Rupert Holmes – Escape (The Piña Colada Song)

Just like Mr. Holmes, I'm hoping we can have a little fun today in Boston, and then skeeee-daddle.

1980

(there are some claims on the internets that "O'Malley's" is in reference to Boston. that's what i'm going with, at least.)

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11 thoughts on “Rupert Holmes – Escape (The Piña Colada Song)”

Escape the Piña Colada (Song)

AMR says:

June 4, 2015 at 9:19 am

Nice.
Sounds like something a Todd Terje or similiar Swedish producer would do.
Almost guaranteed to be better.
1. hungry joe says:
  
  June 6, 2015 at 1:16 am
  
  I love this reference.

This is listed as one of the 10 worst songs of the 1970s in a Rolling Stone readers' poll. (Do they really need that apostrophe after "readers"? I guess the poll belongs to the readers?)

The citation reads in part:

This is the one song on the list that some people might actually appreciate on some level. Holmes was inspired to write "Escape (The Pina Colada Song)" when he saw a want ad in the paper. He wondered what would happen if he responded to it, only to discover it had been placed by his own wife. The lyrics originally went "If you like Humphrey Bogart," at the last minute he changed it to "pina coladas," a drink he didn't even particularly enjoy. The couple in the song both agree to meet at O'Malleys Bar, and don't seem all that miffed to discover they were both trying to cheat on each other. Instead, they discover they both love pina coladas, being caught in the rain and making love at midnight. It's like a modern-day O. Henry story.

brianS says:

June 4, 2015 at 10:24 am

some people like schmaltz. Some like Deerhoof.

also, this from his Repository bio made me giggle:

Holmes' second, self-titled album led Rolling Stone to compare him with Bob Dylan in the sense of being an artist of unprecedented originality that commanded attention.
1. brianS says:
  
  June 4, 2015 at 10:27 am
  
  Holmes also worked extensively with The Streisand. Which led me down the rabbit hole to this from the story about her version of A Star Is Born
  
  Streisand's character's (Esther Hoffman Howard) clothing was straight out of Streisand's own closet. The actual credit reads: Miss Streisand's clothes from... her closet.
Philosofer says:

June 4, 2015 at 11:15 am

I... like the O. Henry comparison.

For some reason or other, this song has been on the radio where I've been constantly for the past year or so. And I've always been confused about how the sweetness of things - the fact that they're really such a great pair for each other - can overcome the exact opposite of sweetness that is found in the cheating bit. I... am both placated by and disturbed by the premise of the song.

I feel the same way about "Take A Letter, Maria."
1. AMR says:
  
  June 4, 2015 at 11:28 am
  
  You must live in radio hell. Isn't there a station with farm reports and hog belly futures and such?
  1. Philosofer says:
    
    June 4, 2015 at 11:36 am
    
    They're one and the same.
    1. AMR says:
      
      June 4, 2015 at 11:46 am
      
      Do you need me to send you some cassettes?

Sometimes, I like cheese.

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