MacArthur Park--Sung by Donna Summer

Someone left the cake out in the rain . . .

MacArthur Park has always been a different melody, incorporating interesting lyrics and sweeping orchestration. It's a tune with an inherent complexity not usually seen in pop songs.

Who could forget when they first heard the song, MacArthur Park? It grabbed listeners with its mysterious lyrics and complexity. When I first heard this tune, I was intriqued and wanted to learn more. And who would name a cake after a park and why?

Named after a park in Los Angeles, MacArthur Park was written by Jimmy Web, first recorded by Richard Harris, and was later covered by other performers.

The song begins by commenting on love and then moves into a lament, as darkness falls on MacArthur Park.

MacArthur Park is a Tribute to Love

The song includes memorable lines, such as "Someone left the cake out in the rain" and "MacArthur Park is melting" and "I don't think I can take it, cause it took so long to bake it."

The song incorporates interesting changes, segueing from fanfare into a slower lamenting melody, then into a third faster instrumental, ending with a fourth phase similar to the first. The song lasts for over 7 minutes.

Donna Summer's multi-million disco version topped the charts for 3 weeks in 1978. Her voice soars throughout the piece.

This song has been covered by:

* Sammy Davis Junior

* The Fifth Dimension

* The Three Degrees

* Liza Minnelli

While popular with the listening public, MacArthur Park has been criticized for its metaphors and sentimentality.

The song continues to be alluded to in television shows.

* Saturday Night Live

* The Simpsons

* Sienfeld

And sung by performers

* Weird Al Yankovic recorded a parody of the song

* K.D. Lang sang it in her 2001 concert, Live By Request

MacArthur Park is one of those songs that you don't forget. Love it or hate it, it is sure to be around for a long time to come.

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