From HARD CANDY
Written by Ned Doheny & Hamish Stuart
Ned Doheny is a gifted singer/songwriter. In the second half of the seventies he developed a unique sound that mixed the acoustic melodies of Jackson Browne and James Taylor with the black rhythms of labels like Motown and Stax. “Hard Candy,” released in 1976, was his second album and his first collaboration with Steve Cropper. The famous guitarist for Booker T. and the MG’s, Cropper also co-wrote hits like “Knock On Wood,” “(Sittin’ On The) Dock Of The Bay,” and “In The Midnight Hour.” Cropper’s influence is an important factor on “Hard Candy,” especially the album’s funkier moments. The result is a sophisticated record that is an absolute pleasure to listen from start to finish. Doheny’s fine efforts are helped by the wonderful musicianship of Victor Feldman and John Guerin of the L.A. Express, Tom Scott, the Tower Of Power Horns and the incredible skills of a young David Foster. Foster plays on all but one of the tracks and accompanies Doheny’s pleasing voice with his masterful keyboards. Other great moments are the soul/funky opener, “Get It Up For Love,” and “Sing To Me.” Among the special guests on the album are Hamish Stuart, lead singer of Average White Band who sings on his own song, Linda Ronstadt, J.D. Souther, plus Don Henley and Glen Frey of the Eagles.
“A Love Of Your Own,” a rarefied, intense ballad, is probably the most famous song on “Hard Candy.” It was a big hit for the Average White Band around that same time. This first co-writing effort between Doheny and Stuart started a relationship that created many other special songs for AWB and others like Chaka Khan, George Benson and Ben E. King.
A couple of years later, Ned Doheny released another great album, “Prone,” with Cropper as producer and Foster as main keyboardist. This album is another winner for listeners who appreciate quality music.
Listen
[audio:https://www.fozfan.com/archives/clips/a_love_of_your_own.mp3|titles=A love of your own|artists=Ned Doheny]
Lead Vocal & Acoustic Guitar: Ned Doheny
Keyboards: David Foster
Electric Guitars: Ernie Corello & Steve Cropper
Bass: Laszlo Wicky
Drums: Gary Mallaber
Vibes: Victor Feldman
Background Vocals: Hamish Stuart & Ned Doheny
Horns: Tower Of Power
Horns arranged by Greg Adams
Produced by Steve Cropper
Lyrics
The sooner you give, the sooner you get to have
A love of your own
The longer it takes, the better you come to know
A love of your own, ooh
Now don’t you be afraid, to give your heart
You never know till you try it, yeah
Don’t deny it to yourself
Don’t be afraid, just walk right on in
The door is standing open, you know I’m always hoping
The sooner you give, the sooner you get to have
A love of your own
As far as you go, you’re never too far behind
A love of your own
Now don’t you be afraid to shoot the moon
You’ll never know till you try it
Don’t deny it to yourself
Don’t you be afraid to change your tune, ooh
The offers always open, you know I’m always hoping
You know I’m always hoping
For, A love of My own, to shelter me from the cold
A love of My own,
A love of My own you never too far behind
A love of your own
You’ve got to keep looking till you find
A love of your own
A love of your own
You’ve got to keep looking till you find
A love of your own