Let's Live for Today (song)

Last updated
"Let's Live for Today"
LetsLiveForTodaySingle.jpg
Single by The Grass Roots
from the album Let's Live for Today
B-side "Depressed Feeling"
ReleasedMay 13, 1967 (1967-05-13)
Recorded1967
Genre
Length2:35
Label Dunhill
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
The Grass Roots singles chronology
"Tip of My Tongue"
(1967)		"Let's Live for Today"
(1967)		"Things I Should Have Said"
(1967)

"Let's Live for Today" is a song written by David "Shel" Shapiro and Italian lyricist Mogol, with additional English lyrics provided by Michael Julien. [1] [2] It was first recorded, with Italian lyrics, under the title of "Piangi con me" ("Cry with Me", in English) by the Italian-based English band the Rokes in 1966. [1] [2] Later, when "Piangi con me" was due to be released in the United Kingdom, publisher Dick James Music requested that staff writer Julien compose English lyrics for the song. [2] Julien composed new lyrics, rather than translating them from the Italian, and it was his input that transformed "Piangi con me" into "Let's Live for Today". [2]

Contents

The song was popularized by the American rock band the Grass Roots, [1] who released it as a single on May 13, 1967. [3] The Grass Roots' version climbed to number 8 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart, eventually selling over two million copies and being awarded a gold disc. [1] [4] [5] The song also became the title track of the Grass Roots' second album, Let's Live for Today . [6] Since its initial release, the Grass Roots' rendition of the song has become a staple of oldies radio programming in America and is today widely regarded by critics as a 1960s classic. [2]

History

Early recordings

The song that would become "Let's Live for Today" was originally written by English musician David "Shel" Shapiro in 1966, with words by Italian lyricist Mogol and entitled "Piangi con me" (in English: "Cry with Me"). [1] [2] At the time, Shapiro was a member of the Rokes, an English Beat music group who had relocated to Italy in 1963 and had signed a recording contract with RCA Italiana the following year. [1] [2] During the mid-1960s, the Rokes became a popular band on the Italian charts, achieving a number of top 20 hits with Italian-language cover versions of popular British and American songs. [2] [7] By 1966, however, the band had begun to write their own material, including "Piangi con me", which quickly became their biggest hit to date in Italy. [1] [2] The vocals on the Rokes' original recording were by the band's drummer Mike Shepstone, rather than Shapiro. [8]

Following its success on the Italian charts, plans were made to release "Piangi con me" in the United Kingdom and as a result, the song was translated into English by Shapiro and given the new title of "Passing Thru Grey". [2] However, the song's publisher in Britain, Dick James Music, was unhappy with these lyrics and decided that they should be changed. [2] Michael Julien, a member of the publisher's writing staff, was assigned the task of writing new words for the song and it was his input that transformed the song into "Let's Live for Today". [2] According to writer Andy Morten, the new lyrics "captur[ed] the era's zeitgeist of freedom and hedonism...". [8] The Rokes' version was released by RCA Victor in April 1967, on the same day that a rival version by London band the Living Daylights was released on the Philips record label. [8] [2] Neither version reached the UK charts.

The Grass Roots' version

In the United States, the Rokes' version of "Let's Live for Today" found its way to the head of Dunhill Records, who felt that the song would make a suitable single release for the Grass Roots. [1] The songwriting/production team of P. F. Sloan and Steve Barri, who managed the Grass Roots' recordings, were also enthusiastic about the song, with Sloan being particularly enamored with of the similarities that the song's chorus had with the Drifters' single "I Count the Tears". [1] "Let's Live for Today" was recorded by the Grass Roots with the help of session musicians, including Sloan on lead guitar, and was released as a single in May 1967. [1] [3] The lead vocal on the Grass Roots' recording was sung by the band's bassist Rob Grill [1] and the distinctive "1-2-3-4" count-in before the chorus was sung by guitarist Warren Entner.

The song quickly became popular with the record buying public, selling over two million copies in the U.S. [1] and finally peaking at number 8 on the Billboard Hot 100 during June 1967. [4] As well as being popular with domestic American audiences, "Let's Live for Today" also found favor with young American men serving overseas in the Vietnam War, as music critic Bruce Eder of the AllMusic website has noted: "Where the single really struck a resonant chord was among men serving in Vietnam; the song's serious emotional content seemed to overlay perfectly with the sense of uncertainty afflicting most of those in combat; parts of the lyric could have echoed sentiments in any number of letters home, words said on last dates, and thoughts directed to deeply missed wives and girlfriends." [1] Eder also described "Let's Live for Today" by the Grass Roots as "one of the most powerful songs and records to come out of the 1960s". [1]

In addition to its appearance on the Grass Roots' Let's Live for Today album, the song also appears on several of the band's compilations, including Golden Grass , Their 16 Greatest Hits , Anthology: 1965–1975, and All Time Greatest Hits. [1]

Other versions

Along with the Rokes, the Living Daylights, and the Grass Roots, the song has also been recorded by a number of other bands, including Tempest, the Lords of the New Church, the Slickee Boys, the dB's, and Dreamhouse. [9] Finnish singer Fredi released a Finnish-language version called "Onhan päivä vielä huomennakin" ("There'll still be a day tomorrow", or "Leave it for tomorrow") in 1968. [10] Another Finnish version is by rock band Popeda in 2008, included on their album Täydelliset miehet (en: Perfect Men) [11] and also the same year on their single "Onhan päivä vielä huomennakin". [12] A version with different English lyrics was released in December 1966 by the Dutch band the Skope as "Be Mine Again". [13] This version reached number 36 on the Dutch Top 40 chart. [14] Chilean rock band Los Beat 4 recorded a Spanish-language version titled "Llora Conmigo", released in 1967. [15]

The Grass Roots' recording of the song appears in the 1997 film Wild America [16] and on its accompanying soundtrack album. [17] A cover version by the Atomics appears in a 2017 TV commercial for H&M. The Grass Roots' version plays over the opening credits of the first season of Pachinko television series [8] and the closing credits of the 2023 film The Last Stop in Yuma County .

Personnel

Per 1972 reissue album liner notes [18] and the Songfacts website, [19] except when noted.

The Grass Roots

Other musicians

Chart performance

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">P. F. Sloan</span> American singer and songwriter (1945–2015)

Philip Gary "Flip" Sloan, known professionally as P. F. Sloan, was an American singer and songwriter. During the mid-1960s, he wrote, performed, and produced many Billboard Top 20 hits for artists such as Barry McGuire, the Searchers, Jan and Dean, Herman's Hermits, Johnny Rivers, the Grass Roots, the Turtles, and the Mamas and the Papas.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Grass Roots</span> American rock band

The Grass Roots are an American rock band that charted frequently between 1965 and 1975. The band was originally the creation of Lou Adler and songwriting duo P. F. Sloan and Steve Barri. In their career, they achieved two gold albums and two gold singles, and charted singles on the Billboard Hot 100 a total of 21 times. Among their charting singles, they achieved Top 10 three times, Top 20 six times and Top 40 14 times. They have sold over 20 million records worldwide.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lou Adler</span> American record producer (born 1933)

Lester Louis Adler is an American record and film producer and the co-owner of the Roxy Theatre in West Hollywood, California. Adler has produced and developed a number of high-profile musical artists, including The Grass Roots, Jan & Dean, The Mamas & the Papas, and Carole King. King's album Tapestry, produced by Adler, won the 1972 Grammy Award for Album of the Year and has been called one of the greatest pop albums of all time.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lucio Battisti</span> Italian singer-songwriter and composer (1943–1998)

Lucio Battisti was an Italian singer-songwriter and composer. He is widely recognized for songs that defined the late 1960s and 1970s era of Italian songwriting.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Creed Bratton</span> American actor and musician

Creed Bratton is an American actor and musician. A former member of the rock band the Grass Roots, he is best known for playing a fictionalized version of himself on the NBC sitcom The Office, which earned him five nominations for the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Popeda</span> Finnish rock band

Popeda is a Finnish rock band hailing from Tampere and one of the staples of Manserock. It was founded in November 1977 by Pauli "Pate" Mustajärvi and Ilari "Ilpo" Ainiala, who were joined by Arwo Mikkonen, Matti Palmunen and Ari Puukka. Mustajärvi, the last original member, left the band in 2023. Following Mustajärvi's departure, the band consists of Costello Hautamäki, Alex Hautamäki, Lacu Lahtinen and Pate Kivinen.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fire (The Jimi Hendrix Experience song)</span> 1967 song by the Jimi Hendrix Experience

"Fire" is a song written by Jimi Hendrix and recorded by the Jimi Hendrix Experience in early 1967. It has been described as "an exercise in soul, psychedelic rock, and polyrhythmic jazz-inspired drumming" by AllMusic critic Matthew Greenwald. The song was remixed in stereo for the American release of the album. In 1969, it was released as a stereo single in the UK with the title "Let Me Light Your Fire".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mogol (lyricist)</span> Italian lyricist (born 1936)

Giulio Rapetti, best known as Mogol, is an Italian music lyricist. He is best known for his collaborations with Lucio Battisti, Gianni Bella, Marcella Bella, Adriano Celentano and Mango.

<i>Here to Stay</i> (The Slickee Boys album) 1982 compilation album by The Slickee Boys

Here to Stay compiles all five Slickee Boys 7"s from 1976–1981. It was released by the German label Line Records with a catalog number of LLP 5170. It includes cover versions of songs originally recorded by Perry Como, the Rokes, Vince Taylor, the Yardbirds, the Hangmen, The Chocolate Watch Band, as well as the theme from the film Exodus. According to the liner notes for Mersey, Mersey Me, Talking Heads had dropped the song "Girls Want to Be With the Girls" from their repertoire but re-visited it after hearing the Slickees' version, which beat the Talking Heads version to vinyl by months.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">La Poupée qui fait non</span> 1966 song by Michel Polnareff

"La Poupée qui fait non" is a 1966 song written by Franck Gérald (lyrics) and French singer/songwriter Michel Polnareff (music). It was recorded by Polnareff, becoming an immediate success in France and one of Polnareff most definitive songs. Jimmy Page played guitar on the recording. It also appeared as the last track in his album Love Me, Please Love Me.

<i>Lets Live for Today</i> (album) 1967 studio album by the Grass Roots

Let's Live for Today is the second studio album by the American rock band the Grass Roots, released in July 1967 by Dunhill Records. A new group was brought in for this album which included Creed Bratton, Rick Coonce, Warren Entner and Rob Grill. It features their first top-ten hit by the same name, "Let's Live for Today". The bulk of the compositions are by group creators Sloan and Barri, but the new group was allowed to compose four songs and was given some input in the studio instrumentation. The other A and B side singles released were "Depressed Feeling", "Things I Should Have Said" b/w "Tip of My Tongue", and "Wake Up, Wake Up" b/w "No Exit". The album charted at No. 75.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Warren Entner</span> American musician

Warren Entner is an American singer, songwriter, organist and guitarist for the rock and roll band The Grass Roots. He subsequently became a manager for several successful heavy metal/rock groups.

<i>Their 16 Greatest Hits</i> 1971 greatest hits album by the Grass Roots

Their 16 Greatest Hits is the third compilation album by the American rock band the Grass Roots. It was originally released by Dunhill Records in September 1971 shortly after the success of "Sooner or Later" earlier that year. The album also included many other hit singles that were released from 1966 to 1971. The album was released on both stereo LP & tape as well as in Quadraphonic Sound on both LP & tape. This album was the only Quadraphonic album released by The Grass Roots.

<i>Where Were You When I Needed You</i> 1966 studio album by The Grass Roots

Where Were You When I Needed You is the debut studio album by the American pop band the Grass Roots, released in October 1966 by Dunhill Records. Most of the album is performed by the songwriter/producer duo of P.F. Sloan and Steve Barri. Some of the album features members of a San Francisco band that became the first Grass Roots. The members who recorded are vocalist Willie Fulton and drummer Joel Larson. The A and B side singles released are "Mr. Jones ", "You're a Lonely Girl", "Where Were You When I Needed You", "(These Are) Bad Times", "Only When You're Lonely", "This Is What I Was Made For", Tip of My Tongue" and "Look Out Girl".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Rokes</span> Pop rock band

The Rokes were a pop rock band formed in 1963 in Italy by English expatriates. Their most successful songs included "Piangi con Me", the original version of "Let's Live for Today", a US hit when re-recorded by The Grass Roots; and "Che Colpa Abbiamo Noi", an Italian language version of "Cheryl's Going Home" by Bob Lind.

Michael Julien, also known as Peter Warne, was a British songwriter, who was the co-writer of a number of hit songs around the world.

<i>Golden Grass</i> 1968 greatest hits album by the Grass Roots

Golden Grass is the first greatest hits album by the American rock band the Grass Roots, released in November 1968 by Dunhill Records. The LP's release in the fall of 1968 followed the success of the group's highest-charting single, "Midnight Confessions". It featured a song written by Carole King and Toni Stern titled "Lady Pleasure", which was previously unreleased by the group, as well as a new single, "Bella Linda", which was originally written by the Italian songwriting duo of Lucio Battisti and Mogol. The Grass Roots' version of the song, which was given English lyrics by Barry Gross and Steve Barri, charted at No. 28. Golden Grass is the highest charting Grass Roots album at #25, and was certified gold by the RIAA in 1970.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">La bambola</span> 1968 single by Patty Pravo

"La bambola" is an Italian pop song written by Franco Migliacci, Bruno Zambrini and Ruggero Cini, and performed by Patty Pravo. The song had been previously refused by several artists, including Gianni Morandi, Little Tony, Gigliola Cinquetti, Caterina Caselli and The Rokes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lovin' Things (song)</span> 1968 song

"Lovin' Things" is a 1968 song recorded by Scottish group The Marmalade, later covered by The Grass Roots. The song was written by Artie Schroeck and Jet Loring. It was the band's first successful single release, reaching number six on the UK singles chart. Their version was not, however, released in North America.

"Cuando calienta el sol" is a popular Spanish language song originally composed as "Cuando calienta el sol en Masachapa", Masachapa being a coastal town in Nicaragua. The music was written by Rafael Gaston Perez, a Nicaraguan songwriter and bandleader. SADAIC also credits the Argentine composer Carlos Albert Martinoli.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 "Let's Live for Today review". AllMusic . Retrieved 2010-05-03.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Clemens, Fred. "Let's Live for Today". Bob Shannon: Behind the Hits. Archived from the original on August 4, 2007. Retrieved May 5, 2010.
  3. 1 2 Everett, Todd (1996). All Time Greatest Hits (CD booklet). The Grass Roots. MCA Records. MCAMD-11467.
  4. 1 2 Whitburn, Joel. (2008). Top Pop Singles 1955-2006. Record Research Inc. p. 353. ISBN   978-0-89820-172-7.
  5. ↑ Murrells, Joseph (1978). The Book of Golden Discs (2nd ed.). Barrie and Jenkins Ltd. p.  222. ISBN   0-214-20512-6.
  6. ↑ "Let's Live for Today album review". AllMusic . Retrieved 2010-05-03.
  7. ↑ "The Rokes Biography". AllMusic . Retrieved 2010-05-05.
  8. 1 2 3 4 Andy Morten, "Crying For Today", Shindig!, September 2022, pp.26-27
  9. ↑ "Let's Live for Today cover versions". AllMusic . Retrieved 2019-08-25.
  10. ↑ "Cover versions of Onhan päivä vielä huomennakin written by Juha Vainio | SecondHandSongs". SecondHandSongs.
  11. ↑ "Popeda - Täydelliset Miehet". Discogs . 2008.
  12. ↑ "Popeda - Onhan Päivä Vielä Huomennakin". Discogs . 10 September 2008.
  13. ↑ "Dutchcharts: The Skope - Be Mine Again".
  14. ↑ "The Skope: Be Mine Again". Top 40.
  15. ↑ Hurtado, Ana Maria (n.d.). "Beat 4". MusicaPopular.cl. En 1967, avalados por la amplia difusión radial que obtuvo su disco sencillo "Llora conmigo" (versión en castellano de una canción pop italiana), realizaron una gira a lo largo del país. [...] El segundo éxito de la banda vino con el jingle "Dame un Bananino", compuesto para promocionar un helado con sabor a plátano. [The band's second success came with the jingle "Dame un Bananino", composed to promote a banana-flavored ice cream.]
  16. ↑ "Wild America soundtrack listing". Internet Movie Database . Retrieved 2010-05-05.
  17. ↑ "Wild America Soundtrack Album". AllMusic . Retrieved 2010-05-05.
  18. ↑ The Grass Roots - Let's Live For Today, July 1967, retrieved 2022-02-12
  19. ↑ "Let's Live for Today by The Grass Roots". www.songfacts.com. Retrieved 2021-03-13.
  20. 1 2 The Grass Roots - Anthology: 1965-1975, 1991, retrieved 2022-02-12
  21. ↑ "R.P.M. 100", RPM Weekly , Volume 7, No. 18, July 1, 1967. Accessed May 25, 2016
  22. ↑ "flavour of new zealand - search listener". Flavourofnz.co.nz. Retrieved 2016-05-24.
  23. ↑ "SA Charts 1965–March 1989" . Retrieved 5 September 2018.
  24. ↑ [Joel Whitburn's Top Pop Singles 1955-2002]
  25. ↑ "Cash Box Top 100 7/15/67". cashboxmagazine.com. 1967-07-15. Retrieved 2016-05-24.
  26. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2016-08-12. Retrieved 2017-05-15.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  27. ↑ "Top 20 Hit Singles of 1967" . Retrieved 2 September 2018.
  28. ↑ "Top 100 Hits of 1967/Top 100 Songs of 1967". Musicoutfitters.com. Retrieved 2016-05-24.
  29. ↑ "Cash Box YE Pop Singles - 1967". cashboxmagazine.com. 1967-12-23. Retrieved 2016-05-24.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.