Arizona (song)

For the 1981 country and western hit, see State songs of Arizona. For other uses, see Arizona (disambiguation).
"Arizona"
Single by Mark Lindsay
from the album Arizona
B-side "Man from Houston"
Released November 1969
Format 7"
Genre Pop
Length 3:06
Label Columbia
Writer(s) Kenny Young
Producer(s) Jerry Fuller
Certification Gold (RIAA)
Mark Lindsay singles chronology
"First Hymn from Grand Terrace"
(1969)		 "Arizona"
(1969)		 "Miss America"
(1970)

"Arizona" is a song written by Kenny Young and recorded by former Paul Revere and the Raiders member Mark Lindsay, with L.A. session musicians from the Wrecking Crew,[1] in 1969. The single was Number 10 on the Hot 100 on 14 February 1970 and was awarded a RlAA Gold Disc in April 1970.[2]

Overview

The song is about a man telling his hippie girlfriend, referred to as Arizona (it is not clear if this is her real name or a hippie pseudonym) to stop acting like a teeny bopper and follow him instead. Lyrics in the song mention the girl to "get rid of her hobo shoes, rainbow shades, and Indian braids",[3] plus Robin Hood, the Count of Monte Cristo, the Countess May, and Aesop. The song was also recorded in 1969 both by Clodagh Rodgers (an Irish singer who was arguably Kenny Young's muse), and the Family Dogg. In addition the song was later covered by French singer Eddy Mitchell.

Chart performance

Weekly charts

Chart (1969–70) Peak
position
Australia KMR[4] 10
Canada RPM Adult Contemporary[5] 15
Canada RPM[6] 4
U.S. Billboard Hot 100 10
U.S. Cash Box Top 100[7] 9

Year-end charts

Chart (1970) Rank
Australia[4] 62
Canada RPM Top Singles[8] 70
U.S. Billboard Hot 100[9] 66
U.S. Cash Box Top 100[10] 61

References

  1. ↑ Hartman, Kent (2012). The Wrecking Crew. St. Martin’s Griffin. pp. 261–263. ISBN 978-1-250-03046-7.
  2. ↑ Murrells, Joseph (1978). The Book of Golden Discs. Barrie & Jenkins. ISBN 0-214-20480-4.
  3. ↑ Eddy, Chuck (1997). The Accidental Evolution of Rock 'n' Roll. Da Capo Press. ISBN 0-306-80741-6.
  4. 1 2 Steffen Hung. "Forum - 1970 (ARIA Charts: Special Occasion Charts)". Australian-charts.com. Archived from the original on 2016-06-02. Retrieved 2016-10-02.
  5. ↑ "Item: 8087 - Library and Archives Canada". Bac-lac.gc.ca. Retrieved 2016-10-02.
  6. ↑ "Image : RPM Weekly - Library and Archives Canada". Bac-lac.gc.ca. Retrieved 2016-10-02.
  7. ↑
  8. ↑ "Item Display - RPM - Library and Archives Canada". collectionscanada.gc.ca.
  9. ↑ "Top 100 Hits of 1970/Top 100 Songs of 1970". Musicoutfitters.com. Retrieved 2016-10-02.
  10. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2016-07-03.


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