Few songs move me. This one always has, and always will. I first heard it when I was 15 years old, and now at 70, it still brings tears to my eyes. Such a moving testament to the songwriter.
I totally agree, tears are actually rolling down my eyes now, I havent heard this song for ages, years I think but all of a sudden it came into my head and the years have rolled back. Beautiful song
It is 1968 again, Urbana, Illinois, University of Illinois junior. This takes me back to a wonderful time. Now at age 75 the curtain appears ready to begin preparing for descent. This song will always invoke the most wonderful memories of a joyous time.
If you love this song you have to see Beetlejuice Beetlejuice! The sound is incredible in the theatre. Never sounded this good before. They must have had the original master tape to work with.
Fantastic performance of this superb Jimmy Webb masterpiece. One of the finest compositions ever written. Richard Harris is utterly extraordinary in his delivery of it.
Apparently, regardless of how idiotic the lyrics are to the song that you are singing... "Someone left the cake out in the rain I don't think that I can take it 'Cause it took so long to bake it And I'll never have that recipe again, oh no"
Yes but it is a stupid metaphor that sounds super weird when either Richard or Donna sing it with complete conviction. There are endless metaphors...pick one. But to each their own, and it is from a different time, so if it makes you cry, cry, feel it, and enjoy.
i am 73 years old. This song sung by Richard Harris was so moving for me, bringing tears to my eyes and a swelling in my heart back in the late sixties . It still has the same effect. A timeless song . And Richard Harris delivered the song perfectly.
@user-ks9hs7xl6r Very amusing...of course he could sing, but more importantly, he knew how to deliver a story...and this was someone's heartbreaking story. There is another orchestra performance which is much better than this one.
I love story about Richard Harris living in Savoy Hotel in London & one time he was I'll & emergency medical care was called & as he was being transported by gurney thru lobby, he raised his head & stated that it was the food!!! He was such a character. He & Peter O'Toole were great friends &. listening to them talk about some of their escapades was priceless!!!
Such a magnificently crafted song written by Jimmy Webb and performed by Richard Harris. Verses that make you think. Tempo changes. The whole song takes you on an emotional journeys. Richard Harris being an actor is such a good fit for this song. The orchestration is wonderful and helps to breath added life to the composition.
It's about that 1 True and pure Love that you find, if you are lucky enough. You may have other "Loves" but that 1, Will ALWAYS stay With you, FOREVER !
I have listened to this song sooooooooooooooo many times and I still love it. But I have never never thought his live performance exists and find myself stunned by the magnificence. His stage performance is like seeing him acting Shakespeare on stage. His vocal is deeper and more emotional, even more powerful than the original recorded version. I was wondering how he manages to sing the high "oh" part of the last part but he really made it! Absolutely one of the very best performance I have seen!
I loved listening to MacArthur Park on the radio in 1968. Its playing time was twice the length of most songs of that era. I'm absolutely stoked to find it on RUclips in 2023. The song is about heartbreak and has amazing lyrics and a fabulous orchestral accompaniment. Richard Harris was multi-talented and his version is definitely the best. He was nominated for a Grammy award in 1969. Bravo to him and the wonderful writer, Jimmy Webb, who won the Grammy for best arrangement accompanying vocalist.
@@padraiggillon He had his own unique way of singing. But in my humble opinion, he could definitely sing. He's telling a very emotional story here, and delivers in spades. Unfortunately, there will always be cynics in this world.
Interesting that there was a 10-year gap between Mr. Harris' definitive version of this and Donna Summer's discofied 1978 cover - and that both died 10 years apart (Ms. Summer in 2012).
@@johnborzcik3058 Yes he played Dumbledore in the first 2 films. Then Michael Gambon took over from film 3. I love Michael Gambon and he did a great job but I always preferred Richard Harris’ portrayal of Dumbledore
Jimmy Webb... one of THE BEST SONGWRITERS of ALL TIME. WOW! That word sums it up. (If you times it by a zillion). UNBELIEVABLE! God gave him an incredible gift and he used it. Richard Harris knocked it out of the park! PUN INTENDED!!!
Richard was known as an actor, not a singer, but he winged it and pulled it off superbly. He got a big hit out of this to his delight. I always thought he was so handsome! I also like Donna Summers' disco version of this song.
I'm practically overcome with emotion watching this and then I'm stunned to see the polite muted applause that greets the conclusion. Did they not watch what I just saw?
It is! As a compliment to it, have you see Will Lee's version on Letterman amazingly faithful to the original? Listed on YT under Paul Shaffer + CBS Orchestra w/ Jim Webb -"MacArthur Park" on Letterman. I think you will enjoy it : ) from a fan
I respectfully disagree. ✋. I owned the original version of this achingly. Beautiful song it is timeless and oh so great to listen to. Past becomes present What is in the future we will not know until we get there... ✋ CTR. Carol
Yeah I mean the origenal obviously was done in a studio. He was younger so he could go higher but he does project his voice better here. The most important thing to keep in mind though is this song is from 1968. So lots of it's short comings are from trash 68 tech.
Donna Summer and Mariah Carey covered it but to say they are classically trained singers and him not, my bias is with Richard Harris and they cannot match him in any way shape or form.
That was always Richard Harris,s song.Only he could sing it like that.The best version ever.People said he couldn,t sing,they were so wrong.He knocks spots of so many of todays “singers”. RIP Richard Harris ,Limerick Man,singer and wonderful actor.
Glen Campbell who SO loved this song also did great on this song with the Boston Pops & also when he was older on a former southern talk show. Both times he was also accompanied on piano by Jimmy Webb. On you tube.
@Emmie Llamas-Cruz ..as am I! I had the biggest crush on Sir Richard Harris before he even sang this song. I was enthralled with him afterwards, may he RIP
Tengo 72,años y lo conocí en 1982 trabajaba en Washington DC ,buena persona alegre,me tomé una foto con el y muchos tragos ,más de 30 personas en el restaurante y el pago,su secretaria,nos dio buena propina., Dios me lo cuide en el cielo 😂
This is magnificent! It's the best MacArthur Park singing by him. His voice is clearer than other versions and it's so emotional. Though I think he was high in that time on the stage, I still love this show. It's the best of the best.
I have loved "MacArthur's Park," for many years. I requested Stjepan Hauser to play the music on his Cello and he did. I will never forget Stjepan Hauser, Richard Harris and MacAthur's Park always. The music, the words, I will never forget. Thank You Gentlemen 💖
If you love this song you have to see Beetlejuice Beetlejuice! The sound is incredible in the theatre. Never sounded this good before. They must have had the original master tape to work with.
I was a young man when this came out and loved it now I'm in my late seventies and it's still magical and rolls back so many years. A masterpiece from Jimmy Webb and performed by Richard Harris wonderfully. Only he could have done it.
If I had been in the audience that night it would've taken every ounce of my self-restraint to stop myself from running up onto the stage and diving into Richards lap at the 3 minute mark. He's not just singing at that bejeweled moment. He's living and breathing the song. I am as if in a trance watching him perform. I can't explain it but he is so beautiful to me during the time that he's sitting on the stage and melting my heart with his passionate silky sensual voice. 🥰🥰❣️❣️😘😘💋💋😚😚❣️❣️☺️☺️💋💋🥰🥰❣️❣️
Richard Harris! Hellraiser brilliant actor and this song simply one of the best ever. He absolutely nails it and I can’t decide whether he was drunk, hi or just shy. Whatever the case this is a Sinatra level performance. Love the guy and he is greatly missed. RIP my friend
You need balls of steel to do this because Richard Harris was no great singer, but he sold us those lyrics with an emotion that no other artist could match no matter how great their vocal range was.
@@Vinterfrid Definitely competent but for me not exactly good but he definitely could sing, his emotion and phrasing along with his pretty stellar singing were great for this classic.
Back to 1968, I was 17, riding around Waterbury Connecticut in my first car, a 1964 Pontiac GTO..bass player in our band, the memories, so un-evil and innocent..just loved this tune that summer and ever since then..Atta boy Jimmy Webb and Richard Harris..God Bless..🎸😊 Love the chord changes and the highs and lows..perfect.
Ah so it was an actual park then? So that adds some context then to the song. Hmmmmmm was the cake a replica of said park? I'm trying to understand all the context to this tune. Cause I've heard it listed as 1 of the most awefull tunes ever. I don't get why though.
Yeah and he was totally Alvis DumbleDore. Or at least he was totally true to Jim Dail's portrail. The new dude never ever felt right to me. So why was this chosen as worst song ever in the Miami Harald?
What a great talent this icon actor singer left us with a volume of great works The great movie classics and when I was a little boy I loved this song ...a great gain for the art world when born ,and a sad loss for all .....Time will his works stand in ✌️👍💯✝️
I love it. What a live performance. All the imperfections in the mix and even how he is off key here and there. Live music and live vocal. Gutsy and it sounds great. No three piece band here. Just to mic the room correctly is a challenge, let alone to orchestrate it and then the singer being able to hear himself as loud as the 100-piece band is. He can belt and hold a note for sure. He is amazing; in many ways his vocal is better here than the studio track -- surely more powerful at his peaks. This is one of the best truly live recordings I've heard on you tube.
The studio recording is brilliant and ultimately a studio creation with takes and punch ins (sometimes line by line). Richard was hearing the song for one of the first times and -with the help of producer/arrangers and perhaps the songwriter…working out his incredible performance. And recording it piece by piece. In this live performance, his job is to interpret the studio creation in one take, as he sees fit and as he can. Power is needed to hit some parts, parts that were sung softer and likely with multiple takes in the studio. As far as mic-ing the orchestra, this sounds pretty basic. No matter how many mics were deployed, there’s not much definition on the individual instruments. It could be primarily a couple of distant/ boundary mics on the full orchestra plus Richard’s vocal making the broadcast mix. Whatever it was, only the engineer knows for sure 😊. It sounds fine for what it is and that’s the only thing that counts. Orchestras play with some volume but often not as much as a basic loud rock band (of the 1980s or 90s time of this performance). Still, props to the monitors guys. Richard could obviously hold most notes, but the monitors helped.
The same can be said for most 1970s music … it was the instruments especially the strings that made 1970s music so good…. Unfortunately people like to focus on the singers and then wonder why post 1970s recordings always sound mediocre even with the same singers.
Bonkers, beguiling, barmy, beautiful, nonsensical, inspiring, the best worst song ever, genius, These are just some of the descriptions I’ve heard of this masterpiece and I agree with all of them! I first saw this performance as a teenager and it has stayed with me ever since. One of my all time top 10 songs. Like someone else said, Richard Harris absolutely owns it!
I am just turning 65. For some reason this has always been one of my favourite songs ever. We visited Buckingham Palace in 2011 and before the changing of the guard, the band played this song! I was in tears. ❤️
He played King Arthur in the wonderful movie version of Camelot. A perfect role for him. His performance as a very sad Arthur (as seen in his beautiful eyes) when he learned of Guinevere's infidelity with Sir Lancelot was so heartbreaking. He was able to stir up so much emotion in the viewers. A true and beautiful man and talent!
Desde niña que me encantaba esta canción, tengo 62 y en esa época solo podíamos oirla. Ya en esta era tecnológica poder ver a Richard Harris interpretar esta canción fue algo sublime, me enamoré de él de como transmite lo que canta, su lenguaje corporal, todo. Estos si eran cantantes verdaderos. Te amo R.H.
OH MY! I went way back for this one. I just love the orchestration, the different paces of each section touched my heart. And RICHARD!! Wow! His phrasing and interpretation was excellent. You know he played Dumbledore in Harry Potter, right? Mr. Harris was just multi-talented. What a gift he was. RIP.
I remember first hearing Richard Harris singing this song in the late 80's. It made me cry then...and it still makes me cry. He was an amazing actor and singer.
If you love this song you have to see Beetlejuice Beetlejuice! The sound is incredible in the theatre. Never sounded this good before. They must have had the original master tape to work with.
McDaids, in Dublin. Bought the man a pint, I had been strolling by. How could I not? I sat with him for, that afternoon, and the next day in the Berkley Court. Dicky, RIP, as a 24 year old, that session, and it was a day and night session, ride on, man. Sleep well.
I Grew up with this incredible song,my Mother loved Richard Harris,and this is her favourite song,she was in her twenties when the song was recorded by Richard,and she was over the moon when she got to see him in concert,she got to meet him and he kissed her cheek.I remember everytime the song came on the radio or it was played on the record player,her cheeks were full of tears.
Harris' MacArthur Park, Queen's Bohemian Rhapsody and Barry Ryan's Eloise, will be forever in my memory. RIP Richard, Freddie and Barry, you gave us great songs that will never be forgotten 💞.
@@johnsummers9790 I did a cover of Eloise, linking it visually to Superman's Lois Lane. Check it out if you want to...!! ruclips.net/video/pdOxkdCHWTE/видео.html
Few songs move me. This one always has, and always will. I first heard it when I was 15 years old, and now at 70, it still brings tears to my eyes. Such a moving testament to the songwriter.
I totally agree, tears are actually rolling down my eyes now, I havent heard this song for ages, years I think but all of a sudden it came into my head and the years have rolled back. Beautiful song
👍👌👍
I love this guy never thought he could sing this is a masterpiece
I have always loved this song
Same here ! I was seven years old when I first heard this. Love it !
Bravissimo Richard! May you rest in peace.
It is 1968 again, Urbana, Illinois, University of Illinois junior. This takes me back to a wonderful time. Now at age 75 the curtain appears ready to begin preparing for descent. This song will always invoke the most wonderful memories of a joyous time.
If you love this song you have to see Beetlejuice Beetlejuice! The sound is incredible in the theatre. Never sounded this good before. They must have had the original master tape to work with.
As beautiful as ever
His voice..his voice...raw, savage passion
SAVAGE!!! 🦁 😂😂😂
Imma tell my kids this is Dumbledore.
Yes..love it.
One of the most beautiful songs ever written and Richard Harris owns it….goes through your soul.
Yes, it does. Only Elvis could have equaled -
oh ya. recall the tune in the summer of 68. he was shooting the molly maguires with sean connery
7 minutes of pure magic
@victorsuarez3546 it was a good thing
Best version live,Richard,you nailed it.
Fantastic performance of this superb Jimmy Webb masterpiece. One of the finest compositions ever written. Richard Harris is utterly extraordinary in his delivery of it.
This is one of the most exquisitely overwrought songs ever written. It is an absolute parody of itself. I love it!!
Richard just proved that there is only one man who can sing that song, and he is that man.
.Sorry but Glen Campbells is far superior
@@DavidBHack-j9f WRONG!!!!
I like both their singing this song😊❤
No one does it better
Someone else is definitely helping him at the end...
It is not how loud can you scream and yell in a song ! It is how soul and feeling you can put onto it
Apparently, regardless of how idiotic the lyrics are to the song that you are singing...
"Someone left the cake out in the rain
I don't think that I can take it
'Cause it took so long to bake it
And I'll never have that recipe again, oh no"
@seanseoltoir those are actually peak lyrics
@@seanseoltoirit’s a metaphor for a once in a lifetime kind of love. Really hard to miss that …
Yes but it is a stupid metaphor that sounds super weird when either Richard or Donna sing it with complete conviction.
There are endless metaphors...pick one.
But to each their own, and it is from a different time, so if it makes you cry, cry, feel it, and enjoy.
The very essence of this great Jimmy Webb masterpiece.
i am 73 years old. This song sung by Richard Harris was so moving for me, bringing tears to my eyes and a swelling in my heart back in the late sixties . It still has the same effect. A timeless song . And Richard Harris delivered the song perfectly.
He had Star Status, oozed Sex appeal, he could not sing, but he was brilliant. Personality, and intelligence.
@user-ks9hs7xl6r
Very amusing...of course he could sing, but more importantly, he knew how to deliver a story...and this was someone's heartbreaking story. There is another orchestra performance which is much better than this one.
I love story about Richard Harris living in Savoy Hotel in London & one time he was I'll & emergency medical care was called & as he was being transported by gurney thru lobby, he raised his head & stated that it was the food!!! He was such a character. He & Peter O'Toole were great friends &. listening to them talk about some of their escapades was priceless!!!
The only person who could sing this song what a legend RIP 😢😢😢
dear God , thankyou for letting me hear and see this...................
I'm deaf and when I read the words I cry to hear his voice singing them
I agree, this song and singer makes me stop and sit😍😋
😂
What a magnificent singing voice, just grand!😎
Singing is speaking from the heart. Harris does it eloquently. Mcarthur Park is his song. Nobody has sang it better.
Another 70 plus yr old absolutely in awe with this song . I love Richard the devil that he was . A true artist
My mind is blown. I never knew him as a singer. I always saw him in movies, growing up.
You should see him in Camelot. It was before this song
Brilliant, Richard , the passion, and charisma. ❤❤❤❤
I almost cry every time I hear this. I just turned 60!
Such a magnificently crafted song written by Jimmy Webb and performed by Richard Harris. Verses that make you think. Tempo changes. The whole song takes you on an emotional journeys. Richard Harris being an actor is such a good fit for this song. The orchestration is wonderful and helps to breath added life to the composition.
❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
It's about that 1
True and pure Love
that you find, if you
are lucky enough.
You may have other
"Loves" but that 1,
Will ALWAYS stay
With you, FOREVER !
Yes, yes yes! You are so right when you say your first love is number one! Absolutely yes
@@cynthiagreske5957
I was blessed we had
28 years together, until we were parted
By death.
Just wish I would have stayed with the love of my life ❤
Had to let the love of my life go....😪
I have listened to this song sooooooooooooooo many times and I still love it. But I have never never thought his live performance exists and find myself stunned by the magnificence. His stage performance is like seeing him acting Shakespeare on stage. His vocal is deeper and more emotional, even more powerful than the original recorded version. I was wondering how he manages to sing the high "oh" part of the last part but he really made it!
Absolutely one of the very best performance I have seen!
I saw him interviewed by carson and he thanked Johnny for premiering the song on the Johnny Carson show but I can’t find it.😮
Dito on everything you wrote.
An amazing Harris with a ticket to eternity!
I loved listening to MacArthur Park on the radio in 1968. Its playing time was twice the length of most songs of that era. I'm absolutely stoked to find it on RUclips in 2023. The song is about heartbreak and has amazing lyrics and a fabulous orchestral accompaniment. Richard Harris was multi-talented and his version is definitely the best. He was nominated for a Grammy award in 1969. Bravo to him and the wonderful writer, Jimmy Webb, who won the Grammy for best arrangement accompanying vocalist.
Still nothing to compare I love it! 😊
Richard Harris was the only singer who would sing this song. Richard was always known as a fine singer.
levi stubbs and the tops did an amazing job.
Don't forget Donna Summer.
A Legendary performance. What a voice, what a force.
We need a legend like him right now...2022 is suffering
We've been suffering for 2+ years. But yes, you're right.
We need more MEN
He couldn't sing a note. Which is why he basically talks through this.
@@padraiggillon He had his own unique way of singing. But in my humble opinion, he could definitely sing. He's telling a very emotional story here, and delivers in spades. Unfortunately, there will always be cynics in this world.
Too fucking right.
RIP Richard Harris (October 1, 1930 - October 25, 2002), aged 72
You will be remembered as a legend.
Interesting that there was a 10-year gap between Mr. Harris' definitive version of this and Donna Summer's discofied 1978 cover - and that both died 10 years apart (Ms. Summer in 2012).
thi is music in hino the best for on brasil
Brilliant from limerick met him twice a gent
I understand he played the wizard on Harry Potter???
@@johnborzcik3058 Yes he played Dumbledore in the first 2 films. Then Michael Gambon took over from film 3. I love Michael Gambon and he did a great job but I always preferred Richard Harris’ portrayal of Dumbledore
He was beautiful
This man is/was a great singer you can feel it.
There will never be another one .
Jimmy Webb... one of THE BEST SONGWRITERS of ALL TIME. WOW! That word sums it up. (If you times it by a zillion). UNBELIEVABLE!
God gave him an incredible gift and he used it. Richard Harris knocked it out of the park! PUN INTENDED!!!
His vocal performance is stronger here than the original recording.
Born in '61. Stopped what I doing anytime I heard this on the radio
Hauntingly beautiful
Richard Harris - RIP
I was 10 years old in 1968 and from the first time I heard this on the radio I loved it.
The man was absolutely cool! Period!
He has the look and style of Roger Whitaker, love them both !! Big fan since childhood!!!!
Richard was known as an actor, not a singer, but he winged it and pulled it off superbly. He got a big hit out of this to his delight. I always thought he was so handsome! I also like Donna Summers' disco version of this song.
Just had my 82 nd birthday, i play this when ever I M alone brings me back in time
I had the honour of meeting Richard Harris when I was temping. What a lovely man.
I'm practically overcome with emotion watching this and then I'm stunned to see the polite muted applause that greets the conclusion. Did they not watch what I just saw?
In Holland we call this 'Parels voor de zwijnen'. Literal translation being: 'Pearls for pigs'. ;-)
Richard Harris.
That’s a great comment. I’ve seen many good performances on RUclips, but few if any better than this and the applause is very energetic.
Best Song ever written and performed........" I'll never have that recipe again..... oh No ! "
famously known as the worst song ever written
@@harleycarrick3980
To the tone deaf and education challenged, perhaps so.
This is actually the best version out there. Nothing less then a masterpiece.
It is! As a compliment to it, have you see Will Lee's version on Letterman amazingly faithful to the original? Listed on YT under Paul Shaffer + CBS Orchestra w/ Jim Webb -"MacArthur Park" on Letterman. I think you will enjoy it : ) from a fan
@@HappyQuailsLC It sounds more authentic in some ways.
I respectfully disagree. ✋. I owned the original version of this achingly. Beautiful song it is timeless and oh so great to listen to.
Past becomes present What is in the future we will not know until we get there... ✋ CTR. Carol
Yeah I mean the origenal obviously was done in a studio. He was younger so he could go higher but he does project his voice better here. The most important thing to keep in mind though is this song is from 1968. So lots of it's short comings are from trash 68 tech.
@@HappyQuailsLC Oh it's Paul Schaffer, no wonder the piano is off. Who is conducting this orchestra because this was a train wreck
If Donna Summer's version was not so great, this would definitely be the paramount one. Richard Harris was extremely sexy. Thanks for posting.
dads fav tune......we lost him this past xmas......brings back memories of my hero and my youth..rest now dad
Your Dad was a very romantic person .
I had no idea that Richard Harris could sing never mind sing this beautiful song so beautifully ,. So glad I found this .
I only knew from my Uncle being
the studio drummer on the album..
Donna Summer and Mariah Carey covered it but to say they are classically trained singers and him not, my bias is with Richard Harris and they cannot match him in any way shape or form.
It’s very strange even for the time, but fucking brilliant and timeless in its own way.
Do yourself a favor and find the original studio recording. Way better.
@@richardbelsky7098 much better version. It pays to get the best studio musicians
That was always Richard Harris,s song.Only he could sing it like that.The best version ever.People said he couldn,t sing,they were so wrong.He knocks spots of so many of todays “singers”. RIP Richard Harris ,Limerick Man,singer and wonderful actor.
Glen Campbell who SO loved this song also did great on this song with the Boston Pops & also when he was older on a former southern talk show. Both times he was also accompanied on piano by Jimmy Webb. On you tube.
I used to sing this often in the early 70's. It remained my favorite now that I'm 65. I love Richard Harris.
Me too
Yes!!!!!
@Emmie Llamas-Cruz ..as am I! I had the biggest crush on Sir Richard Harris before he even sang this song. I was enthralled with him afterwards, may he RIP
Singing the whole thing would seem to be exhausting
Until now I keep singing this song ❤❤❤
Tengo 72,años y lo conocí en 1982 trabajaba en Washington DC ,buena persona alegre,me tomé una foto con el y muchos tragos ,más de 30 personas en el restaurante y el pago,su secretaria,nos dio buena propina., Dios me lo cuide en el cielo 😂
increible voz, creia que esa cancion era de donna summer.
Ionic.i listen to this 50 years later
This is magnificent! It's the best MacArthur Park singing by him. His voice is clearer than other versions and it's so emotional. Though I think he was high in that time on the stage, I still love this show. It's the best of the best.
His is by far the greatest of all interpretations! Wonderful❤
This will always be the number one singer singing this song, Richard Harris you really were blinding.👍👍
This is definitely the best version of this song. I love it👍
I have loved "MacArthur's Park," for many years. I requested Stjepan Hauser to play the music on his Cello and he did. I will never forget Stjepan Hauser, Richard Harris and MacAthur's Park always. The music, the words, I will never forget. Thank You Gentlemen 💖
Love Stjepam Hauser thank you for sharing, never heard his rendition ❤
Richard Harris! Toda una epoca que tenemos que retener en nuestra memoria!!!❤❤❤
This is the cleanest clearest version of this i have erver heard. So outstanding!!!
If you love this song you have to see Beetlejuice Beetlejuice! The sound is incredible in the theatre. Never sounded this good before. They must have had the original master tape to work with.
WOW. First time seeing this. I might have heard this, maybe, twice in my life before today. This is spectacular. What a vocal range. INCREDIBLE!!!!!!
I was a young man when this came out and loved it now I'm in my late seventies and it's still magical and rolls back so many years. A masterpiece from Jimmy Webb and performed by Richard Harris wonderfully. Only he could have done it.
*he sang the hell outta that song❤*
If I had been in the audience that night it would've taken every ounce of my self-restraint to stop myself from running up onto the stage and diving into Richards lap at the 3 minute mark. He's not just singing at that bejeweled moment. He's living and breathing the song. I am as if in a trance watching him perform. I can't explain it but he is so beautiful to me during the time that he's sitting on the stage and melting my heart with his passionate silky sensual voice. 🥰🥰❣️❣️😘😘💋💋😚😚❣️❣️☺️☺️💋💋🥰🥰❣️❣️
There's a reason why you're dizzy Lizzy, and it's because you're intoxicated with the Love of a magnificent rendition of Maccarther park ❤
I think I was the only one who liked this song when it came out!!!
Peruvian Marching Powder is a hulluva drug.
Totally
Richard Harris! Hellraiser brilliant actor and this song simply one of the best ever. He absolutely nails it and I can’t decide whether he was drunk, hi or just shy. Whatever the case this is a Sinatra level performance. Love the guy and he is greatly missed. RIP my friend
❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
One word......Legend!!
I loved this song and still do❤
You need balls of steel to do this because Richard Harris was no great singer, but he sold us those lyrics with an emotion that no other artist could match no matter how great their vocal range was.
I beg to differ - Harris certainly had quite a good voice. I am surprised that anyone wouldn't realise that.
@@Vinterfrid Definitely competent but for me not exactly good but he definitely could sing, his emotion and phrasing along with his pretty stellar singing were great for this classic.
His voice is fantastic, I have always loved this song
those who perceive are usually wrong
Richard Harris was a fine singer. Far lesser vocalists than he have had hit records and careers as ‘singers.’
Back to 1968, I was 17, riding around Waterbury Connecticut in my first car, a 1964 Pontiac GTO..bass player in our band, the memories, so un-evil and innocent..just loved this tune that summer and ever since then..Atta boy Jimmy Webb and Richard Harris..God Bless..🎸😊 Love the chord changes and the highs and lows..perfect.
It survives for all who remember MacArthur Park in the 1960-1970 era.
Ah so it was an actual park then? So that adds some context then to the song. Hmmmmmm was the cake a replica of said park? I'm trying to understand all the context to this tune. Cause I've heard it listed as 1 of the most awefull tunes ever. I don't get why though.
@@hamitcampos4989
Sheer ignorance.
I always loved this song and Richard Harris. He was amazing in Camelot, the musical, and in A Man Called Horse.
Yeah and he was totally Alvis DumbleDore. Or at least he was totally true to Jim Dail's portrail. The new dude never ever felt right to me. So why was this chosen as worst song ever in the Miami Harald?
Amazing performance.
@@carolr9581 Yes indeed.
@@hamitcampos4989 👍
If I may add - his performance in the Eastwood's Oscar winning movie "The Unforgiven".
Always Loved this song. Years later I've come to understand what it's about‼️My life exactly 💔
What a great talent this icon actor singer left us with a volume of great works The great movie classics and when I was a little boy I loved this song ...a great gain for the art world when born ,and a sad loss for all .....Time will his works stand in ✌️👍💯✝️
The most beautiful song a brilliant man amazing voice ❤️ and a beautiful soul songs with all his love and heart 💜❤️
i adored him in the 60's and 70's, it's different now. as i get closer to death he means even more to me.
ABSOLUTELY TRUE!! ❤❤❤
This is an amazing performance. Especially being live. This is such a difficult song to sing. Richard Harris was the master of this song! Bravo 👏👏👏👏
I love it. What a live performance. All the imperfections in the mix and even how he is off key here and there. Live music and live vocal. Gutsy and it sounds great. No three piece band here. Just to mic the room correctly is a challenge, let alone to orchestrate it and then the singer being able to hear himself as loud as the 100-piece band is. He can belt and hold a note for sure. He is amazing; in many ways his vocal is better here than the studio track -- surely more powerful at his peaks. This is one of the best truly live recordings I've heard on you tube.
Hits these high notes well enough tho.
The studio recording is brilliant and ultimately a studio creation with takes and punch ins (sometimes line by line). Richard was hearing the song for one of the first times and -with the help of producer/arrangers and perhaps the songwriter…working out his incredible performance. And recording it piece by piece.
In this live performance, his job is to interpret the studio creation in one take, as he sees fit and as he can. Power is needed to hit some parts, parts that were sung softer and likely with multiple takes in the studio.
As far as mic-ing the orchestra, this sounds pretty basic. No matter how many mics were deployed, there’s not much definition on the individual instruments. It could be primarily a couple of distant/ boundary mics on the full orchestra plus Richard’s vocal making the broadcast mix. Whatever it was, only the engineer knows for sure 😊. It sounds fine for what it is and that’s the only thing that counts.
Orchestras play with some volume but often not as much as a basic loud rock band (of the 1980s or 90s time of this performance). Still, props to the monitors guys. Richard could obviously hold most notes, but the monitors helped.
Always the longest song on the radio and well worth the listen. My favorite version as well.
Best rendition ever of this great song.
The Orchestration makes this a classic.
The Strings, the horns, the percussion...outstanding.
Maynard Ferguson has an amazing version of this
He does..outstanding too
@@hank1519
The same can be said for most 1970s music … it was the instruments especially the strings that made 1970s music so good…. Unfortunately people like to focus on the singers and then wonder why post 1970s recordings always sound mediocre even with the same singers.
having never seen this before I was blown away by the whole performance magical to be honest
Hello,how are you doing i hope you and your family are safe!
You were not honest before?
What a voice and he is sober.
What a guy for me.i cry no matter how drunk he was a lengend ❤❤❤
Bonkers, beguiling, barmy, beautiful, nonsensical, inspiring, the best worst song ever, genius, These are just some of the descriptions I’ve heard of this masterpiece and I agree with all of them! I first saw this performance as a teenager and it has stayed with me ever since. One of my all time top 10 songs. Like someone else said, Richard Harris absolutely owns it!
I am just turning 65. For some reason this has always been one of my favourite songs ever. We visited Buckingham Palace in 2011 and before the changing of the guard, the band played this song! I was in tears. ❤️
He played King Arthur in the wonderful movie version of Camelot. A perfect role for him.
His performance as a very sad Arthur (as seen in his beautiful eyes) when he learned of Guinevere's infidelity with Sir Lancelot was so heartbreaking. He was able to stir up so much emotion in the viewers. A true and beautiful man and talent!
Desde niña que me encantaba esta canción, tengo 62 y en esa época solo podíamos oirla. Ya en esta era tecnológica poder ver a Richard Harris interpretar esta canción fue algo sublime, me enamoré de él de como transmite lo que canta, su lenguaje corporal, todo. Estos si eran cantantes verdaderos. Te amo R.H.
I remember when I first heard this song back in the late 60's, it actually gave me goose pimples and it still does. Brilliant.
Amen
First heard this song in1960, in long island Newx York after my first son was born , such memories ❤
OH MY! I went way back for this one. I just love the orchestration, the different paces of each section touched my heart. And RICHARD!! Wow! His phrasing and interpretation was excellent. You know he played Dumbledore in Harry Potter, right? Mr. Harris was just multi-talented. What a gift he was. RIP.
The way he coordinates his body movements with the music is intense and fascinating. The power and emotion of his voice is just beautiful.
I AGREE 100%!!!
I will drink the wine while its warm instead of looking at the sun this part.of the song makes me feel tears
Song reminds me of growing up near palmer park in Detroit in the 1960s. Older men playing checkers or dominos under the trees. Great memories.
my god, how beautiful.... thank you..
I remember first hearing Richard Harris singing this song in the late 80's. It made me cry then...and it still makes me cry. He was an amazing actor and singer.
Hello Lori,how are you doing i hope you and your family are safe!
Yes absolutely ❤
If you love this song you have to see Beetlejuice Beetlejuice! The sound is incredible in the theatre. Never sounded this good before. They must have had the original master tape to work with.
McDaids, in Dublin.
Bought the man a pint, I had been strolling by.
How could I not?
I sat with him for, that afternoon, and the next day in the Berkley Court.
Dicky, RIP, as a 24 year old, that session, and it was a day and night session, ride on, man.
Sleep well.
I heard it for the first time in on an old a.m .radio in 1967. It is always fresh and alive.
I Grew up with this incredible song,my Mother loved Richard Harris,and this is her favourite song,she was in her twenties when the song was recorded by Richard,and she was over the moon when she got to see him in concert,she got to meet him and he kissed her cheek.I remember everytime the song came on the radio or it was played on the record player,her cheeks were full of tears.
Fabulous voice, One of my favourite all time songs
I believe that for every song stays only one singer. What we have her is proof of this. What a masterpiece. Song itself is just brilliant.
Awwwh so romantic deep soul
Sang with his eyes closed. Sang to the floor. An ACTOR before a vocalist (as wonderful as this song is....).
Actor and Singer the great Richard Harris.
Great song by Jimmy Webb and Richard Harris is outstanding
One of the most wonderful actors and minds that we will ever have! Very much missed! Camelot! 💙💙
He really was a brilliant man, wasn't he, April?
The day that Richard Harris recorded this song, he became one of the world's great singers.
I listen to him everyday...especially this song
Harris' MacArthur Park, Queen's Bohemian Rhapsody and Barry Ryan's Eloise, will be forever in my memory. RIP Richard, Freddie and Barry, you gave us great songs that will never be forgotten 💞.
I am not sure how many people know 'Eloise'. It is used in the rather strange but watchable 2021 film, 'Last Night In Soho'.
@@johnsummers9790 I did a cover of Eloise, linking it visually to Superman's Lois Lane. Check it out if you want to...!! ruclips.net/video/pdOxkdCHWTE/видео.html
All of them absolutely crazy songs that shouldn’t really work but do. Touched by genius.