1st RECORDING OF: We’ve Only Just Begun - Freddie Allen (1970)

A shortened version of the song was initially created for a late-1960s Crocker National Bank TV ad (sung by co-writer Paul Williams), and this first full version recorded for commercial release (arranged by co-writer Roger Nichols) features a vocal by Nichols’ friend Smokey Roberds under the pseudonym “Freddie Allen.”. Some months later Richard and Karen Carpenter released their own famous arrangement:    • 1970 HITS ARCHIVE: We’ve Only Just Be...  

Also in 1970 Paul recorded a version as part of a ‘demo’ package to promote the various songs written (so far) by the new Williams-Nichols team. His first recording of the song for commercial issue was included in his 1971 LP “Just An Old Fashioned Love Song.”

The original 45rpm single was issued on White Whale 345 - We’ve Only Just Begun (Paul Williams-Roger Nichols) by Freddie Allen, arranged by Roger Nichols, released March 1970

Note: The posts in this channel’s “1st RECORDING” project represent a song’s earliest recorded version which was intended for possible commercial issue (whether or not it turned out to be the first version released). It does not usually include either movie soundtrack versions which were unissued commercially or any previously-made demo recordings unintended for release and which remained unissued to the general public at the time.

For hundreds of other ‘originals,’ please visit the fascinating playlist “FIRST RECORDING OF THE SONG…” (click here:    • FIRST RECORDING OF THE SONG... (Music...   )