The Worst That Could Happen

Jimmy Webb

About The Worst That Could Happen

"Worst That Could Happen" is a song with lyrics and music written by singer-songwriter Jimmy Webb. Originally recorded by the 5th Dimension on their 1967 album of nearly all-Jimmy Webb songs, The Magic Garden, "Worst That Could Happen" was later recorded by Johnny Maestro & the Brooklyn Bridge and reached the Billboard Hot 100's top 40, at #38 on January 4, 1969, peaking at #3 on February 1-8, 1969. The song tells about a man wishing a woman well with whom he is still in love, but because the man was unwilling to settle down, she left him and is about to marry someone else who is more stable; the singer accepts the marriage but still feels that it is "the worst (thing) that could happen to (him)". It has been stated that, along with "MacArthur Park" and "By the Time I Get to Phoenix", "Worst That Could Happen" is about a relationship that Webb had had with a woman named Susan. The song is noted for the quoting of Mendelssohn's "Wedding March" from the incidental music to A Midsummer Night's Dream, which is heard at the end; in the Brooklyn Bridge version this is played by a handful of trumpets, while in the Fifth Dimension track, it is played by an electric organ. According to BMI (Broadcast Music Inc.) the legal title of the song is "Worst That Could Happen." more »

Year:: 1996
: 3:41
: 190 Views

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Jimmy Webb

Jimmy Webb (born August 15, 1946) is an American songwriter, composer, and singer. He wrote numerous platinum-selling classics, including "Up, Up and Away", "By the Time I Get to Phoenix", "Wichita Lineman", "Galveston", "The Worst That Could Happen", "All I Know", and "MacArthur Park". His songs have been performed by many popular contemporary singers, including Glen Campbell, The 5th Dimension, Thelma Houston, The Supremes, Richard Harris, Johnny Maestro, Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley, Isaac Hayes, Art Garfunkel, Amy Grant, America, Linda Ronstadt, R.E.M., Michael Feinstein, Donna Summer, Barbra Streisand, and Carly Simon. According to BMI, his song "By the Time I Get to Phoenix" was the third most performed song in the fifty years between 1940 and 1990. Web… more »

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11 facts about this song

Song Composer "The Worst That Could Happen" is a song composed by acclaimed songwriter and record producer, Jimmy Webb.
Song Performer The track was popularly performed by the Grammy Award-winning American pop vocal group, The 5th Dimension.
Original Version Despite its popularity with The 5th Dimension, it was first recorded by the group "The Brooklyn Bridge" in 1968.
Chart Performance The 5th Dimension's rendition of the song didn't require any charts, but The Brooklyn Bridge version climbed to number three on the Billboard Hot 100 in December 1968.
Song Interpretation "The Worst That Could Happen" is considered a melodramatic ballad, referring to a young man's emotions upon learning his former girlfriend is getting married.
Usage in Popular Culture The song was used in the season one finale of "Nip/Tuck," a widely popular American television series.
Album Feature The Brooklyn Bridge’s version of the song was included in their debut eponymous album.
Cover Versions Over the years, many different artists have covered the song, including singer Johnny Maestro.
Jimmy Webb's Recognition As the songwriter of "The Worst That Could Happen," Jimmy Webb is known for producing numerous hits for other artists such as Frank Sinatra, Barbra Streisand, and Glen Campbell.
The 5th Dimension's Reputation While The 5th Dimension's rendition of the song didn't chart, they are well-known for their popular hits such as "Up, Up and Away" and "Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In".
Song Style Like many of Webb's compositions, "The Worst That Could Happen" exhibits a mix of melodic pop and articulate lyricism, contributing to its timeless appeal.

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"The Worst That Could Happen Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 7 May 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/1585006/Jimmy+Webb/The+Worst+That+Could+Happen>.

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