RUPERT HOLMES - ESCAPE (THE PIÑA COLADA SONG)
Llançament: 17 de setembre de 1979
Llistes: EUA: #1 (3 setmanes)
“Escape (The Piña Colada Song)” és un èxit pop desenfadat de 1979 que es va convertir en l’últim número 1 als Estats Units de la dècada. Inclosa en l’àlbum “Partners in Crime”, la cançó explica una història enginyosa i irònica: un home avorrit de la seva relació respon a un anunci personal per conèixer una altra dona… només per descobrir que la seva parella actual és qui havia posat l’anunci.
Rupert Holmes la va escriure inicialment sota el títol “People Need Other People”, però no estava satisfet amb la lletra. Durant el procés de gravació, va fer servir una tècnica innovadora per a l’època, loopant una secció de 16 compassos d’una primera presa per crear la base instrumental. Mentre buscava una lletra més interessant, es va inspirar en un anunci personal que va veure a The Village Voice i va imaginar un escenari on algú respon a un anunci col·locat per la seva pròpia parella sense saber-ho. Aquest gir inesperat es va convertir en el punt central de la cançó i en la clau del seu èxit.
Holmes volia que “Him” fos el primer single de “Partners in Crime”, però la discogràfica va insistir a publicar “Escape”. La cançó va començar a guanyar popularitat després que una emissora de ràdio de Washington la posés en rotació, però els oients la demanaven com “The Piña Colada Song”, cosa que generava confusió a les botigues de discos. Per evitar pèrdues de vendes, el segell discogràfic va insistir a canviar-ne el nom a Escape (The Piña Colada Song), i Holmes va acceptar de mala gana.
Tot i que és conegut principalment per aquesta cançó, Rupert Holmes ha tingut una carrera diversa i reeixida en el món de l’entreteniment. Ha escrit diverses obres de Broadway, com “Say Goodnight, Gracie” i “The Mystery of Edwin Drood”, que va guanyar múltiples premis Tony. Com a compositor, ha treballat per artistes com Barbra Streisand, Judy Collins i fins i tot Britney Spears. També va crear la sèrie de televisió “Remember WENN” i va escriure la novel·la “Where The Truth Lies”. La seva trajectòria li ha valgut premis Tony, Emmy i Edgar, però malgrat la seva extensa obra, Holmes reconeix que “Escape” continua sent la seva obra més reconeguda.
RUPERT HOLMES - ESCAPE (THE PIÑA COLADA SONG)
Released: September 17, 1979
US: #1 (3 weeks)
“Escape (The Piña Colada Song)” is a lighthearted pop hit from 1979 that became the last U.S. #1 song of the decade. Featured on his album “Partners in Crime”, the song tells a witty and ironic story about a man bored with his relationship who answers a personal ad—only to discover that the woman he’s meeting is his own partner.
Rupert Holmes originally wrote it as “People Need Other People,” but he wasn’t satisfied with the lyrics. During the recording process, he used an innovative (for the time) sampling technique, looping a 16-bar section from an early take to create the song’s instrumental backing. Struggling to find the right lyrics, Holmes was inspired by a personal ad in The Village Voice and imagined a “What If” scenario where someone unknowingly responds to an ad placed by their own partner. This twist became the heart of the song’s now-famous storyline.
Rupert Holmes initially wanted “Him” to be the lead single from “Partners in Crime”, but the record label insisted on releasing “Escape.” The song gained popularity after a Washington radio station played it, but listeners referred to it as “The Piña Colada Song,” causing confusion in record stores. To avoid losing sales, the label pushed to rename it “Escape (The Piña Colada Song),” and Holmes reluctantly agreed.
Rupert Holmes has had a diverse and successful career in entertainment. He has written several Broadway plays, including Say Goodnight, Gracie and The Mystery of Edwin Drood (which won multiple Tony Awards). His songwriting credits include works performed by Barbra Streisand, Judy Collins, and Britney Spears. Holmes also created the TV series Remember WENN and authored the novel Where The Truth Lies. His contributions to music, theater, and television have earned him Tonys, Emmys, and Edgar Awards. Despite his broader musical career, Holmes acknowledges that “Escape” remains his most recognizable work.