Let's Pretend - The Raspberries | The Midnight Special

The Raspberries performed May 4, 1973
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[@trink591122]

I’ve always been a fan of Eric Carmen since seeing them in ‘74 at the Madison theater in Cleveland Ohio. His music and memories will always live on. He had class and was a classic gentleman.

[@spiritgover4223]

People, drop what you're doing and give this guy and his band some time and love. Carmen was amazing.

[@1976GeorgeMa]

I just heard that Eric Carmen passed away. I am totally devastated! The Raspberries were one of my favorite bands, And "Let's Pretend" was my favorite among all their awesome songs. R.I.P. Eric. Thank You so much for the music, it will live on forever. Condolences to his family.

[@joseaviles3398]

RIP Erick Carmen

[@seanstorm6226]

You took my thoughts right out of your feelings for the man, and "Let's Pretend" is one of my favorites.

[@KittyGrizGriz]

Yes. It’s. So. Sad 😿😿😿

[@sunnystormy4973]

~ rest in paradise ~ 😔 🕯 ikr ... awhile ago !

[@sunnystormy4973]

​@@joseaviles3398 eric *

[@gamerguy5737]

RIP Eric Carmen. You were a power pop Legend. I still can’t believe you’re gone.

[@debradireen3625]

Eric had an incredible range and was drop dead gorgeous and talented, your leaving has taken part of my heart away. RIP ❤ thanks for sharing your gift of music with us.

[@magneto7930]

I wish a lot more people were aware of this band. I always loved them, but they deserved to be a lot more successful than they were.

[@debradireen3625]

Yes they certainly weren’t just a flash in the pan that’s for sure and they should be in the rock n roll hall of fame

[@KittyGrizGriz]

I think they’re “all” handsome & very talented men, what a great sounding band ❤.

[@debbieschultz106]

You are so right

[@LousFool]

The Raspberries...what a fantastic band. But that voice of Eric Carmen. What a magical, unreal sound he had. Pure talent. So hard to know he is gone. The comments here on this video show how much he was loved. Great memories of your music. Thank you Eric...

[@steveludwig4200]

What a TERRIBLE name though...

[@righteousgarrity9672]

Agree, and I thought so at their beginning. To make it worse their first image as a band was wearing matching white leisure suits. Whoever was responsible for (or influenced) their branding really blew it same as they did too by going along with it. Seriously damaged their launch and what could have been.

[@texnb4]

The Raspberries were a package deal - fab chord progressions, sublime harmonies and classic power pop riffs. RIP Eric Carmen.

[@damnyankeefl]

this is badfinger level stuff right here. loved this kind of music.

[@Ayylmaogoodsir]

Power pop is this best genre of music ever.

[@JDB1184]

YES !

[@1976GeorgeMa]

Love the Raspberries. One of my favorite bands. They never got the credit they truly deserved. They should be in the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame. The creators of "power pop" IMHO.

[@richalderson6069]

This is both the best song that Brian Wilson and Paul McCartney never wrote. A superb bit of 60's influenced pop craftsmanship.

[@thetwistedwigs8253]

R.I.P. Eric. Thanks for the great music.

[@LizChavez-z3z]

I’ve been listening to my Raspberry albums all morning. RIP Eric and thanks for being there during my teenage years. Condolences to his family.❤

[@LarryGonzalez00]

Eric, you will always be missed but never forgotten. I'm taking comfort in your music tonight. RIP.

[@andyinoregon]

This live performance reminds me that I didn't pay nearly enough attention to the music of Eric Carmen and The Raspberries before they disbanded in early 1975. This is some of the best jangle rock I've ever heard! So grateful for "The Midnight Special" channel.

[@CelticGal57]

Said exactly what I felt. Thanks for your post Andy. ❤😊 3:11

[@Ladyofthepond]

I was 14 when I heard this song on my little transistor radio and I thought “this is what love will be like!” But love for me, wasn’t like that at all … damn you Eric Carmen for making me fall for that ❤ I did find that love at 50… 15 years ago. I cherish this song and “Go All the Way” “ I Wanna be with You” And all other songs he created and sang. Much love and respect to the Family of this man.

[@jackiesmith2801]

Ha! I was just thinking the same thing, and then I see your comment. In my pre-teen years, I also thought this was what love was like. Still waiting at age 59.

[@Ladyofthepond]

Jackie, for me, who was married twice to complete turds, it wasn’t until I met a super nice guy … that was the bass player in my 2nd turd husband’s band, and we became friends and he was able to bring out my sunshine. Sometimes love is truly just around the corner or possibly right in front of us❤

[@jackiesmith2801]

@@Ladyofthepond So happy for you. A big part of my problem is I never meet any people. I live in a very rural area and never go out.

[@Ladyofthepond]

Ooohh Jackie, it’s difficult to meet people as we get older… we all have baggage! Some of it is really bad and hard to bear. I’m a massage therapist and have many clients that tell me what’s going on in their lives and most times it’s inspiring and sometimes it’s depressing. But we listen to each other and share personal stuff…. For some women I am the only person who touches them…! And they are married. I’m looking into joining a church, taking a watercolor class at the community college, volunteering to help others. Me and you have much to offer to others and expand ourselves ♥️

[@avelsgard78]

😮​@@Ladyofthepond I am so glad you found a "good guy"❤️

[@cricket-wd2zy]

A part of my youth is gone😢. RIP Eric Carmen.. thanks for all the memories from my youth.

[@DeptOfRevenue]

Lyrics got me emotional. Long ago there were moments in time I wish had lasted forever.

[@OriginalBadfinger]

My favorite EC song in his Raspberries catalog. OMG, that lead vocal...the Beach Boys-like harmonies... pop perfection. RIP Eric 😢

[@StephanieJeanne]

That's a really nice one. I love their harmony. Almost makes you want to believe in fantasies again.😍

[@that70sgirl90]

Always believe!! 💟

[@StephanieJeanne]

@@that70sgirl90 I'm trying. Sometimes life gets in the way. Thanks for your encouragement.😊💜

[@rosskstar]

Read the bible, prime your mind for the 'hidden manna', as the Son of God is back. No fantasy but we're entering a time of visions, wonders and miracles.

[@kentwilliams1043]

True story: In March of 2013 I was sitting at the bar at the Marco Island Hilton at about 11 pm, on spring break with my wife & kids. It was a sucky little bar tucked away next to the restaurant; & it was dead, like there were maybe 3-4 other people there. I noticed this dude sitting at the piano just sort of fiddling around, & since I used to play a little (30 years earlier I sang lead in a college band) I went over to strike up a convo & holy cow it was Eric Carmen! He was the nicest guy, we sat together at the piano for the next hour, drinking& telling jokes & stories… he played the first few bars of Let’s Pretend & asked if I remembered it, & of course I did so he played while we both sang it (drunkenly) together… he complimented me on how well (at almost 50) I could still control the break between falsetto & head voice… I told him why I thought “Go All The Way” was structurally the best power pop song ever, and we talked about that & the power of the suspended 4th which led to speculation about what chords are so powerful they are lost to antiquity because they influenced human behavior so profoundly the Ancient Greeks banned them … I told Eric about how at college parties, my music major friends would hijack the turntable to put on “All By Myself” or “Never Gonna Fall In Love Again” while they smoked pot & compared his arrangements to the London Philharmonic playing whatever Rachmaninov piano concerto he used… then Eric got serious for a moment and he said something about how he loved classical music so much and had wanted to “find a way to bring it to the people”… at the time I assumed Eric was performing in Naples or somewhere but he was actually there at the Hilton on vacation, in fact the next day he was by the pool wearing a Speedo as I recall which was a little weird but whatever, he had sunglasses on & nobody seemed to recognize him except me… we were both hung over (at least I was) & just sort of nodded at each other lol… I didn’t see him again after that.

[@steveludwig4200]

Cool story....except for the Speedo part.....LOL

[@karensing8663]

How did he look in a speedo in his 60s? I still thought he was cute.

[@johnx5891]

Dang, I miss the Midnight Special! Always live!

[@brucegrossman3531]

These guys and Big Star pretty much influenced countless indie rock bands.

[@CoCotheTurtle]

216

[@spiritgover4223]

Amen.

[@damnyankeefl]

dude was amazing.

[@redrooster1908]

"Let's Pretend" was performed on The Midnight Special television program (season 1, episode 15) on May 4, 1973. The show was hosted by Johnny Nash.

[@McCartney618]

Eric Carmen, Rest in peace. 😢

[@elizizzo]

I’ve been listening to Eric and Raspberries incessantly for about a week. This is such an amazing performance. Such great music… RIP and thank you Eric Carmen ❤

[@citizenplane5840]

Do you understand how amazing they sound without all the effects? I cant think of one band that sounds this good now

[@S223-y9l]

Eric Carmen was a one-of-a-kind musical craftsman. A true talent, a true gentleman and a truly heartbreaking loss. At least we still have his superb music!

[@DivineFellowship]

The other three guys did a fabulous job with the background vocals. They were all real singers. Carmen must have worked hard to collect all those guys. Eric C. did an amazingly good job on his vocal, which is very high, at the very top of his range.

[@paulsantos914]

RIP Eric. You're a surefire legend.

[@that70sgirl90]

Beautiful song! ❤ He has some falsetto! Happy Saturday... thank you for sharing! 💖

[@JonathonSwift-uj4fb]

Those 3 hits are classics - fantastic - I NEVER get tired of hearing them - Jewish guy too!

[@SusanMarie3]

So young here - RIP Eric-soundtrack of my junior high years 🎶🎶🎶❤️

[@Kekuahiwi]

I"m a hopeless romantic and these songs just go so deep in memory and fantasy. Eric Carmen was a hopeless romantic, too. And so adorable to see and hear. If I'd discovered The Raspberries in the seventies and I was in my twenties I'd have had a hopeless crush on him.

[@jorgeiguana]

Perfect Song. What a Band!!!❤

[@Washington-Dreaming]

This guy has a pretty impressive falsetto.

[@rebeccarosehirschfield7386]

As much as I am a devoted admirer of Eric Carmen’s inimitable Raspberries-era genius, that’s not a falsetto at all. He wrote this song in a range which goes too high for his tenor voice, so he’s straining to sing it (even on the album). And that’s a shame, because otherwise ‘Let’s Pretend’ is a beautiful ballad about teenaged sexual angst.

[@gailenright6894]

No one .... no one.... sings like this.....hope he got all the love this life had to offer......there is no magic like his

[@scothenry1896]

back in the day, 8 track cruisin' music. My favorite

[@KittyGrizGriz]

😿🕊️🎶❤ RIP Eric Carmen, thank you for bringing us joy, to remember…forever.

[@KittyGrizGriz]

Eric Carmen, love his voice what a fabulous sounding band. Romantic lyrics for sure 💘

[@Mr_Jingle]

hell yeah!

[@pedrofraga4366]

These LIVE VOCALS are perfect. Eric Carmen was a beast!!!!

[@creagon868]

As far as im concerned one of the Greatest Bands Ever and most certainly should be Inducted into the Hall of Fame ❤

[@thomasmarthinussen8978]

Pop perfection from Eric Carmens skillful pen. From my favourite Raspberries album, Fresh.

[@luisarguello7927]

I have the vinyl of this song. I have listened to it hundreds of times where I went dancing in the 70s. I have every sound of this song in my memory and I warn everyone who says it is not live that they are wrong. This is a wonderful live version

[@johnx5891]

Burt Sugarman of Midnight Special REQUIRED only live acts! Nothing like it since.

[@loisbeyer5336]

I'm a huge Eric Carmen fan, but that's not live. I had the 45, I listened to it with headphones, it's recorded.

[@luisarguello7927]

@@loisbeyer5336 First I share what @johnx5891 says that most of the performances were live but I also still have the vinyl of this great song and it is not the same, you can even notice it in Eric's falsettos, you can see his effort in trying to achieve the same performance as the original recording, the choruses of his companions do not come out the same as on the album, since I was 8 years old I have been listening to music friend and now I am 66 and if there is one thing I know, it is recognizing live music and recordings...

[@danceccon8469]

The vocals are definitely live sung over a track. Eric barely hits those high notes, the quintessential pop band, bravo

[@gailenright6894]

Let me pretent that I could pen a song and my voice would be so good that I could fly with the eagles. This man is gifted and disciplined in music plus ne writes from a romantic heart that is rarer with each generation. So blessed to have this work of art

[@nikdel3151]

Best live vocals ever!

[@chriscollins7604]

the most underrated band of all time.

[@carseye1219]

There should have been so much more from the group. They were genre-defying. Eric went on to a lot of success as a solo artist but the Raspberries sound was so unique. But ultimately, just too short of a magnificent blip across our radar screens.

[@rebeccarosehirschfield7386]

Eloquent and true.

[@pattibrooks1907]

Love this 70 s song

[@bethsnyder8376]

Just Gorgeous. Let's Pretend Eric is still here and The Rasberries are still together.

[@MG-nw1bk]

何度聴いても飽きない名曲中の名曲 メロウでキャッチーかつタイト RIP

[@Curly34584]

Great Song and Memories👍❤️ RIP Eric

[@RobotShlomo]

My favorite non-Beatles song ever!

[@DanaJiles]

Omg what a sweet sound.

[@loisbeyer5336]

Nice Harmony Wally Bryson.❤

[@SThompsonRAMM_1203]

Growing up, listening to the raspberries, always enjoyed watching Wally sing. She always seem to be having so much fun and I couldn’t vision myself doing what he was doing. I didn’t have to be front and center, but I did have to make an impression Wally always did that.

[@lancep4164]

I was (and still am) a huge fan. Saw 2 of their reunion concerts. They were fantastic. So sad to hear of Eric’s passing.

[@メイ-z1y]

ラズベリーズは私の青春そのものでした。エリックは私がずっと尊敬する憧れの人です。彼が天国に召された事を知り、悲しく寂しい気持ちで一杯です。彼の名曲は永遠に残ります。エリックに感謝しています。

[@lauriebarnes2999]

Thanks, The Midnight Special, for a great Raspberries video! Just love these guys! ❤️

[@righteousgarrity9672]

Pure gold, all these years later. Kudos to Eric and the Raspberries

[@Daytripper51]

RIP Eric......I saw you from the beginning.....Cyrus Erie.....Raspberries...and solo career.....

[@John_Michael2000]

Eric wrote incredible songs... I just don't understand why he was always singing on the very edge of his rang. My fav is "Make Me Lose Control", "Go All The Way", and "I'm Through With Love"

[@birdsfan57]

The memories...🙂😥

[@lisetteprivado]

I have been watching him rocking out with his groups performance of several yeas ago in Cleveland for the last several months . White hair and all.I was so impressed. ♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️

[@minsterhill]

Just so great! Where did this music go??!! If you can suggest any band with these chops and songwriting, passion, and melody today please suggest it to me!!!!

[@kthor]

To start, the fabulous Bee Gees!🎶

[@rickenbackerboy4123]

Almost Beatle-like ❤

[@KittyGrizGriz]

The whole band is so gorgeously handsome and those lyrics and harmonies oh my, I think I just fell in love, so painfully romantic I can FEEL the wanting-longing too!!! 💗💗💗

[@sejrec56]

Wow listen to how good they were LIVE

[@rulistening7777]

The Raspberries are in my DNA ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@lensquires6580]

AM radio fans loved Raspberries music in the 70's. I was at Charlotte High School in Rochester, NY in the 1970s when the Raspberries came out. I still remember buying their first self-titled "Vinyl" album with the "Scratch and Sniff" sticker on the front. Yes, if you scratched it, it smelled like Raspberries! They had a lot of great songs, Let's Pretend was one of them, but my two favorites were, "I Can Remember," and "If You Change Your Mind." I had lost a high school sweet heart back then, and it seemed every one of Eric's words resonated with the feelings I was going through. After Eric left the band for his solo career in the late 1970's, I believe it was the Summer of 1975, I saw the remaining band with Wally Bryson on lead guitar, doing a show at the Hilton High School gymnasium in Hilton, NY. The Raspberries were Great with Eric and Eric had many hits alone and it was great they re-united in the later years to do great shows together again. Thanks for a Great "live" song, Thanks Eric, Thanks Raspberries for Great memories... ❤✝🙏

[@bills6963]

That's my favorite Raspberries song - and I have so many favorites!

[@karensing8663]

Oh Eric, my heart hurts so bad! Love you and your music forever. Keep singing ....

[@eugeneparra3894]

WOO, I always love Eric and his music one of a kind my the good Lord rest your Soul brother.

[@Kat-yk9hl]

❤❤ raspberries please do a tribute for Eric in Cleveland Ohio for free so we can come together and remember him ❤❤

[@schteboroberts299]

Live on EC…forever!!!

[@MaryDougherty-r3u]

Beautiful voice. RIP

[@joedefilippo8908]

Eric- RIP and rock on!

[@loisbeyer5336]

I believe this is live .I didn't think it was at first because the sound is an exact replica of the vinyl. But then I saw the mic with Carmen at the end of the song. I took guitar when I was a kid because of this song, the chord sequence was scary hooked. I had heard of this Eric Carmen guy, everyone was talking about him. But I had no clue who the Raspberries were. I bought the 45 ( does anyone know what a 45 is now), wore headphones in the dark listening to this over and over because I was 16 and my mother kept telling me to go to bed. I was in high school. I found a guitar teacher and paid for acoustic guitar lessons with my little check from an after school job before I knew who Eric Carmen was. I read Eric Carmen started guitar at about 15 after he studied piano. He didn't like the teacher's style so he bought a Beatles chord book and taught himself and in about 4 months he played guitar. When I saw this guy play classical piano I was floored. No sheet music. He's still touring, and he sounds the same. He hasn't modified arrangements to accommodate a vocal change as far as I can see. I met a few rock musicians in the 70s including Al Stuart who I heard play a set after Year of the Cat. Al was offended I had asked about the previous album. . I always wanted to meet Eric Carmen and Rick Springfield, who is currently touring and selling out. Both are consumate, melodically trained classic musicians, not like the garbage out today. Edit: March 12, 2024 RIP Eric. I'm in shock and sad.

[@phishbill]

Some of the vocals were live, but not all of them, and the instruments were canned. You can tell when they come live with a surge in the vocals late in the song. They navigated that quite well IMHO. RIP Eric.

[@loisbeyer5336]

@@phishbill oh. Ok. Thanks for the info.

[@andreanewell639]

Love Forever

[@leehsoares5994]

Amo essa música, e sou apaixonada pelo wally bryson❤um ótimo guitarrista.

[@nickcupkovic5721]

A great man from Ohio 😊

[@JoyReininger]

Love this one, I have the record

[@charleswojciechowski9459]

So sad Mr Carmen passed. The great Raspberries.

[@gplunk]

Pure, solid, gold.

[@rickenbackerboy4123]

I submit ... Eric Carmen was just possibly the closest that any artist in America came to out-McCartney-ing McCartney 😊

[@澤田敏彦]

エリック・カルメンの歌声大好きでした。特にこの曲は。。天国に行っても歌って下さい

[@dougolson608]

See this boys and girls? Compare this to your "musical artists" of today. Here you have actually talent and instrumental skill. No auto tune or canned music. Pure vocal talent on display while playing their own instruments. This makes today's music look and sound like a heap of stink !

[@katiacdef]

Rip# I will love you forever, Eric❤

[@daniellaubach7544]

Great song next their other hit "Go All The Way".

[@andreanewell639]

Greatest version Live of "Under My Skin".....

[@marcbolan1818]

Raspberries greatest Power Pop band of all time. Here is Eric’s Beach Boys influence

[@יגאלנחום]

🕯⚘️RIP

[@samdorsey4590]

I can't believe Eric is gone😢 And can't believe he's not in the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame!!!!!!!! Come on Rock Hall, WTH 🤦‍♂️ 🤦‍♂️

[@bcask61]

What an amazing tune. Incredible hook, great melody and Eric’s vocal was great. A little out of his range but he pulled it off.

[@philliesphorever1964]

Rip Eric ❤️🙏

[@JonasQuigly]

These guys were great backup singers too.

[@cowboykelly6590]

ALL BY MYSELF DONT WANNA BE... IT'S ERIC !!

[@KittyGrizGriz]

Wonder if a Bigsby tremolo & a Telecaster guitar were involved with their gorgeous “sound” here?

[@valerieschoen7494]

After this, Eric Carmen went off all by himself to have a decent solo career.

[@Mr_Jingle]

he sure did!

[@kadiummusic]

Guitarists never EVER want to drop keys. 😎

[@LouieLouie3]

So good the Bay City Rollers did a version.

[@daniellaubach7544]

Yea they did. Les McKuen did nice cover version for their Dedication album mid 70's. So sad that he's gone. Another singer/songwriter like some many during the decade.

[@LouieLouie3]

@@daniellaubach7544 Shaun Cassidy recorded a couple of Eric’s solo career songs “That’s Rock and Roll” and “Hey Deannie”.