Nilsson, always one of my favorites. Was nice to see an article on the man.
I think it was 1973 when Harry was going to renegotiate his record contract, the company decided he wasn’t worth it anymore, so Harry asked John Lennon to talk to the executive. Harry got his two-million....
Well in the end, he lost his golden voice, and was an anti-gun nut, as well as a heavy pharma drug user.
But in his heyday, he was the best American White male pop singer of the rock era. The Sinatra of his time, and a great lyricist and good songwriter too.
It’s all right here... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ujBU32Ghvgs
Forgot..He was the Beatle’s favorite vocalist.
Got to meet Jon Voight on Wednesday. Couldn’t stop thinking about this song:
Harry Nilsson - Everybody’s Talkin’ (1969)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2AzEY6ZqkuE
Well, I was disappointed to learn his greatest song of all was not written by him.
And the Midnight Cowboy stuff was re-write and re-working of traditional songs by the Carter Family, Woody Guthrie and others. I’m not saying it wasn’t good.
He produced Lennon’s Rock n Roll LP, which I liked listening too way back when in the car. I had a cassette.
Harry Nilson:
Everybody's talking at me.
I don't hear a word they're saying,
Only the echoes of my mind...
George Putnam:
Yes, everybody's talking at you, now it's your turn to talk back. You at home and you here at our studios at the Arco Plaza, it's your turn to talk back. We're going to bring you the news, bring you newsmakers and celebrities, but most of all, we're going to talk with you.
Everbody’s talkin at me....in my karaoke rotation...:)
Singing Coconut as an ape
https://youtu.be/Tbgv8PkO9eo
I wish he’d never met the Beatles, he would have lived longer.
OMG, I love this website!
Thank you!
“A rare combination of pompousness and torpor, Kansas actually became a big deal in the 1970s. “
“The Eagles’ music is often classified as easy listening, which is fair to neither listening nor easiness. Their songs were typified by a lyrical pretension few have aspired to,”
LOLOL!!!
*whew*
I needed a giggle desperately...again, thanks.
:)
Imho, his best lyrics and most beautiful melody are in the very simple song “Remember”.
Remember, is a place from long ago
Remember, filled with everything you know
Remember, when you’re sad and feeling down
Remember, turn around
Nillson was a monster when it came to working on his music and partying. So as a lifelong rock and roller I have to give him props.
Hah.
[Son of Dracula (1974) — Harry Nilsson, Ringo Starr (Full Movie)]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cfkHN_QxNcw
One of my favorite albums: “A Little Touch Of Schmilsson In The Night”
Bfl
The whole idea that the same guy could do Without You, Coconut (back to back on the same album no less), and You’re Breaking My Heart (aka The FU song, on the next album) is always mind boggling to me. Amazingly eclectic, odd, talented guy. Died too soon from drinking too much.
Hard to say what concert tours might have done to his record sales, but in any case, he enjoyed a stellar career. He also became a doting father to six children in his last years.
By the way, both Cass Elliot and Keith Moon died in a London flat he owned. He eventually sold it to Pete Townshend.
A documentary about him, Who Is Harry Nilsson (And Why Is Everybody Talkin' About Him)? , is excellent.
bump