R. Dean Taylor - "Indiana Wants Me" (1970)

Richard Dean Taylor, (born in 1939, Toronto, Ontario, Canada is a singer, most famous as an recording artist, songwriter, and record producer for Motown Records during the 1960s and 1970s. According to Jason Ankeny, Taylor "remains one of the most underrated acts ever to record under the Motown aegis".

Taylor began his career in 1961, as a pianist and singer with several bands in Toronto. He also made his first recordings in 1961, for the Audiomaster record label. The following year, Taylor's "At The High School Dance", a single for Amy-Mala Records, was a minor success. A follow-up on the Barry label, "I'll Remember", was a #23 hit on Toronto rock and roll radio station CHUM, and the singer decided to move to Detroit, Michigan to further his career.

In Detroit, Taylor was hired by Motown Records in 1964 as a songwriter and recording artist on the Motown subsidiary V.I.P. Taylor's scheduled first single (March 1964) for V.I.P. was the topical satire "My Ladybug (Stay Away From That Beatle)", but it was deemed too weak for release and was never issued.

Taylor resumed his recording career in 1970, becoming one of the first artists assigned to Motown's new Rare Earth subsidiary, which was dedicated to white artists. His first Rare Earth single, "Indiana Wants Me" in 1970, became a #1 hit in his native Canada. It peaked in the United States at No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, and at No. 2 in the UK. "Gotta See Jane" was also reissued in 1971, and became a Top 10 hit in Canada. His 1972 single "Taos, New Mexico" did not carry his momentum forward on the Canadian charts.

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[JimHadar1]

One of those Cheese-tastic early 70s AM radio classics! Anyone remember "Indian Lake", "Lay A Little Lovin' On Me" and "The Night Chicago Died" too? Oh, and "Billy Don't Be A Hero".

[TheBacmaster]

@JimHadar1 I remember all of them and cheesy they were indeed!

[charlesthomas609]

I remember the 60's when we had gas wars. I paid a little as 4 cents a gallon. With a gas guzzler car. A 1961 Ford Galaxy Starliner 406 interceptor engine. I could go for miles for $1.00. If I had that car now I'd keep it parked except for Friday nights at Bob's Big Boy in Taluca Lake Burbank, Ca. FM and Stereo were as yet dreams. So where cassets. driving around with my Girl was nice as she loved me and my fast car. I never lost a race.

[fourbyfourer]

AAAHHH one heck of an awesome song!!!

[jagerkraut]

ever notice how the 'letter' at 2:22 is in german? not 'indianian'? (by that i meam how indiana folks talk) :)

[RagShop1]

Another great tune from the freewheeling 70s! Hard to believe in this day and age that the lyrics were controversial back then. Compared to today's gangster rap lyrics they're positively tame!

[ur2oooh]

@JimHadar1 = hey! Indian Lake was a great song ! lol

[crackheadmanning]

indiana really wants me for a bottle of apple cider

[jhunter1163]

A good lawyer would have gotten him off with a short sentence. Running from the cops just makes things worse.

[EmaxBxU]

I live in Indiana. :3

[123ETERNALDEATH]

CRIMES: Count 1 - Invasion of Privacy. Count 2 - Continuing Crucifixion of Angelina DiMauro since February 16, 1994. Today is Wednesday, January 25, 2012 (C.E.), 7:07 AM (Earth-Eastern Standard Time)

[wikedthng69]

Indiana has me Lol,lived in Indiana all my life

And a little stint in jail...that sucked first and last time too!!!

[ReevesPete]

DON'T DO IT! They'll come 17 deep on you. And you'll be compost...