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.
Umbrella Man
The Partridge Family Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Your world is cloudy, blue skies turned to gray
Raindrops are fallin', but why stop and call it a day?
There'll be no stormy weather as long as you're with me
Our love's so together, Girl, I love ya, you can depend on me
I'll be your Umbrella Man, shower you with all my love
Umbrella Man, shelter you in my lovin' arms
Love You, Love You, Love You
Too many nights of love have come and gone.
That's all behind us, girl, I know we can get it on
Well, I want your love to be always close at hand
You're heaven-sent to me, we can make it, girl, I know we can
I'll be your Umbrella Man, shower you with all my love
Umbrella Man, shelter you in my lovin' arms
Umbrella Man, Heaven help me, child you know I love you
Love You, Love You, Love You
The Partridge Family's song "Umbrella Man" is a romantic tune about being a reliable partner through thick and thin. The song starts with an acknowledgment of life's difficult moments, represented by cloudy and gray skies and falling raindrops. Despite these challenges, the singer reassures his love interest that he will always be there for her, and they will weather any storm together. He promises to be her "Umbrella Man," offering shelter and love through anything that comes their way.
The lyrics touch on the idea of commitment and dependability. The singer acknowledges that their relationship has had its ups and downs, but he is determined to keep their love close at hand and make it work. His devotion to his partner is unwavering, and he wants her to know that he will always be there to provide shelter and support.
Overall, "Umbrella Man" is a sweet and uplifting love song that encourages listeners to trust in the power of love to get through tough times. The idea of being someone's "Umbrella Man" is a powerful metaphor for the role that love and support can play in helping us weather life's storms.
Line by Line Meaning
Your world is cloudy, blue skies turned to gray
Your life seems difficult and sad, as if happiness has disappeared.
Raindrops are fallin', but why stop and call it a day?
There may be problems or obstacles which seem overwhelming, but we should not give up without trying first.
There'll be no stormy weather as long as you're with me
I promise to protect you and keep you safe, and our love will conquer any difficult situation.
Our love's so together, Girl, I love ya, you can depend on me
Our relationship is strong and trustworthy, and I want you to know that I love and support you.
I'll be your Umbrella Man, shower you with all my love
I will be your protector and companion, sharing with you all my affection, care and attention.
Umbrella Man, shelter you in my lovin' arms
I will hold you close and keep you warm and comforted, reassuring you that everything will be alright.
Umbrella Man, Heaven help me, child you know I love you
I am devoted to you and will do my best to make you happy and secure, praying for blessings and guidance from above.
Too many nights of love have come and gone.
We have experienced many moments of intimacy and affection, but they seem distant or fleeting.
That's all behind us, girl, I know we can get it on
Let's forget about the past and focus on the present and future, as we have the potential to revive our passion and pursue our dreams together.
Well, I want your love to be always close at hand
I desire your love and company to be readily available and accessible, as it gives me strength and joy.
You're heaven-sent to me, we can make it, girl, I know we can
I believe that you are a gift from God, a source of inspiration and hope, and that we can overcome any obstacle or challenge by trusting each other and ourselves.
Love You, Love You, Love You
I love you deeply and sincerely, and want to express it in every possible way.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: MIKE APPEL, JIM CRETECOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@tywill10
How much of today's music makes you feel good when you hear it? The music of The Partridge Family always does that for me. Their songs were consistently well crafted, beautifully performed and stamped with David Cassidy's unmistakable voice, accompanied by those sublimely harmonic background vocals! Refreshing. And coupled with the nostalgia of the TV show, I'm taken back to a simpler, WONDERFUL part of the 70's! That's what it's all about!
@judydenver5362
Most PERFECT Comment!!! Tyrone Williams!!! How absolutely perfect and wonderfully true!!!!!
@anneleeman3938
WELL SAID!!!.... ABSOLUTELY & POSITIVELY The MOST CONSISTENTLY WELL WRITTEN & WELL SUNG(BY EVERYONE!) I' M SO ENJOYING THIS! THANKS FOR POSTING... WOW... JUST WOW!!!!
SO VERY UNDERRATED...
@judydenver5362
What a fantastic song, as all of the Partridge Family songs are! So amazingly perfect, Happy, feel good, beautifully made by the top musicians in the biz!!! And the perfect, breathy, sexy, incredibly talented gorgeous David Cassidy!!! Never gets any better than this!!!!
@deborah7602
Idk how I landed on this. It does bring back memories from the seventies. I had a very big crush on David Cassidy (I had a picture of him above my bed and gave him a kiss each night before I went night-night). I still remember when I found out that most of the Partridge Family did not sing! That was devastating! He had the adoration of virtually the entire planet but I bet he would have traded all of that to gain the approval of his father. 😢
@newellgirl
love the musical performances of Larry Knechtel (RIP 2009) & Hal Blaine, one of the main reasons why I love the Partridge Family music. Love the actors as well reminds me of summer and good holiday times.
@mick62mick
MARVELLOUS or what? Instantly takes me back to those golden days! And it sounds like it was recorded yesterday! Quality like that dosen't date. I always loved the emotive way David and Shirley projected the songs on screen. At the end of this great song,you will see that Shirley is REALLY 'into it', and I'm watery-eyed with emotion. Tyrone Williams post on this page, pretty much says it all!
@Riley0205
I find it strange being on the back-side of 45, & having such limited recall of certain childhood memories. In comparison, when it comes to (ALL) these songs,every word,every nuance,ALL THINGS PF/DC, come back to me in an instant.I liken it to an instant time warp! Now, listening to these songs with a more mature ear,I marvel @ how great they really were,& it wasn't just a childhood thing! Now, All these pre-fab Disney kids sound the same. I think we had pretty good taste back in the day!
@coconutgrove7
ohhhh, one of my very favorite songs David Cassidy sang. I remember feeling so happy when listening to this. I always loved the way he belted out the lyrics on this, so much I would blast the stereo until he faded away. David Cassidy has been pure Bliss since 1970 ♥♥♥
@marylounelson4460
Love David's vocals on this, another little gem.