Last Time I Saw Him (1974) 3/25/20

In 1973, Diana Ross was a physical and emotional wreck.

A combination of motherhood, a heavy recording schedule, and her drive for perfection in her life and work was draining her.

She would put her kids to bed in the evening, record all night, come home to wake them up and send them off to school. Then, if she had time--and no other commitments--she could sleep. Maybe.

Songwriter/Producer Michael Masser who worked with Diana on the song "Touch Me in the Morning" (which we may highlight at a later date) has said she was always on the verge of a physical and emotional breakdown.

So he wrote a song to cheer her up--and hopefully score another hit. He succeeded on both counts...with today's "Great--and almost forgotten--Song of the '70s!"

"Last Time I Saw Him" was the name the song--and the album it came from. It was a totally different style for Diana, but she nailed it!

The orchestration was all over the map: from Dixieland-jazz to banjo-pickin' to an orchestrated string section. It was basically a cross between Vaudeville and Motown, and radio listeners loved it!

Released just before Christmas in 1973, it went to #1 on Billboard's Easy Listening Chart and #14 on the Hot 100, as well as #8 in Canada--all in early 1974. In fact, Billboard Magazine named it "1974's Easy Listening Song of the Year."

That HAD to make Diana feel better, don't ya think?

From 1973: