Lea Roberts - Laughter in the Rain

[@dhaley8847]

sedaka beat her to the radio stations with it. she recorded it and realeased it first but when neil came out with his version almost at the same time it got more air play, he knew she had a big hit if he didnt move fast,, this is a great version and she should be proud of this recording. I wish more people would have heard it.

[@sky1luv793]

Never knew about this version. I like it. This one has more bottom. ☺️

[@maxinezook3835]

I only learned about this version recently myself. I really wish this could've been the one that was released & fully promoted to become a big hit with a different song being used for Neil Sedaka's comeback hit.

[@shaieda609]

This is my fav song ❤️

[@ladyk93105]

A great artist who had their song 'stolen' by someone so that now she is pretty unknown.

[@sky1luv793]

@@ladyk93105 Did she own the publishing?

[@wymanward63]

I enjoyed this version. It has guts to it. Neil’s version is wistful and sweet. I love that boyish tenor on the song. I’ve always loved his song but she brings a soulfulness to it that rings too. I’m glad to hear them both. I appreciate them both

[@wymanward63]

Toni sumblin Thank you

[@EPA18]

The difference is, she sings it with a lot of soul, while Sedaka sings it like he's castrated.

[@wymanward63]

EPA18 No they’re just coming from different places, or different moods or perspectives of the song. Neil sings it in the melancholy way. Almost regretful or shy. Lea sings it with force and soul. Almost with a bit of sass.

[@EPA18]

@@wymanward63 We agree to disagree.

[@wymanward63]

EPA18 Sure

[@jorihaar]

This version makes you feel like chilling with the gf and appreciate life with her while Neil's version makes you wanna go dance around a lantern pole in a suit in musical style and having an over the top joyful face celebrating your love. Both great versions.

[@ScorpioQueen70]

Yess!!

[@travelure7779]

I think her version could have been in a lot of movies.

[@valdirdepaula7422]

Dois estilos diferentes! Cheias de romantismo

[@lolotnihil]

👍

[@ianman15]

I was working as a bartender in a hotel lounge in Dayton, OH where Miss Roberts performed. She is one talented lady who deserved greater success in her career.

[@valdir8417]

Concordo com você, ela merecia fazer mais sucesso.Que bom você ter tido a oportunidade de vê -la cantando ao vivo. Você sabe se ela ainda está viva?

[@margueritew8262]

I had the hardest time finding this version of the song.I knew I had heard it years ago by a female, I just couldn't find it, Neil Sedaka,s version always came up. But I finally found it. God bless You Tube 😊

[@servicarrider]

Incredibly gifted. I am an old man and I just discovered a new favorite artist.

[@DionnesDiscography]

I’m with you dude! Better than Neil Sedakas version for sure.

[@RM-ut9wy]

Man, you've got great taste...she's wonderful!

[@missyhilary8905]

I wonder if she has any more KZbin stuff. I haven’t found anymore. She is great.

[@jeffdicesare3318]

Great soul sound on 'Laughter'. This version of 'I Know' by her is amazing. Love the instrumental break after the intro. Her voice is tremendous, the musicians are fantastic. kzbin.info/www/bejne/hp_CgWuwpLibp80

[@carpentersfans]

When you pair a fantastic melody with an inherently gifted singer, magic just happens.

[@elaineochoa5626]

I remember dancing to Lea' s version to this song in Jamaica as a teen. Neil Sedaka may have written it, but Lea kicked ass, Massive, Massive rendition.

[@johnowen5686]

Agree Elaine this is best version ever of a great song,singing from the soul just love it currently played regularly on BBC radio here in UK after I requested it on BBC Lancashire programme

[@gordonmckenzie2920]

Funny you should say that, I first heard it in Jamaica in the mid 70s. My brother and I snuck out to go to a party on Lincoln Road in Kingston...never forgot this rendition. As I became a record collector, I never stopped until I found it. Love it, love it, love it.

[@shaieda609]

No it was her original song not Neil Sedaka

[@gordonmckenzie2920]

@@shaieda609 Sedaka co-wrote the song, there must have been agreements for her to record it before he did. In hindsight, his Pop rendition would have sold more units than her (astounding) R&B flip...we're talking about the 70s. Major market Pop radio would not have put Lea into rotation.

[@shaieda609]

@@gordonmckenzie2920 It doesn't matter cause they are both great at singing anyway . have a lovely day

[@reggie44]

I recall a magazine interview from years ago, where Neil Sedaka was praising Lea's version. He thought it would be a bigger hit than his recording, because she had such a big powerful voice!

[@bradsmack1]

And, without Lea's United Artists knowing these behind-the-scenes goings-on, MCA, now knowing about Lea's release, cranked Neil's into high-priority in the marketing and sales depts, as well as servicing radio up the wazoo! They knew Lea had a potential hit, and didn't want to get run over. Had UA known of all this, they might have re-serviced to pop radio (they may have only concentrated on R&B radio, heretofore) to actually try to compete with Neil's.

[@catsinpajamas]

He knew it wouldn't be a hit for her because he intentionally sabotaged it.

[@1948ian]

Sedaka heard Lea,s version 2 weeks before his was due to be released. He told Elton John the cover was magnificent. As a result they promoted Sedaka,s original with interviews and promotional activities..Sedaka top the charts in February 1975 while Lea,s version bubbled under at 109....

[@RayR]

Lea just killing it. Killing it!

[@mrob75]

Had Neil Sedaka not moved faster on this record, I think Lea would have had a MAJOR hit with this great song!

[@JUSTREADMYBOOK1]

mrob75 I want to agree with you, but I'm not so sure. Maybe because I'm used to Neil Sedaka's version. If she sped up the tempo, then I'm with you all the way. Either way, it's a beautiful song. Not only is it a beautiful song, he found a way to say they were doing a no-no outside without it sounding like a dirty, nasty thing. I wish new artists would take a page from this book.

[@sspbrazil]

mrob75 without a doubt

[@lsachs07]

There is a stor yabout this. Neil Sadaka was driving along a few weeks before his version was going to be realeased. He stoped his car calle dELton JOhn who owned rcet records and told him to move up the release date of Laughter in the Rain as He new the Leah ROberts versio would have been a massive hit. s a result his version cae out five days later and becane nunber one.

[@user-yx1qk4sk5t]

@@lsachs07 Yeah. Professor of Rock brought me here.

[@goodshipharmony]

@@lsachs07 wow man, did you type that with your elbows???

[@jaywashington2263]

Not being able to find this on Amazon music makes me so salty. LOVE this version. The soul, the feeling. It ALMOST makes me want a functional, committed relationship. Almost.

[@2l8mate59]

It's a shame that her cover version didn't get more air time as it is very good.

[@catsinpajamas]

Neil Sedaka and Elton John made sure of that. Jerks.

[@philipmarlowe8763]

I love it, and I also love being able to compare and contrast the two versions. It is a great look into how someone brings their own flavor to a song. I like the soul of Lea Roberts version better than Neils. I feel the same way with Neils "You Never Done It Like That" which I CANT STAND when he sings it, but when Captain and Tennille belt it out, Wow, I just wanna rip my clothes off and have a party. Take a moment to listen to that one too!

[@professormause]

OOOOOOOH ! Yeh, lovely voice, sung not over-belted and I've never heard of her either...

[@bradsmack1]

Well, then, Andrew.....here ya go!: thecheerfulearfull.blogspot.com/2013/01/who-is-lea-roberts-plus-audreys.html

[@professormause]

@@bradsmack1 Thanks. KZbin mail is hellova slow. ? Carmen McRae does a version of Alice Cooper's Only Women Bleed. Whenever I asked anyone, most people's default of a woman singing it was anyone else. This version I had heard before. But 'who' ? I wasn't sure. CU in another five !

[@bradsmack1]

@@professormause That's a deal, Prof!😁👍

[@macsnafu]

Another fantastic discovery on the internet which passed me by when I was a kid in the 70s.

[@ScorpioQueen70]

Me too! Love both versions💜

[@maxinezook3835]

Me too! I grew up on Neil's version of this song & it was one my faves but I never knew the backstory involving Lea's version of the song or heard it until very recently & now IMHO this is the much better version of this song. I tend to root for underdogs too so that gives this version more power to me & causes Neil's to lose some. IMHO Neil could've had a comeback hit with a number of other songs so it's too bad that this version of this song had to get buried into obscurity to favor his comeback.

[@coltzgurl0319]

Same!

[@lenaroberts3428]

When I first heard this version I had to pull over to the side of the road and just close my eyes. Her voice was magnificent and transported me to a different place and time.

[@windofthespirit]

Exactly.... I see it and feel the joy of it, and yes a different place and time. 🥰

[@travelure7779]

She has so much control. I love how she goes from the last word in the verse to the first word in the chorus.

[@lunatik9696]

The Sedaka version is pop and upbeat. This one is more soulful. Both are wonderful and invoke different moods. Sorry Ms Roberts version didn't get pushed more.

[@MichaelJ44]

The story goes, that Neil Sedaka heard this one time, and rushed to have his own version release in 5 days when it wasn’t supposed to be for a few months

[@op80op1]

Lea is a personal friend of mine and also happens to be 2 of my kids 2nd cousin, she was a fantastic singer and a fabulous person! That album is on of my favorites of all time she also recorded the song alright now by the group Free in 1970 in which is a classic rock tune. 👏🏾

[@ZoraNealesStudent]

I consider her one of the great voices of soul. I tell people about her all the time. Let her know she will always be fabulous to me.

[@johnowen5686]

This great delivery of a great song will be on Dave Swantons BBC show this Sat BBC Lancs my favourite song this year it's on BBC Lancashire at 6 pm on Saturday a show with a massive audience, I sent Dave the link he loves it,if not this Saturday certainly next,but should be on this week April 21st you can go on BBC website if you miss it and listen on listen again

[@johnowen5686]

Tracy Snyder Agree Tracy a great voice x

[@RonWylie-gk5lc]

IS she still with us?, I hope so you don't get many of these sweet soul voices in one lifetime. If you see her tell her we think she is amazing

[@gordonmckenzie2920]

Please tell her this was a hit in the island of Jamaica of all places. Jamaicans are soul music fanatics believe it or not.

[@Nostaljack]

Her voice is AMAZING!! WOW! In my opinion, Neil had nothing to worry about as far as his intended musical target was concerned. As GREAT as her voice is, the production isn't as good as she is and this certainly wasn't going to cross over to Neil's audience. She did all she could here though, that's for sure. What a voice!

[@catsinpajamas]

Wow, that's patronizing of you.

[@ronshane6009]

What an awesome, extremely talented lady. I know a kickass singer when I hear one and this one is listening to her back-up musicians. she's a credit to them!!!!!

[@reynavarro69]

Grown folk music...💯❤

[@johnowen5686]

Just found this version on You Tube,best delivery of this song ever! Now going to see what else this amazing voice can sing

[@gerryaire]

why have i never heard of this woman? and i've heard of miley cyrus

[@DexterHaven]

Could Lea twerk on national TV with a giant finger pressed on her cooch and her tongue wagging?

[@LechuzaPrecoz]

Lea Roberts recorded this song before Neil Sedaca recorded it but, to her bad luck, the version of Sedaca eclipsed her.

[@stephenandrews8419]

oscar trespalacios. Not quite Oscar. Neil Sedaka actually recorded it First, when HE wrote it. But he planned to release it a couple of months later to coincide with a tour. But then he heard Lea's great version played on the radio. He was worried that she would have a hit with it & that it would prevent him having a big hit, with what was supposed to be his big comeback single after being out of the charts for around 10 years. So he got his record company to release his version, which he had already made. They rushed his record out in less than a week & it made it to number ONE in the Billboard charts. But like I say Lea's version is really great, she really put soul into the song

[@LechuzaPrecoz]

@@stephenandrews8419 i get your point. Thanks.👍

[@stephenandrews8419]

oscar trespalacio" you stay safe wherever you are Oscar. I am on day 32 of my lockdown here in London 👍

[@jr4915]

Does any relative or friend of Lea know whatever became of her? She is fantastic and her story needs to be told. At minimum she needs a wikipedia page with her life's information. Oh, and this is a fantastic version of this song!

[@arjan5932]

What a cool, soulful version this is of this beautiful song! Wow!

[@kayemartin6185]

Excellent! Excellent! I could listen to this almost forever! I love her voice. This is the first I've heard this!

[@PeterStawicki]

Play it at 1.25 speed and its the best dance hit of the 70s!

[@DINOLOVER6717]

YESSS 🙌🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽 Im so glad I tried this! You’re the mvp sir

[@valdir8417]

Parabéns pela postagem. A maravilhosa ´Lea Roberts deu um verdadeiro show de interpretação desta música que amo. Poxa, quando ouço esta música, minh'alma viaja para momentos inesquecíveis da minha saudosa juventude...pena que o tempo não volta, mas esta música há de ser eterna. obrigado

[@jonathancummings6400]

A great soulful version of this song. Classic "Black" soul sound that's now lost forever to the ascendancy of Hip Hop. This is that beautiful sound that preceded it in the 1970's.

[@davidng7043]

Fantastic performance, beautiful voice, excellent artistic skills

[@ut1004bp]

She makes you a believer before after the first chorus

[@musik102]

I'm a big Sedaka fan but I LOVE this version.

[@coltzgurl0319]

Me too!

[@ceasarandrepont5331]

Both versions are good for me, enjoyable experience.

[@marcoaureliosalesdasilva5638]

Essa versão muito boa amo essa musica Lea Roberts voz linda demais

[@Sarasdad91]

Wow can this girl sing. Amazing.....1000 stars for her.

[@missyhilary8905]

I’m glad that Neil Sedaka admitted that he felt bad for doing this to this lady. She sang the hell out of this.

[@brunoeschenazi]

Groovy!!!

[@RonWylie-gk5lc]

Oh my, what a brilliant voice, like the other poster I dont know how I have never found her, that is soul

[@magenterprise6340]

I grew up on Neil Sedaka's hit version of this song but after hearing this I'm hooked, she sings with so much soul a heart. I prefer this version!

[@PianoRobin503]

Great arrangement!

[@karong7017]

Born in 70's. Too young to enjoy the music. Child of the 80's, feel I missed out.

[@luisortizgarcia9020]

Neil Sedaka's soul rendition. Both of them truly beautiful.

[@WinstonCathedral]

This version actually came out right before Neil Sedaka. There is an article in the 10/12/74 issue of Billboard discussing the release of six singles, each with a competing version. Lea Roberts is mentioned.

[@alanspencer3992]

I Love this rendition. She is great

[@folknhairy]

Had NO IDEA...how lovely to my ears.. ;-) ..beautiful..

[@juliao1255]

My favorite version of this song. And, wow, what a voice!

[@djmarquis]

Lea Robert's was the original 1st. recorded version of this song and it did get alot of radio airplay, which was heard on the airwaves during the time from Neil Sedaka, which sacred him and prompt him to get his release date of his version of the song out much sooner, which eventually overshadow Lea's version of his song and who knows back then her version of the song was probably blackballed from radio & which gave Sedaka's version much more radio airplay & listeners nationally! Both covers musically & vocally of the song are great!

[@twaye30]

I was trying to go to sleep but this song kept running through my mind❤

[@sharonsteele66]

Great singer..,first time that I have heard this version..

[@rosemarymagrino772]

Great version of this song! Had to look up this version after watching Neil Sedaka on the Professor of Rock channel. Great vid about him on that channel

[@valdir8417]

Voltei aqui novamente, e voltarei sempre. Léa Roberts é uma das melhores cantoras que este mundo ja viu. Só ela conseguiu dar brilho na letra desta linda canção, Lea é versatil e dá até pena do Sedaka. Onde você estiver Lea Roberts, receba o meu respeitoso abraço, sou seu fã numero 1.🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷

[@DionnesDiscography]

Omg, next to Ace Spectrum’s version this is my next favorite cover. Smokin vocals!!!! Wow!!

[@RM-ut9wy]

Ace Spectrum has a version of this? Thanks...got to go check it out, right now!

[@DougMcDave]

Neil Sedaka wrote the song. Phil Cody wrote the lyrics. If there is more to it please let me know. He had the song rushed to beat her wide release. I know this was ruthless, but he was desperate for a comeback after a decade. The Beatles had made him irrelevant!

[@GeeBee909]

Not ruthless at all. He also got paid from HER version and HIS version though the publisher Don Kirshner Music (look at the 45 label). This is the music BUSINESS. Once a song is published, ANYONE can make a version of it.

[@MichaelJ44]

How does that work? How did she get access to the song then?

[@DougMcDave]

@@MichaelJ44 Go to "Professor of Rock." I can not describe the details.

[@MichaelJ44]

@@DougMcDave I have watched it plenty of times but i just don’t understand how she would have access to release and record the song. I assume Neil sorta sold the rights in a way

[@GeeBee909]

@@MichaelJ44 She was signed to United Artist Records. Publishers regularly send their songs to record companies trying to get their songs recorded by the labels artists, including their own. This is what happened here. Her label liked the song for her and decided to record it. Once a song is published they cannot stop anyone from recording a version of it, as long as they pay the royalties to the publisher. If Neil wanted to keep the song to himself, he would have told the publisher to publish it, BUT not send it around (at least until he recorded and released his version), but apparently he didn't do this. The first time he knew that someone recorded it is when he heard it on the radio, and then quickly recorded and released HIS version, which, because of Neil's airplay exposure (which she didn't have) became the hit. I didn't even know someone else recorded until I saw it on You Tube, many many years later. Once a song is published anyone can make a version (they cannot be stopped) as long as they pay what is required.

[@albertng8979]

Wow! This is very very good! Hearing it for the first time

[@alt2023services]

so beautiful!!

[@Mr.Sidenote]

A great song is a great song. I'm glad I finally discovered Lea's version. A lot of artists recorded Sedaka songs. I bet he paid closer attention to who was releasing what and when after this. She might've had a big hit with this one. Bad timing as Neil really wanted it for his big comeback in America.

[@jakko6467]

Sweet Soul Music!!!!!!!

[@philgood8089]

More funk than what would play now, but her vocals are VERY much of today. Holy Toledo... love her!

[@helloitsmehb]

best version of this song by far!

[@curlyjoe5020]

Naw...this is a nice version, but Neil's and Ace Spectrum's versions were better.

[@horacioMartinez777]

Neil's version is more romantic, i like Neil's way more!!

[@helloitsmehb]

Out! You guys need to go back to your old profession: 80s Auto-felliatio filmmakers

[@jackyderoche1045]

👏👏💯💗

[@valdir8417]

Maravilhosa Lea Roberts, esta música na interpretação dela ficou magnífica. Alguém sabe dizer por onde anda Lea Roberts... obrigado

[@b.mmoraiz]

A 7 palmos

[@valdir8417]

@@b.mmoraiz obrigado amigo. Valeu pela informação. Pesquisei e não consegui encontrar nada sobre ela.

[@Rikk_Klaww777]

She is up there with the Gladys Knights, and Aretha Franklins.! Unbelievable style and voice..😮❤

[@JUSTREADMYBOOK1]

Well ALRIGHT ! I've never heard another version of this song before. I believe I like it.

[@losinyen3011]

IT gives me chills, more than Neil Sedaka's version.

[@trhowell59]

Ah yes ! ...I remember this and even Neil Sedaka ! Of coarse I was just a Little boy...Older sisters music...LOL,well true ! Thanks !

[@nose159263]

Bella versión. Buena rola, buena interpretación. Me encanta 😍

[@juliawhite3284]

She deserves credit for this beautiful song

[@robertleonard4995]

music industry, after neil recorded the song it was distributed for covers, she covered and happened to release her version just a short time before neil did. kzbin.info/www/bejne/d3WcmX2ZoqqleqM

[@privacyrules393]

I like this version better than Sedaka's. Something tells me I might have heard this version in a movie before. There's so much more rhythm & feeling in this. The vocals are great. The arrangement is great. It makes Sedaka's seem like a demo (more like a Carpenters song) but I still like his too. This reminds me of Aretha vs Dionne Warwick on I'll Say A Little Prayer. I favor Aretha's even though I still like Dionne's.

[@p4u7y]

I love. This is how you do it

[@goo2m]

Brings my soul to life! 😄

[@sabrinalizares-sabo3755]

I did this #number in Chicago at the BATON SHOW lounge. As soon as this number came out.

[@alaydigomez6942]

Bellaaaa.Beautiful

[@ShakespeareCafe]

Don't compare...each rendition stands on its own merits...it's the oohs that hit the heights of lilting mastery

[@carlfon60]

Never knew it was her song but has an excellent style & goo voice.

[@steverino89]

Lea is wonderful. What happened to her? I hope she found her own success. Talented!

[@tallman4040]

How does she even get access to the song? It was Neil's song, and shouldn't the original writer get the first release? She released it first, according to Neil, but How?

[@knotrain2020]

tall man it was Leah first and Niel copied the records actually

[@tallman4040]

@@knotrain2020 How does neil copy the record when he wrote the song?

[@knotrain2020]

I got the information with the clip regarding the interview of Niel Sedaka on the history of the song. You can also watch it. I might misunderstood the interview. I got it yesterday. I am a big fan of Niel and Lea

[@tallman4040]

@@knotrain2020 You did misunderstand it, because the writer of the song, does not copy someone who recorded their song. The real scenerio is probably what happened was the demo of the song was sent out by the publishing firm and Lea heard it and recorded it. And they rush released it.....Neil probably had already recorded it, but his record company just sat on it for a while. That's why neil wanted it out ASAP. But he didn't copy her recording.

[@knotrain2020]

oh i c thank you man! I was not attentive to the clip because I was in my class the time i came accross that vid

[@jbpotter-craig4491]

My absolute favorite version of this song!!!!!!

[@TheKoolkanadian]

LOVE it! Sing it, girllllllllllllll!

[@courtnayzeitler8564]

Different vibe, great song.

[@valdir8417]

Por onde anda você minha diva? .. incrivel o misterio sobre o sumiço desta cantora maravilhosa.Alguem aqui disse que ela morreu, mas nao existe nenhuma materia sobre isto na internet. Uma pena..Onde quer que vc esteja Lea Roberts, seja muito feliz.

[@grahamnaidoo3667]

Too Lulu frm Graham... 46yrs ago... Walking in the rain frm the gig❤

[@organicgardenmamavictoriab2768]

Beautiful song

[@carlom.3053]

October 2020 this version is surprisingly beautiful . ❤️

[@ZoraNealesStudent]

I love this song! Neil Sedaka.

[@warrenwilson1437]

wow! much cooler than Neil's! I can see why Neil was in a hurry to release his.

[@daryjackson8296]

I don't understand how Neil Sadaka wrote it, but someone else was able to make the song and release it before he did. I thought songs belonged to the person that wrote it.

[@GeeBee909]

The publisher of the song (Don Kirshner Music) "shopped" the song around before it (became a hit for Sedaka) for artists to record it. She (or her agents) heard it and like it and recorded the song. No one can stop anyone from recording a song once it is published as long as you pay royalty's for use. Neil mostly likely found out via HIS publisher (Don Kirshner Music) that someone was planning on releasing a version of his song (and the release date), so he quickly recorded and released his version, which became a hit, "spoiling" her version. The exact same thing happened with the Lesley Gore hit "It's My Party". Quincy Jones found out via Phil Spector he was going to release his version (by the Ronettes) and he rushed back into the studio and pressed and released Lesley's version first, and IT became a hit.

[@magnumopus6742]

“Ace Spectrum’s” version brought me here…🤔… And I’m glad I got the pleasure💯 Ace Spectrum was an all male soul group. But nonetheless. With this Queen, her version is undoubtedly MORE 🎶 SOULFUL💯❤️👑

[@edwardanthony7283]

Great version of Neil's big comeback hit.

[@jdavis417]

Golden pipes!

[@smileyguy7214]

Both are great versions.

[@Shanihardy38]

Very nice version!!!!!!

[@eugenemalush9284]

So good!!

[@adrina911]

She is a sanging this! ❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@alexbooth7204]

When you find a rare gem and you about to shout to the world wow such a song and you bury it

[@TheEleatic]

Fantastic.

[@cleialima5721]

Linda...amo essa música!

[@jakko6467]

Beautiful!!!!!