Patty sings the Valley of the Dolls Theme (or tries to...)

[ryartiste]

To me, it's the most real and raw version I've ever heard. Ms. Duke knew a lot herself about challenges in life with her bipolar illness, and this version just nails the vulnerability and fragility that the song expresses in Dory Previn's brilliant lyrics. May she RIP. I don't know what Dory thought or her ex-husband Andre Previn thinks of this version, but I love it.

[devmonbar]

Where is "Give A Little More" by Gail Heideman?

[rut8888]

call me weird but I actually prefer this to Dionne Warwick.

[MultiBudboy]

This is what Terry Melcher shouldve played to get rid of Manson!

[MultiBudboy]

At least shes been cognizant of her serious singing limitations. Now, Leonard Nimoy, on the other hand....

[stilltainted922]

why?...why?

[squirell1952]

Why do people use strange names when they write into YOU TUBE? Even the Uploaders use funny names, too. I mean: SwankyClub! DevMonBar! Blossomkay!

Dockwolf! Rockyswealthformula! What's wrong with names like Fred, Joe, Nellie, Suzy, Alfie etc.? Over and out!

[sfmarklh]

It almost sounds like a child singing.  Couldn't listen to who thing.

[sfmarklh]

It almost sounds like a child singing.

[ssstate727]

LORD, WE THANK YOU FOR DIONNE WARWICK!!

[chthonic19]

dear lord in heaven

[blossomkay]

It wasn't unusual back then to take actors and try to turn them into singers. She does a better job on the song "Dona Dona".

[devmonbar]

TERRIBLE

[dockwolf]

personaly...I think it's done rather well, IMHO

[rockyswealthformula]

patty duke was the jennifer aniston of the 60's

[bgrwmn11]

P.U.

[bgrwmn11]

P.U.

[defundthewar]

Maybe Patty's identical cousin Cathy could have done better.

[Drewdavids824]

Too bad Judy Garland didn't record this one. Geesh !

[markc517]

a sick cow! NEELY1 NEELY OHARA1 THIS IS FROM MY PARTNER TED

[markc517]

i am glad that patty duke got her shit together now!

[BeachComber1977]

Wow...that was beyond terrible.

[pierrebrseven]

Terrible!

[Intrepid10]

Patty is a wonderful actress and talented in that regard but, please, she is no singer. This is just painful and an insult to Dionne Warwick. 

[melizmatea]

Oh PLEASE put more of the songs from this album on here!!!!

[heartrock83]

i don't get it , is it off key? it sounds right to me. am i crazy too?

[kornpone]

From the album liner notes:

What you will hear in this superb collection has been hailed as 'the excited voice of Patty Duke,' which is not, as it sounds, a misnomer, but which is a deliberate way of suggesting that Patty Duke's lustrous, range-rich and expressive voice displays the very essence of excitement itself. Of course, Patty is an exciting singer, but precisely because her voice is excited and emotional and full of action.

[marekerhardt]

Woah! Pitchy dog!!! This is flat and well, not good! :-)

[tweethang1]

LOL xD AHHH HA HA HA HA!!!

[50s60steenidols]

I really enjoyed hearing Patty sing this version of the theme song. Could you post her song - My Own Little Place. I have always loved that song by Patty. It has been 30 years since I last heard it and I would love hearing it again. Thank you so much. Sincerely Jay.

[jorcam44]

jsbach 15 I agree with you totally.

It is perfect. If someone can sing if is difficult to make it sound bad.

Notice she dosen't really go off key. She just makes the tone sound pathetic.

Well done.

Proves even more how talented she is.

[50s60steenidols]

I never heard this version before. I have always enjoyed Patty Duke's singing. Patty has a natural singing voice and I really enjoyed her version of this song. I would love to hear all the songs by Patty from this album. I would love to have this album in my collection. I have 2 albums by her. Could you post her other songs from this album.

[etrax2000]

maybe its one of her methods of fighting back at the studios, they probably forced her to do this so Patty fought back.

[tumblebrutus1]

all i can say is wow.....bless her! Somebody give her a doll!

[ramona2400]

this is a damn shame what a hot mess

[jsbach15]

Wow, never knew this existed. It actually fits the emotions and mood for the decline of the character Patti (Anna) played in the movie; the tone and affect appears deliberate, and evocative.

[markc517]

very bad management!

[Blackskies2011]

Patty Duke does a wonderful job singing this song. She is a nice singer.

[ScrapNfight]

I'd say this is right up there with Lucy's singing in MAME

[marekerhardt]

@ScrapNfight HAHAHAHHA!!!!

[sammy7819]

Oh hell No!

[markc517]

To me, Patty Duke was Neely Ohara! One of the trashiest films ever made including a financial successful movie! Too bad that this movie hurt everyone of the star's career as no one associated with the movie went on to better roles! I guess the United Artist realized that Patty indeed could not sing, thus the title "tries to sing" How embarrasing to the singer! What is even more looney is the liner notes from of all people Gene Kelley! What drugs was he on?

[markc517]

was patty in the looney bin when she recorded this?

[markc517]

i will always admire patty duke however, i am sure that she capitalized on the movie by recording this album! My questions is; DID SHE RECORD THIS MUSIC IN THE LOONEY BIN? She sound like she is on her death bed!

[PorkyAndTheGang]

Marla Singer, anyone?

[CaptainPommby]

I wuv u

[mike1950ful]

Patty Duke was a great singer back in the 60's considering all teens back then were made to sing. For instance Shelley Fabares, Annette Funicello, Sally Field. One thing though about Patty Duke she was a great actress.

[petclark1]

The background music and the orchestration are just gorgeous...but Patty. My God, Patty...what were you thinking? I lover her to bits but that voice-I've heard trainwrecks that were easier on the ears. Thank Goodness she's well now and has been for years.

[CaptainPommby]

Kinda sexy!

[juanitoelchico]

She´s Nelly O´hara all right!!

wonderful recording!!!!

[juanitoelchico]

thankz for this version of Miss Duke!!!!

Here Big Fan of The valley Of The Dolls!!!!!!!

[eschborn317]

Tries to sing is right

[mikesterSTLMO]

Jeeez; I guess it's pretty obvious why they dubbed Patty's voice. She makes Dionne Warwick actually sound good. But I do love the cover art!

[hellonyhello]

actually KD Lang does the best version but this isnt bad

[marekerhardt]

Holy crap! Who died?

[keithiepoo]

Sometimes you just gotta laugh...

[mgpop]

What Dolls was she on during this recording?

[nancyfloressantos]

. A great novel by Jacquelline Susann and made into a film with the same title (1967)with this beautiful theme song. Thanks for posting.

[boomchuckaboom]

Did she have a "ghost voice" for the movie? This is making me wonder...although I have heard her sing slightly better, I never found any good "belting", her voice was rather light.

[JohnnyGNV]

Studio vocalist GAIL HEIDMAN provided the singing voice for Neely O'Hara in the movie version of VALLEY OF THE DOLLS,

although I think they could have certainly used portions of Patty's own singing voice.

[internationalgiant]

Randy: "That was a good attempt dawg. I can't say it was good, but you tried and that's what I like. Paula: "It was tender and expressive and that's what I like about you. It was real and that's what the song is all about. Simon: "That was...Horrendous." - But we all LOVED her as Neeley O'Hara! She played the part like it should have been played, no matter WHAT the critics said in 1967. It was very real and very today. A train wreck, just like Britney and poor Lindsay Lohan. Bravo Patty!

[marekerhardt]

Love Patty but this reeks!!!!

[Hunterunc]

Doesn't matter who sang them, they were all terrible except for this one.

[Martywt43]

I also have this Lp.

[Martywt43]

LOL, Swankycub doctored the Lp cover. It is actually "Patty Duke Sings Songs From The Valley Of The Dolls". I admit it is not her best effort. Her first two lp's are pretty good, as far as teen idols are concerned.

[SwankyCub]

Guilty in the first degree! ;-) Photoshop is my friend.

[Dexie78]

@SwankyCub I've viewed this clip dozens of times and I never noticed the "tries to" part. VERY clever! And appropriate.

[LY1946]

@Martywt43 Actually I think Patty sings great in this movie.

[TheReturnOfStephan1]

It sounds as if she's singing "in character", and, if that's the case, this is a brilliant reading.

[dannybex]

Painful.

[irish89055]

very...

[damron13]

Dionne Warwick's version rules.

[scarletbword]

i cant believe they actually called the album tries to sing...

thats a bit harsh!

[LY1946]

@scarletbword My husband has this LP and it actually says Sings songs from not tries to sing.

[videocotillon]

I bet that Nellie O'Hara sang this song of this way when she was high, LOL!

[diamondears]

When I saw this, I just assumed we were talking about Patti LaBelle - imagine my surprise. YOU guys have to remember that Patty Duke is a GREAT actress and imho this is a good dramatic reading of this song. That's how I think the song was meant.

[rbjnla]

Sounds like she took a few dolls before she sang this...Sparkle Neely Sparkle!

[SwankyCub]

What a great line - this movie has brought more joy into peoples lives than anyone could have ever imagined... The greatest comedy about drug abuse ever made!

[Blackskies2011]

@rbjnla She's not that bad now.

[pywacket7]

ok, this song is not her best, but as Neely O'hara she was fantastic. Unfortunately once you've heard this sung by Dionne Warrick no one else can do it justice.

[TaraTownsend]

I lowered the volume all the way to the bottom and even that didn't help.

[SwankyCub]

That's because Patty played a deaf girl in an early part of her career. She'll get to you - even without sound!

[patty3173]

bad enough she sung in the movie

[dma124]

Actually, she was dubbed in the movie. Gail Heideman did the vocals for Patty in the film. Rumor is Patty wanted to sing them herself..

[JohnnyGNV]

Someone should really add her version of GIVE A LITTLE MORE to You Tube accompaned to stills from "Valley of the Dolls".

[dianamart2]

This song is perfect to play in the caves of afghanistan to ferret out Osama Bin Laden, I know he'll surrender...I know I did

[TaraTownsend]

Couldn't have put it better myself. Cheers!

[eternalywd]

@dianamart2 rofl

[dianamart2]

que cagada deberias dejar de cantar

[dsfddsgh]

Terrible just terrible. LOL

[leonh73]

Most singers we admire can't really sing. But we love the song. Patty has a voice we can like.

[nancyfloressantos]

A very nice theme song with the same title The Valley of the Dolls.

[sensobrando]

Patty Duke "tries to sing songs from Valley of the dolls"? Wonderfull!

[wlarmer]

Neely sings like a bird, you sound like a frog. LOL It's obvious she did this on purpose

[epiksonik]

the female version of pat boone

[doowgninrom]

I've been wanting to hear cuts from this album for decades! Thanks for posting! I want to hear more. Please put the entire album on for all to enjoy! I love Patty. She's not a bad singer; I heard she purposely sang poorly for this album because she was forced to do it. It's a gem for sure.

[rabbitt83]

my god!! patty sings this better then diane worwick

[TaraTownsend]

Are you on some bad drugs?!

[TheMalibumoon]

i love patty but WRONG!! why was this ever recorded? LOVE PATTY.

[mikesterSTLMO]

Poor thing; I would have went on Lithium too.

[CarpoolKathleen]

Wow...this rendition makes it sound like the longest song on EARTH....and since she's not able to "float it" with a lyrical approach, the lyrics are exposed as being totally stupid. (Yes...why DO we cry? Hmmm...)

[ivycompton]

omigod - Patty! croak it girl! xxxxx!

[JohnnyGNV]

Can "I'll Plant My Own Tree" be far

behind? She also did "Give a Little More" which Neely sings in the rehearsal hall, only to be rudely interrupted by a Director because Helen Lawson wanted her out of the show - poor Neely - but she showed 'em all when she sang 1 song at the Telethon and became an instant Star.

[SwankyCub]

Can you blame poor Helen? After all, there's only one star in a Helen Lawson show.

[jeffreysuna1]

love Patty Duke so much I could listen to her croak out anything she wants.

She's curently in WICKED singing her little heart out live on stage in San Francisco... bless her sweet heart ;-)

[SwankyCub]

Really?? What role is she playing? By the way, I LOVE her too, particularly because she's grown to laugh at her acting mishaps along the way. Big snaps to Ms. Duke!

[JohnnyGNV]

OK, OK I have this album too - she did some nice records for United Artists, but I do agree this effort was not one of them - but she does put the proper feeling into the song, can't we give her some points for that at least? She wanted to do her own singing in the movie, but for the role of Neely O'Hara they had a studio vocalist do her three songs - so maybe she went to United Artists Records (where she was under contract) and said "I want to do all the songs for an album" and this was it.

[SwankyCub]

I actually heard that this was the last recording she was under contract to make for United Artists. She cranked it out without regard because at the time she resented having to even do it knowing she was not known for her singing despite her past recording successes which tended to be more a part of her "Patty Duke Show" image which she was trying to step away from.

[JohnnyGNV]

Can't say for sure, but she did one more album of songs after this which was to be called PATTY DUKE'S FOLK FAVORITES but it wasn't released, and she did a single in 1968 called AND WE WERE STRANGERS that did not chart, although it was a nice record - so I couldn't say for certain what the whole story was - the LP notes for the above LP sort of lead the listener to think she actually sings in the film itself but it's Gail Heideman, a studio singer.

[MAREKGERHARDT]

Sounds like a dying frog. She is divine. The way she hogs the screen in this "artfilm" and neatly tears it from one end of the screen to the other in tiny little tickertape shreds. A vocal "gem". Love Patty! Exqueeze me: Where will I throw up?

[ivycompton]

omigod - a dying frog - love it!

[MAREKGERHARDT]

Well I was trying to be nice. More like a cat having sex and dying during the deed. HEHE. I do like Patty's acting but singing? OMG help us!!!!!!! :-)

[MAREKGERHARDT]

It's horrid! I love it!!!! ;-)

[SwankyCub]

Poor Patty - I often say they should have taken her Oscar for The Miracle Worker back for having been in this movie. ;-) She actually has a great sense of humor about this stuff now. That's the sign of a wonderful person - she can laugh as much as we can.

[MAREKGERHARDT]

Yiu're right. I love her. She is one hell of an actress, just not adept at singing......ugh! HEHE.

[berlinsneakerz]

OMG- that's hysterical!

[blaedvanderwoodsen]

Hmm, her actual version of "It's Impossible" is on Youtube as well & was really good, this not so much :/

[MuscleJacker]

She deserves a special Grammy award for this.

[missjanehudson]

the album title can't be for real!

[SwankyCub]

Ah, you noticed..... I modified it slightly to define the actual effect of the renditions.

[sexymama1966]

i'm laughing at that..lol

[mixrbear]

gloriously awful! a classic!!!