? This song takes on a crystal clear meaning. The GREAT Jimmy Webb lol...

Oh my gosh. So he really could sing. As a matter of fact, his is now officially the best version of this song I have ever heard. Including the glorious Donna Summer. It's just that there's nothing like hearing the writer of a truly wonderful song perform it him or herself when they do it as well as Jimmy Webb does here. Bravo.

@Ursaminor31

4 жыл бұрын

jobracie it’s deeper and completely different it’s poetry

@realcoolbreeze

4 жыл бұрын

To hear the composer of his Macarthur Park song is incredible. Especially (for me) many decades later.Loved it since I first heard it over 50 years ago at 20 or so.

@octopusen

4 жыл бұрын

Richard Harris aka Dumbeldore version is even better 😏

@nmax696

3 жыл бұрын

@@octopusen OHHH NOOOO!

@octopusen

3 жыл бұрын

@@nmax696 😸

Pure genius! Awestruck by the man's talent.

Why would anyone ever sing about a cake in such a passionate and longing way about the loss of love? It is metaphor in its purest form.

This is the best version by far...

It reaches the strings that lay alone in ones heart. It's a deep felt embrace at this place in the park. PS, thanks again for the stroll in park.

Glorious. Emotionally moving. A powerful force that induces real tears.

Always a treat to hear him perform his own songs. Wrote so many that others recorded, but when he does them there’s such a soulful emotion.

Steve Hackett of Genesis quoted this particular song as the major influence that led him and his bandmates to create their own sound, defining what would be later known as prog

When i was young,as was Jimmy Webb...i had the biggest crush on him ♡ i always thought he would be recognised more for all the great talent he had to share. He holds a spechial place in my heart ♡

@conniebauer4128

7 жыл бұрын

suzie koechling Well he certainly was a good looking man too!

Webb is a great songwriter - tunesmith. Perhaps one of the greatest American composers of all time. Definitely not a singer, but we all have our strengths and weaknesses. But his music has filled my life since the sixties. What a talent!

@davisworth5114

Жыл бұрын

His singing is beautiful.

@arteCee

Жыл бұрын

whatdoyamean? not a singer. the guys is on pitch, delivering with emotional truth and sincerity. and playing beautifully. if that's not singing to you, try tom.jones..now there's a singer right.🙄

The greatest song from the ‘60s - as that decade required, it was entirely new and completely disruptive, spawning fans and haters in equal numbers. And more, it was psychedelic, the words creating images that though never seen in reality impressed themselves vividly on the listener’s inner vision. The underlying sadness is existential. The song was about the end of a love affair, written by a man young enough to think such things were the end of everything. But Jimmy, your treatment doesn’t do it justice. I have yet to hear a vocal rendering that captures the pathos of the lyric and music. Donna came closest.

ASTONISHINGLY GREAT...especially the Richard Harris version...

I looked up worst song in history and this came up and it’s not even bad

@PACK_R

3 жыл бұрын

Yeah

@talhawaseem4492

3 жыл бұрын

Litaen to "Eye to Eye". Easily the worst song. This song is legendary compared to that. I felt bad for poor westerners, they haven't heard the worat yet and still hating this guy.

@terrain7879

3 жыл бұрын

@Matthew Khari please go away you bot

@terrain7879

3 жыл бұрын

@Enzo Conner here’s his little bot friend! I hope your creator knows their little trick doesn’t work anymore.

@BlenderRender1

3 жыл бұрын

its so bad

I Have seen so many performers sing but I have never seen anything like this, especially since he was the composer. He sang with his eyes closed through the whole performance. This was an amazing video.

Never understood this when Richard Harris sang it....I get it now seeing this, straight from the heart , wonderful

OMG....i am freezing to death from chill bumps while listening to this! You guys are so right, finally getting it.....it's a totally different song than I thought it was. And the piano, amazing.

Jimmy Webb is one of the all time great song writers.

@JonGriffinJr

7 жыл бұрын

Not one of... the greatest.

@probation1016

6 жыл бұрын

wonderful rendition of a true master!!

@probation1016

6 жыл бұрын

he still is & remain so!!

the imperfections add to the passion of this song. I felt this.

To everyone: Don't explain the lyrics to me...just let me listen. To Jimmy Webb: Thank you.

@PatIreland

3 жыл бұрын

Actually, Jimmy explains the words on a YT video.

Outstanding!! Didn't know this version. Though I have to admit I loved (and still love) the1968 up-tempo orchestral finale of Harris' version. You know with the 'TaTa TaTa TaTa TaTa TaTaTa'.

@guyharvey2133

2 жыл бұрын

Jim Webb will be remembered for a long long time, listen to the remainder of Richard Harris 'My Boy' album to which Jim Webb was a big contributer, then you understand the Genius of the man.

Interesting to see Jimmy Webb's own interpretation of the song.

@whowhatwhere8731

8 жыл бұрын

And so young.

@freemanz4051

8 жыл бұрын

Since he wrote it, this is not called interpretation. I know. Who cares?

@JohnGLewis1964

8 жыл бұрын

Freeman Z Yes, I presume you are correct re "interpretation" ... But it is interesting to see what words and phrases Mr. Webb emphasizes, of how he sings it, his timbre, & etc.

@hwgray

8 жыл бұрын

+John G. Lewis Don't let 'em mess with your mind, John! It's still an *nterpretation*, even when it's by the composer.

@probation1016

7 жыл бұрын

yes it is, he has a unique voice; but is an incredible song-writer!!

Donna Summer's version sold millions of this song which probably increased Jimmy Webb's wealth! 😊

A genius doesn’t begin to describe this talent.

A magnificent and soulful performance. How I wish he'd recorded this for release instead of Richard Harris. I can't get enough. Many thanks for this post.

This was absolutely fabulous.... I was aware of the Richard Harris, Glen Campbell and Donna Summer versions, but I didn't know who the writer was. It's clear that he is so connected with this song.....

@RHsummer8

5 жыл бұрын

mikeyrue Donna Summer did it best!!!! From beginning to end! The ooooh noooo part is powerful alone!!!! It’s her song! No one else can do it better, not even the writer. He also looks like some psycho singing this song, not him.

@milton1448

5 жыл бұрын

Donna Summers....OMG, disco sucked.

@OT4U2

5 жыл бұрын

Jimmy Webb wrote the song! But I like the one from Donna Summer

@batgiant3535

5 жыл бұрын

I love Webb's version and Summer's. Both great. Thank you Webb for writing it.

@EmmieTuesday

4 жыл бұрын

One of the greatest songwriters, singers. His songbook is outstanding. The scope of styles in which he writes and how hus songs can be sung by pop, rock, rb, country, even folk and bluegrass singers. Few are blessed with such a gift. I love his version best of all.

Raw.... Heartbreaking..... Emotional....... Relevant and sensitive.

Haunting. Heartbreaking.

I used to think this was the dumbest song ever, but tonight I listened to Jimmy Webb's cover and many others and looked at the lyrics. GREAT SONG! I can only compare it to "The Girl from the North Country" for its poignancy of young love lost. I also read his book on songwriting. It's tremendous. Thanks for everything, Jimmy Webb. You are one of the creators.

@keriboi

6 жыл бұрын

what do you mean his cover? he wrote it

He did a legend with this work, is just amaizing. Thanks for to share.

I was always attracted to this song because of the beautiful piano accompaniment. Lovely

What a treasure this clip is! TY!

I love how he sings this song with such passion and longingness........ and a bit of sadness. I like the way he and Richard Harris sing this song. Richard Harris being an excellent actor was able to bring forth the emotion Jimm Webb was feeling at that time. It is a great song. I first heard this song at 15yo.I don't think I would have written how much I like this song then as I do now as an adult. I love Richard Harris. when I see him, I still think of Camelot???

simplemente hermosa interpretación buena voz dándole vivacidad y matices emocionantes con ese piano

Jimmy Webb. Brilliant songwriter. Ten Easy Pieces. x

One of my all time favorite songs and it speaks to me about my relationships. I am most familiar with the Glen Campbell version.

Unfucking believable great song! Fantastic version.

@probation1016

7 жыл бұрын

so true

@Floating_Lotus

4 жыл бұрын

Jimmy wrote this..beyond that are other versions but he owns this! A pure musical genius!

@theyoungoldguy2457

3 жыл бұрын

@@cwispichiwibiff There are songs far worse than this.

@FrancisMaxino

Жыл бұрын

Only the composer of the song itself can convey the true feeling of where it comes from and in this case James Webb is flowing with unparalleled cosmic inner vision with his song.

Now that is true talent through and through!

JImmy pronounces the name of the park correctly. Richard Harris kept singing it as McArthur's Park... Webb wrote about his experiences at McArthur Park...I am sure at the session he tried to correct Richard to no avail. Love this performance.

Bringing to this song the love I have for my mother who is dying, I can relate as much as I’d it were about a boyfriend I lost.

Jimmy Webb is a musical genius!

the man, Jimmy Web. A giant talent.

@probation1016

6 жыл бұрын

so true & thanks for the comment!

Superb, just superb. What a songwriter............

What a great version this is! Refreshing and lots of jazzy chords.

There will never EVER be anyody like Jimmy Webb. He was a genius, plain and simple. This is the first time I heard Jimmy's version of one of the greatest songs ever written in the late 60s....and he wrote it, too! I loved it so that I purchased the 45rpm of Richard Harris singing it when it was released in mid-1969. RIP Jimmy. He wrote lyrics and music for so many that made them "stars!" Thank you for the chat on MySpace, when social media first was a baby.

@jKLa

Жыл бұрын

Jimmy is still with us and still performing at age 76!

One of the talented song writer's of all time, and great to watch live. Thanks Jimmy Webb--not related...but we share the same name :0

Cake? R U oblivious to metaphor? Birthday cake, wedding cake, let them eat cake, have your cake and eat it too. Has your heart never been broken? It's a symbol of celebration. This song is a cake, and the very top of the cake is this: "After all the loves of my life, I'll be thinking of you and wondering why." Love is a cake, but it's not a piece of cake, at all. It's hard. However, there can be such beauty in our sadness and loss. . . if we can sing.

Just seen Jimmy play this in a London yesterday with a couple of Harris tales. Webb is the master!

I'm sad...taken back many years ago..filled with sadness

fantastic

...marvelous!!!!

A brilliant song by a brilliant songwriter.

This is one of the best performances I've seen and heard, I wish there was an actual remastered version of this song.

@madhouze1

3 жыл бұрын

Check out Jimmy Webb's studio recording of this song on his album Ten Easy Pieces. In this recording he includes the middle section. There are also solo piano versions of the Highwayman, Galverston, Wichita Lineman, Phoenix and several more. An insanely talented songwriter, MacArthur Park was his musical masterpiece. Pity about some of the lyrics. I think he was 23 when he wrote it.

@rdyapo

3 жыл бұрын

@@madhouze1 Wow, thank you, I just sampled all these songs from Amazon and bought the cd and will downloading the autorip. When I first heard it back when Richard Harris sang it, I thought it was crazy. I just thought "A Man Called Horse" actor singing Someone left the cake out in the rain" Green icing on the cake, I couldn't get it our of my head. 7 months ago I came back to slowly listen to it and now I love it, to me it's a masterpiece except for Hal Blaines drumming. thanks again!

@madhouze1

3 жыл бұрын

@@rdyapo You're welcome.

MacAuthur Park......One of the best songs of the 60's

@isaacdavid1958

5 жыл бұрын

tphil64 It was released in 1968

@nickmazonowicz511

4 жыл бұрын

Matthew Bacon Thousands are wrong

@ilovecats6122

4 жыл бұрын

I searched up worst song ever on google and this showed up

@tedclark8178

4 жыл бұрын

@@ilovecats6122 Google doesn't understand metaphors

@ModnificentTV

4 жыл бұрын

Best?

That is all heart - you can feel the pain! OMG!!!

I was a kid, but I was there. I've heard many artist do this song over the years. I think it's an easy song to do badly. Seeing Webb perform it I can't help but think that no one has ever done it better.