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'Windy' was written by Ruthann Friedman, a singer/songwriter entrenched in the San Francisco and Los Angeles music scene in the '60s, recorded in 1967 by 'The Association' and a worldwide #1 hit.

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The Association 'Windy'
'Windy' was written by Ruthann Friedman, a singer/songwriter entrenched in the San Francisco and Los Angeles music scene in the '60s, recorded in 1967 by 'The Association' and a worldwide #1 hit.

Although Ruthann Friedman won't reveal the identity of "Windy," she tells us that he was another singer/songwriter, and not "a freewheeling Haight Ashbury Hippy" as often reported.

Friedman says of the song: "I have heard so many different permutations of what the song was about. Here is the TRUTH.

I was sitting on my bed - the apartment on the first floor of David Crosby's house in Beverly Glenn - and there was a fellow who came to visit and was sitting there staring at me as if he was going to suck the life out of me.

So I started to fantasize about what kind of a guy I would like to be with, and that was Windy - a guy (fantasy). The song took about 20 minutes to write."

The Association turned 'Windy' into a girl.

Bones Howe produced this song, making significant changes to Ruthann Friedman's demo to give the song more pop appeal. The song was written in waltz time, but Howe changed it to a standard 4/4 beat.

He also opened the song with the bassline, added the recorder solo, and had the group sing the "ba-ba-ba-ba-ba" backing vocals.

The song became Howe's first #1 as a producer. He would top the chart again with two more productions: "Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In" and "Wedding Bell Blues," both recorded by The 5th Dimension.

This was The Association's second #1 hit. Their first was "Cherish," recorded the previous year.

After "Windy"'s run at #1 on the Hot 100, "Never My Love" almost matched the feat in late 1967, peaking at #2 on the singles chart (it did hit #1 on "Cashbox"). "Never My Love" was composed by Don and Dick Addrisi, The Addrisi Brothers of "We've Got to Get It On" and "Slow Dancin' Don't Turn Me On" fame.

The song's composer Ruthann Friedman was 25 years old when she wrote this song.

She had written at least 100 songs, but hadn't placed one with a major artist.

When The Association turned "Windy" into both a girl & a massive hit, it gave her both rent money and validation.

Her mother pegged her as a secretary, and made her take a course hoping she would go that route. Instead, she left her family behind in the Bronx and headed for California to make music.

Comments:

As the World Turner's

My name is Wendy, I was born in 73, my parents loved the Association.  We went to see them in concert at Lewis and Clark Community College in Godfrey IL when I was a kid.

My brother and I were in the parking lot tossing a football, waiting for the concert to start, when a few guys came by and played with us.

A bit later, while listening and enjoying my very first concert, one of the members of the Association, said this song is dedicated to a little girl who really knows how to play football.

Then they played Windy! 

Right then I knew that song was for me!  Its one of my most cherished memories!

Thank you to the Association for that great moment in my life.

How sweet is that ! - Ed - PortMac.News

herman'shermitsmusic

The Association needs to be in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, who agrees with me!

Henry K

This may sound weird, but when I  listen to this, I close my eyes. It puts me back into an era where my Aunts, Uncles, Grandparents and Parents were still alive. ~Sigh~

Jutt Rockjaw

Got to see these guys in Tampa in 67, on a bill with The Beach Boys, ? and The Mysterians, The Lefte Bank. What a great show. Those really were the days....

14Adam27

They don't make songs like this any more.  So sad.

Julia Brodovsky

God they just fill me with energy and joy.

william tilton

there was an optimism to their sound absent today

Eddy G's Music World

this wouldn`t be a hit today,its too good.

pelphro

God I love this piece-so optimistic,vary uplifting,and it certainly has a charisma of a world of peace and happiness!

josef mengele

for all of yall that weren't there in those fabulous days,  my  condolences

Karl Fortuin

Who wants to go back in time when music was more inspirational it came from the soul I bet that era was more fun the peace n love true hallafamers thanks for sharing this groovy tune everyone be safe

Aaron Gordon

Love this song into 2020.

MerkinMuffly

Associations' harmonizing is right up there with Simon & Garfunkel and Beach Boys.

derek sanderson

as I have read quite a few of these posts, it is easy to see many of the authors were hitting their stride in the 60's and to all of you who I proudly call brothers and sisters how so lucky we were to have lived in what I call the last of the Best Times. Ride on


Check this out CLICK HERE: “The Many Moods Of Ravinia” a 60 minute documentary featuring a live version of 'Windy' (at 33.57) with 'Windy Girl' actress Pamela Gilbreath insert into concert footage - classic '60s clip shot around Chicago. Doc also features other soul & jazz acts from the 1967 Chicago 'Ravinia' festival

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