In the mid-70s my dear friend, Josie Rika, invited me to her wedding. Unfortunately, I was in the middle of a concert tour and could not attend. Instead, I sent the best gift I could — a song.
The song was SANDY, YOUR MOTHER’S IN LOVE. (Josie had a daughter called Sandy.)
Mike Harvey and I recorded the song as a simple piano and voice arrangement, which we cut straight to vinyl. This very limited edition record was supposed to be a one-off.
However, Mike, who was my producer/arranger, and the people at my record company were adamant that I should include the song on my 1976 album USE YOUR EYES.
Furthermore, Mike insisted that I enter it into an American Song Contest, which had some high profile judges — most notably Lionel Ritchie who we admired.
I entered the song without any great optimism and was neither surprised nor disappointed when nothing came of it.
Around two years later I received a phone call from a rather agitated Mike Harvey who asked me if I’d heard the song Once Twice Three Times a Lady by Lionel Ritchie. At that stage I hadn’t but I soon did.
As Mike said, the similarities are uncanny.
I’ve often wondered whether Lionel heard the song in passing amongst all the song entries he dealt with and (perhaps subconsciously) the melody had stayed with him and re-emerged when he wrote his great hit in 1978.
Here’s my song:
And here’s a link to Lionel’s song.
Listen to the piano in particular. Uncanny, don’t you think?
However history shows that one was a worldwide hit and the other a song you probably didn’t know existed.
C’est la vie.
they are so uncanny alike but I reckon yours is the much better one with the lyrics, but then again people my think Im bias as I love your music so much
Thank you, Lynda.
wow pretty much note for note right there…
Yes, Mal. It pissed Mike off a the time, since the piano part was so close and he was the one who’d encouraged me to enter the song into the contest. I guess we could have pursued it at the time but what would have been the point? I couldn’t have afforded the lawyers and I’d have just looked like a desperate ‘would-be’ attacking an Icon. In the end, mate, Im just trying remind people that I did a great deal after Damn the Dam.
Well Mr. Hanlon, after hearing your song and then comparing it with the one I have played and sung Live I don’t know how many times, I feel your original has that special “Essence ” that would make any song writer wish that they had written it.
Thank you George
JOHN, IN LISTENING TO THE MELODIES OF BOTH, I CONCUR THAT THE MELODY IS SO VERY SIMILAR. BUT I WUDN’T MAKE A LAWYER RICH FIGHTING LIONEL FOR IT. HOWEVER, IT HAPPENS MORE THAN ANYONE ADMITS. I STILL HEAR YOUR VOICE IN DAMN THE DAM
I have no intention of pursuing this, Harry. If I’d have thought it worthwhile I’d have done so in 1978. Far too late now. I only mention it as part of a story about one of the songs on my retrospective AFTER THE DAM BROKE. I’m just hoping to let people know I did a great deal after Damn the Dam and maybe be better remembered and sell a few more albums as a result. I don’t even dream of getting a fraction of the earnings Lionel would have on Once Twice etc. Actually the melody is not so similar as the chords and the piano part, which is almost note for note. As I say …uncanny.
Beautiful song John. “Uncanny “is a very diplomatic way of putting it.
Hey Andy,
sorry to take so long to respond. To be honest I’d long forgotten the blog. However, a new email on my website this morning about the subject has me revisiting and I saw your comment. My ‘diplomacy’ is more a case or realism. I’m sure you understand.
I hope all is well with you. (Are you still in Aus?)
Take care,
John
Instantly loved this beautiful song , delicate, simple + very moving. Intrigued at trying to imagine contexts for this song + then chanced on this post which put it right in context. Indeed must have been special person + more than 3 times a lady
Hi Johnny. You hit the waves on radio NZ today about your song and Lionel’s version. We are sitting around the dinner table with Jan ( it would have been Max Parker’s 93rd birthday today. She was 90 two weeks ago and still going strong) and listened to both versions. My husband Scott has a musical ear and says ‘c’est la vie’ is very very gracious!!Hope all is good with you and we catch up someday soon.
Thanks Tina,
Until you wrote I was completely unaware of any RNZ exposure for this. Not sure it’s a good thing. I’m in no way inclined to be seen to attempt to sully Lionel’s deservedly admired status. He is an internationally acclaimed songwriter, I am not. I only want to expose people find interesting ways to expose people to the breadth of my work. I wish you and everyone you care about all the very best. John