One Man Parade

Last updated
"One Man Parade"
One Man Parade label.jpeg
Single label (version backed with "Nobody But You")
Single by James Taylor
from the album One Man Dog
A-side "One Morning in May" (Europe)
B-side "Hymn" or "Nobody But You" (US)
ReleasedFebruary 1973
Genre Folk rock
Length3:10
Label Warner Bros.
Songwriter(s) James Taylor
Producer(s) Peter Asher
James Taylor singles chronology
"Don't Let Me Be Lonely Tonight"
(1972)		"One Man Parade"
(1973)		"Hymn"
(1973)

"One Man Parade" is a song written by James Taylor that was first released as the first track on his 1972 album One Man Dog . It was also released as the second single from the album, following up on the Top 20 hit "Don't Let Me Be Lonely Tonight," after receiving significant airplay as an album track. [1] The single was issued twice with two different B-sides, "Hymn" and "Nobody But You." [2] It did not achieve the same chart success as "Don't Let Me Be Lonely Tonight," peaking at #67 on the Billboard Hot 100. [3] [4] It also charted on the Adult Contemporary chart in Canada, reaching #55. [5] In some regions, such as in Europe, it was released as the B-side of the single release of "One Morning in May."

Contents

Lyrics and music

Taylor said he had written "One Man Parade" during the year preceding the album release and he had begun playing it live in concert as early as the Fall of 1971. [6] [7] Like "Don't Let Me Be Lonely Tonight," "One Man Parade" was recorded on a portable recording console at Taylor's home with his new bride Carly Simon in Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts. [2] Simon, Carole King and Abigale Haness provided harmony vocals, as do Taylor's siblings Alex, Kate and Hugh. [2] [8] Musicologist James Perone hears several Latin music elements in the song, including the instrumentation including congas, güiro and timbales. [8] Russ Kunkel plays the congas on the song, in a performance Taylor biographer Mark Robowsky describes as "trippy." [9] Perone also finds Latin dance music influences in the way the song uses harmonic and bass ostinato, and finds the coda section to be similar to a montuno section of certain Latin music pieces that use a canto-montuno structure. [8]

"One Man Parade" was originally intended to be the title track of the album, but Taylor changed the album title "for no particular reason" to One Man Dog, in reference to his shepherd dog who is mentioned in the song. [2] [10] To Robowsky, "One Man Parade" provides the theme for the album, calling it "a wistful desire to waste time on the simplest pleasures, walking a dog, pouring rain, checking out an occasional garbage can." [9] Berwyn Life critic Steve Sparacio similarly stated that the song "sets the tone for the individualist theme of the LP." [11]

Although Robowsky calls the song "upbeat" and Taylor's "most carefree yet: he notes that Taylor undercuts that mood with the line "I'm right good at holding on, holding on, holding on." [9] Perone also notes that the lyrics are more "upbeat" than most Taylor songs of this era, with the singer announcing his readiness to "step out on the town." [8] Donald Langis of L'Evangeline praised the word play of the lines "All I want is a little dog to be walking at my right hand / talking 'bout a one man dog / Nobody's friend but mine." [12] Langis interpreted the dog as a metaphor for the type of friend Taylor is seeking. [12]

Critical reception

Billboard rated "One Man Parade" as one of Taylor's best songs ever, saying that it is "full of melodic surprises" and "lyrical weirdness." [1] It also noted that although the song is "rollicking" it fits within Taylor's brand of gentle pop music. [1] Cash Box said that the "soft outing creates quite a mood that [radio] programmers will love," predicting that it would make the Top 10. [13] Record World said that the "Following up his recent 'Don't Let Me Be Lonely Tonight' hit, Mr. Mellow comes up with another easy-going tune [that] should add one more to his parade of hits." [14] Rolling Stone critic Jon Landau praised how the song "starts right in and never lets up," and also praises Taylor's vocal performance for sounding like he was "standing while singing for the very first time. [15] Langis believed it had potential to be a hit. [12] Calgary Herald critic Jim Rennie said that although many of the songs on One Man Dog are "bits and pieces", "One Man Parade" is a "substantial enough composition" that has "the same soft, fluid, country flavor that almost all of Taylor's songs contain." [16] Several reviewers praised Taylor's live performances of the song in the early 1970s. [7] [17]

"One Man Parade" was included on the 2003 compilation album Best of James Taylor. [18]

Personnel

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">You've Got a Friend</span> 1971 single by Carole King

"You've Got a Friend" is a 1971 song written by American singer-songwriter Carole King. It was first recorded by King and included on her second studio album, Tapestry (1971). Another well-known version is by James Taylor from his album Mud Slide Slim and the Blue Horizon. His was released as a single in 1971, reaching number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and number four on the UK Singles Chart. The two versions were recorded simultaneously in 1971 with shared musicians.

<i>One Man Dog</i> 1972 studio album by James Taylor

One Man Dog is the fourth studio album by singer-songwriter James Taylor. Released on November 1, 1972, it features the hit "Don't Let Me Be Lonely Tonight", which peaked at number 14 on the Billboard charts on January 13, 1973. The follow-up single, "One Man Parade", also charted but less successfully, peaking at number 67 in the US and reaching number 55 on the Canadian Adult Contemporary chart. The basic tracks were primarily recorded in Taylor's home studio.

<i>Music</i> (Carole King album) 1971 studio album by Carole King

Music is the third studio album by American singer-songwriter Carole King. The album was released in December 1971.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">It's Too Late (Carole King song)</span> 1971 song by Carole King

"It's Too Late" is a song from American singer-songwriter Carole King's second studio album, Tapestry (1971). Toni Stern wrote the lyrics and King wrote the music. It was released as a single in April 1971 and reached number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and Adult Contemporary charts. Sales were later gold-certified by the RIAA. Billboard ranked "It's Too Late" and its fellow A-side, "I Feel the Earth Move", as the No. 3 record for 1971.

<i>Playing Possum</i> 1975 studio album by Carly Simon

Playing Possum is the fifth studio album by American singer-songwriter Carly Simon, released by Elektra Records, on April 21, 1975.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Young Americans (song)</span> 1975 single by David Bowie

"Young Americans" is a song by English singer-songwriter David Bowie from his ninth studio album of the same name. It was mostly recorded in August 1974 at Sigma Sound Studios in Philadelphia and was debuted on the Soul tour the following month. The song featured contributions from then-unknown singer Luther Vandross, who conceived the backing vocal arrangement. An embracement of R&B and Philadelphia soul, the song presents an Englishman's impressionist portrait of America at the time, featuring various characters and allusions to American totems and events.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Handy Man (song)</span> 1959 song composed by Otis Blackwell, Jimmy Jones performed by Jimmy Jones

"Handy Man" is a song written by singer Jimmy Jones and songwriter Otis Blackwell. Recordings by Del Shannon and also The Sparks Of Rhythm list Charles Merenstein as a co-writer, as does BMI. The Sparks Of Rhythm version on the Apollo 541 single version released in 1959 credits Andrew Barksdale and Merenstein as writers omitting Jimmy Jones. The song is noted for Jones singing "Come-a, come-a come-a come-a, come come-a, yeah" lyrics, which are heard at the beginning as well as in the coda of the song, before the song's fade.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">You Are the Sunshine of My Life</span> 1973 single by Stevie Wonder

"You Are the Sunshine of My Life" is a 1973 single released by Stevie Wonder. The song became Wonder's third number-one single on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and his first number-one on the Easy Listening chart. It won Wonder a Grammy Award for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance, and was nominated for both Record of the Year and Song of the Year. This song was the second single released from the 1972 album entitled Talking Book, which stayed at number one on the R&B albums chart for three weeks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Feel the Earth Move</span> 1971 song written by Carole King

"I Feel the Earth Move" is a song written and recorded by American singer-songwriter Carole King, for her second studio album Tapestry. Additionally, the song is one half of the double A-sided single, the flip side of which was "It's Too Late". Together, both "I Feel the Earth Move" and "It's Too Late" became among the biggest mainstream pop hits of 1971.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">What a Fool Believes</span> 1978 song by Kenny Loggins; later recorded by The Doobie Brothers

"What a Fool Believes" is a song written by Michael McDonald and Kenny Loggins. The best-known version was recorded by the Doobie Brothers for their 1978 album Minute by Minute. Debuting at number 73 on January 20, 1979, the single reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 on April 14, 1979, for one week. The song received Grammy Awards in 1980 for both Song of the Year and Record of the Year.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Another Rainy Day in New York City</span> 1976 single by Chicago

"Another Rainy Day in New York City" is a song written by Robert Lamm for the group Chicago and recorded for their album Chicago X (1976). Described as "the only typical Chicago cut on the album[:] upbeat and light with good blending of lead vocal by [Peter] Cetera", the track would be the album's lead single but was largely passed over for radio airplay in favor of the album cut "If You Leave Me Now". Rush-released as a single, "If You Leave Me Now" debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 of 14 August 1976 at No. 60 - on its way to No. 1 - and immediately eclipsed "Another Rainy Day..." which on the same chart fell to No. 46 from its No. 32 peak. "Another Rainy Day..." peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart. Billboard described the song as "a pop /jazzy rocker with a touch of reggae flavor." Cash Box said that "the lyric is good, really creates a mood." Record World called it a "Caribbean-styled number is handled with the band's consummate professionalism and good taste."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Your Smiling Face</span> 1977 single by James Taylor

"Your Smiling Face" is a hit single by singer James Taylor. First available on the album JT, and released as the album's sophomore single in September 1977, "Your Smiling Face" peaked at number 11 in Cash Box magazine and at 20 on the Billboard Hot 100 near year's end. It reached number 11 on the RPM Top Singles chart in Canada. On Billboard's Adult Contemporary chart, it reached number 6.

<i>Thoroughbred</i> (album) 1976 studio album by Carole King

Thoroughbred is the seventh album by American singer-songwriter Carole King, released in 1976. Her final release on Ode Records, it was produced by Lou Adler, who had been her collaborator since Tapestry (1971). After Carole King self produced for a number of years on Capitol and Atlantic Records, Lou Adler later rejoined King to produce her 1984 album Speeding Time.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Right Thing to Do</span> 1973 single by Carly Simon

"The Right Thing to Do" is a song written and performed by Carly Simon that first appeared on her 1972 album No Secrets. The song was recorded at Trident Studios in London's Soho. It was released as the second single to the album, following "You're So Vain" and reached No. 17 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 4 on Billboard's Adult Contemporary chart. It also reached No. 20 on the Canada Top Singles chart and No. 9 on the Canadian Adult Contemporary chart. It reached No. 17 in the UK.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jesse (song)</span> 1980 single by Carly Simon

"Jesse" is a song written and performed by American singer-songwriter Carly Simon. Produced by Mike Mainieri, the song served as the lead single from Simon's ninth studio album, Come Upstairs (1980).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sweet Seasons</span> 1972 single by Carole King

“Sweet Seasons” is a song written by Carole King and Toni Stern which appeared on King's 1971 album Music. It was the only charting single from the album, and was her second of four Top 10 hits in the US.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Long Ago and Far Away (James Taylor song)</span> 1971 single by James Taylor

"Long Ago and Far Away" is a song written by James Taylor and first released on his 1971 album Mud Slide Slim and the Blue Horizon. It was the follow up single to You've Got a Friend and became a Top 40 hit in the U.S. and a Top 20 hit in Canada, and made the Top 10 on the Adult Contemporary chart in the U.S. It has also been covered by New York Voices and Johnny Mathis.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mexico (James Taylor song)</span> 1975 single by James Taylor

"Mexico" is a song written by James Taylor that first appeared as the opening track of his 1975 album Gorilla. It was released as a single, with the album's title track as the B-side, and reached No. 49 on the Billboard Hot 100, but performed much better on the Adult Contemporary chart, reaching No. 5. "Mexico" has appeared on many of Taylor's live and compilation albums. It has been covered by Jimmy Buffett, Alex de Grassi and Lauren Laverne.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hard Times (James Taylor song)</span> 1981 single by James Taylor

"Hard Times" is a song written by James Taylor. It first appeared on his 1981 album Dad Loves His Work. It was also released as a single, as the follow up to the Top-20 hit "Her Town Too." It did not perform as well as its predecessor, reaching #72 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #23 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart. The single's b-side, "Summer's Here," performed similarly on the Adult Contemporary chart, peaking at #25.

"Golden Lady" is a song by the American musician Stevie Wonder, released in 1973 on his album Innervisions. While it was never released as a single, the album itself peaked at number 4 on the Billboard Top 200. The love song, written by Stevie Wonder, contrasts with the other songs on the record that comment upon societal issues within America. Examples include his comments on drug addiction within the song "Too High" and his political commentary on US President Richard Nixon in "He's Misstra Know-It-All".

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Pop Picks". Billboard . February 17, 1973. p. 59. Retrieved 2014-07-02.
  2. 1 2 3 4 White, T. (2009). Long Ago And Far Away: James Taylor - His Life And Music. Omnibus Press. pp. 210–214, 377. ISBN   9780857120069.
  3. ↑ "One Man Dog awards". Allmusic . Retrieved 2014-07-02.
  4. ↑ "Billboard Hot 100". Billboard . March 17, 1973. p. 62. Retrieved 2014-07-02.
  5. ↑ "RPM Adult Contemporary". Library and Archives Canada. April 28, 1973. Archived from the original on November 1, 2014. Retrieved 2014-07-02.
  6. ↑ Werbin, S. (January 4, 1973). "The Rolling Stone Interview: Carly Simon & James Taylor". Rolling Stone . pp. 32–42.
  7. 1 2 Tiegel, E. (October 9, 1971). "Talent in Action". Billboard . p. 46.
  8. 1 2 3 4 Perone, James E. (2018). The Words and Music of James Taylor. Praeger. pp. 25–26. ISBN   9781440852688.
  9. 1 2 3 Robowsky, M. (2016). Sweet Dreams and Flying Machines: The Life and Music of James Taylor. Chicago Review Press. ASIN   B01FE6R7J6.
  10. ↑ White, T. (December 5, 1988). "A Portrait of the Artist". Billboard . p. 18. Retrieved 2014-07-02.
  11. ↑ Sparacio, Steve (January 17, 1973). "Newlyweds record hits". Berwyn Life. p. 12. Retrieved 2023-03-24– via newspapers.com.
  12. 1 2 3 Langis, D. (December 22, 1972). "James Taylor a la croisee des chemins". L'Evangeline. p. 14. Retrieved 2014-07-02.
  13. ↑ "CashBox Record Reviews" (PDF). Cash Box. February 17, 1973. p. 18. Retrieved 2021-12-11.
  14. ↑ "Hits of the Week" (PDF). Record World. February 17, 1973. p. 1. Retrieved 2023-03-24.
  15. ↑ Landau, J. (January 18, 1973). "One Man Dog". Rolling Stone . Retrieved 2014-07-02.
  16. ↑ Rennie, Jim (January 12, 1973). "Records". Calgary Herald. p. 5. Retrieved 2023-03-24– via newspapers.com.
  17. ↑ Rousseau, R. (October 16, 1971). "Crowd Claps Its Approval for Taylor". Lawrence Journal-World . p. 3. Retrieved 2014-07-02.
  18. ↑ "Best of James Taylor". Allmusic . Retrieved 2014-07-02.
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.