Elliot was widely considered the most charismatic member of the Mamas & the Papas due to her sense of humor and optimism, in part because of her large size and weight. She was one of the most beloved members of the group, and her warm, distinctive voice was a large factor in their success. She is best remembered for her vocals on the group's Billboard hits "California Dreamin", "Monday, Monday", and "Words of Love", as well as her first hit as an independent act, "Dream a Little Dream Of Me".
Cass was in love with fellow Mamas & Papas band member Denny Doherty. His affair with another married band member, Michelle Phillips, was one of the causes of the break-up of the band. Elliot resented Michelle's perceived betrayal of their friendship and helped to support the band's decision to fire Michelle in June 1966, when it became clear that John Phillips could no longer work with her. The band quickly replaced Michelle with Jill Gibson, girlfriend to their producer Lou Adler. However, by late August of 1966, Michelle was let back into the group, while Jill received a lump sum for her efforts. Gibson would later admit to feeling betrayed by the band.
Cass gave birth to a daughter named Owen Vanessa Elliot, on 26 April 1967, without naming the father.
Elliot guest-starred three times on Julie Andrews's 1973 television series, The Julie Andrews Hour. Cass's voice blended surprisingly well with that of Andrews, given their stylistic differences, and they created a pleasing onscreen chemistry. Cass also made guest appearances on The Carol Burnett Show.
Elliot was a close friend and neighbor of coffee heiress Abigail Folger, who was a victim of the Charles Manson murders. She was also close to actress Sharon Tate, writer Wojciech Frykowski, and international hairdresser Jay Sebring, all victims of the Manson madness in the summer of 1969. Singer and performer Sammy Davis, Jr. was also a good friend of Elliot and this group, and Davis has been quoted as saying that they had all been together days before the tragedy, and were it not for he and Cass each flying off to other gigs that week, they too could have been victims of the Manson Family.
After the breakup of The Mamas & the Papas in July 1968, Elliot went on to have a successful solo career, even headlining briefly in Las Vegas, for the whopping contract at that time of USD$40,000 per week. Though her Vegas gig ended badly, she was a regular on TV talk shows and variety shows in the 1970s. Her most successful recording during this period was Dream a Little Dream of Me from her solo album of the same name, released by Dunhill Records. At the height of her career in 1974, having just finished performing at the London Palladium theatre, she died of a heart attack. The coroner surmised her heart had weakened to the point of failure due to Elliot's weight and the effects of several crash diets over the years.
Elliot was married twice. In 1963 she wed James Hendricks; they divorced in 1968 (Hendricks had been a member of "Cass Elliot and the Big Three," later named "The Mugwumps"). In 1971 she married Baron Donald von Wiedenman, a journalist.
It should be noted, that Mama Cass died in the exact same bed, in the exact same room, (although a few years prior), as manic drummer of The Who, Keith Moon, in an apartment owned by singer-songwriter Harry Nilsson.
An urban legend holds that Elliot died while choking on a sandwich, sometimes specified as a "ham" sandwich. Shortly after her death, but before her autopsy, The Times published an article that quoted her doctor as speculating that she "probably... died as a result of choking on a sandwich while lying in bed". However, the coroner found no food in her trachea, and reported the cause of death as heart failure. Nevertheless, the rumor spread, with the popular imagination adding that the sandwich contained ham (it possibly originated as an unkind remark about Elliot's weight). Another version of the story holds that the doctor found a sandwich or partially eaten sandwich in her room, causing him to speculate about the cause of death. Apparently, that version of the story has no corroboration either.
Another popular myth circulated about Elliot. While the Mamas & the Papas were touring as The Magic Circle (their name before changing it to The Mamas & the Papas), Elliot begged friend Denny Doherty to let her join the band. Though she had a great voice, the band's leader, John Phillips, didn't feel her voice blended well with the band's other female vocalist, his wife Michelle Phillips. But Elliot followed the band wherever they appeared, even to an engagement in the Virgin Islands. Here, she was finally accepted into the band. The myth purports that while in VI, a piece of copper tubing fell on her head and miraculously changed her voice. Though untrue, the myth has been repeated by such music professionals as Casey Kasem. Elliot was hit on the head with a copper pipe during a nightclub renovation, but it had no effect on her voice. The myth was apparently started by band member John Phillips as a justification for letting her into the band after initially refusing to allow her to join. He tells the story himself on the PBS special California Dreamin': The Songs of the Mamas and the Papas, insisting it's true.
Both rumors were mentioned in the Filmfour-produced film Beautiful Thing, of which Mama Cass' music is a big feature.
The E! True Hollywood Story biography about Elliot reports (and revives) the completely unfounded and baseless rumor that singer/songwriter John Lennon of The Beatles may have been the father of Elliot's daughter, Owen. This rumor most likely originated from Cass's fantasies due to her obsession with the Beatle -- demonstrated in the Mamas and the Papas rendition of the song "I Call Your Name," written by Lennon/McCartney, in which Cass literally calls out John's (Lennon) name. Many, many years later after the death of Mama Cass, bandmate Michelle Phillips helped Owen find her real biological father.
The song "Make Your Own Kind of Music" was featured in the ABC television show LOST, during the opening of season 2. It was played by Desmond to distract the survivors entering the Hatch.
Don't Let The Good Life Pass You By
Mama Cass Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Did you ever watch a child while he was praying
Just don't let the good life pass you by
Did you ever hold a hand to stop its trembling
Did you ever watch the sun desert the sky
Did you ever hold a woman while she's sleeping
Just don't let the good life pass you by
Man was made for loving not for buying go can't give you things we really need
Somewhere between broke and being free
Did you ever see the funny side of losing did you ever sit right down and have a cry
Did you ever take the time to help your neighbor
Just don't let the good life pass you by
Oh a man was made for loving
Just don't let the good life pass you by just don't let the good life pass you by
No no no no don't let the good life pass you by
The lyrics of Mama Cass's "Don't Let The Good Life Pass You By" speaks to the idea that life is not about material possessions but rather the precious moments that make life worth living. It suggests that one should take a moment to appreciate life's simple pleasures and to not be too consumed by the pursuit of material wealth. The lyrics use various scenarios to drive this point home - such as listening to the rain fall, enjoying homemade apple pie, watching a child pray, holding a trembling hand, watching a sunset, or holding a sleeping woman. All of these moments are fleeting and the song reminds us to appreciate them while we can.
The song speaks particularly to the idea of finding happiness in living somewhere between broke and being free. It suggests that there is a sense of freedom that comes with not being tied down by material possessions, and that the true wealth of life is in the companionship and connection we have with others. The line "Man was made for loving not for buying" is particularly powerful in this regard, as it suggests that our worth is not measured by what we own or what we can consume, but rather by how we connect with others.
In summary, "Don't Let The Good Life Pass You By" is a call to appreciate the simple moments in life and to value the connections we have with others more than material possessions.
Line by Line Meaning
Did you ever lie and listen to the rain fall
Have you ever taken the time to appreciate the beauty of nature, and just stopped to listen to the rain falling?
did you ever own a homemade apple pie
Have you ever enjoyed the simple pleasures in life, such as a slice of homemade apple pie?
Did you ever watch a child while he was praying
Have you ever witnessed the innocence and purity of a child while they are praying?
Just don't let the good life pass you by
Don't miss out on all the good things that life has to offer.
Did you ever hold a hand to stop its trembling
Have you ever provided comfort and support to someone who is scared or anxious?
Did you ever watch the sun desert the sky
Have you ever appreciated the beauty of a sunset and taken a moment to watch it?
Did you ever hold a woman while she's sleeping
Have you ever been there for someone, even when they are vulnerable and asleep?
Man was made for loving not for buying go can't give you things we really need
Human beings were meant to love and be loved, not to focus on material possessions which cannot provide true happiness.
Just look my friend there's happiness in living
Life itself can bring happiness, if we take the time to appreciate it.
Somewhere between broke and being free
Happiness lies not in financial wealth, but in the freedom to live our lives as we see fit.
Did you ever see the funny side of losing did you ever sit right down and have a cry
Have you ever found humor in a difficult moment, or allowed yourself to feel and release your emotions?
Did you ever take the time to help your neighbor
Have you ever reached out to help someone in need, even if it required a sacrifice on your part?
Just don't let the good life pass you by
Once again, the message is to not miss out on all the good things that life has to offer.
Oh a man was made for loving
Humans were created to give and receive love.
No no no no don't let the good life pass you by
The song's final plea to not take the good things in life for granted and miss out on them.
Lyrics © HORI PRO ENTERTAINMENT GROUP
Written by: SHARON RUCKER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Rick Kirchhoff
on A Song That Never Comes
This lady was one of a kind anid miss her . . .