Didn't We (Richard Harris song)
"Didn't We" | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Single by Richard Harris | ||||
from the album A Tramp Shining | ||||
B-side |
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Released | 1968 | |||
Genre | Traditional pop | |||
Length | 2:24 | |||
Label | Dunhill | |||
Songwriter(s) | Jimmy Webb | |||
Producer(s) | Jimmy Webb | |||
Richard Harris singles chronology | ||||
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"Didn't We" is a song recorded by Irish singer and actor Richard Harris for his debut studio album, A Tramp Shining (1968). It was written and produced by Jimmy Webb and originally served as the B-side to Harris' 1968 single "MacArthur Park". "Didn't We" was then distributed as the record's single by Dunhill Records, also in 1968. A traditional pop song, Harris sings about his life in the past. Commercially, it charted at lower positions of both the United States and Canada, and in the higher ranks of their Adult Contemporary component charts. Harris featured "Didn't We" on several of his greatest hits albums, including The Richard Harris Collection: His Greatest Performances from 1973. That same year, the song was reissued as a promotional single paired alongside his 1971 single "My Boy".
American vocalist
Background and composition
"Didn't We" was originally featured as the
A traditional pop recording,[7] "Didn't We" is written in the key of C major with Harris's vocals ranging from E4 to G5; it is accompanied by the instrumentation of a piano and a guitar. Lyrically, Harris recalls the past and opens the single by singing, "This time we almost made the pieces fit / Didn't we girl?".[8]
Reception
AllMusic's Matthew Greenwald acclaimed the production of "Didn't We". He stated that it is "home to one of Jimmy Webb's most enduring melodies" and described its arrangement as elegant.[9] In the 24 May 1969 edition of Billboard, an editor recognized "Didn't We" in the "Special Merit Spotlight" column, where the publication reports designated singles "deserving [of] special attention". The critic noted its potential "sales appeal" and singled out its programming as a highlight.[10] Michael Feeney Callan, the author of a biography for Harris, wrote that the composition was one of the singer's more "intimate [and] orchestral tracks".[11]
In mid 1969, "Didn't We" managed to chart on the major record charts in both the United States and Canada. On the Billboard Hot 100, it debuted at number 83 for the week ending June 7, 1969, becoming the week's highest new entry.[12] Five weeks later, the single reached its peak position at number 63 and then departed the chart altogether the following week.[13][14] On Canada's Top Singles compiled by RPM, it entered the chart at number 95 on June 16 of the same year, before rising to number 82 the following week and number 73 the week after that.[15][16] It also peaked on the Adult Contemporary charts in both the United States and Canada, reaching positions 11 and nine, respectively.[17][18]
Cover versions and other usage
Several recording artists and musicians have covered "Didn't We". The earliest one was American singer
"Didn't We" is featured on several of Harris's greatest hits albums. It was initially included on his first one, titled The Richard Harris Collection: His Greatest Performances, which was released in 1973 by Dunhill.[27] It also served as the opener and prelude on his second album in the series, The Webb Sessions: 1968-1969 (1995), released exclusively in Australia.[28] The aforementioned album was re-released in the United Kingdom under the name MacArthur Park: Richard Harris Sings the Songs of Jimmy Webb in 1997.[29] "Didn't We" also appears on a collection of his singles, titled MacArthur Park (1972), released under the budget album label Music for Pleasure.[30]
Track listings and formats
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|
Charts
Chart (1969) | Peak position |
---|---|
Canada Top Singles (RPM)[16] | 73 |
Canada Adult Contemporary (RPM)[17] | 9 |
US Billboard Hot 100[31] | 63 |
US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)[18] | 11 |
Barbra Streisand version
"Didn't We" | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Single by Barbra Streisand | ||||
from the album Live Concert at the Forum | ||||
B-side | "On a Clear Day (You Can See Forever)" | |||
Released | November 1972 | |||
Recorded | 15 April 1972 | |||
Length | 2:28 | |||
Label | Columbia | |||
Songwriter(s) | Jimmy Webb | |||
Producer(s) | Richard Perry | |||
Barbra Streisand singles chronology | ||||
|
Background and reception
American vocalist Barbra Streisand recorded a version of "Didn't We" for her second
Allison J. Waldman, author of The Barbra Streisand Scrapbook, wrote that Streisand's performance of the single was "heartbreaking",[39] while Linda Pohly, writer of The Barbra Streisand Companion, felt as if it revealed her "slender musical frame" that can both "support or sustain".[40]
Chart performance
"Didn't We" did not match the moderate commercial success that Harris's version was met with. However, it was heavily played on soul radio, according to Julian Coleman of Billboard.[41] In the United States, it entered the Billboard Hot 100 on 9 December 1972, where it was placed at number 98.[42] It increased its peak position slowly, reaching number 96 the following week,[43] and stalling at number 95 for the next two weeks after that.[44][45] Streisand's rendition finally reached its peak position on 20 January 1973, where it was ranked at number 82 on the Hot 100.[46] It spent a total of eight weeks on the United States' chart, before dropping off at its final position on 27 January 1973, also at number 82.[47] It also entered both of the Adult Contemporary charts in the United States and Canada (then titled the Easy Listening chart in the former country), peaked at numbers 22 and 46, respectively.[48][49][50]
Promotion and other usage
Streisand sang "Didn't We" during her 2012-2013 concert tour, Barbra Live. It was performed immediately after her 1963 rendition of "Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered" and before Charlie Chaplin's 1936 single "Smile". The song then appeared on her eighth live album, Back to Brooklyn (2013), and the accompanying DVD release of the same name.[51][52] Streisand also included an earlier version of "Didn't We" on her compilation album, Release Me, released in 2012. The record itself is a collection of rare and previously unreleased songs from Streisand's catalogue.[53]
Track listings
|
|
Charts
Chart (1973) | Peak position |
---|---|
Canada Adult Contemporary (RPM)[48] | 46 |
US Billboard Hot 100[55] | 82 |
US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)[49] | 22 |
References
- ^ "Dionne Warwick - I'll Never Fall in Love Again Album Reviews, Songs & More | AllMusic". AllMusic.
- ^ "MacArthur Park" / "Didn't We" (Liner notes). Richard Harris. Old Gold. 1968. OG 9216.
{{cite AV media notes}}
: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ a b c "Didn't We" / "In the Final Hours" (Liner notes). Richard Harris. RCA Victor. 1968. RCA 1733.
{{cite AV media notes}}
: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ a b "Didn't We" / "Paper Chase" (Liner notes). Richard Harris. Dunhill. 1969. 45-D-4194.
{{cite AV media notes}}
: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ a b "Didn't We" / "My Boy" (Liner notes). Richard Harris. Probe. 1973. GFF 123.
{{cite AV media notes}}
: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ A Tramp Shining (Liner notes). Richard Harris. Dunhill. 1968. DS-50032.
{{cite AV media notes}}
: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ Bourgoin 1994, p. 271
- ^ Webb, Jimmy (1966). "Jimmy Webb 'Didn't We' Digital Sheet Music". Musicnotes.com. Archived from the original on 8 January 2017. Retrieved 8 January 2017.
- ^ Greenwald, Matthew. "Richard Harris – Didn't We". AllMusic. Archived from the original on 10 October 2016. Retrieved 28 November 2016.
- ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved 28 November 2016.
- ^ Callan 2003, p. 173
- ^ "The Hot 100 – The Week Of June 7, 1969". Billboard. Archived from the original on 13 November 2016. Retrieved 29 November 2016.
- ^ "The Hot 100 – The Week Of July 12, 1969". Billboard. Archived from the original on 9 November 2016. Retrieved 29 November 2016.
- ^ "The Hot 100 – The Week Of July 19, 1969". Billboard. Archived from the original on 26 December 2016. Retrieved 29 November 2016.
- ^ "Top RPM Singles: Issue 5991". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Archived from the original on 8 January 2017. Retrieved 30 November 2016.
- ^ a b "Top RPM Singles: Issue 5928." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 27 November 2016.
- ^ a b "Top RPM Adult Contemporary: Issue 5983." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 27 November 2016.
- ^ a b "Richard Harris Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved 27 November 2016.
- ^ My Way (Liner notes). Frank Sinatra. Reprise. 1969. FS 1029.
{{cite AV media notes}}
: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Frank Sinatra – My Way". AllMusic. Archived from the original on 18 January 2017. Retrieved 8 January 2017.
- ^ 45Cat - - Bunny Walters - Discography
- ^ "Matt Monro – For the Present/The Other Side of the Stars". AllMusic. Archived from the original on 8 January 2017. Retrieved 8 January 2017.
- ^ For the Present / The Other Side of the Stars (Liner notes). Matt Monro. EMI. 2004. 5971762, 0724359717654.
{{cite AV media notes}}
: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ "Peggy Lee – Make It With You / Where Did They Go". Discogs. Retrieved 7 December 2022.
- ^ Only One Life: The Songs of Jimmy Webb (Liner notes). Michael Feinstein. Concord Special Projects. 2003. 3122032.
{{cite AV media notes}}
: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ Latham, Aaron. "Michael Feinstein – Only One Life: The Songs of Jimmy Webb". AllMusic. Archived from the original on 8 January 2017. Retrieved 8 January 2017.
- ^ The Richard Harris Collection: His Greatest Performances (Liner notes). Richard Harris. Dunhill. 1973. DSX 50139.
{{cite AV media notes}}
: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ The Webb Sessions: 1968-1969 (Liner notes). Richard Harris. Raven. 1995. RVCD-52.
{{cite AV media notes}}
: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ MacArthur Park: Richard Harris Sings the Songs of Jimmy Webb (Liner notes). Richard Harris. Half Moon. 1997. HMNCD 002.
{{cite AV media notes}}
: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ MacArthur Park (Liner notes). Richard Harris. Music for Pleasure. 1972. MFP 50251.
{{cite AV media notes}}
: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ "Richard Harris Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 27 November 2016.
- ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved 8 January 2017.
- ^ a b Live Concert at the Forum (Liner notes). Barbra Streisand. Columbia. 1972. KC 31760.
{{cite AV media notes}}
: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ Waldman 2001, p. 52
- ^ Ruhlmann, William. "Barbra Streisand – Live Concert at the Forum". AllMusic. Archived from the original on 11 July 2012. Retrieved 8 January 2017.
- ^ Edwards 2016, p. 401
- ^ a b "Didn't We" / "On a Clear Day (You Can See Forever)" (Liner notes). Barbra Streisand. CBS. 1972. SCBS1202.
{{cite AV media notes}}
: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ a b "Didn't We" / "Didn't We" (Liner notes). Barbra Streisand. Columbia. 1972. 4-45739.
{{cite AV media notes}}
: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ Waldman 2001, p. 177
- ^ Pohly 2000, p. 63
- ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved 8 January 2017.
- ^ "The Hot 100 – The Week Of December 9, 1972". Billboard. 9 December 1972. Archived from the original on 8 January 2017. Retrieved 7 January 2017.
- ^ "The Hot 100 – The Week Of December 16, 1972". Billboard. 16 December 1972. Archived from the original on 9 January 2017. Retrieved 7 January 2017.
- ^ "The Hot 100 – The Week Of December 23, 1972". Billboard. 23 December 1972. Archived from the original on 8 January 2017. Retrieved 7 January 2017.
- ^ "The Hot 100 – The Week Of December 30, 1972". Billboard. 30 December 1972. Archived from the original on 8 January 2017. Retrieved 7 January 2017.
- ^ "The Hot 100 – The Week Of January 20, 1973". Billboard. 20 January 1973. Archived from the original on 8 January 2017. Retrieved 7 January 2017.
- ^ "The Hot 100 – The Week Of January 27, 1973". Billboard. 27 January 1973. Archived from the original on 8 January 2017. Retrieved 7 January 2017.
- ^ a b "Top RPM Adult Contemporary: Issue 4271." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 27 November 2016.
- ^ a b "Barbra Streisand Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved 27 November 2016.
- ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved 8 January 2017.
- ^ Back to Brooklyn (Liner notes). Barbra Streisand. Columbia. 2013. 88843001952.
{{cite AV media notes}}
: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ Back to Brooklyn (Liner notes). Barbra Streisand (DVD ed.). Columbia. 2013. 88843 00758 9.
{{cite AV media notes}}
: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ Release Me (Liner notes). Barbra Streisand. Columbia. 2012. 88725 45855 2.
{{cite AV media notes}}
: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ "Didn't We" / "On a Clear Day (You Can See Forever)" (Liner notes). Barbra Streisand. Columbia. 1972. 4-45739.
{{cite AV media notes}}
: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ "Barbra Streisand Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 27 November 2016.
Works cited
- Bourgoin, Suzanne (9 September 1994). Contemporary Musicians: Profiles of the People in Music, Volume 12. Gale. ISBN 0810385538.
- Callan, Michael Feeney (2003). Richard Harris: Sex, Death & the Movies: an Intimate Biography (illustrated, revised ed.). Robson. ISBN 1861056516.
- Edwards, Anne (2016). Streisand: A Biography. Rowman & Littlefield. ISBN 978-1630761295.
- Pohly, Linda (2000). The Barbra Streisand Companion: A Guide to Her Vocal Style and Repertoire (illustrated ed.). Greenwood Press. ISBN 0313304149.
- Waldman, Allison J. (2001). The Barbra Streisand Scrapbook (illustrated, revised ed.). Citadel Press. ISBN 0806522186.