P.F. Sloan

Album: Words and Music (1970)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Jimmy Webb titled this reflection on the life of a songwriter after his fellow Los Angeles songsmith P.F. Sloan, author of "Eve Of Destruction." Webb explained to Uncut how the song came about:

    "One night, he and I went to see Randy Newman at the Troubadour. We all agreed to come back to my house and play some pool. We were in separate cars, and about halfway there, I realized that P.F.'s car had gone. He'd missed the turn I guess. We went to my house and everybody said, 'What happened to P.F.?' So I started thinking. The song seemed like a funny idea at first, then it became a serious piece about a line of communication between writers and the public."
  • The song is a track from Words and Music, Jimmy Webb's first solo album that consists of all new material. (A previous record, Jim Webb Sings Jim Webb, consisted of demos that were overdubbed and released by Epic Records). Webb later re-recorded the song for El Mirage in 1977, and again for Just Across the River in 2010, this time with Jackson Browne.
  • Artists that have covered the song include The Association, Jennifer Warnes and Rumer. The latter version was released as the lead single from Rumer's second studio album Boys Don't Cry on May 4, 2012.

Comments: 2

  • Nak from OrpingtonThe best version of this song was by British band Unicorn from their album Uphill All The Way.
  • BoxCould you please cite the source of the quote? I can't find it on the Uncut website.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Women Who Rock

Women Who RockSong Writing

Evelyn McDonnell, editor of the book Women Who Rock, on why the Supremes are just as important as Bob Dylan.

Paul Stanley of Kiss, Soul Station

Paul Stanley of Kiss, Soul StationSongwriter Interviews

Paul Stanley on his soul music project, the Kiss songs with the biggest soul influence, and the non-make-up era of the band.

"Stairway To Heaven" Lawsuit: A Timeline

"Stairway To Heaven" Lawsuit: A TimelineSong Writing

Untangling the events that led to the "Stairway To Heaven" lawsuit.

Amanda Palmer

Amanda PalmerSongwriter Interviews

Call us crazy, but we like it when an artist comes around who doesn't mesh with the status quo.

Penny Ford of Snap!

Penny Ford of Snap!Songwriter Interviews

The original voice of Snap! this story is filled with angry drag queens, video impersonators and Chaka Khan.

He Hit Me (And It Felt Like A Kiss): A History Of Abuse Pop

He Hit Me (And It Felt Like A Kiss): A History Of Abuse PopSong Writing

Songs that seem to glorify violence against women are often misinterpreted - but not always.