Who sang it better?

[Shaun @ Tru6]

Original Merrilee Rush from 1968 vs. Juice Newton I'm guessing sometime late 70s, maybe even '80. Recordings and production values are very different but each has their charm. Playing simultaneously is interesting.

[herr_oberst]

I'm voting for Merrilee. I remember when the song was new and got played on the radio in constant rotation. Even as a kid I could feel the emotion she put into the song.

Juice Newton did a good job but she tried too hard (in my opinion).

This thread reminded me that there were 3 "M's" of the sixties, Melanie Safka, Minnie Riperton and Merrilee Rush. 2 good, one bad.

[flatbutt]

I have a soft spot (so to speak) for Merrilee's version as it was one of the first songs to make me really sit and think about what the "free sex" actually meant to the girls I was with.

There was Dusty Springfield with Wishin’ and Hopin’” but it wasn't as obvious as Angel. Plus, as Shaun mentioned the production of Merrilee's version has a more natural sound to my ear.

Thanks for the memory.

[look 171]

I remember hearing Juice Newton's version at our local, residential park where all the kids hung out. It was around Jr hi for me and they would play that all day on hit radio. Upon hearing Merrilee's version, there's something about it that sound so early to mid 70s. It brought back only bit and pieces of memories as I was very young but remember how music have that 70s sound that's so different compared to what I had grown up with in the 80s. I really like Marylee's version more.

[Jeff Alton]

The Juice Newton version has a far better arrangemnet track along with it.... either way on the vocal performance....

Cheers