Unborn Child

Unborn Child is the sixth studio album by American pop/folk duo Seals and Crofts. It included two low-charting singles, the title track (which reached No. 66) and "The King of Nothing", which reached No. 60.

For other uses, see Unborn child (disambiguation).
Unborn Child
Studio album by
Seals and Crofts
ReleasedFebruary 1974
RecordedThe Sound Factory, Los Angeles
GenreSoft rock
Length38:06
LabelWarner Bros.
ProducerLouie Shelton
Seals and Crofts chronology
Diamond Girl
(1973)		 Unborn Child
(1974)		 I'll Play for You
(1975)
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Christgau's Record GuideD–[1]

Album conception

The project originated when Lana Bogan, wife of recording engineer Joseph Bogan, watched a TV documentary on abortion and she was inspired to write a poem from the perspective of the terminated fetus.

According to Dash Crofts, Warner Bros. tried to warn them not to release the album, because the subject of abortion was highly controversial. Neither Seals nor Crofts cared about the money and stated they were making the record to save lives, while Warner was primarily concerned with making money. The duo also insisted that the song's message was more universally that one should not take life too lightly, and should consider its value before carrying out the procedure of abortion.[2]

Album reception

Despite Warners' warnings, the album was released in February 1974 and the label's worst fears came true: the title track was deemed controversial at the time because of its pro-life stance and as a result, Unborn Child hurt the duo's popularity and it was criticized by music critics. According to Bill de Young, the duo crossed the thin line that separated their music from the Baháʼí Faith, a religion that disapproves of abortion, and abortion-rights advocates boycotted the album and the duo's concerts.[3][4][5] For this record, Seals and Crofts won the "Keep Her in Her Place" award from the National Organization for Women (tying with Paul Anka for his recording of "(You're) Having My Baby") during "its annual putdown of male chauvinism" in the media on Women's Equality Day.[6]

Track listing

All songs written by James Seals and Dash Crofts, except where indicated.

Side One

  1. "Prelude" (:40) (David Paich)
  2. "Windflowers" (3:07) (James Seals, Dan Seals)
  3. "Desert People" (3:31)
  4. "Unborn Child" (3:55) (Seals, Lana Bogan)
  5. "The Story of Her Love" (3:30)
  6. "Dance by the Light of the Moon" (4:47)

Side Two

  1. "Rachel" (:58)
  2. "King of Nothing" (3:16) (Seals)
  3. "29 Years from Texas" (3:14)
  4. "Ledges" (3:08)
  5. "Follow Me" (3:44)
  6. "Big Mac" (4:16)

Charts
Chart (1974) Peak
position
Australia (Kent Music Report)[7] 37
Canada[8] 18
United States (Billboard 200) 14

Personnel

References
  1. Christgau, Robert (1981). "Consumer Guide '70s: S". Christgau's Record Guide: Rock Albums of the Seventies. Ticknor & Fields. ISBN 089919026X. Retrieved March 12, 2019 – via robertchristgau.com.
  2. "How Seals and Crofts' Heartfelt Stand on 'Unborn Child' Cost Them Everything". 27 June 2015.
  3. "Seals & Crofts Unborn Child -- the boycotted album". 21 August 2014.
  4. "How Seals and Crofts' Heartfelt Stand on 'Unborn Child' Cost Them Everything". 27 June 2015.
  5. "Archives". Los Angeles Times.
  6. "People, Sep. 9, 1974". Time. 1974-09-09. Archived from the original on 18 August 2010. Retrieved 2010-08-05.
  7. Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 267. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
  8. "RPM Top 100 Albums - April 20, 1974" (PDF).


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