Who Is Still Alive From the Osmonds?

About the Song

You’re asking for a deep dive into The Osmonds’ “The Last Days,” a track that marks a significant departure from their bubblegum pop beginnings. This isn’t your typical Osmonds fare; it’s a much more complex and introspective piece, showcasing a different side of their musicality. Released in 1973 as part of their concept album The Plan, “The Last Days” delves into themes of spirituality, mortality, and the search for meaning, reflecting the band’s personal beliefs and their evolving artistic direction.

For those who primarily associate The Osmonds with hits like “One Bad Apple” or “Puppy Love,” “The Last Days” might come as a surprise. It’s a far cry from the upbeat, lighthearted pop that initially propelled them to fame. This song is a serious exploration of weighty topics, delivered with a sincerity and musical depth that might be unexpected to casual listeners. It’s a testament to their growth as musicians and their willingness to take risks and explore new sonic territories.

The context of the album The Plan is crucial to understanding “The Last Days.” The entire album is a concept piece, exploring themes of faith, family, and the purpose of life. “The Last Days” fits squarely within this framework, acting as a poignant reflection on the end of times and the importance of living a meaningful life. The lyrics, penned by Alan, Merrill, and Wayne Osmond, are rich with imagery and symbolism, inviting listeners to contemplate their own mortality and their place in the world.

Musically, “The Last Days” is a departure from their earlier work as well. While their signature harmonies are still present, the instrumentation is more complex and layered, incorporating elements of progressive rock and even a touch of psychedelia. The song builds gradually, starting with a gentle, almost melancholic melody and then escalating into a powerful and dramatic crescendo. This dynamic arrangement effectively conveys the emotional weight of the lyrics, creating a truly immersive listening experience.

It’s important to remember the era in which “The Last Days” was released. The early 1970s were a time of great social and political upheaval, and these anxieties were reflected in the music of the time. Many artists were exploring darker themes and pushing the boundaries of traditional pop music. The Osmonds, with “The Last Days” and The Plan, were participating in this broader cultural conversation, albeit from their own unique perspective.

This song isn’t just a collection of notes and words; it’s a statement. It’s The Osmonds saying that they are more than just teen idols; they are artists with something meaningful to say. It’s a challenge to those who might have dismissed them as simply a manufactured pop group. “The Last Days” demonstrates their musical talent, their songwriting ability, and their willingness to tackle complex and challenging themes.

In conclusion, “The Last Days” is a fascinating and often overlooked piece in The Osmonds’ discography. It’s a song that deserves to be rediscovered and appreciated for its musical depth, its lyrical complexity, and its historical context. It’s a reminder that even the most commercially successful artists can have hidden depths and that true artistry often lies in taking risks and pushing boundaries. It truly showcases a different side of The Osmonds and their musical capabilities.A brief musical history of the Osmonds in 13 songs - The Washington Post

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Lyrics: The Last Days

Nations take up there battle stations
Patrons of zodiac revelations
Lustations breaking family relations
Litigation allowing shoot up sensations
That’s what they said, someday it would be
Now just look around if that’s what you see
It’s gotta be the last days
Gotta be the last daysPeople living lives of confusion
Billions caught up in revolution
Cities lost in their own pollution
Question, what is the ConstitutionThat’s what they said, someday it would be
Now just look around if that’s what we see
It’s gotta be the last days
Gotta be the last daysThat’s what they said, someday it would be
Now just look around if that’s what we see
It’s gotta be the last days
Last days, it’s gotta be the last days
It’s gotta be the last days
It’s gotta be the last days
It’s gotta be the last days
It’s gotta be the last days
It’s gotta be the last days
It’s gotta be the last days

You Missed

MINNIE PEARL WALKED ONSTAGE AT THE GRAND OLE OPRY FOR 50 YEARS WITH A $1.98 PRICE TAG ON HER HAT — AND THEN ONE NIGHT, SHE JUST COULDN’T ANYMORE. Here’s something most people don’t think about with Minnie Pearl. That price tag hanging off her straw hat? It wasn’t random. Sarah Cannon — that was her real name — created it as a joke about a country girl too proud of her new hat to take the tag off. And audiences loved it so much that it became the most recognizable prop in country music history. For over fifty years, that tag meant Minnie was here, and everything was going to be fun. So imagine what it felt like when she couldn’t put the hat on anymore. In June 1991, Sarah had a massive stroke. She was 79. And just like that, the woman who hadn’t missed an Opry show in decades was gone from the stage. But here’s what gets me. She didn’t die in 1991. She lived another five years after that stroke, mostly out of the public eye, unable to perform, unable to be “Minnie” the way she’d always been. Her husband Henry Cannon took care of her at their Nashville home. Friends visited, but they said it was hard. The woman who made millions of people laugh couldn’t get through a full conversation some days. Roy Acuff, her old friend from the Opry, kept her dressing room exactly the way she left it. Nobody used it. The hat sat there. She passed on March 4, 1996. And what most people remember is the comedy. The “HOW-DEEE” catchphrase. The big goofy grin. What they don’t remember is that Sarah Cannon was also a serious fundraiser for cancer research. Centennial Medical Center in Nashville named their cancer center after her — not after Minnie, after Sarah. She raised millions and rarely talked about it publicly. There’s a story about the very last time Sarah tried to put on the hat at home, months after the stroke, and what her husband said to her in that moment — it’s the kind of detail that makes you see fifty years of comedy completely differently. Roy Acuff kept Minnie Pearl’s dressing room untouched for years after she left — was that loyalty to a friend, or was he holding a door open for someone he knew was never coming back?