THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

795-Maria Muldaur-Midnight at the Oasis.

1974-Number 21 single.

Best Bit-At 1.20. I always thought that the plural of cactus was cacti,but it appears that cactuses is also acceptable.

Maria Muldaur was born Maria D’Aato on September 12th, 1943, in New York City, United States. She was the wife of the musician Geoff Muldaur, but after they divorced, she continued to use the surname for her solo career.Before the release of her self titled debut Album in 1973 she had been a member of the ‘Even Dozen Jug Band,’in the 1960’s, they were a Folk group whose members included Steve Katz (later of Blood, Sweat and Tears,) and John Sebastian (later with the Lovin’ Spoonful.)

‘Midnight at the Oasis’ was written by the American songwriter, and television composer, soundtrack artist, and Buddhist teacher, David Nichtern, he also plays acoustic guitar on this track.Other top session musicians to play on the song included,Jim Gordan (drums,) Daniel Friedberg (bass,) and Amos Garrett, who played the famous instrumental guitar section.

The song is full of sexual innuendo, but the tone is playful throughout. Muldaur has said that people have approached her at concerts, or other events, and claimed that the song had inspired sexual encounters, loss of virginity, and pregnancy.

The song has been covered many times, most notably by the Acid Jazz, and Funk group The Brand New Heavies, who took their version to Number 13 in the UK in 1994.

‘But you won’t need no harem honey when I’m by your side, and you won’t need no camel, no no, when I take you for a ride.’