Here’s a late-60s tune I’m sure you can’t place but will probably remember when you hear it. The tune is “When I Die,” a one-hit wonder by a group called Motherlode, and it’s today’s classic song of the day.
Not to be confused with Laura Nyro’s tune “And When I Die,” a big hit for Blood, Sweat & Tears, Motherlode’s “When I Die” is a sweet little piece of soul pop with some appealing harmonies. Released in April of 1969, it’s about a guy promising his girl that, whatever happened in the past, he’ll try to do better in the future:
When I die I hope to be
A better man than you thought I’d be
It’s been hard to make you see
What kind of man I’m tryin’ to be
All I ask for you to try
To understand what it means to me
Motherlode was a Canadian band with a very short half-life. They formed in London, Ontario, early in 1969 from the remains of several other groups and lasted just long enough to record two albums, breaking up in December of 1969. They’ve since reformed and re-reformed a few times, but that early output was pretty much all they had.
“When I Die” was Motherlode’s big single. Written by bandmembers Steve Kennedy and William Smith, it went all the way to #18 on the Billboard Hot 100, #12 on the Cash Box Top 100, and #1 on Canada’s RPM Top Singles chart. Motherlode released a couple of other singles that grazed the charts in Canada, but “When I Die” was their only U.S. hit.
And here’s something special for you, a rare promo video for Motherlode’s “When I Die.” It’s today’s daily bonus video of the day.
