The Tra-La Days Are Over
Encyclopedia
The Tra-La Days Are Over is a 1973 album by American singer-songwriter Neil Sedaka
. The album was the second to be produced at Strawberry Studios
in England in collaboration with Graham Gouldman
, Lol Creme
, Kevin Godley
and Eric Stewart
, who had formed the band 10cc
since their first joint venture with Sedaka on Solitaire (1972).
The album, which consolidated his return to popularity after his lengthy absence from the charts, yielded two hit singles for Sedaka, "Standing on the Inside" (UK No.26, June 1973) and "Our Last Song Together" (UK No.31, August 1973). The latter track commemorates the ending of his partnership with lyricist Howard Greenfield
; the album title is taken from a line in this song.
Another song, "Love Will Keep Us Together
", became a US No.1 for Captain & Tennille
in 1975. Their version peaked at No.32 in Britain. The Captain & Tennille acknowledged Sedaka's authorship as well as his early-1970s comeback by working the phrase "Sedaka is back" into the song's fadeout.
On the liner notes to The Tra-La Days Are Over Sedaka added the dedication: "Thanks to Mike Curb
for letting me have my way."
Neil Sedaka
Neil Sedaka is an American pop/rock singer, pianist, and composer. His career has spanned nearly 55 years, during which time he has sold millions of records as an artist and has written or co-written over 500 songs for himself and other artists, collaborating mostly with lyricists Howard...
. The album was the second to be produced at Strawberry Studios
Strawberry Studios
-Formation:The facility was originally called Inner City Studios and located above a music store in the town centre. In early 1968 it was bought by Peter Tattersall, a former road manager for Billy J. Kramer and the Dakotas. Tattersall invited Eric Stewart – then lead guitarist and singer of...
in England in collaboration with Graham Gouldman
Graham Gouldman
Graham Keith Gouldman is an English songwriter and musician who is a long-time member of British band 10cc.-Early life and 1960s pop career: 1946–1968:Gouldman was born in Broughton, Salford, England...
, Lol Creme
Lol Crème
Lol Creme is an English musician and music video director, best known for his work in 10cc. He sings, plays guitar and keyboards.-Biography:...
, Kevin Godley
Kevin Godley
Kevin Godley is a British musician and music video director.He was born in a family of Jewish descent, and went to North Cestrian Grammar School in Altrincham....
and Eric Stewart
Eric Stewart
Eric Stewart is an English musician, songwriter and record producer most known for his tenure with The Mindbenders in the 1960s, and 10cc from 1972 to 1995....
, who had formed the band 10cc
10cc
10cc are an English art rock band who achieved their greatest commercial success in the 1970s. The band initially consisted of four musicians -- Graham Gouldman, Eric Stewart, Kevin Godley, and Lol Creme -- who had written and recorded together for some three years, before assuming the "10cc" name...
since their first joint venture with Sedaka on Solitaire (1972).
The album, which consolidated his return to popularity after his lengthy absence from the charts, yielded two hit singles for Sedaka, "Standing on the Inside" (UK No.26, June 1973) and "Our Last Song Together" (UK No.31, August 1973). The latter track commemorates the ending of his partnership with lyricist Howard Greenfield
Howard Greenfield
Howard Greenfield was an American lyricist and songwriter, who for several years in the 1960s worked out of the famous Brill Building...
; the album title is taken from a line in this song.
Another song, "Love Will Keep Us Together
Love Will Keep Us Together
"Love Will Keep Us Together" is a popular song written by Neil Sedaka and Howard Greenfield in 1973. It was first released in the United Kingdom on Sedaka's 1973 LP The Tra-La Days Are Over, which was never released in the U.S. The song arrived in the U.S...
", became a US No.1 for Captain & Tennille
Captain & Tennille
Captain & Tennille are American pop music recording artists who achieved chart success from 1975 to 1980. The duo consists of husband and wife duo "Captain" Daryl Dragon , and Cathryn Antoinette "Toni" Tennille . They are best known for their singles "Love Will Keep Us Together" and "Do That to Me...
in 1975. Their version peaked at No.32 in Britain. The Captain & Tennille acknowledged Sedaka's authorship as well as his early-1970s comeback by working the phrase "Sedaka is back" into the song's fadeout.
On the liner notes to The Tra-La Days Are Over Sedaka added the dedication: "Thanks to Mike Curb
Mike Curb
Michael Curb is an American musician, record company executive, NASCAR and IRL race car owner. A Republican, he served as the 42nd Lieutenant Governor of California from 1979-1983 under Democratic Governor Edmund G. "Jerry" Brown, Jr...
for letting me have my way."
Side one
- "Little Brother" (lyrics Phil Cody)
- "Standing on the Inside"
- "Alone in New York in the Rain" (Lyrics Cody)
- "Caribbean Rainbow" (Lyrics Cody)
- "Let Daddy Know" (Lyrics Howard GreenfieldHoward GreenfieldHoward Greenfield was an American lyricist and songwriter, who for several years in the 1960s worked out of the famous Brill Building...
) - "Suspicions" (Lyrics Cody)
Side two
- "Love Will Keep Us TogetherLove Will Keep Us Together"Love Will Keep Us Together" is a popular song written by Neil Sedaka and Howard Greenfield in 1973. It was first released in the United Kingdom on Sedaka's 1973 LP The Tra-La Days Are Over, which was never released in the U.S. The song arrived in the U.S...
" (Lyrics Greenfield) - "The Other Side of Me" (Lyrics Greenfield)
- "Rock and Roll Wedding Day" (Lyrics Cody)
- "For Peace and Love" (Lyrics Cody)
- "Our Last Song Together" (Lyrics Greenfield)
Personnel
- Neil SedakaNeil SedakaNeil Sedaka is an American pop/rock singer, pianist, and composer. His career has spanned nearly 55 years, during which time he has sold millions of records as an artist and has written or co-written over 500 songs for himself and other artists, collaborating mostly with lyricists Howard...
– piano, organ, electric piano, vocals - Lol CremeLol CrèmeLol Creme is an English musician and music video director, best known for his work in 10cc. He sings, plays guitar and keyboards.-Biography:...
– guitar, vocals - Eric StewartEric StewartEric Stewart is an English musician, songwriter and record producer most known for his tenure with The Mindbenders in the 1960s, and 10cc from 1972 to 1995....
– guitar, vocals, recording engineer - Graham GouldmanGraham GouldmanGraham Keith Gouldman is an English songwriter and musician who is a long-time member of British band 10cc.-Early life and 1960s pop career: 1946–1968:Gouldman was born in Broughton, Salford, England...
– bass, guitar, vocals - Kevin GodleyKevin GodleyKevin Godley is a British musician and music video director.He was born in a family of Jewish descent, and went to North Cestrian Grammar School in Altrincham....
– drums, percussion, vocals