Still more lazy thoughts from this one…

Friday Forgotten Song: Everything That Touches You by The Association

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Birthday

Admittedly, many I’ve spotlighted in this forgotten song series, which honestly began on a lark, are of the way-back-when variety. Rarely heard by later generations. I’ve stuck with those that somehow clicked with me. Most of the time, registering with this juvenile listener the same as everyone else then. Over the airwaves. Many, pop songs, which meant something because they were experienced first-run during those Swinging Sixties.

The former remains true, but the latter not so much in this instance.

Everything That Touches You from 1968, the same year of the Tet Offensive, was unique that way. I’ll get to the why soon enough. Here’s the thing. This song’s band jumped in popularity by ’66, not unheard of during the hectic, revolutionary time, and fell out of same on the cusp of the 70s. The Association carved out a legacy that brought them a loyal following in the decades since. Remaining viable into the 21st century. As Bruce Eder pointed out in the group’s biography for Allmusic:

“The Association was one of the more underrated groups to come out of the mid- to late ’60s. Creators of an enviable string of hits from 1966 through 1969, they got caught in a shift in popular culture and the unwritten criteria for significance in that field and never recovered. The group’s smooth harmonies and pop-oriented sound (which occasionally moved into psychedelia and, much more rarely, into a harder, almost garage-punk vein) made them regular occupants of the highest reaches of the pop charts for two years…”

Easily, their biggest hits of the era, “Along Comes Mary” (which reached #7 on Billboard), “Cherish” (their first #1 hit), “Windy” (which topped the Hot 100) and “Never My Love” (#1 Cash Box, #2 Billboard, and attaining the second most US airplay of the 20th century) carried them upward onto many playlists. Nationally and locally. L.A.’s KFWB, KRLA, and KHJ being the AM radio stations that dominated my listening habits.

Time For Livin’ would be the second single released from the Birthday LP, but the experimental track would only reach #39 on Billboard.

They’re all great songs, each residing on ‘ye olde iPod to this day. Just the same, as a set, all four get less play on said device when compared to another of theirs. The group’s last top ten hit, Everything That Touches You, from The Association‘s fourth album Birthday. The LP also holds the honor of being the group’s best looking, most colorful, and groovy album cover in their discography (artwork by Wayne Kimbell, Windows, Unlimited).

Gaining favor with me only years later, it took this pop music listener awhile to raise it up, and understand why. As mentioned, The Association hits latched on to my attention back then via radio, or through television (American Bandstand, Hullabaloo, Shindig, and of course Shebang). Given all that was happening that decade, and this year in particular, was just too easy to let another single like this slip past, sadly enough.

Psychedelic rock, burgeoning funk, and touchstone political song raising consciousness among us young during this seminal time.

Only years later, and with a bit more maturity, did I come back to Everything That Touches You. Composed by founding member Terry Kirkman, and finally paying attention, the love tune clued me in to what I’d missed. Its adept warmth and uniqueness.

With Hal Blaine on drums, Joe Osborn providing a marvelous bass line, Larry Knechtel on keyboards and Mike Deasy on guitar, how could The Wrecking Crew not launch a good song to a hit single.

The reason I play it more often than the others, besides its wonderful heartfelt lyrics, was the song’s structure. Sure, for those who’ve heard them, it’s another of The Association’s distinctive love songs, which, with their tight harmonies and solid arrangements, blossomed over its 3:17 length1. Beginning with their characteristic prowess with a song intro, L.A.’s The Wrecking Crew provided the tune a grand start.

Yet, if you listen, Everything That Touches You didn’t follow the song structure that dominated 60s AM Radio programming. The number’s hook, what typically caught the ear of the listener in this broadcasting era, was nowhere part of the chorus. Usually, it’d incorporate the song’s title there. Not here, however.

In fact, it delayed that catchy phrasing an unheard amount of time before its introduction. Well past where the listener of the day expected it. Almost two-thirds of the song in before the distinct echo of the “Love, love, love, love” passage began. It’s also the point where the track commenced its crescendo. The group’s stellar vocals, backed by the expert play of The Wrecking Crew, and accompanied with another trademark instrumental arrangement.

The other hidden asset was the return of the producer to their best hits of the 60s. The Grammy-award-winning record producer and recording engineer, Bones Howe was back in the lead chair for the group with the Birthday album. And he built on that elegant hook to deliver the tune’s triumphant, passionate release. All this the reason I love and continue to play this song. Taking up an overdue recognition of the undervalued pop band of the era that remains The Association2.

In my most secure moments, I still can't believe
I'm spending those moments with you
And the ground I am walking, the air that I breathe
Are shared at those moments with you

You love for real, you show the feel
Of everything that touches you

In the songs I've been singing, quite often a phrase
Comes close to the feeling of you
But I never suspected that one of those days
The wish of a song would come true

You love for real, you show the feel
Of everything that touches you

You are of gracefulness, you are of happiness
You are what I would guess to be most like
What I've been singing of
Love, love, love, love

In the songs I've been singing, quite often a phrase
Comes close to the feeling of you
But I never suspected that one of those days
The wish of a song would come true

You love for real, you show the feel
Of everything that touches you
Love, love, love, love
  1. AM radio station managers held to short song length for maximum turnover on their pop playlists for most of the 60s. That is, until MacArthur Park, which has an indirect connection with The Association. Released in the same year, Jim Webb’s song would shatter the programming ceiling. ↩
  2. I felt the need to bring this post, which had been in my Drafts bin for more than a few months, with the recent passing of original member Larry Ramos (April 19, 1942 – April 30, 2014). May he rest in peace. ↩

27 Responses to “Friday Forgotten Song: Everything That Touches You by The Association”

  3. jackdeth72

    Rich voices. Great harmonies.

    This song managed to sneak under my radar. More familiar with their introductory album. Though this one has more of a Peter Max look and feel to it.

    Liked their whimsical side with ‘Broccoli’.

    Great selection, Michael!

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  4. John

    I was going through my massive record collection and came across this song. I was 13 when it was released in 1968. I am now 59. This song hit me like no other. It is so well written, so well produced. I played it over and over and over again. To the Association, THANK YOU for such a beautiful song!

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    • le0pard13

      Welcome, John. Great to connect with another record collector (and someone around my age), though I’m sure yours is much larger than mine (having only begun to find all those I gave up to the Compact Disc in the last couple of years). Yeah, this song stands up to playing over and over quite well. Truly, one of the greats of the decade, for sure. Thank you so very much for reading this and chiming in. 🙂

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  6. Kurt

    I was just sitting here on New Year’s Day, scrolling through my Itunes list, and I saw my old Association tracks. Immediately went to “Everything..”, as it’s always been my favorite. Decided to Google the song, and found your wonderful article here. A really nice read. Thanks.

    Beautiful lyrics, catchy as all get out, the harmonies, the tight musicianship. Pure pop perfection. Starting at around 1:30, I get lost. In a good way. Not sure who the Wrecking Crew drummer was on this particular track, but I love the lead-in to the last “In the songs I’ve been singing…” line. The vocals from there take it home beautifully.

    Thanks again!!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • le0pard13

      Welcome, Kurt! Great to hear others feel the same way about a song. This one in particular. “Everything…” really a special one that has cast a very long shadow for The Association for decades. Am playing it again as I write this, by the way. Just never tire of listening to it. We’re in complete agreement, my friend. Many thanks for joining in on this. Much appreciated. 🙂

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    • le0pard13

      Welcome, Randy. I hear you. The era certainly forged much of what I’ve come to expect in pop music and culture. And this song exemplified that, for sure. Many thanks for the comment. 😄

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  8. Anthony Labella

    I had a chance to see the guys re-group many times in 1980 and saw them do a MAJESTIC rendition of ETTY!BRAVO is all i can say.I was overtaken at the moment and it scarred me forever.My FAV band of all time hitchhiking 275 miles in 1971 to see them at The Stae Fair in Syracuse,NY.

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  10. Jerry Noble

    This is the best song by the Association and I believe one of the best of all time. The arrangement, the vocals, are second to none.

    Liked by 1 person

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  12. Sarah Hornor

    My favorite Association song and they had some great hits. Just discovered your article today when a good friend mentioned she downloaded this hit yesterday. The lead singers are the composer (Terry Kirkman) and Jim Yester. I was 14 years old when this tune came out and am still moved (if not more so today) by the beauty of this recording. There’s another writer who professes his love for this gem at “Ijustdisappear.com” in case you’re curious. Have you written about Left Banke’s “Pretty Ballerina”? Another masterpiece, in my opinion.

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    • le0pard13

      Welcome, Sarah, and thank you very kindly for joining the appreciation of what is also my favorite Association hit. I’m pretty sure we’re the same age when this one made the charts, too. Will also be headed over to justdisappear.com to check out their look at this song and their content. Many thanks for the reference.

      Oh, and re-listening to Pretty Ballerina by Left Banke again brings back some memories. That one slipped by me, but then ’66 had plenty of gems hitting the charts; well, that’s my excuse for not offering an appreciation for that classic. 😉

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  13. Anonymous

    I love the Association!! They have come to the Kentucky State Fair, in Louisville Kentucky, every August for several years and continue to blow me away every single time, even performing a stellar, perfect “10” in 2023, immediately prior to Mr. Terry Kirkman ‘s terribly sad death in September of 2023. 😢 These men are pros and their spectacular performances are evidentiary in proving this to be 💯% true to whomever is fortunate enough to be their audiences!! I thank you gentlemen!! Your music is the best, and so are you!! Kelly🌹

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • le0pard13

      Great to hear from another fan of The Association. They indeed have been a wonderful source of entertainment for many. Very cool that they make it to your state fair. Thank you so much for your comment. 🙂

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