Raspberries - Let's Pretend

[bodaciousd]

I remember watching this episode. They also did Tonight and during that song I realized how painstakingly some of these "hits" were recorded. Overnight Sensation is their masterpiece.

[jpodunk60]

There is a reason why this beautiful tune hasn't been covered by others; no one can sing it like the man who wrote it.  You can FEEL the bridge. One of Eric Carmen's finest vocal performances. Beautiful classic.

[Rawberto125]

Strangely brilliant?? Not strange at all. Listen to The Raspberries LP's. They're sort of a lost 1964 Beatles mixed with Power Pop to come. BRILLIANT. Maybe we'll all come to realize the gems they've left us. By the way, I'm a punk rocker.

[famousashtray]

Second only to Brian Wilson in meloldy

[fh346]

@famousashtray .....Good Point I missed that.

[SacredWord]

Eric Carmen had one of the greatest American pop voices. A true transtenor.

[cbimbi]

they are really good singers!! anyway the beatles influence on then are more than visible

[0313kathi]

OMG! i love these guys! from cleveland ohio hell yeah!

[treeoctopus13]

it only reached 30 something in the top 40 but was my favorite by them!

[mikeb4370]

I heard this song when i had my first girlfriend back in the early 70's. Didnt hear it for years and never knew the artist but always remembered the first verse. Then a classic rock station played it and i finally found out it was a rasberries song. This song will always bring back memories of summer days playing with my friends and being in love with the girl down the street!

[jackcatfish]

wow. strangely brilliant.

[blendedbananas]

@jackcatfish you got that right!

[infradig8]

2010's revamp anyone?

[Tommycancan]

What a voice! Eric Carmin!

[mikey1829]

Underated harmonies.These guys were REALLY good< very Beatle-esque

[tbirdy]

I loved Eric Carmen from the time I heard "Never Gonna Fall in Love Again" when I was 11, but didn't really get familiar with most of the Raspberries stuff until the late 80s. I played this song over and over and cried over it (and a guy) back then. I love this video, and that they seem to be singing at least somewhat live, because this isn't Eric's vocal from the record. Cool video!

[CityofDreadfulDelite]

Eric Carmen's voice was simply created for love songs. But not just *any*.... During the height of their fame, his voice had all the innocence and the heartfelt yearning that could only take you back to your FIRST love.

[jamesguitarshields]

jimmy ienner and shelly yakus in the control room... nice.

[lavenderliberal]

Two down-voting idiots are... idiots. I love this. Thank you for posting it.

[jcmainman]

wow

[007bigrain]

WAS<<HOTT...Time changes even the hottest of people//lol

[jehouse]

Eric Carmen looks amazingly hot in this clip.

[OfficeMercenary]

These old songs just slay me.

[Malibucompany]

sang beautifully

[kilmo88]

it's good and yet it sounds like crap compared to the Bay city rollers version from the Dedication album

[ianslass]

@kilmo88 ---huh? That would be no.

While the BCR's version is great and I love it...this is beautiful and perfect! Hands down...Eric Carmen's voice is brilliant! Just a fact of life...

[MrCoolRadioVoiceGuy]

Eric Carmen & The Raspberries recorded some terrific pop/rock pieces! Most of them had to do with getting "lucky", which is rather interesting because they came along at a time when it was still socially unacceptable and legally troublesome to air such "ideas" on radio. The songs were very well crafted, but it still amazes me that we were able to play these records on the radio at that time. Check "Go All The Way" (their 1st hit) and "I Wanna Be With You."

[brightchance]

Where did this video come from? I love the studio producers input. Wish you could buy this version.

[WENDY17STACK]

SWEET...

[msredboot7]

love this song!!!! still!!!!

[Rusfi16]

Didn't they think to tighten some adjusting screw on thier headphones so they don't all have to constantly hang onto them?

[WimseysEchoAnne]

@Rusfi16 They are actually pressing the headphones against their ears to clarify thier own sound in their ears. It helps a performer keep thier own part clear during a multi-track recording process where there are other performers in the same space.

[70s80sMusicFan]

Does anyone have their performance (of this song & interview) on American Bandstand with Dick Clark? From 1973. I remember missing that show. :(

[thegrmreapr]

Brian was. in 1976 he was so impressed with Eric that he was the opening act for the tour when Eric's first Artista album came out

[candelise]

I think even Brian Wilson would've been happy with this record.

[wddenis3]

I just dig that 12 string Rickenbacker sound...The most distinct guitar sound in R&R.

[HaleyTylertoo]

Thank God for the 70's and 80's, seemingly the last 2 decades of great music

[prnkstr222000]

AND ..The Bass player Dave SMALLEY !!... SAME LAST NAME AS ME ! ???

[t40onbass]

This song makes me feel I could stand in the face of Armageddon with no fear!!!! Regal in every sense of the word. This band was so fantastic. How about what happens at 1:38??? Just UNREAL!!

I would guess the guy at the control board is their producer Jimmy Ienner but I'm not sure...

[56richardcory]

If you ask me, Eric's best tune of many, many great musical ideas.  Thanks for posting!

[8291963]

thank you...I listened to it on youtube.

[cadolfan13]

The Bay City Rollers did a version of this song.

[8291963]

@cadolfan13 never heard it and I was around in those days...

[cadolfan13]

Yeah off the Dedication album 1976

[flogadong]

Good song for a new version of "Band Hero"

[dulcimerz2drumstix]

Wow how awesome! I remember watching the original airing. I was somewhere around 12 years old, playing drums, and was thrilled to see this on our black and white tv. Always loved Eric and the Raspberries. Great pop vocals with serious rock n roll attitude. Thank you chevy505 for posting!

[milabora]

Wow.....I was born in 1965, and have just recently gotten into the Raspberries, though I remember "Go All the Way" as a kid.....they were really excellent. Very Romantic with strong guitar rock.

[BeatleJaynumber9]

Not a promo- the show was called Flipside.

[wendydale1]

Really like the lead singers voice. Is he Eric? Really appealing sound. This is now on my faves list.

[prettymom777]

@wendydale1 This is REALLY Eric Carmen! Eye candy, too... I think it was a promo.

[richard52402]

i agree. the old songs are what keeps me going...thank God for music..i would be nothing..

[gusten66]

Absolutely wonderful. Oh what great harmonies at the end. I really like it

[trevor40]

My Favorite Raspberries song

[KOSMICKEN09]

the raspberries are gods....those 4 lp's they made, amazing stuff....

[craigs1001]

What???? Are you deaf?

[sunphuk]

Thats the Record Plant in NYC

[xofmcgyver]

Eric was so cute in his younger days..

[Yachtman88]

best raspberries song by far

[yourimageunreels]

This song reminds me of a girl I had a crush

on in the 8th grade.

[brightchance]

This song really rocks! I love the producer input. Raspberries could make it today. Thanks for posting.

[DNF13LTFO]

This song takes me back to a special time of 45's, jukeboxes and AM radio was a force! Thanks for the post.

[sambethune]

Great power pop band! I bought "Fresh Raspberries", the album containing this song, in 1972 and played it until the grooves wore out. Eric Carmen's solo stuff just doesn't hold a candle to his body of work with Raspberries.

[SourHawaii]

dreamabilly

[clocksetup]

love this song :)

[trevor40]

My Favorite Raspberries song  :-)

[hoof565]

The "Power Ballad" didn't exist before the Raspberries. Thanks for posting!

[fugepoo]

lady came out in 1972

[hrubygirl]

Damn, Eric Carmen is so fine!!!!!

[Slammerworm1]

The Raspberries were a pop band who rocked. This one is the equal of any Beach Boys song you care to name. Take your partners for the finest 'slow dance' song you will ever hear.

[gibsondrummer]

the rasberries carry the torch of melody and harmony in rock and roll .dont worry baby mus'tve been an inspiration to them

[lustewart77]

te acordas cuando empezamos a salir y me dedicaste esta cancion???? aunque no estemos mas juntos, que hermoso fue nuestro amor!!!!

[acting1961]

Truly great song.

Major kudos to Eric Carmen for being a stellar vocalist and songwriter...

[LilDarlingxx]

Eric is a master lyricist and the Rasberries are awsome!

[conathona]

So cool. What a talent these dudes are. The only band that gets near Badfinger!!

[trevor40]

One of the BEST Raspberries songs!!!!

[tinycrush]

Oh for god's sake!! How can anyone think that the BCR version is better than the original Raspberries version??? Wimpy Wimpy Wimpy!!! At least Eric Carmen sings with some cajones. I LOVE the Raspberries. I wish that they had received the credit they deserve for their music. They can ROCK!

[ianslass]

Because some people do think the BCR's is better, no big. It's their opinion. This isn't a competition.

I heard the BCR's first and FELL in love with the song. Then, 30 years later I heard the original...and fell in love with it too. No big deal, some folks like one, some the other. I love both!

[prettymom777]

heardBCR's versionfiest, too. In Canada here, we didn't get a lot of Raspberries songs.

Since EC wrote the song, I feel it's better in the Rasberries version, though. But I keep both for variety! And you'd turn to mush if you heard the slower version.

Lovely voice, and still going strong to this day.

[FlipZeppelin]

The most perfect song the Raspberries ever did, imho.

[conathona]

totally agree. Pop at its finest!!

[randyw41]

I totally agree with you on this. How Eric hit the bridge notes like that was amazing...

[psternfan]

the other version of this session on youtube is better without the goofy part about just the vocals in the middle.

[GarfieldGoose]

I thought this was from NBC-TV's "Go!" which aiees Saturday mornings.

[JulietsMama]

Wow, awesome! I never saw this clip. I was a huge fan back in the 70's and loved The Raspberries as much as the Beatles; those melodic songs were magic!

Thanks for posting this; it's my favorite Raspberries song.

[glenmann62]

it shows the range of eric carmen, and a sensational song by the the talented raspberries

[ikkoti]

I love the Raspberries.

[bunchie1966]

This is a lovely tune. I've heard a few of the Raspberries songs, but not this one. They are not that big here in the UK. I don't know why.

[10050cielo]

Wanna hear power pop harmonies? Check out Big Star's double CD "Radio City/#1 Record. Big Star was the finest power pop act ever, and deserved attention more than any of them, but they got lost in the shuffle, due to a lousy record deal. "Ballad of El Goodo" is the definitive power pop song, period.

That said, I adored the Raspberries! What a song this is! There used to be a link on an Eric Carmen or Raspberries page that featured then rehearsing "Tonight"...live! Omigod...

[bugururu]

sensacional!!!!!

[mwelch4900]

omg, this was the best year of my life, my first boyfrien, first hickey, first crush on a singer besides Davy Jones -- Eric Carmen

roxxxxxxxx!!!!!!!

[TradaBoy]

Rollers did it better

[Texetz]

Another relatively unknown Raspberries gem. Thanks for posting it.

[IDLERACER]

Is it just me, or does anybody else think that Jim Bonfanti looks sort of like a cross between Eddie Van Halen and Marty Balin? Especially when he's chewing gum.

[ktoad4]

As if the Bay City Rollers could actually sing or play instruments. Give me a break! And before I get fired upon, I saw the BCR's at Philly's Tower Theater back in '76 or '77. I was screaming in the audience with my tartan's on, so when I say that those guys are talentless jerks, I know what I'm talking about.

[ianslass]

Just because you were in an audience, means nothing. I was in Philly May 13, too. The BCR CAN sing and play their own instruments and are talented. Les McKeown has an awesome voice! I feel this version is better than the BCR's, but I LOVE the BCR's too - it was the first version I heard. It's a matter of what makes you feel good, that's all.

[bush61]

homos

[rubbersoul1957]

A great make out song in my teen years! Thanks for the memories...........

[lourdesmont]

Eric Carmen ... SQUEEEE!!!!!

Even after all these years, he can still make me feel like a hormonally driven adolescent!

[pimpcane27]

the raspberries are so cool you guys rock you should do one more gig for the fans your a hard rocker

[winifredatwell]

The finest song from one of the most criminally under-rated singers in popular music. Super-song by a virtuoso vocalist. No better power-pop band ever, even compared to Badfinger and today's Coldplay

[17Erick17]

That song reminds how incredible they really were, love those harmonies.Badfinger could have been alot better but because of Peter Hams untimely suicide (and really fucked up management),they just lost it!

[CanadaNS]

I like the BCR version better!!

[50sResearchCenter]

To state that you like The Bay City Rollers version better than the original by The Raspberries is like preferring "A hard day's night" by Peter Sellers better than The Beatles' version.............. The Raspberries were really a top class act with a lot of talent.

[CanadaNS]

Well, I prefer the Bay City Rollers so of course I would like thier version better. If I had been born in a different time , maybe I would like the Raspberries version. I didn't say they didn't have talent!

[Gina97xls]

maybe i'm biased but I prefer the Bay City Rollers version with Les McKeown singing this! :-)

[Rollersagain]

I'm with you, Les sings it more softely. GReat vid though!

[brilliantcolors7]

the BCR version is ok...I prefer the Rollers when Duncan Faure was the singer.

[greymattervandal]

If this does'nt make you wanna cream your jeans...

[jrp70]

Where is Rose Coloured Glasses?

[beadbitch01]

never heard of the Raspberries???

[soccerrun]

Awesome. Thanks for finding this.

[zatopecara]

God I love this song!!!Thanks so much for the clip!!

[maggieclarke]

Ya gotta get on the bus/train and go to Cleveland to see them in December. Not to be missed. You'll regret staying at home. Saw them both times in NYC. Fantastic.

[Planktontwo]

Maybe with this upcoming and brief tour Eric and Co. will get some proper due from the critics who did not like them. I wish they would come to Minneapolis. Then I could see them.

[passionateaboutmusic]

Hurry! Fast! I need to slow dance with someone....and in a Junior High School gym with the lights down low....such a sweet song! Such memories!

[gondo40]

Hey passionateaboutmusic I would love to have this dance with you. Come dance the night away with me.

[passionateaboutmusic]

Oh, gondo40....you are soooooo romantic...I wonder if he'll ask me to go steady? Oh I hope, I hope, I hope!!!

[gondo40]

Will you go steady with me sweet Passion

[passionateaboutmusic]

YES!!! Do I get your I.D. bracelet or your school ring?!? Oh! I can't wait to tell my friends!!!

[gondo40]

You get all of me and the ring.

[passionateaboutmusic]

Oh swoon!!! I'll have to wrap some yarn around it so it will fit....I want to wear it forever! Oh, my friends will be so jealous! Hold me close and let's dance to this song....oh swoon!!!

[gondo40]

My arms are open so lets begin our journey.

[passionateaboutmusic]

OH SWOON! I had heard a rumor that you might ask me to go steady with you...I'm so glad I came to this dance...I wasn't gonna go, but my friend, Debra, talked me into it. She's just gonna flip when she finds out I'm going with you!!! I'm the happiest girl in the world!!

[gondo40]

I love to make a woman happy. Baby I'm your man.

[passionateaboutmusic]

Hey! Please don't think I'm easy or anything...but do you wanna go make-out under the bleachers?

[gondo40]

How about in my car. Its a hot rod.

[passionateaboutmusic]

Ok. Oh, do you have an 8 track tape player? Do you have any Raspberries tapes?

[gondo40]

I have them all. I picked them all up just for you. Here let me put this one in. I know you well like it.

[passionateaboutmusic]

Thanks, baby....

[butchphilips]

A great alternate take. The bonus with this video is that you get to see and hear the usually unseen Jimmy Ienner in the booth, who was their producer. A cool dude who also produced a bunch of other groups and individuals. He was also the guy who did the "Duke, Duke, Duke, Duke of Earl" bass part on the original Gene Chandler recording. Anyone in the business knows that his younger brother Donny Ienner also became a big operator in the business.

[nebulax]

@butchphilips - I think the engineer there was Shelly Yakus, too.

[michael6076]

The Raspberries are SO AWESOME!!

[maggieclarke]

Nice, but it's been up on Youtube for a while already. Where's the next song in this taping?