As the Years Go By

"As the Years Go By" is the first single by rock fusion band Mashmakhan from their self-titled debut album. The single was recorded in Columbia B Studios and was released as the first single to Mashmakhan's self-titled debut album. The other single "Days When We Are Free" was used as the A-side to the 45rpm. "As the Years Go By" was also fit into several compilation albums of '70s songs.

"As the Years Go By"
The 45rpm vinyl cover of "Days When We Are Free / As the Years Go By".
Single by Mashmakhan
from the album Mashmakhan
A-side"Days When We Are Free"
Released1970
Recorded1970 at Columbia B Studios
GenreRock fusion
Length3:03
LabelColumbia (Canada)
Epic (US)
CBS (Netherlands and Spain)
CBS/Sony (Japan)
Songwriter(s)Pierre Sénécal
Producer(s)Billy Jackson
Mashmakhan singles chronology
"As the Years Go By"
(1970)		 "Gladwin"
(1970)
Japanese cover
Cover as used in Japan:
"Kiri no Naka no Futari" (霧の中の二人, lit. "Two in the Fog")
Spanish cover
Cover as used in Spain:
Según pasan los años

The single, which sold over one million copies worldwide and received a gold disc, was very well received by the public and the critics, despite its eerie minor key tune.[1] Allmusic critic Lindsay Planer also praised the single's sales and its lyrics.

The song peaked at number 75 in Australia.[2]

The single was released as "Kiri no Naka no Futari" (霧の中の二人, lit. "Two in the Fog") in Japan.

History

In 1970, "As the Years Go By" was originally recorded by Mashmakhan in Columbia B Studios.[3] "As the Years Go By" was released as the debut single of Mashmakhan's upcoming self-titled album. "As the Years Go By" was released in an edited form, with the latter single "Days When We Are Free" as the A-side. Following "As the Years Go By" the previously mentioned single and "Gladwin" were released. The self-titled debut Mashmakhan was released as an LP album in 1970.[4] Later the single appeared on several rock compilation albums. "As the Years Go By" was first included in Rock Artifacts, Vol. 1 in 1990.[5] On November 9, 1995, "As the Years Go By" plus the whole Mashmakhan album and its follow up album The Family were included in the compilation Mashmakhan/The Family.[6][7] On April 24, 2001, "As the Years Go By" was also released on the Rock Treasures compilation by the Sony Music Entertainment.[8] And lastly, "As the Years Go By" was used in the Japanese compilation The 70's, Vol. 3 by Universal Music Group of Japan on December 15, 2007.[9]

The song was covered by the Florida-based salsa/funk band Coke on the 1972 self-titled debut, for which the lyrics and title were translated into Spanish: "Que Seria de Mi".[10]

Track listing

Both of the songs were produced by Billy Jackson.[3]

A-side
No.TitleComposersLength
1."Days When We Are Free"Rayburn Blake, Brian Edwards, Jerry Mercer, Pierre Sénécal6:11
B-side
No.TitleComposersLength
2."As the Years Go By"Pierre Sénécal3:03
Total length:9:14

Reception

At its release, the single sold 100,000 copies in Canada, 500,000 copies in the United States, and over 1,000,000 copies in Japan.[4] The single cracked the national charts in both Canada (#1 - singles (RPM 100) chart 2 weeks, CatCon chart 7 weeks) and the United States (#31).[3] "As the Years Go By" sold over one million copies globally and received a gold disc.[11] The single was generally well received by critics. Allmusic critic Lindsay Planer stated that "As the Years Go By" not only became their biggest hit but it also became "a million-seller in (of all places) Japan" and that the lyrics "are undeniably puerile," and texturally the "connotations of the word 'love' remain eternal."[7]

References
  1. Dick Biondi noted the tune's eeriness on his 09 October 1970 show on WCFL.
  2. Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 194. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
  3. "Mashmakhan - Biography". Canadian Bands.com. Retrieved August 15, 2009.
  4. Pettipas, Keith. "Mashmakhan > Biography" (DLL). Ann Arbor, MI: Allmusic/All Media Guide. Retrieved August 10, 2009.
  5. Thomas Erlewine, Stephen. "Rock Artifacts, Vol. 1 > Overview" (DLL). Ann Arbor, MI: Allmusic/All Media Guide. Retrieved August 11, 2009.
  6. Pettipas, Keith. "Mashmakhan/The Family > Overview" (DLL). Ann Arbor, MI: Allmusic/All Media Guide. Retrieved August 12, 2009.
  7. Planer, Lindsay. "Mashmakhan > Overview" (DLL). Ann Arbor, MI: Allmusic/All Media Guide. Retrieved August 12, 2009.
  8. "Rock Treasures (Sony) > Overview" (DLL). Ann Arbor, MI: Allmusic/All Media Guide. Retrieved August 12, 2009.
  9. "70's, Vol. 3 > Overview" (DLL). Ann Arbor, MI: Allmusic/All Media Guide. Retrieved August 12, 2009.
  10. "Coke (4) - Coke". Discogs. Retrieved November 7, 2009.
  11. Murrells, Joseph (1978). The Book of Golden Discs (2nd ed.). London: Barrie and Jenkins Ltd. p. 283. ISBN 0-214-20512-6.
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