Powerful song. Makes me think of my late husband. That lyric that says “the world is a bad place, a terrible place to live but I don’t want to die” always hits hard.
This is the version I grew up with and loved. I did not suspect the other version wasn't the same band, i figured they were just decades older. Bothe were beautiful, but this is the song that ouches my heart. Love it.
one of a handful of songs I consider perfect. Musicianship, Arrangement, lyrics, performance.. especially Dean's vocals. Dean's genius was in knowing Precisely how much vocal to give-- never too much or too little. Perfect.
I’m a pensioner now and I fondly remember this tragic and beautiful sad song from 1969. This is Marmalades masterpiece. These powerful lyrics ‘The world is bad place, a bad place a terrible place to live’ still resonates today even more so. There is so much evil, wars and hatred in this world and this hauntingly beautiful song is a testament to this fact. Dean Ford, RIP
This is one of those songs that slipped through the cracks over the years. It really needs to be heard more often...and by more people! "We Were Alway Sweethearts" by Boz Skaggs is another one.
Sorry I'm late but I love this song. Marmalade might be called a one hit wonder but in actuality they were a very good band who played together for a very long time. Anyway this was a great song with a lot of meaning behind it.
Have to place this song in context. Vietnam War was raging. RFK and MLK had been assassinated earlier in 1968 and racial strife was ripping us apart. I was 14 years old and this song meant a lot to me.
I first listened to this great song in High School, and while serving with the USMC and in Viet Nam. Thank you Marmalade. Great memories, some NOT so great. You helped a lot of us music lovers over there get thru. Love ya always,
Yes. This is the original singer of Marmalade....Dean Ford. Obviously, it's almost 50 years later and the venue wasn't the greatest for sound. The original that you just reviewed is my favorite. But, I believe they're lip synching to the studio recording. So of course, it's going to sound much better. I also believe that Dean Ford, the singer, was ill (Parkinson's disease) at the time of the latter video. He passed away December 31, 2018 at the age of 73. RIP
One of the finest songs ever written, in my opinion. Just fantastic. Came out when I was 6 years old and I have listened to it thousands of times. It never gets old. As we get older, the meaning gets ever more poignant.
The lead singer of that group was Dean another good song he had in 2013 was Glasgow road but you can look them up on RU-vid you'll probably get the story of his life he passed away in 2019 but look them up on RU-vid
I knew and liked this song as a kid when it came out in late ‘69 or early ‘70. After that, it kind of slipped my mind until mid 2018 when I was diagnosed with incurable multiple myeloma. Over the last 5 1/2 years I have had an inordinate amount of time to think about songs like this. I have learned or come to believe a few things I had not thought about before 2018: - Everybody wants to go to heaven but nobody wants to die. - We hear a lot about dying with no regrets. It seems to me our time is better spent trying to ensure others (family and close friends) do not die with regrets. Thank you, Biz. Great analysis!
Big Soul Biz is the Steph Curry, of making 3-pointer song drops...nothing but Net. Keep up the hard work Biz. We all appreciate the songs and most of all your wit, intelligence, and skilled communication skills. You always make us smile and learn at the same time.
I just watched the other version out of interest and it is Dean Ford (RIP) in it. I'm not sure about the rest of the band but this version is the best and most widely listened to. There is also a stripped back acoustic version released by Dean Ford shortly before he passed away that is worth a listen if you are at a loose end, and it is all the more poignant given he diedshortly after and the line you referenced in your reaction.
They let us hold onto something that only our generation knew. That reaching out and loving each other was what was important in spite of what the world said. And we did!
Oh my song! Thank you so much for listening to it! This song helped me make it through adolescence.... & a runaway. I came from a large family & being a middle child, you do get overlooked! Love this song! Again thank you so much for this! Happy New Year!
“The greetings of people in trouble” “All my sorrow, sad tomorrow” “It’s a terrible place, but I don’t want to die” “Take me back to my home” Yeah, sounds like a young soldier in Vietnam hoping to finish his tour and get home in one piece.
Dean Ford, the lead singer here, remade this song as an old man, along with Joe Tansin. One of the simple sounding, yet more complicated things about this original version is that the guitar solo was replayed backwards, then recorded while playing along with the backwards solo. .
If you have a chance do a youtube search for "Reflections of My Life, Dean Ford with Joe Tansin". Dean Ford is the singer of Marmalade and co-wrote this song. He re-recorded it with Joe Tansin (singer and guitarist with a band called Badfinger) 46 years after the original release. Very nice redo. Thanks for your reaction to this video.
I was 17'ish when this came out and turning into "adulthood" and this song always reminds me of Lin who lived opposite St Gabriel's church. Salad days.
Wow! I made fun of this song as a late 60’s teenager! Now I love it! Thanks! You reminded me of how arrogant kids born in the 50’s could be! (remember, this was the age of the Stones, Zeppelin, and the Allman Bros!) Fabulous song! Peace
I looked up the meaning. Was Reflections of My Life about Vietnam? Your question “Why is the beautiful 1970 "Reflections of My Life" by The Marmalade so significant to Vietnam veterans?” reaches into at least two levels. The desire to return home from Vietnam, and the desire to be free of the place once you finally get there.
Bismatic check out the version with Grahm Nash rip it. Grahm Nash is one of the awesome vocalist in the band Crosby,Stills and Nash...pre Nel Young era then called Crosby,Stills,Nash & Young. Also check out Niel youngs After The Goldrush CSNY were huge .... magical harmonizing of 4 rock legends.
