In 1960, she auditioned for a band (directed by her first husband) that played sock hops. Next, she was part of Merrilee and Her Men, doing covers of male pop hits. Then she joined a Seattle rhythm and blues group called Tiny Tony and the Statics.
Merrilee and the Turnabouts was formed in 1965. One of the group's roadies worked for Paul Revere and the Raiders, who were doing a tour in the South in 1967 and invited Rush to be their opening act.
Her rendition of "Angel of the Morning" was recorded in Memphis, Tennessee, in early 1968 and was produced by Chips Moman and the late Tommy Cogbill. Released by Bell Records, in late June, 1968 it climbed to #7 in the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart; it reportedly reached No. 1 in seven countries. The one millionth sale of the record was reported by the R.I.A.A. in 1970.[1] The song garnered Rush a Grammy nomination for Female Vocalist of the Year. She was nominated alongside Barbra Streisand ("Funny Girl"), Dionne Warwick ("Do You Know the Way to San Jose"), Aretha Franklin ("I Say a Little Prayer"), and Mary Hopkin ("Those Were the Days").
She appeared on numerous television programs in the 1960s and 1970s, including American Bandstand, The Joey Bishop Show, Happening, The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour, The Everly Brothers Show, Something Else hosted by John Byner, and many more.
"Angel of the Morning" was written by Chip Taylor (born James Wesley Voight, younger brother of actor Jon Voight and uncle to actress Angelina Jolie), who also wrote "Wild Thing", a hit for The Troggs in 1966, and "I Can't Let Go", a hit for The Hollies in the UK. Rush's recording of "Angel of the Morning" was featured prominently in the film, Girl, Interrupted, for which Jolie won an Academy Award. "Angel of the Morning" has also been featured in the major motion pictures Jerry Maguire and Fingers starring Harvey Keitel.
In 1971, Rush signed with Scepter Records and released one single, a cover of the Carole King song, "Child Of Mine". While that was Rush's lone release on Scepter, she cut several tracks for the label including a femme version of the Billy Joel song "She's Got A Way" (He's Got A Way). In 1976, Merrilee would sign with United Artists Records. While at U/A she released three singles, "Could It Be Love I Found Tonight", "Save Me", and "Rainstorm". Her self-titled album for the label was released in 1977.
Rush now lives in the countryside near Seattle, in a century-old farm house built by her grandfather. She continues to perform with her own band and in rock and roll nostalgia shows across the country. She is married to singer-songwriter and entertainer Billy Mac, and together they have a successful Old English Sheepdog breeding business.
In 1989 the Northwest Area Musicians' Association honored Rush with induction into the NAMA Hall of Fame.
In 2003 she appeared as herself in the PBS special At the Drive-In along with Jan Berry and Dean Torrence (of Jan and Dean), Fabian, Bobby Vee, Chris Montez, Matthew Nelson and Gunnar Nelson (sons of Rick Nelson), Dodie Stevens and others.
Rush's Angel Of The Morning album has been reissued on compact disc via the Collector's Choice Music label. The reissue includes the entire original 1968 LP, featuring the Top Ten title track and the follow-up single "That Kind of Woman" as well as nine non-LP singles and B-sides as bonus tracks. The bonus tracks include a psychedelic version of the Four Tops' "Reach Out" (an AGP label single release that reached #79 on the Billboard Hot 100), and a cover of Burt Bacharach's "What the World Needs Now", which was produced by Quincy Jones for the soundtrack album to the film Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice.
The "Angel Of The Morning" sessions were recorded at Chips Moman's American Studio in Memphis and featured the same musicians who played on Elvis Presley's famous Memphis recordings.
2008 marked the 40th anniversary of the release of the Angel Of The Morning single and album.
Reach Out
Merrilee Rush Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Because all of your hope is gone
And your life is filled with much confusion
Until happiness is just an illusion
And your world around is crumbling down
Darling (reach out)
Come on girl, reach on out for me
I'll be there
With a love that will shelter you
I'll be there
With a love that will see you through
When you feel lost and about to give up
Cause your best just ain't good enough
And your feel the world has grown cold
And your drifting out all on your own
And you need a hand to hold
Darling (reach out)
Come on girl, reach out for me
(Reach out) reach out for me
I'll be there to love and comfort you
And I'll be there to cherish and care for you
(I'll be there to always see you through)
(I'll be there to love and comfort you)
I can tell the way you hang your head
You're not in love now, now you're afraid
And through your tears, you look around
But there's no peace of mind to be found
I know what you're thinking
You're alone now, no love of your own
But darling (reach out)
Come on, girl, reach on out for me
(Reach out) just look over your shoulder
I'll be there to give you
All the love you need
And I'll be there
You can always depend on me...
In Merrilee Rush's song "Reach Out," listeners are encouraged to seek comfort in someone when life's challenges become too much to bear. The lyrics convey a message of hope and support for those who feel lost, alone, and hopeless. The first verse acknowledges the reality that life can be confusing and difficult, leaving individuals feeling hopeless and trapped. However, the chorus offers a solution to this despair, encouraging the listener to "reach out" for help and support from someone they can trust. The second verse continues to reassure the listener that they do not have to face their challenges alone; with the singer by their side, they can navigate the difficulties together.
Overall, the song seems to convey a strong sense of empathy towards those going through difficult times. The lyrics suggest that no one has to face difficult circumstances alone and reinforces the importance of relying on loved ones and significant others to get through life's hurdles. By doing so, the song offers a message of hope and inspiration for those who may be experiencing feelings of hopelessness and isolation.
Line by Line Meaning
Now if you feel that you can't go on
If you are feeling like you cannot continue
Because all of your hope is gone
As a result of having lost all hope
And your life is filled with much confusion
If you are experiencing a state of disarray in life
Until happiness is just an illusion
Where the concept of happiness seems unobtainable
And your world around is crumbling down
When everything seems to be falling apart
Darling (reach out)
Addressing someone in a caring manner
Come on girl, reach on out for me
Encouraging someone to seek help
(Reach out) reach out for me
Reiterating the importance of asking for support
I'll be there
Assuring someone of presence and support
With a love that will shelter you
Offering a safe haven filled with affection
When you feel lost and about to give up
During moments of despair and near surrender
Cause your best just ain't good enough
When someone feels like their efforts are not adequate
And your feel the world has grown cold
When the world seems hostile or unfriendly
And your drifting out all on your own
When you feel isolated from the outside world
And you need a hand to hold
When you require someone to support you
I'll be there to love and comfort you
Offering love and solace during hard times
And I'll be there to cherish and care for you
Pledging to value and provide for you
(I'll be there to always see you through)
Emphasising dedication to offering support
(I'll be there to love and comfort you)
Reiterating the commitment to provide love and care
I can tell the way you hang your head
Observing sadness and defeat in someone's body language
You're not in love now, now you're afraid
Recognising the absence of affection and noting the associated nervousness
And through your tears, you look around
Acknowledging emotional pain and searching for relief
But there's no peace of mind to be found
Despite efforts, no calming reassurance can be located
I know what you're thinking
Understanding the thoughts and feelings of someone else
You're alone now, no love of your own
Confirming a state of loneliness and a lack of romance or intimacy
But darling (reach out)
Reaffirming support and kindness
Come on, girl, reach on out for me
Encouraging someone to seek help again
(Reach out) just look over your shoulder
Another reminder to reach out and ask for assistence
I'll be there to give you
Offering to be present and supportive
All the love you need
Promising to be loving and caring
And I'll be there
Assuring availability and dependability
You can always depend on me...
Offering reassurance and reliability
Contributed by Layla C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
sauquoit13456
On this day in 1968 {November 30th} Merilee Rush performed her covered version of "Reach Out"* on the Dick Clark ABC-TV Saturday-afternoon program, 'American Bandstand'...
The very next day on December 1st the song entered Billboard's Top 100 chart at #89, the next week it remained at #89, for it's third week it was at #82, and then on it's fourth and final week on the chart it peaked at #79...
Besides "Reach Out", Ms. Rush had three other Top 100 records, "Angel of the Morning" {#7 in 1968}, "That Kind of Woman" {#76 in 1968}, and "Save Me" {#54 in 1977}...
Merrilee Rush, born Merrilee Gunst, will celebrate her 74th birthday in two months on January 26th {2018}...
* Exactly two years earlier on November 30th, 1966 the Four Tops' original version of "Reach Out" was at #32, seven weeks earlier it had peaked at #1 {for 2 weeks}...
bbowie
have loved this very different version since the day it came out!
David Tosh
This song came out back in October of 1968, when I heard it on the radio when I heard it for the first time, and it is the Four Tops' cover tune.
Jean Hodgson
This dramatic version is the definitive version. The versions you usually hear are banal, boring and very dated.
This version WAS played on pop stations: I heard it often.
Martin Pedersen
wow--dec-68-early pink floyd--mp-klod fm--kjr-kol-seattle-rock on
Dr Spaseebo
Far out !
KC3141
I can listen to it, but its too weird for top 40.
littlemikey1954
Great remake but too weird for Top 40 Radio sharing airtime with other hits of the time like "Sugar Sugar" by the Archies.
Would've fit the "underground radio" format perfectly with other records by Vanilla Fudge, Rotary Connection, Deep Purple, Pink Floyd, etc.