Lotta Love

Last updated

"Lotta Love"
Nicolette Larson - Lotta Love.jpg
Italian single
Single by Nicolette Larson
from the album Nicolette
B-side "Angels Rejoiced" (7")
"You Send Me" (12")
Released1978
Genre
Length
  • 3:11 (Single version)
  • 4:14 (12" extended version)
Label Warner Bros.
Songwriter(s) Neil Young
Producer(s) Ted Templeman
Nicolette Larson singles chronology
"Lotta Love"
(1978)
"Rhumba Girl"
(1979)
"Lotta Love"
Song by Neil Young
from the album Comes a Time
Released1978
RecordedJanuary 10, 1976
Studio Wally Heider Recording Studios
Genre Country rock
Length2:38
Label Reprise
Songwriter(s) Neil Young
Producer(s)
  • Neil Young
  • Tim Mulligan

"Lotta Love" is a song written and recorded by Neil Young and released on his 1978 Comes a Time album. "Lotta Love" was also covered by Nicolette Larson in 1978. Larson's version reached No. 8 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and No. 8 on the Cash Box Top 100 in February 1979. It also hit No. 1 on the Easy Listening chart [3] and was a hit in Canada, (No. 4), Australia (No. 11) and New Zealand (No. 22).

Contents

Background

Linda Ronstadt, who had sung back-up for Young with Larson, has stated that it was at her (i.e., Ronstadt's) suggestion that Larson record "Lotta Love" and that Larson's producer thanked Ronstadt by having a top-of-the-line sound system installed in her Mercedes convertible. [4]

However, Larson's own recollection was that the suggestion she record "Lotta Love" originated with Neil Young, with whom she had formed a personal relationship while backing him vocally on American Stars 'n Bars. The publishers of Neil Young News quoted Larson as saying:

"I got that song off a tape I found lying on the floor of Neil's car. I popped it in the tape player and commented on what a great song it was. Neil said: 'You want it? It's yours.'" [5]

Versions

Neil Young and backing band Crazy Horse recorded "Lotta Love" in January 1976, but the song would not see release until 1978's Comes a Time . [6] Larson provided background vocals for the album but did not sing on its "Lotta Love" track, a sparse version which emphasized the song's melancholy tone.

Larson's version of "Lotta Love"—which featured a string arrangement by Jimmie Haskell (whose credits include work with Bobbie Gentry), plus a classic soft rock horn riff and a flute solo—presented the song as optimistic. Larson would recall: "It was a very positive song and people don't want to hear how bad the world is all the time. It had a nice sound rhythm and groove. And a great visual video." [7]

Releases

Single

"Lotta Love" served as the lead single for Larson's Ted Templeman-produced Nicolette album. Due to a delay in release, Comes a Time and Nicolette were released on the same day, in October, 1978. The release of a single from the Nicolette album was held off until October 31 when it was clear Young's version would not have a single release as an A-side (although Young's "Lotta Love" was released as the B-side of a non-charting "Comes a Time" single).

Record World said that Larson "steps out on a pop-rocker with a touch of disco" and called it a "strong debut." [8]

Extended version

Much as extended dance versions of hits by the Doobie Brothers — who Templeman also produced — were released, a 12" single of Larson's "Lotta Love" was issued, with Jim Burgess performing remixing duties: this disco version differentiated from the album track and 7" single in its pure "four on the floor" disco drum track (replacing the radio version's "pop heartbeat" drum rhythm) and a sax solo on the bridge, replacing the 7" single's bridge flute solo which was shifted to an extended intro. The track did not heavily impact the club scene. Its meager length for a 12" single — at 4:20 barely a minute longer than the 7" — a likely deterrent. The B-side of the 7" single was "Angels Rejoiced" featuring a harmony vocal by Herb Pedersen while on its 12" single "Lotta Love" was backed by Larson's rendition of "You Send Me".

Live versions

Shortly after recording the song, Young and Crazy Horse performed the song live on their 1976 tour of Japan and Europe. A March 10 recording from Nippon Budokan is featured on the Odeon Budokan disc of 2020's Neil Young Archives Volume II: 1972–1976 . [9]

Young and the band would play the song again during 1978's Rust Never Sleeps tour. A performance from their October 15 show at St. Paul Civic Center appears on Live Rust , released the following year. [10]

A live version of "Lotta Love" was included on the Live at the Roxy album consisting of Larson's December 20, 1978 concert at the Sunset Boulevard nightclub. The album was originally a limited issue (5000 copies) promo-only release. The first full release was on Rhino in 2006.

Larson also performed "Lotta Love" at the No Nukes concerts held at Madison Square Garden in September 1979. This version — with backing by the Doobie Brothers — was included on the No Nukes album. The performance was not included in the film version, although Larson herself appeared on-screen.

Later versions

In February 1998, friends and associates of Nicolette Larson, who had died on December 16, 1997, performed a tribute at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium which raised over $165,000 for the UCLA Children's Hospital. The two night engagement was billed as "The Lotta Love Concert" and opened with an ensemble performance of "Lotta Love" by Rosemary Butler, Valerie Carter, Carole King, and Bonnie Raitt. In December 2007, a "Lotta Love" memorial concert was held to mark the 10th anniversary of Larson's passing, and in December 2008, the Talking Stick [11] in Venice, Los Angeles hosted a "Lotta Love" memorial concert which featured a performance of "Lotta Love" by Rosemary Butler and Andrew Gold.

Dinosaur Jr. covered the song for the album The Bridge: A Tribute to Neil Young , released in 1989.

Former Wet Wet Wet frontman Marti Pellow released a cover of the song in 2003, taken from his second solo album Between the Covers .

Red Hot Chili Peppers covered the song during the Bridge School Benefit concerts (organized by Neil Young) in October 2004.

In 2008, She & Him released a cover of "Lotta Love" on the B-side of their single "Why Do You Let Me Stay Here?". [12]

Charts

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nicolette Larson</span> American singer (1952–1997)

Nicolette Larson was an American singer. She is perhaps best known for her work in the late 1970s with Neil Young and her 1978 hit single of Young's "Lotta Love", which hit No. 1 on the Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks chart and No. 8 on the pop singles chart. It was followed by four more adult contemporary hits, two of which were also minor pop hits.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Whole Lotta Love</span> 1969 single by Led Zeppelin

"Whole Lotta Love" is a song by the English rock band Led Zeppelin. It is the opening track on the band's second album, Led Zeppelin II, and was released as a single in 1969 in several countries; as with other Led Zeppelin songs, no single was released in the United Kingdom. In the United States, it became their first hit and was certified gold. Parts of the song's lyrics were adapted from Willie Dixon's "You Need Love", recorded by Muddy Waters in 1962; originally uncredited to Dixon, a lawsuit in 1985 was settled with a payment to Dixon and credit on subsequent releases.

<i>Comes a Time</i> 1978 studio album by Neil Young

Comes a Time is the ninth studio album by Canadian-American singer-songwriter Neil Young, released by Reprise Records in October 1978. The album is largely performed in a quiet folk and country style. It features backing harmonies sung by Nicolette Larson and additional accompaniment by musicians that had accompanied Young on his commercial pinnacle, Harvest. Like Harvest, the lyrics to many of its songs are inspired by relationships. In his memoir, Waging Heavy Peace, Young describes Comes a Time as one of his best albums ever.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Blue Bayou</span> 1961 song by Roy Orbison and Joe Melson

"Blue Bayou" is a song written by Roy Orbison and Joe Melson. It was originally sung and recorded by Orbison, who had an international hit with his version in 1963. It later became Linda Ronstadt's signature song, with which she scored a Top 5 hit with her cover in 1977. Many others have since recorded the song.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Back in the U.S.A.</span> 1959 song by Chuck Berry

"Back in the U.S.A." is a song written by Chuck Berry that was released in 1959 and was a top 40 hit. A cover version in 1978 by Linda Ronstadt was also a hit.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Heart of Gold (Neil Young song)</span> 1972 single by Neil Young

"Heart of Gold" is a song by Canadian singer-songwriter Neil Young. From his fourth album Harvest, it is Young's only U.S. No. 1 single. In Canada, it reached No. 1 on the RPM national singles chart for the first time on April 8, 1972, on which date Young held the top spot on both the singles and albums charts, and No. 1 again on May 13. Billboard ranked it as the No. 17 song for 1972.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ooo Baby Baby</span> 1965 song by The Miracles

"Ooo Baby Baby" is a song written by Smokey Robinson and Pete Moore. It was a 1965 hit single by the Miracles for the Tamla (Motown) label.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Tracks of My Tears</span> 1965 single by the Miracles

"The Tracks of My Tears" is a 1965 song originally recorded by The Miracles on Motown Record's Tamla subsidiary label. It was composed by Miracles members Smokey Robinson, Pete Moore, and Marv Tarplin. This million-selling ,multiple award-winning R&B hit has been inducted into The Grammy Hall of Fame, has been ranked by the Recording Industry Association of America and The National Endowment for the Arts at No. 127 in its list of the "Songs of the Century" – the 365 Greatest Songs of the 20th Century, and has been selected by Rolling Stone as No. 50 on its list of "The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time", among many other awards. In 2021, Rolling Stone ranked the Miracles' original recording of "The Tracks of My Tears" as "The Greatest Motown Song of All Time".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Shoop Shoop Song (It's in His Kiss)</span> 1963 single by Merry Clayton

"It's in His Kiss" is a song written and composed by Rudy Clark. It was first released as a single in 1963 by Merry Clayton that did not chart. The song was made a hit a year later when recorded by Betty Everett, who hit No. 1 on the Cashbox magazine R&B charts with it in 1964. Recorded by dozens of artists and groups around the world in the decades since, the song became an international hit once again when covered by Cher in 1990.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Only Want to Be with You</span> 1963 single by Dusty Springfield

"I Only Want to Be with You" is a song written by Mike Hawker and Ivor Raymonde. Released as a debut solo single by British singer Dusty Springfield under her long-time producer Johnny Franz, "I Only Want to Be with You" peaked at number 4 on the UK Singles chart in January 1964.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">To Know Him Is to Love Him</span> 1958 single by The Teddy Bears

"To Know Him Is to Love Him" is a song written by Phil Spector, inspired by the words on his father's gravestone, "To Know Him Was to Love Him". It was first recorded by the only vocal group of which he was a member, The Teddy Bears. The single spent three weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1958, while reaching No. 2 on the UK's New Musical Express chart. Peter & Gordon and Bobby Vinton later each experienced chart success with the song, in 1965 and 1968, respectively.

"Love Is a Rose" is a song written and composed by Neil Young. It first became popular in 1975 when Linda Ronstadt had a country hit with her version. "Love Is a Rose" has also been covered by other artists over the years.

<i>Nicolette</i> (album) 1978 studio album by Nicolette Larson

Nicolette is the debut album by Nicolette Larson, released in 1978 by Warner Bros. Records. It reached #15 on the US pop charts and #1 in Canada and was certified Gold in both markets.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Just One Look (song)</span> 1963 single by Doris Troy

"Just One Look" is a song co-written by American R&B singers Doris Troy and Gregory Carroll. The recording by Doris Troy was a hit in 1963. The Hollies, Anne Murray, Linda Ronstadt and Iain Matthews each achieved great success with the song. There have also been many other versions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">When Will I Be Loved (song)</span> 1960 single by the Everly Brothers

"When Will I Be Loved" is a popular song written by Phil Everly of the Everly Brothers, who had a US top-ten hit with it in 1960. Linda Ronstadt covered the song in 1975, and her version was an even bigger hit in the US, peaking at No. 2. Vince Gill also covered it in 1994 on the soundtrack of the film 8 Seconds.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">What You Won't Do for Love (song)</span> 1978 single by Bobby Caldwell

"What You Won't Do for Love" is a song by American singer-songwriter Bobby Caldwell. It was released in September 1978 as the lead single from his eponymous debut album (1978). It was written by Caldwell and Alfons Kettner, and produced by Ann Holloway. The song has been covered and sampled numerous times, including by Tupac Shakur in the posthumous 1998 hit "Do for Love".

<i>Aint Living Long Like This</i> 1978 studio album by Rodney Crowell

Ain't Living Long Like This is the debut studio album by American country music singer-songwriter Rodney Crowell, released in 1978 by Warner Bros. Records. It failed to enter the Top Country Albums chart. The songs, "Elvira", "Song for the Life" and "(Now and Then, There's) A Fool Such as I" were released as singles but they all failed to chart within the top 40. Despite this, Ain't Living Long Like This is considered one of Crowell's best and most influential albums. Brett Hartenbach of Allmusic says it "not only showcases his songwriting prowess, but also his ability to deliver a song, whether it's one of his own or the work of another writer". Most of the songs on this album were later covered by other artists including The Oak Ridge Boys and Alan Jackson. When the album was re-released in 2002 the font on the cover was enlarged to make it more legible.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">How Do I Make You</span> 1980 single by Linda Ronstadt

"How Do I Make You" is a song composed by Billy Steinberg and recorded by Linda Ronstadt in 1980, reaching the top 10 in the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">So Sad (To Watch Good Love Go Bad)</span> 1960 single by The Everly Brothers

"So Sad (To Watch Good Love Go Bad)" is a song written by Don Everly, which was released by The Everly Brothers in 1960. The song was later a country hit for multiple artists in the 1970s and 80s.

<i>Rose of My Heart</i> 1986 studio album by Nicolette Larson

Rose of My Heart is the sixth studio album by American singer Nicolette Larson. It was produced by Emory Gordy Jr. and Tony Brown, and released by MCA Records in 1986.

References

  1. Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Nicolette Larson – Artist Biography". AllMusic . Retrieved September 16, 2017.
  2. Ollison, Rashod (May 29, 2014). "Gonna Take a Lotta Love: Soft Rock from 1970s LA". The Virginian-Pilot . Retrieved May 21, 2022.
  3. 1 2 3 "Nicolette – Awards". AllMusic . Retrieved July 30, 2013.
  4. Ronstadt, Linda (2013). Simple Dreams: a musical memoir (1st hardcover ed.). New York: Simon & Schuster. p. 101. ISBN   978-1-4516-6872-8.
  5. "Nicolette Larson's "Lotta Love" & Neil Young". Neil Young News. February 19, 2012. Retrieved January 16, 2014.
  6. "Lotta Love-01/10/1976". Neil Young Archives . Retrieved March 7, 2021.
  7. Edwards, Joe (June 21, 1986). "Nicolette Larson : She's now a star". The Free Lance–Star . Retrieved July 30, 2013.
  8. "Hits of the Week" (PDF). Record World. November 25, 1978. p. 1. Retrieved February 13, 2023.
  9. "Lotta Love-03/10/1976". Neil Young Archives . Retrieved March 7, 2021.
  10. "Lotta Love-10/15/1978". Neil Young Archives . Retrieved September 8, 2019.
  11. "The Talking Stick". AHCdesigns.com. Retrieved July 30, 2013.
  12. "Domino – Singles – Why Do You Let Me Stay Here?". Domino. Archived from the original on January 31, 2010.
  13. Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (Illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 173. ISBN   978-0-646-11917-5.
  14. "Top RPM Adult Contemporary: Issue 0101." RPM . Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved July 30, 2013.
  15. "Top RPM Singles: Issue 0120a." RPM . Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved July 30, 2013.
  16. "Nicolette Larson – Lotta Love". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved July 30, 2013.
  17. "CASH BOX Top 100 Singles – Week ending FEBRUARY 10, 1979". Cash Box . Archived from the original on September 14, 2011.
  18. "Record World Singles" (PDF). Record World . February 3, 1979. p. 31. Retrieved September 9, 2017.
  19. "National Top 100 Singles for 1979". Kent Music Report. December 31, 1979. Retrieved December 9, 2019 via Imgur.
  20. "1979: Top 200 Singles". RPM . Vol. 32, no. 13. Library and Archives Canada. December 22, 1979. Retrieved March 27, 2020.
  21. "Top 100 Hits for 1979". The Longbored Surfer. Retrieved July 15, 2014.
  22. "The CASH BOX Year-End Charts: 1979". Cash Box . Archived from the original on August 25, 2012.