Created by Bernard Slade, the series was inspired by and loosely based on The Cowsills, a real singing family in the late sixties. In fact, in its early development the Cowsill children were approached to be featured on the show, though that idea was quickly discarded (The Cowsills rejected the offer when producers wanted to replace their real-life mother Barbara in the cast). The show starred Shirley Jones as mother Shirley Partridge and David Cassidy (Jones' real-life stepson) as her son Keith. The remaining Partridge children were played by Susan Dey as Laurie, Danny Bonaduce as Danny, Jeremy Gelbwaks (replaced after one year by Brian Forster) as Chris, and Suzanne Crough as Tracy Partridge. Dave Madden played Reuben Kincaid, who was their manager and family friend.
The back of the bus, became an icon for the show, due to its Mondrianesque paint design.
The Partridge Family was produced for ABC by Screen Gems television, which was just finishing its run with The Monkees, another show about a fictional music group. The company promoted the success of the show by releasing a series of albums featuring the music of the family band, though most cast members did not actually play on the recordings. A group of studio singers and musicians, led by producer Wes Farrell actually created the Partridge Family sound. Although he was originally cast with the intent to lip sync, just weeks into production David Cassidy convinced Farrell he could sing, and was allowed to join the studio ensemble as the lead singer. Several songs were made without Cassidy as lead, they were featured in some of the early episodes and on the first album. He and Shirley Jones, who sang background, were the only cast members who were actually featured on the recordings. The whole cast would lip sync to the recordings when they performed on each episode, though it was obvious to most viewers that the actors were lip-synching, The Partridge Family became an instant success, not only as a TV show, but as a band that produced actual hit songs.
The Partridge Family's biggest hit came in 1970 with the song "I Think I Love You," which began climbing the Billboard chart in September and peaked at number one in December of that year. The companion LP, "The Partridge Family Album" reached number four. Other Partridge Family singles including, "I'll Meet You Halfway", "Doesn't Somebody Want To Be Wanted", and "I Woke Up in Love This Morning" would also chart high on the Billboard chart. The theme songs "When We're Singing", and its successor "C'Mon, Get Happy" were composed by Danny Janssen and Wes Farrell.
The title card for the pilot episode of The Partridge Family was, "What? and Get Out of Show Business?".
As the show and associated merchandizing took off, David Cassidy became an overnight teen idol. Cassidy launched a solo singing career, touring with his own group of musicians and performing Partridge Family songs as well as hits from his own albums. In the midst of his overwhelming rise to fame, Cassidy soon grew tired of the show. In the summer of 1972 he gave a very candid interview to Rolling Stone magazine in which he attempted to distance himself from the squeaky-clean image of Keith Partridge.
By the fourth season, due to declining ratings and Cassidy's looming departure, a feeble effort was made by the producers to breathe new life into the show. They introduced a precocious 4-year-old neighbor named "Ricky Stevens" played by Ricky Segall to occasionally sing children's songs with the band. To no avail, the ABC network moved the show from its 8:30 Friday night slot to Saturday at 8:00, directly opposite the hit All in the Family, against which they knew it would not survive. The show was cancelled, after 96 episodes and ten Partridge Family albums.
The Partridge Family had a brief resurgence in animated form, which saw the family propelled into the future. The animated Partridge Family first appeared when the kids did a series of guest spots on "Goober and the Ghost Chasers". That idea evolved into a CBS Saturday morning Hanna-Barbera-produced cartoon, "Partridge Family 2200 A.D.". It featured new characters Veenie (Keith's Venusian friend) and Marion (Laurie's Martian friend). Danny had a pet robot dog named Orbit. Shirley Jones and David Cassidy did not voice their animated counterparts, and Susan Dey and Dave Madden had very limited involvement with this series. Sixteen half-hour installments were produced for the animated series, which lasted for half a season on CBS Saturday morning (September 7, 1974 - March 8, 1975); on the syndicated Fred Flintstone and Friends, it was retitled The Partridge Family in Outer Space.
Nickelodeon featured a heavily publicized run of the original series in the early- to mid-90s, along with the Brady Bunch, as part of its Nick-At-Nite line-up. The network used interviews and commercials featuring cast members, and even created a new version of the Mondrian-esque Family bus for promotion.
In 2000 two different made-for-TV movies aired on different networks; Both "Come On Get Happy" and "The David Cassidy Story" attempted to tell the story behind the series. While the movies were criticized as being somewhat inaccurate, they did recreate some of the imagery and music from the original series. "Come On Get Happy" even featured another replication of the bus, which was later auctioned off on eBay.
A modernized version of the bus was created for a new promotion in 2004, when VH1 premiered In Search of The New Partridge Family. This talent competition in the format of American Idol sought a new cast for a contemporary version of the sitcom. The elimination type program aired seven episodes in which a panel of judges selected a new Partridge Family cast from auditioners across the country. The resulting pilot episode of The New Partridge Family aired in January of 2005, but due to low ratings VH1 opted not to produce any more episodes.
The first two seasons of the original series were released as of October 2005 on DVD from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment. Also, at the same time Arista Records released a new music compilation, "Come On Get Happy!: The Very Best of The Partridge Family," which included four previously unreleased tracks.
Despite the prefabricated nature of the "band", the Partridge Family's records were some of the best arranged and produced of their day. Much care was given not only to the overall sound, but even to show that sound would translate to AM radio, then the major outlet for pop music. The writing was equally good, at least on the early albums. However, as ratings and record sales began to drop, so did the quality of the material.
Daydreamer
The Partridge Family Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When the sun was in the sky
And love was burning in your eyes
Nothing in the world could bother me
'Cause I was living in a world of ecstasy
But now you're gone I'm just a daydreamer
I'm walking in the rain
Life is much too beautiful to live it all alone
Oh how much I need someone to call my very own
Now the summer's over
And I find myself alone
With only memories of you
I was so in love I couldn't see
'Cause I was living in a world of make believe
But now you're gone I'm just a daydreamer
I'm walking in the rain
Chasing after rainbows I may never find again
Life is much too beautiful to live it all alone
Oh how much I need someone to call my very own
I'm just a daydreamer
I'm walking in the rain
Chasing after rainbows I may never find again
Life is much too beautiful to live it all alone
Oh how much I need someone to call my very own
I'm just a
The lyrics of The Partridge Family's song "Daydreamer" evoke a sense of nostalgia and longing for a lost love. The singer reminisces about a past relationship, particularly during the month of April when everything seemed perfect and full of love. The imagery of the sun in the sky and the burning love in their eyes sets a romantic and sentimental tone, capturing the essence of a blissful time.
As the lyrics progress, there is a shift in the mood as the singer reflects on how the absence of their partner has left them feeling like a mere daydreamer. The once vibrant world of ecstasy and happiness has now turned into a lonely and melancholic state, symbolized by the act of walking in the rain and chasing after rainbows that may never be found again. This change highlights the contrast between the past joy and the current emptiness felt by the singer.
The theme of loneliness and longing for companionship is further emphasized in the lyrics as the singer expresses their deep yearning for someone to share their life with. The lyrics convey a sense of vulnerability and a desire for connection, suggesting that life is much more fulfilling and beautiful when shared with a loved one. The memories of the lost love continue to linger, serving as a painful reminder of what once was and what is now missing.
The repetition of the chorus, with the singer proclaiming themselves as just a daydreamer walking in the rain and chasing after elusive rainbows, reinforces the idea of a fruitless search for something that may never be attained. Despite the yearning and longing expressed throughout the song, there is a sense of acceptance in the realization that life is too precious to be lived in solitude, emphasizing the importance of finding a meaningful connection with another person.
Line by Line Meaning
I remember April
Reflecting on a time when things were better
When the sun was in the sky
When everything seemed bright and positive
And love was burning in your eyes
Feeling loved and connected to someone special
Nothing in the world could bother me
A sense of peace and contentment
'Cause I was living in a world of ecstasy
Being in a state of extreme happiness
But now you're gone I'm just a daydreamer
Longing for someone who is no longer there
I'm walking in the rain
Feeling lost and alone
Chasing after rainbows I may never find again
Pursuing an ideal or goal that may be out of reach
Life is much too beautiful to live it all alone
Realizing the value of companionship and love
Oh how much I need someone to call my very own
Desiring a deep connection with another person
Now the summer's over
Acknowledging a change in circumstances
With only memories of you
Holding onto the past
I was so in love I couldn't see
Blind to the realities of the situation
'Cause I was living in a world of make believe
Indulging in illusion or fantasy
I'm just a daydreamer
Lost in dreams and wishes
Oh how much I need someone to call my very own
Yearning for a true connection
Lyrics © ANGELA MUSIC
Written by: Terry Dempsey
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Julie Wattlebee
💔 Heartbroken to learn David Cassidy has died 💔
Another legend of my youth has gone beyond the veil to a more peaceful & pain free place while we who loved them grieve their earthly presence 😢🎼
🎼 I "Cherish" the music and gentle loving voice of David Cassidy 🎤 I'm grateful for my LP collection❣️ 🎼🎸
RIP mate "I think I love you" from Downunder in Aussieland 💞🙏
David Cassidy 🎤🎸 Glen Campbell both Angels in Heaven 🎼
onehotgossip
David Cassidy - Daydreamer
I remember April when the sun was in the sky
And love was burning in your eyes
Nothing in the world could bother me
'Cause I was living in a world of ecstasy
But now you're gone
I'm just a
Daydreamer
Walking in the rain
Chasin' after rainbows I may never find again
Life is much too beautiful to live it all alone
Oh, how much I need someone to call my very own
Now the summer's over
And I find myself alone
With only memories of you
I was so in love I couldn't see
'Cause I was living in a world of make-believe
But now you're gone
I'm just a
Daydreamer
Walking in the rain
Chasing after rainbows I may never find again
Life is much too beautiful to live it all alone
Oh, how much I need someone to call my very own
I'm just a daydreamer
Walking in the rain
Chasing after rainbows I may never find again
Life is much too beautiful to live it all alone
Oh how much I need someone to call my very own
I'm just a daydreamer, baby
David Farrell
It's hard to put into words how easy life was in the 70's as a child. Thank you to my elders!!!xxx
Paul Alexander Manley
It's hard to put into words because it wasn't easy for every child, grow up.
Michael Rauch
Living as a child is always easy unless your parents don't let you.
Chris Gill
yep...just easier
David Farrell
@Travis Eddy do I know you?
Travis Eddy
Hi David
Bridget D
In addition to his absolutely good looks, David Cassidy was also a gifted singer with a distinctive voice. Thank you for all the good music. Rest in peace.
Maria S
So true.
Hussein Hussein
48 Years on and this song still sounds great R I P David Cassidy
Kenneth
RIP David. You touched millions of lives in a positive way.