MacArthur Park [full version, no Suite] - Donna Summer

Vocals By Donna Summer
Original Release 1978
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SYNOPSIS
Donna Summer was in the midst of the disco peak in her career when her producer and long time collaborator Giorgio Moroder asked her to record a cover version of ‘MacArthur Park’, a track written by Jimmy Webb and originally performed by Richard Harris.
Moroder had been looking for a 60s track to give a disco makeover for a good while when he heard ‘MacArthur Park’ on the radio and decided it would be a perfect fit for Summer. Summer at that stage just had major success with singles like ‘Last Dance’ and ‘I Feel Love’.

‘MacArthur Park’ became one of the bigger hits in Donna Summer’s impressive career, hitting number 1 in the US and Canada and reaching top 10 in numerous other countries, outperforming the original in the charts. Summer recorded the song in a couple of different versions, the original being over 8 minutes long, but a more radio friendly version about half the length made sure that the track became the hit it deserved to be.

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THE SOUNDTRACK
A classic by Richard Harris in 1968, and then another classic made by Donna Summer in 1978. Here's a version I've had in my collection since the Disco Era.
When the original album was released, the "MacArthur Park Suite" was stitched around "Heaven Knows" and "One Of A Kind". The 45RPM Disco single released for club play, contained some instrumentation which was quite different from the Album.
Here I've melded together just "MacArthur Park" to create and even longer [complete] version. So sit back and enjoy all 10 minutes and 47 seconds of "MacArthur Park"!
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YOUTUBE TRACKLIST
00:00 MacArthur Park [full version] (10 : 47)
03:45 Bridge
08:55 Finale
10:45 END

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LYRICS
Spring was never waiting for us, dear
It ran one step ahead
As we followed in the dance
Between the parted pages and were pressed,
In love's hot, fevered iron
Like a striped pair of pants

Mac Arthur's park is melting in the dark
All the sweet, green icing flowing down...
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, nooooo

I recall the yellow cotton dress
Foaming like a wave
On the ground beneath your knees
Birds like tender babies in your hands
And the old men playing Chinese checkers by the trees

MacArthur's Park is melting in the dark
All the sweet, green icing flowing down...
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, nooooo
Ah-ha

There will be another song for me
And I will sing it
There will be another dream for me
Someone will bring it
I will drink the wine while it is warm
And never let you catch me looking at the sun
And after all the loves of my life
After all the loves in my life
You'll still be the one.

I will take my life into my hands and I will use it
I will win the worship in their eyes and I will lose it
I will have the things that I desire
And my passion flow like rivers from the sky.

And after all the loves of my life
After all the loves in my life
You'll still be the one
And I ask myself why?
Yeah

(intermission)

who-who-who-who
who-who-who-who
who-who-who-who
who-who-who-who
who-who-who-who
who-who-who-who
who-who-who-who
who-who-who-who

MacArthur's Park is melting in the dark
All the sweet, green icing flowing down...
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 nooooo oh-oooooo
oh wah, oh wah, ah ha

(intermission)

(key change)
(key change)

(finale)
MacArthur's Park is melting in the dark
All the sweet, green icing flowing down...
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 nooooo oh-oooooo
oh wah, oh wah, ah ha

[tanyachavis]

❤ Who’s still listening in 2025? The awesome voice of Donna Summer? Happy 2025 to all!!

[lunnouxhinds]

The only version of Macarthur park
You need.

[purohandball]

This version of MacArthur Park reminds me of Cathedral High in L.A., 1979. My best friend Lando Izquierdo RIP and I were in the basketball gym for a dance. We were at the top of the bleachers when this song began playing. He started singing the song almost from the top of his head as if he was Donna Summer...unbelievable! Damn! I miss him so much and the memories we had at Cathedral High. RIP Lando until we meet again!

[paulmiles]

Can't wait to see a bio movie about Donna---she certainly deserves one.

[spetragl]

It's amazing that you can take a classic by British actor Richard Harris, jazz it up with a disco beat, and have "Disco Quee"n Donna Summer belt it out with so much feeling.

[breezykewl]

She had the most amazing vocal range. Her voice was amaaazing! Those were the days. And unlike some singers, she sounded as good live as in person. We love and miss you Donna.

[joycewilliams]

Along with having an awesome voice, Donna was a very intelligent woman.

[LR-mhhs]

NEVER will there ever be another QUEEN like her. RIP, beautiful Donna Summer.

[actarusfleed]

I love both versions. They are amazing! Getting tears as I'm typing. Go got to go now before I lose the cake otherwise, I will never get that loving recipe.

[abigailweir]

I love the "ah ha!", it's so full of feminine power. My pa brought me up knowing this song - all the versions.

[jeaninehoward]

I really like Donna Summer's version!! This is the Best Version!! ❤❤

[lanaofficiel]

Rest in Peace, Miss Donna Summer. I grew up listening to your music and will always be one of Greatest Singers of my generation.❤❤❤.

[jbgernaat]

Timeless music!!! What a beautiful pure voice!!❤ Sad she isn, t alive anymore!!😥

[robertjohnson]

In it's 46th year of release, I never tire of listening to this masterpiece. Donna Summer's best song as it showcases her incredible range perfectly. Deservedly a US#1 for 3 weeks in November 1978.

[LeviEngland-cx]

I fell in love her when she 1st started. Saw her, she was funny & fun and beautiful.

[stevenweiss]

Nobody can ever duplicate her voice. Unbeatable

[tamaracashourlove]

Donna's just The Damn Best! Period. Nobody can touch her for the disco stuff.

[josematamoros]

This was my brother Popeye, favorite female singer before he passed away 7-13-22 R.I.P !!

[nikoromih]

One of the great song of the GREATEST singer. Thank you, Donna Summer, we will love you forever !

[brownbeauty]

Donna Summer was so beautiful, and her voice was so distinctive and beautiful. Rest in peace 🕊 to the beautiful Donna Summer🕊❤️