MacArthur Park [full version] - Donna Summer

MacArthur Park [full version]
Sung By Donna Summer
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SYNOPSIS
Donna Summer was in the midst of the disco peak in her career when her producer and long time collaborator Giorgio Moroder asked her to record a cover version of ‘MacArthur Park’, a track written by Jimmy Webb and originally performed by Richard Harris.
Moroder had been looking for a 60s track to give a disco makeover for a good while when he heard ‘MacArthur Park’ on the radio and decided it would be a perfect fit for Summer. Summer at that stage just had major success with singles like ‘Last Dance’ and ‘I Feel Love’.
‘MacArthur Park’ became one of the bigger hits in Donna Summer’s impressive career, hitting number 1 in the US and Canada and reaching top 10 in numerous other countries, outperforming the original in the charts.
Summer recorded the song in a couple of different versions, the original being over 8 minutes long, but a more radio friendly version about half the length made sure that the track became the hit it deserved to be.
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THE SOUNDTRACK
A classic by Richard Harris in 1968, and then another classic made by Donna Summer in 1978. Here's a version I've had in my collection since the Disco Era.
When the original album was released, the "MacArthur Park Suite" was stitched around "Heaven Knows" and "One Of A Kind". The 45RPM Disco single released for club play, contained some instrumentation which was quite different from the Album.
Here I've melded together just "MacArthur Park" to create and even longer [complete] version. So sit back and enjoy all 10 minutes and 47 seconds of "MacArthur Park"!
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KZbin TRACKLIST
00:00 MacArthur Park [full version] (10 : 47)
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LYRICS
Spring was never waiting for us, dear
It ran one 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
Mac Arthur'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, nooooo
I recall the yellow cotton dress
Foaming like a wave
On the ground beneath your knees
Birds like tender babies in your hands
And the old men playing Chinese 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, nooooo
Ah-ha
There will be another song for me
And I will sing it
There will 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 in 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 from the sky.
And after all the loves of my life
After all the loves in my life
You'll still be the one
And I ask myself why?
Yeah
(intermission)
who-who-who-who
who-who-who-who
who-who-who-who
who-who-who-who
who-who-who-who
who-who-who-who
who-who-who-who
who-who-who-who
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 nooooo oh-oooooo
oh wah, oh wah, ah ha
(intermission)
(key change)
(key change)
(finale)
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 nooooo oh-oooooo
oh wah, oh wah, ah ha

[@Peal99t]

This is a great song and Donna Summer never got enough credit for her brilliant voice.....

[@lunnouxhinds8464]

The only version of Macarthur park You need.

[@stephanieknows1668]

This song never gets old. Thanks.

[@barbaracataldo566]

Disco never got better than this!

[@purohandball1]

This version of MacArthur Park reminds me of Cathedral High in L.A., 1979. My best friend Lando Izquierdo RIP and I were in the basketball gym for a dance. We were at the top of the bleachers when this song began playing. He started singing the song almost from the top of his head as if he was Donna Summer...unbelievable! Damn! I miss him so much and the memories we had at Cathedral High. RIP Lando until we meet again!

[@robertjohnson1602]

In it's 46th year of release, I never tire of listening to this masterpiece. Donna Summer's best song as it showcases her incredible range perfectly. Deservedly a US#1 for 3 weeks in November 1978.

[@spetragl]

It's amazing that you can take a classic by British actor Richard Harris, jazz it up with a disco beat, and have "Disco Quee"n Donna Summer belt it out with so much feeling.

[@abigailweir7287]

I love the "ah ha!", it's so full of feminine power. My pa brought me up knowing this song - all the versions.

[@paulmiles4513]

Can't wait to see a bio movie about Donna---she certainly deserves one.

[@joycewilliams7393]

Along with having an awesome voice, Donna was a very intelligent woman.

[@maryannekai7471]

Breathtakingly beautiful too ❤❤❤❤

[@marie_helene8153]

Merci pour ce petit joyau des années 70 💝

[@lunnouxhinds8464]

I love this version of Macarthur park. And I can't find it anywhere. They need to release this on the Dance Collection.

[@lunnouxhinds8464]

Masterpiece.

[@joelcampbell1491]

Agree😊

[@santannavalter]

Anyone else burst in tears with her singing?

[@spetragl]

Every time I hear this version!

[@stephendennis5911]

Timeless classic

[@actarusfleed6607]

I love both versions. They are amazing! Getting tears as I'm typing. Go got to go now before I lose the cake otherwise, I will never get that loving recipe.

[@leoguidera5547]

Brilliantly done. Breathtaking.

[@joycewilliams7393]

Awesome rendition!

[@marianavarro7797]

When songs lasted for half an hour 😃

[@marianavarro7797]

God I love this song!

[@christy7880]

Love this song since 1979! One of my favorites from Donna.

[@lyndaczika6327]

What a song!!! Always LOVE ME some Donna Summer!! 💃🕺🏻🎸🎺🎶🪩🎹👏👏

[@randy6669able]

Great music!! Best memories!! I hope it comes around again some day ❤️

[@davedoe5314]

Brilliant song 🎶

[@xavirocat]

From minute 3'50" to 5'00" is some of the best of Donna

[@CherylEasley-pq6oo]

Yes! The bridge is everything!

[@tompohl6850]

very breath taking wonderful song

[@RocketCalcutta]

Great job in putting this fantastic version together. Thank you 😌🙏🏼

[@AAndromeda-lw7fh]

… Donna is definitely one of the 5 best singers in the world! ... The voice 🔥 is phänomenal and unique!! …For me personally, Donna and Angelina Jordan are the best ✨💎✨ Thank you

[@user-fn2se8gh5o]

Just loved her named my daughter after her

[@williamrodriguez3606]

Donna Summer "MacArthur Park", 1978 This is the original and very first "MacArthur Park" Donna Summer's version ever, in wich it was recorded in one take without any practice before (10:41 mins). * Esta es la versión original y primera de "MacArthur Park" por Donna Summer, la cual se grabó de una sola toma, sin práctica o ensayo previo (10:41 mins). Giorgio Moroder made a wonderful mix including "One Of A Kind" and "Heaven Knows", and the unique spectacular final production was "MacArthur Park Suite"; a great musical Master Piece. * Giorgio Moroder hizo una maravillosa mezcla incluyendo "One Of A Kind" y "Heaven Knows" y la espectacular producción final fue "MacArthur Park Suite"; una gran Obra Maestra musical. It is another trade mark of the legendary Donna Summer's greatness. She is the one and only Queen Of Disco. * Esta es otra marca o sello de grandeza de la legendaria Donna Summer. Ella es la única Reina Del Disco. Blessings to everybody! * ¡Bendiciones para todos! William Rodríguez-Zayas. From my gorgeous island of Puerto Rico 🇵🇷, The Enchatment Island and The Island Of The Lamb Of GOD. Amen. * William Rodríguez-Zayas, desde mi hermosa isla de Puerto Rico 🇵🇷. La Isla Del Encanto y La Isla Del Cordero De DIOS. Amén

[@joelcampbell1491]

Music of my youth .Great decade

[@exton2174]

Awesome.

[@docedepimentaa]

PERFEIÇÃO DE MÚSICA!!!!

[@williamrodriguez3606]

¡Wow, Donna Summer, "Mac Arthur Park", la versión original! Gracias, por compartir la espectacular versión completa (oficial) de "Mac Arthur Park", interpretada magistralmente, por Donna Summer; manufacturada por Casablana Records & Filmworks en el año 1978. Siempre he anhelado, esta maravillosa Obra Maestra musical,: "Mac Arthur Park", integra (no en "mixeo"). ¡Les deseo muchas ❤ bendiciones para todos! William Rodríguez-Zayas, desde mi lindo y hermoso Puerto Rico 🇵🇷. La Isla Del Encanto. La Isla Del Cordero De DIOS. Amén.

[@Indiscriminance]

Another one of those howdufuq-did-I-forget-this-existed moments. Internet says disco sucks. Disco says internet sucks.

[@josephscovitch2701]

Donna outdid Richard Harris 1967-68 version of this song by several miles. For sure. All the royalties should go to Donna. Such a modern masterpiece. Farewell Donna and Casablanca records for such music genius. RIP. Danceable and memorable. Thanks, Donna Summer, Bruce, and Giorgio. Vive les pop rock, ballad, and disco freaks ....

[@spetragl]

Don't forget Jimmy Webb wrote this beautiful song about a failed romance. All of the metaphors relate to something real in his life. (All the sweet green icing flowing down) and (Someone left the cake out in the rain)! Beautiful words.

[@patrizialucchetti3240]

...chissà se avremo un altra Donna Summer??...così come Tina Turner, Amy Winehouse ed altri ancora...

[@jegocalderone]

4:38 is my favorite part

[@nigel6045]

YES ME TOO!!!!!!

[@raindeerprojekt4119]

THIS is the definitive version or Fight ME.

[@lunnouxhinds8464]

They really need to update the dance collection of Donna Summer.

[@michaeltnewyorknights8413]

Was this version released in the 70's or is this a new edit? Great version, regardless.

[@spetragl]

It's an exact recreation of a DJ edit I heard in a club back in the late 70's. Essentially the 45 RPM single, album and Disco single were all merged together.

[@michaeltnewyorknights8413]

@@spetragl well yes, clearly .Beginning, Middle, End.

[@joycewilliams7393]

The lyrics have such a deep meaning that we need to meditate on. The disco music is awesome but the lyrics are even greater.

[@BBRealityTV07]

I love your seamless music segment arrangements starting at 8:19 to 9:20. Amazing talent. Nice work. 💎✨

[@lyndaczika6327]

I aged!!! It’s phenomenal!!! 💃👏😊

[@shilohearn3497]

Is making love to a beautiful song

[@lyndaczika6327]

Where are the lyrics for this longer version? 🤔

[@stevenholden3933]

The Beatles never played Disco! Get a grip.

[@Axel-hw6hk]

Better than anything the Beatles ever released

[@gxl5892]

Agree 100%!!!

[@sidkaskey]

LOL. Yeah. Right.

[@rolandmiller5456]

Not even Donna would say that God rest her soul

[@purohandball1]

Agree...almost!

[@abigailweir7287]

Different genre, but I get your point.

[@zbigniew_cybulski]

Super!