Arizona (song)

"Arizona"
Single by Mark Lindsay
from the album Arizona
B-side "Man from Houston"
Released November 1969
Format 7"
Genre Pop
Length 3:06
Label Columbia
Songwriter(s) Kenny Young
Producer(s) Jerry Fuller
Mark Lindsay singles chronology
"First Hymn from Grand Terrace"
(1969)		 "Arizona"
(1969)		 "Miss America"
(1970)

"First Hymn from Grand Terrace"
(1969)		 "Arizona"
(1969)		 "Miss America"
(1970)

"Arizona" is a song written by Kenny Young and recorded by former Paul Revere and the Raiders member Mark Lindsay, with L.A. session musicians from the Wrecking Crew,[1] in 1969. The single was Number 10 on the Hot 100 on 14 February 1970 and was awarded a RlAA Gold Disc in April 1970.[2]

Overview

The song's title, "Arizona", refers to the singer's girlfriend, whom he considers innocent and naïve. The singer wistfully describes Arizona's idealism and lifestyle, which he considers absurd and immature ("you're acting like a teeny bopper runaway child"). He then urges Arizona to discard her hippie trappings, including "hobo shoes", "rainbow shades", and "Indian braids", and view the world through more realistic eyes. However, even as he exhorts Arizona to become more worldly, the singer continues to praise her, describing Arizona as "a little-town saint". In the end, his love for Arizona and what she represents to him overcomes his cynicism, and the singer decides to follow her example, adopting her view of the world, instead of expecting her to accept his.[3] Two other versions were recorded in 1969, the first by Clodagh Rodgers, and the other by The Family Dogg. The song was later covered by French singer Eddy Mitchell.

Chart performance

References

  1. ↑ Hartman, Kent (2012). The Wrecking Crew. St. Martin’s Griffin. pp. 261–263. ISBN 978-1-250-03046-7.
  2. ↑ Murrells, Joseph (1978). The Book of Golden Discs. Barrie & Jenkins. ISBN 0-214-20480-4.
  3. ↑ Eddy, Chuck (1997). The Accidental Evolution of Rock 'n' Roll. Da Capo Press. ISBN 0-306-80741-6.
  4. 1 2 Steffen Hung. "Forum - 1970 (ARIA Charts: Special Occasion Charts)". Australian-charts.com. Archived from the original on 2016-06-02. Retrieved 2016-10-02.
  5. ↑ "Item: 8087 - Library and Archives Canada". Bac-lac.gc.ca. Retrieved 2016-10-02.
  6. ↑ "Image : RPM Weekly - Library and Archives Canada". Bac-lac.gc.ca. Retrieved 2016-10-02.
  7. ↑ Flavour of New Zealand, 10 April 1970
  8. ↑
  9. ↑ Whitburn, Joel (1993). Top Adult Contemporary: 1961–1993. Record Research. p. 141.
  10. ↑ Cash Box Top 100 Singles, February 21, 1970
  11. ↑ "Item Display - RPM - Library and Archives Canada". collectionscanada.gc.ca.
  12. ↑ "Top 100 Hits of 1970/Top 100 Songs of 1970". Musicoutfitters.com. Retrieved 2016-10-02.
  13. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2016-07-03.


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