Additional Coverage:
- Nicolette Larson’s Solo Career Was Accidentally Launched When a ’70s Rock Legend Handed Her His Song (parade.com)
In September 1978, Nicolette Larson made her solo debut with a self-titled album that quickly launched her into the spotlight. Just five months later, she scored a major hit with the single “Lotta Love,” which climbed to No. 8 on the Billboard Hot 100, transforming the former backup singer into a recognized pop star.
The song was penned by legendary musician Neil Young, who generously offered it to Larson after enlisting her as a backup vocalist on one of his celebrated albums. Reflecting on how she came to record the track, Larson once shared, “I got that song off a tape I found lying on the floor of Neil’s car.
I popped it in the tape player and commented on what a great song it was. Neil said, ‘You want it?
It’s yours.’”
Larson’s connection to Young began through their mutual friend Linda Ronstadt during the recording sessions for Young’s 1977 album American Stars ‘n Bars. Larson was brought in when Young’s first choice, Emmylou Harris, was unavailable.
“Neil kind of functions on cosmic operations, you know, and that was cosmic enough for him,” Larson explained. “If everyone had recommended me, then I was supposed to work with him.”
The collaboration led to Larson singing backup not only on that album but also on Young’s follow-up, Comes a Time.
Although initially unfamiliar with Young’s work, Larson quickly bonded with him. She recalled sitting by the fireplace as Young ran through about twenty new songs, singing harmonies together and sharing creative energy. Unbeknownst to her, many of these rehearsals were secretly recorded by Young, capturing the organic process that ultimately became part of his album.
Young’s own version of “Lotta Love” appeared on Comes a Time, but Larson did not contribute vocals to that track. She recounted how Young had recorded the song first but hesitated to release it.
“He recorded it first, and I heard it and said, ‘Gee that’s great. How come you don’t put that song out?’”
Larson said. “It was kind of like, ‘Don’t ask me why I don’t put this out.
You want to put it out, you put it out.’ So I recorded it, got it ready, and then at the last minute he decided to include it on his album.
We ended up releasing our versions on the same day.”
While Larson’s rendition took a different musical approach than Young’s, both versions left their mark. Following her pop success, Larson shifted her focus to country music in the mid-1980s. She passed away in 1997 at the age of 45, leaving behind a legacy defined by her distinctive voice and collaborative spirit.