Songfacts®: You can leave comments about the song at the bottom of the page.
This was originally a French song called "Chariot" composed by two famous French musicians, Paul Mauriat and Frank Pourcel. Mauriat's pseudonym is Del Roma and Frank Pourcel's is J.W. Stole on this song.
The music was adapted by Arthur Altman ("American Beauty Rose," "Don't Gild The Lily Lily") and English lyrics were added by Norman Gimbel ("Bluesette," "Girl From Ipanema," "
Killing Me Softly With His Song"). (thanks, Cengiz - Istanbul, Turkey, for above 2)
March was 15 when she recorded this. To this day, she holds the record for being the youngest female singer to have a #1 hit all over the world. This song not only reached #1 in the US, but also in Australia, New Zealand, Japan, and Scandinavia. (thanks, Jerro - New Alexandria, PA)
This was part of the inspiration for "Guilty Conscience" by Eminem and Dr. Dre. (thanks, Ekristheh - Halath)
Comments (9):
dUg Pinnick of King's X
dUg dIgs into his King's X metal classics and his many side projects, including the one with Jeff Ament of Pearl Jam.
Mike Watt - "History Lesson, Pt. 2"
Mike Watt of the Minutemen tells the story of the song that became an Indie Rock touchstone. It's also the story of what Mike calls "The Movement."
Don Felder
Don breaks down "Hotel California" and other songs he wrote as a member of the Eagles. Now we know where the "warm smell of colitas" came from.
Get the Ringtone
Get Song @ Amazon
Get the Sheet Music
View Lyrics
not even the original French Lyrics had been written yet) It appeared on his 1961 European release LP Amour Danse Et Violons No. 17. The first cover also an instrumental was by The Four Dreamers. The first vocal version by by Les Satellites with Paul Mauriat's Orchestra.