I Could Have Been a Sailor
Encyclopedia
I Could Have Been A Sailor is a 1979 album by singer-songwriter Peter Allen
, released on A & M Records. It is notable as containing Allen's versions of his songs "Don't Cry Out Loud
" and "I'd Rather Leave While I'm In Love
", which were major successes, as covered by others.
. It followed the double-album live release, It Is Time For Peter Allen (1977), on the same label. The album is notable for its association with producer Marvin Hamlisch
. Allen also performs his versions of two songs he co-wrote with Carol Bayer-Sager, "Don't Cry Out Loud" and "I'd Rather Leave While I'm In Love".
"Don't Cry Out Loud" had been popularized by Melissa Manchester
prior to Allen's release. Manchester's recording of the song was released in late 1978 and spent 20 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100
chart. It was also the title song of Manchester's related album
. The song had been co-written by Allen and Carol Bayer-Sager; Bayer-Sager was also a co-writer with Manchester. "I'd Rather Leave While I'm In Love" was popularized by Rita Coolidge
in 1979, as well as being recorded by Dusty Springfield
, among others.
The album was Allen's first to make the U.S. charts. peaking at No. 171 on the Billboard 200
. The album has been subject to limited reissue on CD. It was reissued on CD in 2001 in Japan, on Universal/A&M. It has not been reissued on CD in North America or elsewhere.
Peter Allen
Peter Allen was an Australian songwriter and entertainer. His songs were made popular by many recording artists, including Elkie Brooks, Melissa Manchester and Olivia Newton-John, with one, Arthur's Theme, winning an Academy Award in 1981...
, released on A & M Records. It is notable as containing Allen's versions of his songs "Don't Cry Out Loud
Don't Cry Out Loud (song)
"Don't Cry Out Loud" is the title of a song written in 1976 by Peter Allen with lyricist Carole Bayer Sager which is best known as a hit single for Melissa Manchester in the US and for Elkie Brooks in the UK.-Early versions:...
" and "I'd Rather Leave While I'm In Love
I'd Rather Leave While I'm In Love
I'd Rather Leave While I'm In Love is a song co-written by Peter Allen and Carol Bayer-Sager, popularized by Rita Coolidge in 1979, and recorded by a number of other artists.-History:...
", which were major successes, as covered by others.
History
I Could Have Been A Sailor was Peter Allen's fifth studio album, and his third for A&M RecordsA&M Records
A&M Records is an American record label owned by Universal Music Group that operates under the mantle of its Interscope-Geffen-A&M division.-Beginnings:...
. It followed the double-album live release, It Is Time For Peter Allen (1977), on the same label. The album is notable for its association with producer Marvin Hamlisch
Marvin Hamlisch
Marvin Frederick Hamlisch is an American composer. He is one of only thirteen people to have been awarded Emmys, Grammys, Oscars, and a Tony . He is also one of only two people to EGOT and also win a Pulitzer Prize...
. Allen also performs his versions of two songs he co-wrote with Carol Bayer-Sager, "Don't Cry Out Loud" and "I'd Rather Leave While I'm In Love".
"Don't Cry Out Loud" had been popularized by Melissa Manchester
Melissa Manchester
Melissa Manchester is an American singer-songwriter and actress. Beginning in the 1970s, she has recorded generally in the adult contemporary genre. She has also appeared as an actress on television, in films, and on stage....
prior to Allen's release. Manchester's recording of the song was released in late 1978 and spent 20 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
chart. It was also the title song of Manchester's related album
Don't Cry Out Loud (Melissa Manchester album)
Don't Cry Out Loud is the title of the seventh album by Melissa Manchester; it was released by Arista Records in October 1978.-Background:...
. The song had been co-written by Allen and Carol Bayer-Sager; Bayer-Sager was also a co-writer with Manchester. "I'd Rather Leave While I'm In Love" was popularized by Rita Coolidge
Rita Coolidge
Rita Coolidge is a multiple Grammy Award-winning American vocalist. During the 1970s and 1980s, she charted hits on Billboard's Pop, Country, Adult Contemporary and Jazz charts.-Career:...
in 1979, as well as being recorded by Dusty Springfield
Dusty Springfield
Mary Isobel Catherine Bernadette O'BrienSources use both Isabel and Isobel as the spelling of her second name. OBE , known professionally as Dusty Springfield and dubbed The White Queen of Soul, was a British pop singer whose career extended from the late 1950s to the 1990s...
, among others.
The album was Allen's first to make the U.S. charts. peaking at No. 171 on the Billboard 200
Billboard 200
The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists...
. The album has been subject to limited reissue on CD. It was reissued on CD in 2001 in Japan, on Universal/A&M. It has not been reissued on CD in North America or elsewhere.
Track listing
- I Could Have Been a Sailor Allen
- Don't Wish Too Hard Allen
- Two Boys Allen
- Angels With Dirty Faces Allen, Anderson
- Don't Cry Out Loud Allen, Sager
- If You Were Wondering Allen
- Don't Leave Me Now Allen
- I'd Rather Leave While I'm in Love Allen, Sager
- We've Come to an Understanding Allen
- Paris at 21 Allen
Credits
- Peter Allen Keyboards, Piano, Vocals
- Michael BoddickerMichael BoddickerMichael J. Boddicker , is an American film composer and session musician, specializing in electronic music. Three times N.A.R.A.S. Most Valuable Player "Synthesizer" and MVP Emeritus, he was awarded a Grammy as a songwriter for Imagination from Flashdance in 1984...
Programming - Velton Ray BunchVelton Ray BunchVelton Ray Bunch is Emmy winner film and television composer. Sometimes credited as Ray Bunch. Bunch has been nominated for an Emmy three times for his work, and won the fourth time for his score to the Enterprise episode "Similatude".He's worked on dozens and dozens of television series and TV...
Arranger - Paulinho Da CostaPaulinho Da CostaPaulinho da Costa is a Brazilian percussionist born in Rio de Janeiro, considered one of the most recorded musicians of modern times. Playing over two hundred percussion instruments, he has participated in thousands of recording sessions, Grammy Award-winning albums, hit songs, soundtracks, radio...
Percussion - Linda Dillard Vocals (Background)
- Victor FeldmanVictor FeldmanVictor Stanley Feldman was a British jazz musician, best known as a pianist.-Early history:...
Percussion, Tympani [Timpani] - Dan Ferguson Guitar
- Venetta FieldsVenetta FieldsVenetta Fields is an American singer best known as session musician for leading rock and pop acts of the 1970s including Pink Floyd, Barbra Streisand, Steely Dan and the Rolling Stones...
Vocals (Background) - Jay GraydonJay GraydonJay Graydon is a Los Angeles songwriter, recording artist, guitarist, singer, producer, arranger, and recording engineer. He is the winner of two Grammy Awards with twelve Grammy nominations, among them the title "Producer of the Year" and "Best Engineered Recording". Jay Graydon has mastered many...
Guitar - Ed Greene Drums
- Marvin HamlischMarvin HamlischMarvin Frederick Hamlisch is an American composer. He is one of only thirteen people to have been awarded Emmys, Grammys, Oscars, and a Tony . He is also one of only two people to EGOT and also win a Pulitzer Prize...
Arranger, Piano, Producer - Geoff Howe Percussion
- Clydie KingClydie KingClydie Crittendon is an American singer, best known for her session work as a backing vocalist....
Vocals (Background) - Larry KnechtelLarry KnechtelLawrence William "Larry" Knechtel was an American keyboard player and bassist, best known for his work as a session musician with such artists as Simon & Garfunkel, Duane Eddy, The Beach Boys, The Mamas & the Papas, The Partridge Family, The Doors, and Elvis Presley, and as a member of the 1970s...
Keyboards - Abraham LaborielAbraham LaborielAbraham Laboriel, Sr. is a Mexican bassist of Garifuna descent who has played on over 4,000 recordings and soundtracks. Guitar Player Magazine described him as "the most widely used session bassist of our time". Laboriel is the father of drummer Abe Laboriel Jr. and of producer, songwriter, and...
, Sr. Guitar (Bass) - Will LeeWill LeeWill Lee was an American actor best known for playing the store proprietor Mr. Hooper on Sesame Street, from the show's debut in 1969 until his death in 1982.-Early career:...
Guitar (Bass) - Jimmy MaelenJimmy MaelenJimmy Maelen was a percussionist in the 1960s-1980s, who worked with many artists including Roxy Music, Bryan Ferry, Peter Gabriel, James Taylor, Dire Straits, Barry Manilow, Alice Cooper and John Lennon...
Percussion - Rick MarottaRick MarottaRick Marotta is a US-based drummer and percussionist who appears on many recordings by leading artists such as Aretha Franklin, Carly Simon, Steely Dan, James Taylor, Paul Simon, John Lennon, Hall & Oates, Stevie Nicks, Wynonna, Roy Orbison, Todd Rundgren, Roberta Flack, Peter Frampton, Quincy...
Drums - Sherlie MatthewsSherlie MatthewsSherlie Matthews is an American singer, songwriter and record producer, best known as a backing vocalist for Pop, R&B and Rock groups from the mid 1960s to the present time.-Early life:...
Vocals (Background) - Marti McCall Vocals (Background)
- Ray Parker, Jr.Ray Parker, Jr.Ray Erskine Parker, Jr. , is an American guitarist, songwriter, producer and recording artist. Parker is known for writing and performing the theme song to the motion picture Ghostbusters, for his solo hits, and performing with his band Raydio as well as the late Barry White.-Early life and...
Guitar - Dave Parlato Guitar (Bass)
- Herb PedersenHerb PedersenHerb Pedersen is an American musician, guitarist, banjo player, and singer-songwriter who has played a variety of musical styles over the past forty years including country, bluegrass, progressive bluegrass, folk, folk rock, country rock, and has worked with numerous musicians in many different...
Vocals (Background) - Greg PhillinganesGreg PhillinganesGreg Phillinganes is an active session keyboardist in Los Angeles, California. He is a graduate of Cass Technical High School, Detroit Michigan....
Synthesizer - Jim Pierce Guitar (Bass)
- Mike Post Arranger, Percussion
- Bruce RobertsBruce RobertsBruce Roberts is a former Zambian cricketer who played for Transvaal from 1982/83 to 1988/89 and for Derbyshire from 1984 to 1991. He made over 9000 runs in the first class game and over 3,700 in the one day game....
Vocals (Background) - Dan Sawyer Guitar
- Joey ScarburyJoey ScarburyJoey Scarbury is an adult contemporary singer best known for his hit song, "Theme from The Greatest American Hero ", in 1981.-Childhood and early music career:...
Vocals (Background) - Steve SchaefferSteve SchaefferSteve Schaeffer is a Hollywood studio musician who has played on more than 1,000 feature films and original soundtracks.- Partial filmography :* Inside Man * Bowfinger * The Big Kahuna * The Rat Pack...
Drums - Leland SklarLeland SklarLeland "Lee" Bruce Sklar is an American musician, singer-songwriter and film score composer. A prominent bass guitarist, Sklar has contributed to thousands of albums as a session musician...
Guitar (Bass) - David SpinozzaDavid SpinozzaDavid Spinozza is an American musician , who worked with former Beatles Paul McCartney and John Lennon during the 1970s, and had a long collaboration with singer-songwriter James Taylor, producing Taylor's album Walking Man....
Guitar - Fred TackettFred TackettFred Tackett, an American native of Arkansas, is an accomplished songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. Originally a session player on guitar, mandolin, and trumpet, he is best known for his longevity as a member of the band Little Feat....
Guitar - Richard TeeRichard TeeRichard Tee was a pianist, studio musician, singer and arranger.Tee graduated from the High School of Music and Art and attended the Manhattan School of Music. Though better known as a studio and session musician, Tee led a jazz ensemble, the Richard Tee Committee, and was a founding member of the...
Keyboards - John TropeaJohn TropeaJohn Tropea is a guitarist with extensive experience in the rock, pop, and jazz genres. Tropea has written for and played with major recording artists from around the world...
Guitar