Songs You May Have Missed #419

24 May 2013 Leave a comment

by Ed Cyphers in Songs You May Have Missed Tags: , ,

nilsson

Nilsson: “Together” (1968)

One of the many overlooked gems from Nilsson’s early career, when only fellow musicians seemed to be hip to the genius of his music.

Before he ever had an American hit, Nilsson songs were covered by The Monkees (“Cuddly Toy”), Three Dog Night (“One”) and others, and the Beatles famously cited him as their favorite singer.

“Together” itself was covered by British songbird Sandie Shaw:

See also: https://edcyphers.com/2013/04/03/songs-you-may-have-missed-381/

Songs You May Have Missed #381

03 Apr 2013 1 Comment

by Ed Cyphers in Songs You May Have Missed Tags: , ,

nilsson

Nilsson: “The Most Beautiful World in the World” (1972)

 

Harry Nilsson…where do I begin? Underrated singer, overlooked songwriter, a favorite of the Beatles, a bad influence on John Lennon, and kind of a wacky character. But never dull.

After his massive breakthrough album, 1971’s Nilsson Schmilsson, and just when he’d caught the world’s attention with his Grammy-winning worldwide hit recording of Badfinger’s “Without You”, Harry seemed bored already with the whole platinum-selling record thing. Follow-up Son of Schmilsson featured: a lead single with an F-bomb in the chorus, a false take interrupted by a belch, a Jim Stafford-esque parody country song, and a sing-along featuring residents of a retirement home with a chorus of “I’d rather be dead than wet my bed“.

The album’s closing track is a cheeky tribute to…the world. Like, personified. Hence:

Your mountains when you’re mad/Your rivers when you’re sad/And those deep blue seas

I love you for your snow/Your deserts down below/I love the way you wear your trees

The most beautiful world in the world/And though there are times when I doubt you/I just couldn’t stay here without you

So when you get older and over your shoulder/You look back to see if it’s real

Tell her she’s beautiful, roll the world over/And give her a kiss…and a feel

So much for a mainstream career.

See also: https://edcyphers.com/2013/05/24/songs-you-may-have-missed-419/