Fact-checked by Grok 2 weeks ago

It's Getting Better

"It's Getting Better" is a pop written by and , recorded by American singer , known professionally as Mama Cass, and released as a single in May 1969 by Dunhill Records. The track, with its upbeat melody and lyrics depicting the slow but steady growth of a romantic relationship from initial uncertainty to joyful fulfillment, marked Elliot's first major solo success following her departure from the folk-rock group . Produced by and featuring arrangements by Jimmie Haskell, the recording utilized the renowned Wrecking Crew session musicians, contributing to its polished, optimistic sound characteristic of late-1960s . The single quickly gained popularity, debuting on the at number 88 on June 7, 1969, and climbing to a peak position of number 30 on August 16, where it spent a total of 19 weeks on the chart. In the , it performed even stronger, entering the Official Singles Chart on August 16, 1969, and reaching number 8, remaining on the chart for 15 weeks with two weeks in the top 10. Backed by the B-side "Who's to Blame," written by , the release was later included on Elliot's reconfigured debut solo album, Make Your Own Kind of Music / It's Getting Better, highlighting her transition to a more contemporary pop style after the group's dissolution. Beyond its commercial achievements, "It's Getting Better" exemplifies the era's shift toward feel-good, pop amid broader cultural changes, and it has endured as a beloved track in Elliot's catalog, often featured in compilations of hits and tributes to her versatile voice. The song's enduring appeal lies in its simple yet evocative message of hope and improvement in love, resonating with listeners through its warm production and Elliot's distinctive, soulful delivery.

Background and Composition

Songwriters and Inspiration

"It's Getting Better" was written by and , a husband-and-wife songwriting team central to the sound of the . Known for their chart-topping collaborations, including "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'" for and "On Broadway" for , Mann typically composed the music while Weil crafted the lyrics, though their process often involved iterative exchanges to refine both elements. The duo completed the song in 1968. Drawing from the era's aesthetic, it features an upbeat melody in a major key and straightforward verse-chorus structure supported by simple I-IV-V chord progressions, evoking an optimistic and lighthearted vibe. Lyrically, the song explores themes of understated romance and gradual emotional growth, contrasting idealized notions of love with quiet, everyday tenderness. Lines such as "Once I believed that when love came to me / It would come with rockets, bells and poetry / But with me and you / It just started quietly" illustrate this progression toward a hopeful realization that "it's getting better all the time." This feel-good narrative reflects and Weil's knack for blending accessibility with emotional depth, hallmarks of their contributions.

Early Recordings

The song "It's Getting Better," written by and , received its debut commercial recording by the American vocal group on their first album for , Turn Around, Look at Me, released in 1968. Positioned as the second track, it exemplified the quartet's signature close-harmony vocals layered over an upbeat pop arrangement, reflecting their evolution from roots to mid-1960s pop sensibilities. The album, produced by Dick Glasser and featuring arrangements by , captured a polished sound amid the group's transition to a major label. Released in August 1968 without promotion as a standalone single, the track garnered little attention, failing to chart within the top 100 and overshadowed by the album's title song, which became a minor hit. Mann and Weil, known for pitching their compositions to various artists and publishers, had developed the song as part of their prolific output for Screen Gems-Columbia Music, but early demo efforts did not yield immediate success. In the fiercely competitive 1960s pop landscape, filled with emerging rock acts and chart-topping singles, "It's Getting Better" lingered as an overlooked album cut, awaiting broader recognition.

Cass Elliot Version

Recording and Production

Cass Elliot recorded "It's Getting Better" in early 1969 as part of sessions for her second solo album, Bubblegum, Lemonade, and... Something for Mama, released on Dunhill Records. The track, written by and , was selected to align with the album's lighthearted, optimistic tone. Producer , Dunhill's in-house A&R director, oversaw the sessions, aiming for a polished sound that showcased Elliot's versatile vocals amid orchestral arrangements and layered harmonies. Barri's approach emphasized upbeat rhythms and bright production to distinguish Elliot's solo work from her prior folk-rock roots, incorporating backing vocals to evoke the harmonious style of her former group. Following the 1968 breakup of , Elliot transitioned to a solo career, seeking a lighter, more commercial image through bubblegum-infused pop material that highlighted her warm range. This shift was evident in her vocal delivery on "It's Getting Better," where multiple takes captured an effervescent, confident tone suited to the song's resilient lyrics. The album was later reissued in November 1969 as Make Your Own Kind of Music with an additional track. Production choices included arranger Jimmie Haskell's orchestral elements, such as strings and horns, supporting an upbeat tempo of approximately 134 to enhance the track's joyful momentum. These decisions reinforced the album's bubblegum theme of sugary, accessible pop, positioning "It's Getting Better" as a key example of Elliot's adaptation to contemporary trends. During the same sessions, "Who's to Blame," written by Elliot's sister , was chosen as the B-side, providing a complementary, introspective contrast in a young adult contemporary style.

Release and Chart Performance

"It's Getting Better" was released as a in May 1969 in the United States by Dunhill Records, serving as the from Cass Elliot's second solo album Bubblegum, Lemonade, and... Something for Mama. In the , the followed in June 1969 via Stateside Records. Promotion emphasized radio airplay and television exposure, including Elliot's live performance of the song on in 1969, capitalizing on her recent departure from to build her solo profile. The single achieved moderate commercial success internationally. In the US, it peaked at number 30 on the Billboard Hot 100 in August 1969 and spent 18 weeks on the chart, while reaching number 13 on the Adult Contemporary chart. It performed stronger in the UK, climbing to number 8 on the Singles Chart and number 3 in Ireland. Sales were estimated at approximately 500,000 copies in the and 100,000 in the UK, marking it as a moderate without . On year-end charts, it ranked number 78 in the UK for but did not secure a prominent position in the due to its mid-tier peak.

Reception and Legacy

Critical Response

Upon its release in , "It's Getting Better" received positive attention from music trade publications for Cass Elliot's vocal delivery and the track's optimistic tone. noted its potential in the Spotlights section. Cash Box listed the single in its Top 100 without additional commentary but noted its production by and arrangement by Jimmie Haskell, underscoring its polished sound. Retrospective analyses have positioned Elliot's version as a quintessential example of late-1960s sunshine pop, praising its effervescent melody and her charismatic, uplifting vocals that elevated the Barry Mann-Cynthia Weil composition. In a 2019 overview, the track was called "eternally optimistic," contributing to its enduring appeal as one of her standout solo efforts. Music historians have noted how the song's gentle portrayal of romance growing "quietly" reflects a subtle shift toward more personal, introspective themes in her post-Mamas & the Papas output, distinguishing it from the group's more communal folk-rock vibe. As the from Bubblegum, Lemonade &... Something for Mama, "It's Getting Better" was often seen as the album's strongest track amid otherwise mixed . The LP, which peaked at #91 on the , drew praise for 's versatile and vibrant singing but criticism for its sugary, lightweight material that some felt lacked depth—"half an hour after tasting it, you’re hungry again," as Elliot herself quipped in interviews. Newsweek's coverage of her concurrent Vegas shows tied to the album's promotion was particularly harsh, likening her stage presence to a "giant " struggling under commercial pressures, though the single provided some visibility and validation. The and received no major awards or Grammy nominations.

Cultural Impact

The song "It's Getting Better" has left a notable mark in media placements, extending its reach into contemporary storytelling and advertising. It featured prominently in the 2008 episode "Meet Kevin Johnson" of the television series Lost (Season 4, Episode 8), where it underscored a key emotional scene involving the character Michael Dawson's struggles with guilt and attempted suicide, ironically contrasting the lyrics' optimistic tone with the narrative's tension. In 2011, the track was adapted for a Nestea commercial, leveraging its upbeat vibe to promote a sense of refreshment and positivity in a feel-good campaign targeting nostalgic audiences. As a hallmark of late-1960s sunshine pop, "It's Getting Better" embodies the era's and melodic effervescence, frequently appearing in modern playlists and compilations dedicated to reviving the genre's lighthearted sound. Its joyful arrangement and themes of personal growth have cemented its role in evoking pop nostalgia, influencing the broader appreciation of harmonious, feel-good tracks from that period. This chart success helped amplify its visibility and cultural resonance. The recording played a pivotal role in establishing Cass Elliot's viability as a solo artist after her tenure with , showcasing her versatile voice in a hit that highlighted her ability to carry pop material independently. However, Elliot's untimely death in 1974 at age 32 cast a shadow over her solo accomplishments, including this track, limiting further exploration of her potential. On a broader scale, "It's Getting Better"—penned by the prolific songwriting team of and —bolstered their legacy of creating evergreen hits that endure in popular music, alongside classics like "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'." The song itself has avoided any significant lawsuits or controversies, allowing its positive message to remain untainted.

Cover Versions

The Vogues Version

The Vogues recorded "It's Getting Better," written by and , for their third studio album, Turn Around, Look at Me, released in August 1968 on . The track appears as the second song on side A, positioned midway through the album's 12 songs, and showcases the group's signature vocal harmonies in a doo-wop-influenced arrangement. Produced by Dick Glasser and arranged and conducted by , the recording emphasizes the quartet's layered vocals with sparse instrumentation, including subtle orchestral backing that highlights the song's melodic structure without overpowering the harmonies. Unlike the album's lead "Turn Around, Look at Me," which reached No. 7 on the , "It's Getting Better" was not issued as a and thus received limited radio . As the song's debut commercial recording, The Vogues' version introduced Mann and Weil's composition to audiences in a group harmony format, demonstrating its adaptability ahead of more elaborate solo interpretations. The album itself achieved moderate success, peaking at No. 29 on the chart and spending 16 weeks there, though the track was often viewed as a supporting piece amid stronger material like covers of "" and "."

Other Notable Covers

In 1968, recorded a version of "It's Getting Better" for his album The Way I Feel, released by , presenting it in a distinctive spoken-word and sung hybrid style reminiscent of his sci-fi . This rendition appeared the same year as Cass Elliot's hit, offering an unconventional take on the song's optimistic theme. Earlier that year, French-Canadian singer Pierre Lalonde released the first known single of "It's Getting Better" on the Montréal-based Disco Prestige label, also including it on his album Introducing Peter Martin under the anglicized stage name Peter Martin. Aimed at international markets, Lalonde's adaptation achieved minor regional success in but did not gain broader traction. The New York-based folk-pop trio Will-O-Bees issued a of "It's Getting Better" in late 1969 on the SGC label, backed with "November Monday," both tracks penned by and . Their gentle, acoustic-leaning interpretation failed to chart, remaining a obscurity in the landscape. In 1976, included a cover on his album Born with a Smile, infusing the track with elements as part of his attempt to revive his career amid shifting musical trends. Released by P.I.P. Records, this version highlighted Rydell's adaptability but did not produce a hit . Jane McDonald performed "It's Getting Better" live during her 2010 residency at the London Palladium, capturing it in a cabaret-style arrangement on the album Live at the London Palladium. Aimed at contemporary audiences, her rendition emphasized vocal warmth and theatrical flair, paying homage to Elliot's benchmark popularity. Subsequent covers in the 1980s through 2000s were largely confined to indie and niche releases, with no major commercial successes. Notable examples include The Popinjays' indie rock version on their 1992 album Kaleidoscope, Kevin Rowland's soulful reinterpretation on his 1999 album My Beauty, and Gwyneth Herbert and Will Rutter's acoustic duo version on their 2003 debut First Songs. These efforts underscored the song's enduring appeal in alternative and tribute contexts.

References

  1. [1]
    Mama Cass - It's Getting Better
    - **Release Year:** 1969
  2. [2]
    Cass Elliot – It's Getting Better Lyrics - Genius
    It's Getting Better Lyrics: Once I believed that when love came to me / It would come with rockets, bells and poetry / But with me and you / It just started ...<|control11|><|separator|>
  3. [3]
    It's Getting Better / Who's to Blame by Mama Cass - Rate Your Music
    Rating 3.5 (99) It's Getting Better / Who's to Blame, a Single by Mama Cass. Released in ... (producer), Jimmie Haskell (arranger).<|control11|><|separator|>
  4. [4]
    https://www.billboard.com/charts/hot-100/1969-08-16/
  5. [5]
    IT'S GETTING BETTER – MAMA CASS - Official Charts
    Latest chart stats about IT'S GETTING BETTER - peak chart position, weeks on chart, catalogue number, week-by-week chart placement and latest news.Missing: billboard | Show results with:billboard
  6. [6]
    Make Your Own Kind of Music / It's Getting Better by Mama Cass ...
    Make Your Own Kind of Music / It's Getting Better, an Album by Mama Cass. Released in 1969 on Dunhill (catalog no. X 45071; 4 Track).
  7. [7]
    True 60s Love - Various Artists | Album - AllMusic
    It's Getting Better - Single Version. Cass Elliot. 03:01. 41. The Happening - Album Version (Stereo). The Supremes. 02:44. 42. When You're Young And In Love ...
  8. [8]
    Cynthia Weil | Songwriters Hall of Fame
    ... It's Getting Better," "Make Your Own Kind of Music,” “New World Coming," "The Shape of Things to Come," "Here You Come Again," and "Don't Know Much." The ...
  9. [9]
    Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil: A Songwriting Team for the Ages - BMI
    Apr 30, 2002 · Professionally, as the partnership deepened and evolved, Mann would take care of the music while Weil wrote the lyrics. Weil's savvy extended ...Missing: process | Show results with:process
  10. [10]
    It's Getting Better - Mama Cass | AllMusic
    Explore It's Getting Better by Mama Cass. Get track information, read reviews, listen to it streaming, and more at AllMusic.
  11. [11]
    The Vogues – It's Getting Better Lyrics - Genius
    It's Getting Better Lyrics: Once I believed that when love came to me (Came to me) / It would come with rockets, bells and poetry (Poetry) / But with me and ...
  12. [12]
    CYNTHIA WEIL - Pop Culture Classics
    Once you got into the collaboration, what was the process? Did you usually write lyrics first and then Barry would build a melody? WEIL: We worked all different ...
  13. [13]
    Original versions of It's Getting Better written by Barry Mann, Cynthia ...
    The song It's Getting Better was written by Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil and was first released by The Vogues in 1968. It was covered by Popinjays, ...
  14. [14]
    Fabulous Flip Sides In Memoriam – The Vogues' Bill Burkette
    Mar 18, 2018 · All these songs were included on the Vogues' debut album for Reprise, “Turn Around, Look at Me.” In a 2010 interview, Bill Burkette told Bo ...
  15. [15]
    The Vogues - Turn Around, Look At Me
    - **Release Date:** 1968
  16. [16]
    50 years ago, July 5, 1969 - Mama Cass Shares Bubblegum ...
    Jul 5, 2019 · In-house producer Steve Barri was assigned to oversee the ... It's Getting Better,” “Move In a Little Closer, Baby” and a belated ...<|control11|><|separator|>
  17. [17]
    https://rockandrollglobe.com/pop/50-years-ago-july-5-1969-mama-cass-shares-bubblegum-lemonade-and-something-for-mama/
  18. [18]
    Fabulous Flip Sides – Cass Elliot - Goldmine Magazine
    Jul 17, 2019 · 45 years ago this month, in 1974, we lost Cass Elliot. We look back on her solo singles after the 1969 breakup of The Mamas and The Papas.
  19. [19]
    Mama Cass had a terrible start of her solo career after a debacle in ...
    Dec 9, 2017 · The group formed in 1965 and was active until 1968. When the band disassembled, Cass embarked on a solo career. ADVERTISEMENT. As Elliot had ...
  20. [20]
    1969: Cass Elliot, Bubblegum, Lemonade, and... Something for Mama
    Jul 29, 2021 · The songs on Bubblegum. Lemonade, and Something for Mama! are sugary, effervescent, and lacking in nutrients. Her vocal artistry is exceptional.Missing: sessions | Show results with:sessions<|control11|><|separator|>
  21. [21]
    https://www.68to05.com/essays/1969-cass-elliot-bubblegum-lemonade-and-something-for-mama
  22. [22]
    "It's Getting Better"/"Make Your Own Kind of Music"/"New World ...
    Jun 10, 2023 · The first of these tunes, “It's Getting Better,” was Cass' first hit after leaving the Mamas and the Papas. (One could argue that the group's ...
  23. [23]
    https://classicsongoftheday.com/its-getting-better-make-your-own-kind-of-music-new-world-coming-cass-elliot/
  24. [24]
    "American Bandstand" A Salute to Mama Cass Elliot (TV ... - IMDb
    Mama Cass Elliot, formerly of the Mamas and the Papas, sings "It's Getting Better" and "I Can Dream, Can't I?" The studio audience dances to Cass' records.
  25. [25]
    Cass Elliot | Jukebox Saturday Night
    Oct 16, 2024 · Steve Barri, the producer behind the album, aimed to catapult Elliot ... Bubblegum, lemonade, and… something for mama. The track brought ...
  26. [26]
    It's Getting Better by Mama Cass - 1969 Hit Song - Vancouver Pop ...
    Learn more about the song It's Getting Better by Mama Cass from the year 1969. Listen to the pop music hit, explore the lyrics, learn the history, and more!
  27. [27]
    Mama Cass - Cass Elliot
    The song ended up #1 on the Cash Box year end hot 100 and #10 on the Billboard year-end Hot 100 single of 1966. ... charts, “It's Getting Better.” “It was in the ...<|control11|><|separator|>
  28. [28]
    Top Songs of 1969 - Top40weekly
    *Note: Based on the Nolan Method, these are the year-end songs that represented the best songs 1969 had to offer. ... 49 52 IT'S GETTING BETTER –•– Mama Cass ( ...
  29. [29]
    None
    Below is a merged response that consolidates all the information from the provided summaries into a single, comprehensive overview. To maximize density and clarity, I’ve organized the key details into tables where appropriate, while retaining narrative sections for context and explanations. The response includes all findings, relevant details, and useful URLs from the summaries, ensuring no information is lost.
  30. [30]
    [PDF] Cash Box - World Radio History
    ... It's Getting Better-Mama Cass-Dunhill. Dreaming-Four Jays-Congress. LP-When I. Die-Blood, Sweat & Tears-Col. WMCA - New York. Age-Horatio-Event. Moonflight-Vik ...
  31. [31]
    [PDF] In a Desperate Land: Rediscovering Los Angeles Pop
    It wasn't just that it sounded tame and safe—it was that the opening cut, “It's Getting Better,” was so effervescent, so bursting with melody and joy, that I ...
  32. [32]
    LOST 18. ''Mama'' Cass Elliot - ''It's Getting Better'' - YouTube
    what this 7-year-old said ...
  33. [33]
    Nestea Ad - Pop Culture References (2011 Television Commercial)
    Buy Nestea Commercial on GooglePlay. Song: It's Getting Better performed by Mama Cass Elliot · App/Product: Nestea. Buy Nestea Commercial on Target. Song: It's ...
  34. [34]
    The Best of Cass Elliot - The New York Times
    May 14, 2024 · Cass Elliot: “It's Getting Better”. From Elliot's second solo album, “Bubblegum, Lemonade, and … Something for Mama,” this luminous ray of ...
  35. [35]
    Cynthia Weil obituary | Pop and rock | The Guardian
    Jun 4, 2023 · ... It's Getting Better for Mama Cass, and I Just Can't Help Believing, a hit for BJ Thomas before becoming a staple of Elvis Presley's repertoire.
  36. [36]
    Song: It's Getting Better written by Barry Mann, Cynthia Weil
    The song It's Getting Better was written by Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil and was first released by The Vogues in 1968. It was covered by Popinjays, ...
  37. [37]
    Billboard 200™
    Turn Around, Look At Me. The Vogues. LW; 32. PEAK; 29. WEEKS; 16. LW; 32; PEAK; 29; WEEKS; 16. Debut Position. 198. Debut Chart Date. 09/07/68. Peak Position.
  38. [38]
    https://www.discogs.com/master/730772-Leonard-Nimoy-The-Way-I-Feel
  39. [39]
    Performance: It's Getting Better by Leonard Nimoy ...
    It's Getting Better by Leonard Nimoy was written by Cynthia Weil and Barry Mann and was first released by The Vogues in 1968. Leonard Nimoy released it on ...
  40. [40]
    https://www.discogs.com/release/20058154-Pierre-Lalonde-Its-Getting-Better-Hello-Lover
  41. [41]
    https://www.discogs.com/master/543782-Will-O-Bees-November-Monday-Its-Getting-Better
  42. [42]
    https://www.discogs.com/release/10275712-Bobby-Rydell-Born-With-A-Smile
  43. [43]
    https://www.discogs.com/release/14806485-Jane-McDonald-Live-At-The-London-Palladium
  44. [44]
    Live at the London Palladium - Jane McDonald |... - AllMusic
    Rating 6.5/10 (2) Unsurprisingly, it's dominated by her trademark renditions of lounge-pop standards and powerhouse ballads such as Mama Cass' "It's Getting Better" and ...<|control11|><|separator|>
  45. [45]
    Kevin Rowland's My Beauty gets CD/LP reissue - RETROPOP
    Jun 21, 2020 · Dexys Midnight Runners' lead singer Kevin Rowland 1999 covers ... It's Getting Better (Mama Cass); I Can't Tell The Bottom From The Top ...Missing: indie | Show results with:indie