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.
Easy Come
Mama Cass Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Whatever made me think that I was number one?
I oughta know, easy come, easy go
Sittin' it out, spinnin' the dial
Thinkin' about the chump I 've been I have to smile
Didn't I know, easy come, easy go
She wasn't kind, I wasn't smart
I lost my mind and fell apart
Now I can start all over again
Hangin' around, takin' it slow
Happy I found I still can smile and dig the show
Lettin' me know, easy come easy go
Takin' the shade out of the sun
Whatever made me think that I was number one?
I oughta know, easy come, easy go
Sittin' it out, spinnin' the dial
Thinkin' about the chump I 've been I have to smile
Didn't I know, easy come, easy go
She wasn't kind, I wasn't smart
I lost my mind and fell apart
I had to find myself in time
Now I can start all over again
Hangin' around, takin' it slow
Happy I found I still can smile and dig the show
Lettin' me know, easy come easy go
Hangin' around, takin' it slow
Happy I found I still can smile and dig the show
Lettin' me know, easy come easy go
Hangin' around, takin' it slow
Happy I found I still can smile and dig the show
Lettin' me know, easy come easy go
Hangin' around, takin' it slow
Happy I found I still can smile and dig the show
Lettin' me know, easy come easy go
In "Easy Come," Mama Cass reflects on a failed relationship and the realization that she was not the number one priority in it. She acknowledges the feeling of losing herself in the process and being taken for granted. The phrase "easy come, easy go" serves as a reminder that everything tends to have a short shelf life in life, including relationships. She then speaks about how she came to learn from the experience, and even though it was a painful one, it allowed her to start fresh and rediscover herself.
The chorus of "Easy Come" repeats the phrase "Hangin' around, takin' it slow; happy I found I still can smile and dig the show; Lettin' me know, easy come easy go." This implies that even though she has gone through hardships and pain in the past, she's learned to embrace life as it comes and just live in the moment. The chorus also emphasizes the theme of letting go of the past and being open to new experiences.
Line by Line Meaning
Takin' the shade out of the sun
Removing the protective cover to expose oneself to potential difficulties or setbacks.
Whatever made me think that I was number one?
Reflecting on egotistical behavior and acknowledging the folly of thinking oneself superior to others.
I oughta know, easy come, easy go
Recognizing that things obtained without much effort are just as easily lost, implying that one should not become too attached to them.
Sittin' it out, spinnin' the dial
Disengaging from the situation and merely observing the events unfold without actively participating.
Thinkin' about the chump I 've been I have to smile
Reflecting on past mistakes and accepting them with a sense of humor.
Didn't I know, easy come, easy go
Realizing that the outcome was inevitable, as things that come easily are also easily lost.
She wasn't kind, I wasn't smart
Acknowledging mistakes made in a past relationship, including choosing a partner who wasn't kind, and not acting wisely oneself.
I lost my mind and fell apart
Admitting that the negative experience caused an emotional breakdown, potentially leading to reckless behavior.
I had to find myself in time
Taking the necessary steps to regain one's sense of self and personal identity after the traumatic experience.
Now I can start all over again
Optimistically looking towards the future with the newfound knowledge and perspective gained from the past experience.
Hangin' around, takin' it slow
Taking a more relaxed approach to life and enjoying the present moment.
Happy I found I still can smile and dig the show
Realizing that despite past difficulties, there are still things in life that can bring joy, happiness, and entertainment.
Lettin' me know, easy come easy go
Reinforcing the idea that things obtained easily can just as readily be lost, but being at peace with that fact and not overly attached to material possessions.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Thomas Carl Keifer
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Russell Candy
I'll take this version any day over Bobby Sherman's!! Rest in Peace Dear Lady.
David Carroll
there both great but i like MR. Sherman's version listen to the bass line in Bobby's very catchy and hard to play . RIP Mama we miss you
ChanelNo19
Tammy Wynette also did a great country version in the '80s
Doug Emanuelson
Nicely done cass Elliott rest in peace.
Mrs. Eastwood.
This is a better version of this song, Mama Cass really makes me feel the sadness and then acceptance that comes from a breakup. She nailed the tune! Bobby Sherman's version was to upbeat. .
Misplaced New Yawker
Too*
Звиади Гамсахурдия
Одна из моих любимых песен Mama Cass Elliot. Великая была певица и композитор. Она ушла на небеса в далёком 1974 году, но мы её все будем помнить, не только в Америке, но и в Германии, Англии, Италии, России, Украине, Белоруссии, Казахстане и даже в Японии!
David LoganSr
I always have and always will Love my fellow Baltimorean the legendary Cass Elliot!
Johnny Gainor
CASS ELLIOT recorded this prior to bobby Sherman, but Bobby had the hit version, which is okay, but I had a fondness for this recording by Cass - this deserved to be a bigger hit for her -
patrick ryan
Agree!