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.
Move In A Little Closer Baby
Mama Cass Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And there's no place to hide
And you're needing a friend to be there
At your side
Send a message to me, I'll arrive and you'll see
Whether you're right or wrong
This is where you belong
Move in a little closer, baby
You've got to keep me closer, baby
Come in a little closer, baby
Together we can make it happen, wait and see
When your troubles arrive
Pouring down from the sky
And your feelings get down
And you don't know what to do
Give a holler to me, I'm the one that you need
Reach for my helping hand
Then you will understand
How super fine it can be
Move in a little closer, baby
You've got to keep me closer, baby
Come in a little closer, baby
Together we can make it happen, wait and see
Move in a little closer, baby
You've got to keep me closer, baby
Come in a little closer, baby
Together we can make it happen, wait and see
Move in a little closer, baby
You've got to keep me closer, baby
Come in a little closer, baby
The lyrics of Mama Cass's song "Move In A Little Closer Baby" describe the need for love and support during difficult times. The singer acknowledges that even when the world around you feels as if it is closing in, there is still someone who cares and is willing to stand by your side. The verses advise listeners to reach out when they're feeling down, and not to be afraid to ask for help. The chorus, with its repetition of the phrase "Move in a little closer, baby," emphasizes the importance of intimacy and connection in times of need.
The song's title and lyrics suggest a romantic relationship, but they could also be read as a metaphor for friendship, family ties, or any other close bond. The message is one of empathy and understanding, encouraging people to support each other through both good and bad times. The repeated use of "you've got to keep me closer, baby" sounds like a plea for love and connection.
Overall, "Move In A Little Closer Baby" is a reminder of the importance of human connection, especially in times of struggle. Mama Cass's powerful vocals and soulful delivery emphasize the emotional sincerity of the lyrics.
Line by Line Meaning
When your world's closing in
When you're feeling overwhelmed and everything seems to be going wrong
And there's no place to hide
And you feel like you have nowhere to turn to for help
And you're needing a friend to be there
And you're longing for a companion to provide support and comfort
At your side
To be by your side through thick and thin
Send a message to me, I'll arrive and you'll see
Let me know and I'll be there for you
Whether you're right or wrong
Regardless of the situation you're in
This is where you belong
You belong with me, and I'll always be here for you
Give it a try and you'll see
Let me prove to you that I can help
Move in a little closer, baby
Come closer to me, let me comfort you
You've got to keep me closer, baby
You need me in your life more than ever
Come in a little closer, baby
Take my hand and let me help you through this
Together we can make it happen, wait and see
Together, we can overcome any obstacle that comes our way, just trust me
When your troubles arrive
When you're faced with difficulties
Pouring down from the sky
That seem to be coming at you all at once
And your feelings get down
And you feel down and overwhelmed
And you don't know what to do
And you're unsure of how to handle the situation
Give a holler to me, I'm the one that you need
Call out to me, because I'm the one who can provide you with the support that you need
Reach for my helping hand
Take my hand, and let me help you through this tough time
Then you will understand
And you'll see for yourself how much I can help you
How super fine it can be
And how much better things can be if we face them together
Contributed by Dominic I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@kenjijallan5448
When your world's closing in
And there's no place to hide
And you're needing a friend
To be there, at your side
Send a message to me
I'll arrive and you'll see
Whether you're right or wrong
This is where you belong
Give it a try and you'll see
Move in a little closer, baby
You've got to keep me closer, baby
Come in a little closer, baby
Together, we can make it happen
Wait and see
When your troubles arrive
Pouring down from the sky
And you're feeling the down
You don't know what to do
Give a holler to me
I'm the one that you need
Reach for my helping hand
Then you will understand
How simplified it can be
Move in a little closer, baby
You've got to keep me closer, baby
Come in a little closer, baby
Together, we can make it happen
Wait and see
Move in a little closer, baby
You've got to keep me closer, baby
Come in a little closer, baby
Together, we can make it happen
Wait and see
Move in a little closer, baby
You've got to keep me closer, baby
Come in a little closer, baby ...
@kenjijallan5448
When your world's closing in
And there's no place to hide
And you're needing a friend
To be there, at your side
Send a message to me
I'll arrive and you'll see
Whether you're right or wrong
This is where you belong
Give it a try and you'll see
Move in a little closer, baby
You've got to keep me closer, baby
Come in a little closer, baby
Together, we can make it happen
Wait and see
When your troubles arrive
Pouring down from the sky
And you're feeling the down
You don't know what to do
Give a holler to me
I'm the one that you need
Reach for my helping hand
Then you will understand
How simplified it can be
Move in a little closer, baby
You've got to keep me closer, baby
Come in a little closer, baby
Together, we can make it happen
Wait and see
Move in a little closer, baby
You've got to keep me closer, baby
Come in a little closer, baby
Together, we can make it happen
Wait and see
Move in a little closer, baby
You've got to keep me closer, baby
Come in a little closer, baby ...
@andyhowlett2231
If ever there was a song perfectly suited to Mama Cass, this was the one. Perfect. Here in the UK the hit version was recorded by Harmony Grass and I always thought theirs was the cover version, but it seems I was wrong, theirs was the first and Mama Cass covered it.
@bzakie2
Thankyou Cass for your beautiful voice. We miss you.
@snowleaves
Thanks so much for all the Cass songs. Love them!
@markmorris8532
One of her most fun songs ❤.
@MrMjp58
She was at her best in this style of bouncy and up-beat pop IMO. She had the greatest tone and delivery imaginable.
One of those rare singers that transport one to a different world.
@johnmcguinness9435
My favourite Cass song.
@kevinconnery6781
My favorite by Cass ...
@ronc1772
Awesome.
@pseudofox
Excellent! :-D