The Top Ten Songs by the Cowsills

One of the most popular American musical acts of the late 1960's and early 1970's was The Cowsills. This musical group was comprised entirely of members of a family named the Cowsills. The Cowsill brothers, along with their sister Susan and mother Barbara, are renowned for their incredible vocal harmonizing. Over the course of several years, The Cowsills recorded a number of well - received albums and singles, which still regularly receive airplay on radio stations worldwide, decades later. The Cowsills were also the inspiration for ABC - TV's The Partridge Family.

Among the many songs released by the Cowsills are rock classics such as The Rain, The Park And Other Things, Hair and Indian Lake. The Cowsills have experienced the loss of several members, but the group still performs, and sounds better than ever, in the 2000's. Presented here, is one music lover's determination of the top ten songs by The Cowsills.

The Path of Love
To this reviewer, this Cowsills song is a great example of the top - notch multi - harmony type of song that inspired the creation of The Partridge Family. The lyrics in this song are inspirational and the chorus, or refrain is very catchy and makes you want to sing along.

With lyrics that urge the listener to strive to be good every day and to count your blessings and be happy with what you've got, this Cowsills song provides an up - lifting message that everyone could benefit from. The vocals in this song are clear and strong and the driving bass line, throbbing drums and snappy tambourine work provide a great platform for the soaring chorus vocals. This Cowsills song is from the 1968 album Captain Sad and His Ship of Fools.

Indian Lake
With its pulsating bass line, catchy tambourine and great keyboard work, Indian Lake is an infectiously happy Cowsills song that instantly evokes images of summertime fun as soon as it is played. From the 1968 album Captain Sad and His Ship of Fools, this song mentions daffodils, "honey - lovin' mama bears" and making the scene with your little ones. If you're feeling down in the dumps, this is a good song to listen to. You almost can't help but get happy after hearing this song.

This Cowsills song is actually an incredibly wholesome tune that could easily be used as a summer camp theme song. Personally, I think that Indian Lake is one of the happiest, most positive songs I've ever heard. Other parts of this song that really stand out to me, are the incredible vocal harmonies and the almost - mysterious little background vocals, some of which are spoken.

My favorite parts of the song are the "Dit - dit- dit - dit - dit - dit" lead - in to the chorus and for some reason, when a background voice intones "Let's go to", leading into "Indian Lake is the scene you should make".. This Cowsills song exudes a real sense of innocence that is missed in today's world.

Can't Measure The Cost....Of A Woman Lost
Aside from having an incredible title, this song features some poignant and soul - searching lyrics that are timeless. Written by David Gates, from the band Bread, this passionate song features a nice, mellow sound that spotlights the insightful and longing lyrics. From the 1968 album Captain Sad and His Ship of Fools.

Silver Threads And Golden Needles
While it might sound slightly dis - jointed at first, this version of Silver Threads And Golden Needles is actually quite tight and together. This is definitely the most original - sounding version of the song that I have ever heard. The song starts out in a traditional vein and morphs into a fairly - progressive jam of swirling psychedelia.

The stripped - down sound in this Cowsills song is classic ' 60's combo - style, with guitar, bass, drums, keyboards, tambourine and shared, harmonious vocals. From 1970's II X II album.

The Rain The Park And Other Things
This Cowsills song is the aural equivalent of a blissed - out psychedelic garden. Definitely one of their most well - known songs, The Rain The Park And Other Things is a trippy, almost bubblegummy tune that features a memorable and hummable melody and chorus.

If you're not familiar with the title of this Cowsills song, you've probably heard it many times, on the radio, or on television. With its words of "She could make me happy Happy....Happy" and "I love the flower girl", The Rain The Park And Other Things exemplifies The Cowsills unique harmony skills and upbeat messages. Musically, this song from 1967's The Cowsills album, is well - orchestrated and imaginatively - presented.

Hair
This Cowsills song is a true American rock masterpiece. With an almost - campy and irreverent style, the Cowsills zoomed in on the changing American social landscape of the 1960's and articulated the times musically, to a tee.

Starting off slow and quiet, this Cowsills song features almost theatrical background vocals, great musicianship and excellent lyrics. Only the Cowsills could sing "Oh say can you see, my eyes if you can, then my hair's too short." This song is a real rock and roll classic.

Signs
The Cowsills cut loose and rock - out on this song. Yet another Cowsills song that features top - rate bass and drums, rhythm work, this excellent song even includes acid - tinged guitar solos. Not to be confused with the rock classic "Signs" by the under - rated Five Man Electrical Band.

Love American Style
An upbeat and peppy song that includes seductive horns, interesting percussion, great lyrics and a melody that was made for television. In fact, this was the theme song for the first year of the classic ABC television comedy of the same name. From 1967's The Cowsills album.

Prophecy of Daniel & John the Divine, The (Six-Six-Six)
Strong harmonies, fairly heavy - sounding Quasi - religious and almost mystical - sounding at times, Prophecy of Daniel & John the Divine, The (Six-Six-Six) is a real departure from much of the Cowsills recorded work. This song is about a woman named Babylon who rises from the ocean, 'arrayed in purple'.

The chorus repeats "Six is the number (six)..Six is the number of a man" and is quasi - psychedelic in presentation. This is actually a very spiritual song that is featured on 1970's II X II album..

When Everybody's Here
Rollicking and easy - rolling, this song features a driving rhythm section, sunny vocal harmonies and the Cowsills' trademark strong, happy lead vocals. The message here is nothing more complicated than appreciating and enjoying other people's company and having a good time.

Sources :
http://www.google.com
http://www.allthelyrics.com
http://www.cowsill.com
http://en.wikipedia.org
Many years of being a Cowsills fan
http://www.lyricsmode.com