THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

388-Nilsson-‘Everybody’s Talkin”

1969-Number 23 single.

Best Bit-At 2.21. During a 1968 press conference the Beatles were asked what their favourite American group were, and they answered ‘Nilsson.’

The original version of ‘Everybody’s Talkin” was written, and first recorded by Fred Neil in 1966, for his self titled second studio Album. Evidently the song was the last recorded for the Album, with Neil anxious to wrap things up quickly so he could return home to Miami, Florida, the songs lyrics reflect Neil’s feelings at that time.

Fred Neil was born Frederick Ralph Morlock Jr. on March 16th, 1936, in Cleveland, Ohio, United States, he died of cancer on July 7th, 2001, at the age of 65. Neil was one of the pioneers of ‘Folk Rock,’ and a major influence on the careers of such artists as Joni Mitchell, (see also best songs 637 and 558) David Crosby, (1941-2023) (see also best songs 621 and 417) and Tim Buckley (1947-1975.) Some of Neil’s early compositions were recorded by Buddy Holly, (1936-1959) (see also best songs 898 and 264) and Roy Orbison, (1936-1988) (see also best songs 657) most famously ‘Candy Man’ which he co-wrote with Beverly Ross, (1934-2022) and was the ‘B’ side of Orbison’s 1961 Billboard Number 2 single ‘Crying.’ Fred Neil shunned the limelight, and had no interest in being a performer, and retired in 1971, only rarely making guest appearances in public. He issued five studio Albums between 1964-1971, and there are six official compilation Albums available. Fred Neil released his original version of ‘Everybody’s Talkin” as titled ‘Everybody’s Talkin’ (Echoes,’) the Nilsson version omits (‘Echoes’)

‘Everybody’s Talkin” was the second of two singles released from ‘Aerial Ballet,’ the third studio Album from Harry Nilsson, from July 1968, the song was written by Fred Neil, with the production being by Rick Jarrard (1939-2021) (see also best songs 512.) The Album’s title, ‘Aerial Ballet,’ was inspired by the aerial ballet act performed by Nilsson’s Swedish grandparents, who were circus performers and dancers. The American Rock group ‘Aerosmith’ (see also best songs 305) took their name after seeing the Album’s sleeve art which features a circus performer jumping out of a biplane.

Harry Edward Nilsson III (see also best songs 39) was born on June 15th, 1941, in Brooklyn, New York, United States. He was born with congenital heart problems, and eventually suffered a heart attack in February 1993, he died of heart failure on January 15th, 1994, at the age of 52, Both of Nilsson’s songs featured in this ‘1000 Best Songs’ list are both cover versions, though he was a critically acclaimed songwriter, and also a major influence on future artists in his own right. Nilsson was looking for a song to record for his third studio Album ‘Aerial Bandit,’ from 1968, all the Album’s other 12 tracks are original compositions by Nilsson. The Album’s producer Rick Jarrard played Nilsson the Fred Neil song, and he decided to record it, adding strings, and vocal harmony. The song was released as a single in North America, but initially made little impact on the charts. It was the Beatles (see also best songs 599-319-238-218-141-80-51-10 and 5) press officer Derek Taylor (1932-1997) who recommended the song for the 1969 American drama film ‘Midnight Cowboy’s’ film soundtrack to it’s director John Schlesinger, (1926-2003) who used the song over the films opening titles. The song was re-issued and reached Number 6 on Billboard, Number 1 in Canada, and Number 23 in the UK, giving Nilsson his commercial path to success.

‘Everybody’s Talkin” has at least 100 known cover versions by many respected artists, including Stevie Wonder, Neil Diamond, and Glen Campbell (1936-2017.) The other top 40 hit recording of the song in the UK is by the British group ‘The Beautiful South,’ who reached Number 12 in 1994. ‘Everybody’s Talkin” is probably about the way Fred Neil was feeling when he wrote the song, and in later years he did go and live that life he was singing about. The lyrics also sit well with the opening sequence of the ‘Midnight Cowboy’ film. Ric O’Barry who was a close friend of Fred Neil has revealed Neil’s favourite version, ‘One time Fred and I were driving over the Seven Mile Bridge heading to Miami, and he told me about he and this other kid who went to see Louis Armstrong as teenagers. Fred was a huge Satchmo fan. Suddenly he whipped out the CD in the car and its Satchmo singing ‘Everybody’s Talkin”. Fred was just so honoured by that.’

‘I’m going where the sun keeps shining through the pouring rain, going where the weather suits my clothes. Banking off of the North East wind, sailing on a summer breeze, and skipping over the ocean like a stone.’