Who Did It Better? Let's Pretend

Who Did It Better?

Let's Pretend

For today's edition of Who Did It Better? we take a look at two very different bands mining the same territory. It's a study in authenticity. Which one had the real stuff? Let's find out.

Let's Pretend was written by Eric Carmen, then the lead vocalist for the power-pop group, The Raspberries. Carmen has said that the song contains one of the best melodies he has ever written. In fact, he liked it so much, he lifted part of it for his first solo hit, All By Myself. 

Done up in the style of The Beach Boys' Wouldn't This Be Nice, this uncharacteristic ballad was recorded for the group's second album, 1972's Fresh. Released as the album's second single, it would peak on Billboard's Hot 100 at #35. This, despite heavy promotion on the part of the group who performed the song on the ABC-TV program American Bandstand on March 31st 1973 and The Midnight Special television program on May 4, 1973. In addition, it managed to snag the #13 spot in Canada and #62 in Australia. 

Let's Pretend was later recorded by The Bay City Rollers for their 1976 album, Dedication. 

Issued in September 1976, it was the band's fourth original studio album, and the first new album to be released in the wake of their enormous worldwide success in early 1976.

At the time, the group was experiencing a bit of turmoil. Founding group member Alan Longmuir had left the group, replaced by Ian Mitchell, who was assigned to play rhythm guitarist, while Stuart Wood moved from rhythm guitar to bass. Not that Mitchell would be around long; he'd leave the group before the end of the year, making Dedication the first and only album he'd appear on.

It should also be noted that Joey Travolta, John's brother, recorded a version for his self-titled 1978 album on the RCA imprint Millennium Records. However, there's not a version on posted on YouTube, so, unfortunately it's not included for consideration. 

And that's the whole story.

Now? On to the competition.

The Song: Let's Pretend

The Competitors: The Raspberries vs. The Bay City Rollers

Let's Pretend - The Raspberries

Let's Pretend - The Bay City Rollers

The Raspberries

Wow. Right into it. Carmen sounds great. His voice? It can come off as whiney, but I rather like it. He's totally dreamy. (Yes, I had a huge crush.) 

I think he's an incredible songwriter. He borrows a lot... is inspired by a lot, but his source material is good stuff, which is the reason for his success.

The bad is in fine form. Nice and tight. The production is crisp. Carmen's falsetto sounds effortless and the backing vocals are total Beach Boys fun, adding a lot of charm to this. 

It sounds a tad thin on the chorus. I expected more bass, more of a bottom. But then, this is 1972 - I don't think recording technology was up to the task. I like the jangly guitar. Nostalgic pop schmaltz? Absolutely. And nothing wrong with that. 

Does Carmen sing with his bottom jaw pushed forward? That's the sound I'm hearing on that second verse. It's messing with his pronunciation and elongated vowel sounds. 

I love the messiness of the drums. All that crashing about. This is mixed incredibly well, given the times. 

They go for a rawer sound on the C-section. Interesting choice. Very bratty, but then... I appreciate brattiness. It's that 1950's style rebel. Very swoon-worthy. Does it work in the context of this recording? I think so. It adds a different dimension, a different texture. I also think it's there to remind us that this is not a 1950's recording, but something edgier. 

And we return to form for an additional chorus or two before the fade. 

Nice. Nicely packaged. 

The Bay City Rollers

I'm a huge fan of Eric Carmen. I'm a huge fan of The Raspberries.

But I am also a huge fan of The Bay City Rollers.

They were a favorite of one of my younger sister's and I used to steal her albums from time to time when I needed a bit of teeny bopper pop. They're a very underrated band, responsible for a couple of my guiltiest pleasures. I think Money Honey is an amazing song.

So, that placed on the table... let's give this a go. 

A rather weak intro. I wish there was more crunch to the guitars. 

Just so you know, there are two versions of this song: one featuring new member Ian Mitchell and then one that replaced it after Mitchell left the band, featuring Les McKeown. I'm unsure which we're listening to, but a true fan would be able to tell us. 

A little bird-like, those vocals. Whomever is singing has a bit of a vibrato/trill to his voice. It's also terribly fey, don't you think? I want something more substantive. 

I don't think much of the mix. It's flat and not lively. The backing vocals are there, but rather lackluster.

It's the keyboard that jangles on this one. The vocals on the chorus are a bit better, but no match for what we heard previously. This is fine, in a teeny pop way. It does strike me as rather tepid and a bit tired sounding. There's a brightness to it, but it's the manufactured sort, not the kind that comes from earnest involvement or desire.

The drum kit sounds like cardboard. 

I keep waiting for this to open up and warm up. It's like a film stuck in sepia tones. Where's the technicolor? 

Better on the C-section. That's more passion than they've shown up to that point. It seems to ignite the remaining choruses. But, too little, too late.

The Verdict

Go all the way... with The Raspberries. 

No question about it. 

The Bay City Rollers sound bloodless and pale. It's pleasant, but I think the song demands much more. Blame their producers. They ironed all the fun out of this. The band sounds hemmed in. There's no joy to it. Pity. 

As for Carmen and The Raspberries. Bravo. Great song and I can't imagine them improving on anything. You know, I really blame Capitol Records, their label for their lack of continued success. They did manage seven songs on the Hot 100, four of which went Top 40, but given the relative progressiveness of what they were doing (power pop would come into it's own in the post-new wave years: 1981-83) they deserved a lot more attention than they received. 

For those unfamiliar with the band's output, I encourage you to track down their stuff. They're the band Bread (David Gates) wanted to be. The quality of their catalogue is quite high and Carmen's work, in particular, stunning.

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And that's enough of me.

Okay, your turn. You know what to do: leave your choice and thoughts in the comments section. Always a pleasure to hear a differing opinion.

And that's all for now.

Until next time...

Thanks for reading... and listening!

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Let's Pretend - The Raspberries

Let's Pretend - The Bay City Rollers