Donna Summer – MacArthur Park

About the song

Donna Summer‘s rendition of “MacArthur Park” is a timeless classic that has captivated audiences since its release in 1978. Originally written by Jimmy Webb and first recorded by Richard Harris in 1968, this song found a new lease on life in Summer’s hands, becoming a defining track of the disco era.

Featured on her double album “Live and More”, “MacArthur Park” was released as a single in September 1978. The album itself showcases Summer’s versatility, blending live performances with studio recordings, and “MacArthur Park”stands out as a crowning achievement. The song’s release during the height of the disco craze helped cement Donna Summer’s reputation as the “Queen of Disco.”

The lyrics of “MacArthur Park” are known for their evocative and somewhat cryptic imagery. The song describes the lament of a lost love, using the metaphor of a cake left out in the rain in MacArthur Park, a real place in Los Angeles. The lines “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” are both memorable and mystifying, contributing to the song’s enduring appeal.

Donna Summer’s interpretation of “MacArthur Park” is particularly noteworthy for its powerful and emotive delivery. Her ability to infuse the song with both passion and melancholy brought a new depth to Webb’s composition. The song’s complex structure, featuring multiple sections and tempo changes, allowed Summer to showcase her impressive vocal range and versatility.

In terms of social impact, “MacArthur Park” was more than just a hit; it was a cultural phenomenon. Summer’s version of the song topped the Billboard Hot 100, marking her first number one hit on that chart. It also played a significant role in bringing disco music into the mainstream, bridging the gap between pop and dance music.

The song’s success helped solidify Donna Summer’s status as a major figure in the music industry, paving the way for future hits like “Hot Stuff”, “Bad Girls”, and “Last Dance”. Her performance of “MacArthur Park” remains a highlight of her career and a testament to her talent and enduring legacy.

In summary, Donna Summer‘s “MacArthur Park” is a masterful reimagining of a classic song, imbued with the emotional intensity and vocal prowess that defined her career. Its release in 1978 during the peak of the disco era, its placement on the “Live and More” album, and its profound social impact underscore its significance in the landscape of 1970s music.

Video

Lyrics

Spring was never waiting for us, dear
It ran one step ahead
As we followed in the dance

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, no

I recall the yellow cotton dress
Foaming like a wave
On the ground beneath your knees
The 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, no

MacArthur’s Park is melting in the dark
All the sweet, green icing flowing down
Someone left my cake out in the rain
And 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, no, oh