The Worst That Could Happen
Encyclopedia
"The Worst That Could Happen" is a song with lyrics and music written by singer-songwriter Jimmy Webb
. Originally recorded by The 5th Dimension on their 1967 album of nearly all-Jimmy Webb songs, The Magic Garden
, "The Worst That Could Happen" was later recorded by Johnny Maestro & The Brooklyn Bridge
and reached the Billboard Hot 100
's top 40 (at #38) on 4 January 1969, peaking at #3 on 1-8 February 1969.
The song depicts a man reflecting on an affair he'd had with a woman with whom he is still in love, but who is about to marry someone else. It has been stated that, along with "MacArthur Park
" and "By The Time I Get to Phoenix
", "The Worst That Could Happen" is about a relationship that Webb had had with a woman named Susan.
According to BMI (Broadcast Music Inc.) the legal title of the song is "Worst That Could Happen".
The song appeared on the list of songs deemed inappropriate by Clear Channel following the September 11, 2001 attacks specifically and inexplicably listing the Johnny Maestro & The Brooklyn Bridge
version, but not the 5th Dimension version, despite their note-for-note similarity.
Jimmy Webb
Jimmy Webb is an American songwriter, composer, and singer. He wrote numerous platinum selling classics, including "Up, Up and Away", "By the Time I Get to Phoenix", "Wichita Lineman", "Galveston", "The Worst That Could Happen", "All I Know", and "MacArthur Park"...
. Originally recorded by The 5th Dimension on their 1967 album of nearly all-Jimmy Webb songs, The Magic Garden
The Magic Garden
The Magic Garden is the second album by American pop group The 5th Dimension, released in 1967 .-Track listing:All songs written by Jimmy Webb, except where noted#"Prologue" – 1:24#"The Magic Garden" – 2:48...
, "The Worst That Could Happen" was later recorded by Johnny Maestro & The Brooklyn Bridge
Johnny Maestro & The Brooklyn Bridge
Johnny Maestro and The Brooklyn Bridge is an American musical group, best known for their million selling rendition of Jimmy Webb's "The Worst That Could Happen" .-History:...
and reached 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...
's top 40 (at #38) on 4 January 1969, peaking at #3 on 1-8 February 1969.
The song depicts a man reflecting on an affair he'd had with a woman with whom he is still in love, but who is about to marry someone else. It has been stated that, along with "MacArthur Park
MacArthur Park (song)
"MacArthur Park" is a song by Jimmy Webb, originally composed as part of an intended cantata. The song was initially rejected by The Association. Richard Harris was the first to record it, in 1968; the song was subsequently covered by numerous artists. Among the best-known covers are Donna Summer's...
" and "By The Time I Get to Phoenix
By the Time I Get to Phoenix
"By the Time I Get to Phoenix" is the title of a song written by Jimmy Webb. Originally recorded by Johnny Rivers in 1965, it was made famous by American country music singer Glen Campbell, appearing as the opening track on the latter's 1967 album of the same name. Campbell's version reached #2 on...
", "The Worst That Could Happen" is about a relationship that Webb had had with a woman named Susan.
According to BMI (Broadcast Music Inc.) the legal title of the song is "Worst That Could Happen".
The song appeared on the list of songs deemed inappropriate by Clear Channel following the September 11, 2001 attacks specifically and inexplicably listing the Johnny Maestro & The Brooklyn Bridge
Johnny Maestro & The Brooklyn Bridge
Johnny Maestro and The Brooklyn Bridge is an American musical group, best known for their million selling rendition of Jimmy Webb's "The Worst That Could Happen" .-History:...
version, but not the 5th Dimension version, despite their note-for-note similarity.