Peter Allen "Losing My Mind" Demo for the Musical Follies 1971

Before Peter Allen was in such Broadway shows as Up in One (1979) and Legs Diamond (1988-89), he wrote songs for the show Vain Victory (1971) at the off-off-Broadway La MaMa Theatre, made his Broadway debut in Soon (1971), a rock opera that played only three performances, and contributed songs to the 1979 musical, The Madwoman of Central Park West ("Don't Wish" a.k.a. "Don't Wish Too Hard") and the 1980 play, Last Summer at Bluefish Cove ("Impatient Heart"). He also made demos for such musicals as 70, Girls, 70 (1971), Prettybelle (1971), and Follies (1971). "Losing My Mind" was a demo Allen did for Stephen Sondheim's musical, Follies.
Demo; Metromedia Music; 1971.
"Losing My Mind"
Written by: S. Sondheim
The sun comes up, I think about you.
The coffee cup, I think about you.
I want you so, it's like I'm losing my mind.
The morning ends, I think about you.
I talk to friends, I think about you.
And do they know, it's like I'm losing my mind.
All afternoon, doing every little chore
The thought of you stays bright.
Sometimes I stand in the middle of the floor
Not going left, not going right.
I dim the lights, and think about you.
Spend sleepless nights to think about you.
You said you loved me, or were you just being kind?
Or am I losing my mind?
Does no one know, it's like I'm losing my mind.
All afternoon, doing every little chore
The thought of you stays bright.
Sometimes I stand in the middle of the floor
Not going left, not going right.
I dim the lights, and think about you.
Spend sleepless nights to think about you.
You said you loved me, or were you just being kind?
Or am I losing my mind?

[@freedomforassange]

I finally saw The boy from Oz a few days ago!!! IT WAS AMAZING!! Absolutely brilliant! Love love loved it!

[@TheMusicMagicofPeterAllen]

😃

[@christopherbush9027]

Omg! Two of my favorite things at once!!! Sondheim’s brilliant Follies & Peter Allen at the same time!!! What an interesting take here - I can’t believe I’ve never heard this! Thank you so much for posting this!!!

[@TheMusicMagicofPeterAllen]

So glad you enjoyed it! A two for one song!!

[@jackofalltradesmercury207]

Love It 👍👍👍👍

[@TheMusicMagicofPeterAllen]

Good to hear it!

[@guygriffin3490]

Wow! 🫠

[@TheMusicMagicofPeterAllen]

Cool!

[@christinehaley8097]

Thanks for another treat!

[@TheMusicMagicofPeterAllen]

You bet!

[@britsluver]

Omg Pete ❤❤❤❤

[@TheMusicMagicofPeterAllen]

[@Peppersbear]

This is a hit!

[@TheMusicMagicofPeterAllen]

Thanks!!! 😀

[@markwalford-groom]

Was.a uk hit for Liza

[@TheMusicMagicofPeterAllen]

With help from another fave of mine The Pet Shop Boys!

[@mirandachilde1894]

Great song. I love Peter Allen eternally, but this was not a song for him. Forgive me Peter.

[@TheMusicMagicofPeterAllen]

And that's okay.

[@joshdrayton1230]

I guess you have to make allowances for this being a pop take on the song. Even so, it's a terrible arrangement, with the jaunty, upbeat accompaniment pretty much evoking the opposite mood to the lyrics. Interesting that Liza would do an even more unusual - but much more successful - pop interpretation of the song years later (with the Pet Shop Boys).

[@TheMusicMagicofPeterAllen]

That's what demos are for - to test everything out.