The show starred brother and sister pop duo Donny Osmond and Marie Osmond. Donny had first become popular singing in a music group with his brothers, The Osmonds, and Marie was one of the youngest singers to reach #1 on the Billboard Country Music charts (with "Paper Roses", in 1973). The siblings were given the show by ABC-TV President Fred Silverman after he saw the duo co-host a week on The Mike Douglas Show which followed their series of popular remakes of oldies, such as "I'm Leaving It (All) Up To You," "Morning Side Of The Mountain," "Deep Purple" and "Make The World Go Away."
Donny & Marie consisted mainly of an ice skating number intro, comedy skits, followed by songs performed by the duo. The most famous song performed on the show was "I'm A Little Bit Country, I'm a Little Bit Rock and Roll", which formed the basis of a weekly segment in which Marie ("a little bit country") would trade off singing a country music song with Donny ("I'm a little bit rock and roll")) singing a rock and roll song. Each episode concluded with a musical finale and a cascade of balloons from the ceiling, matched to the colors of the sets and costumes. Donny and Marie would then sing their trademark closing song, "May Tomorrow Be a Perfect Day".
Originally, the show was created by Sid & Marty Krofft and videotaped in Los Angeles at KTLA Studios, but creative control of the show was given to the Osmonds after a long battle, and Donny & Marie was moved to the Osmond Studios in Orem, Utah in November 1977. The first episode produced in Utah was the 1977 Christmas Show.[citation needed]
The show's popularity declined after it was revealed that teen heartthrob Donny was dating (and eventually married) fellow Utahn Debbie Glenn, therefore taking him 'off the market' of eligible bachelors. According to an edition of the VH1 series Behind the Music, many female viewers started to tune out at this point. The series also underwent a format change in the final season, eliminating segments such as the ice skaters and country/rock-n-roll segments in favor of more concert-style disco numbers. The show was also retitled The Osmond Family Show near the end, as the program increasingly featured members of Donny and Marie's family.
The 1980-1981 TV season featured Marie with a Bob Mackie fashion make-over and starring in her own solo variety series on NBC called Marie. Soon after, she became co-host of the reality TV program, Ripley's Believe It or Not.
Donny and Marie joined together again in 1998 to co-host Donny & Marie (also known as The Donny and Marie Hour and The Donny and Marie Show), a talk show that ran for two seasons.
Donny & Marie was a 1998 talk show hosted by Donny and Marie Osmond. The show ended in June of 2000. The show had a "house band," featuring Jerry Williams (musical director/keyboards), Kat Dyson (guitar), Paul Peterson (bass), and Nick Vincent (drums).
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Ain't Nothing Like the Real Thing
Donny & Marie Osmond Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ain't nothing like the real thing.
Ain't nothing like the real thing, baby.
Ain't nothing like the real thing.
I got your picture hangin' on the wall,
But it can't see or come to me when I call your name.
I realize it's just a picture inside a frame.
I read your letters when you're not near me,
But they don't move me, and they don't groove me
Like when I hear your sweet voice whispering in my ear.
I play the game, a fantasy.
I pretend I'm not in reality.
I need the shelter of your arms to comfort me.
I got some memories to look back on
And though they help me when you're gone,
I'm well aware nothin' can take the place of you being there.
No other sound is quite the same as your name.
No touch can do half as much to make me feel better,
So let's get together.
Ain't nothing like the real thing, baby.
Ain't nothing like the real thing.
Ain't nothing like the real thing, baby.
Ain't nothing like the real thing.
The lyrics to Donny & Marie Osmond's "Ain't Nothing Like the Real Thing" express the idea that no substitute can replace the real thing. The "real thing" referred to here is the love and company of another person, particularly the person to whom the singer is addressing the song. The use of the phrase "real thing" suggests that there may be other things that are similar, or that could potentially fill the void, but ultimately they will always fall short of the real thing.
The first verse describes the limitations of having a picture of the person, which cannot provide the comfort and connection of their actual presence. The second verse describes how even the letters from the person, which could theoretically bridge the distance between them, cannot compare to the sensation of hearing their voice in person. The third verse reflects on the power of memories to sustain a person when they are separated from the person they love, but acknowledges that nothing can truly replace the experience of being together with them.
Overall, the song is a heartfelt plea for the return of the person's love, and an affirmation of the specialness and irreplaceability of that love. It encapsulates the universal desire for human connection and the recognition that nothing can truly replace the presence of another person.
Line by Line Meaning
Ain't nothing like the real thing, baby.
There's nothing that can compare to the genuine article, my dear.
Ain't nothing like the real thing.
No substitute can match the authenticity of the actual thing.
I got your picture hangin' on the wall,
I have your picture displayed in my home.
But it can't see or come to me when I call your name.
However, it cannot come to life and respond to me when I call your name.
I realize it's just a picture inside a frame.
I understand that it's merely a photograph secured within a border.
I read your letters when you're not near me,
I peruse your letters when you're not in close proximity to me,
But they don't move me, and they don't groove me
However, they fail to stir up emotions or excite me
Like when I hear your sweet voice whispering in my ear.
In contrast to when I hear your dulcet tones murmuring in my ear.
I play the game, a fantasy.
I engage in make-believe, a realm of imagination.
I pretend I'm not in reality.
I imagine that I'm not in the real world.
I need the shelter of your arms to comfort me.
I require the protection of your embrace for solace.
I got some memories to look back on
I possess reminiscences to recall
And though they help me when you're gone,
And though they provide assistance when you're absent.
I'm well aware nothin' can take the place of you being there.
I'm deeply cognizant that nothing can substitute for your presence.
No other sound is quite the same as your name.
No other sound is comparable to the utterance of your name.
No touch can do half as much to make me feel better,
No physical contact can offer even half the comfort and relief that you provide.
So let's get together.
Therefore, let's reunite with one another.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Nickolas Ashford, Valerie Simpson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Angelo Casimiro
One of my all-time favorite Donny & Marie songs! I didn't even realize it was a cover song until much later. I remember playing the "New Season" album (which included "Ain't Nothing Like The Real Thing") over and over again. It was my favorite D&M album until "Winning Combination" came along.
Chris Curtis
Lovely version of this song
MCalvin1955
Pretty much The Osmonds can do just about any kind of music, entertainment, acting, and talk in any venue and in any era. All because they wanted to help their two older brothers to hear. Wow!
Ravi Peiris
Amazing rendition of a classic song.
loklo101
Enjoyed their version better.
Rick Robbins
Always enjoyable to listen to
CoolWaveBlue
Favorite version, Donny and Marie take the song from R & B/Soul to "Pop Perfection"!
LuvTadnDixie
I love the way this was filmed. Great cover by Donny & Marie and the macrame thingy in the background makes it 70s perfection! Well done.
The Pearl Atelier
i had this cassette and i lost it, and finally after decades i get to hear it again, one of my fav Osmond song, i am so glad i found this channel , i am going to binge watch till i drop.
B squared
i was too young to know this was a cover. it's still a favorite. it was very 'adult'. great vocals!