CAFFE` LATTE` TOP 2000 TRACKS

THE TOP 100

#50 MACARTHUR PARK

DONNA SUMMER

(1978)

Writer: Jimmy Webb

Songwriter Jimmy Webb had originally presented "MacArthur Park" to the American group The Association. The band had just enjoyed 2 US #1 singles: "Cherish" and "Windy". When the group rejected "MacArthur Park", Webb played it for Richard Harris, who was better known for his acting than singing. The actor's dramatic interpretation reached #1 in Australia and peaked at #2 and 4 in America and Britain respectively. The Four Tops' 1971 remake of the song reached the US Top 40. In 1978, the colossal song returned to the charts in a revamped disco cover version by leading disco artist Donna Summer. 
That year saw the release of a double album by the female artist entitled 'LIve And More'. The disc was comprised of 3 sides featuring Summer in concert in Los Angeles and a 4th recorded in a studio. The entire final side featured "MacArthur Park Suite". This consisted of "MacArthur Park" as well as 2 other tracks: "One of a Kind" and "Heaven Knows", all joined together as the 1 track. In its entirety, "MacArthur Park Suite" ran for over 17 minutes and 30 seconds. The single version of "MacArthur Park" was an edit from that album side. The entire LP version reached #1 on Billboard's Disco Chart.
Musicians on "MacArthur Park" included future Toto member Mike Porcaro on bass; Keith Forsey on drums and percussion and Jay Graydon on guitar. Giorgio Moroder co-produced the track with Pete Bellotte. The single version reached #1 in the US and went Top 10 in Britain, Australia, the Netherlands, Canada and New Zealand. In 2013, a remix of Summer's version of the song by Laidback Luke climbed to the top of the US Dance Chart.

This is a list made up of the songs I enjoy the most, ranked in order of preference: the higher we go, the more I cherish them. Some were released as singles, others as album tracks. Some are obscure; others were worldwide hits or have universal appeal. They aren't always the most famous or popular, but simply a personal choice. I have excluded songs from the last few years in order to get a better idea of a song's lasting impression. I hope you find some new tracks to love, or re-discover some past favourites.

A new song from the remaining Top 100 is added each weekday, while another 2 are also included from positions 1501-2000 daily. Check back here every 12 hours for an update of the 2000.