Petula Clark – Solitude & Sunshine: The Songs of Rod McKuen (Expanded Edition)

A Long-Awaited Collaboration Finally Sees the Spotlight

When two artistic legends meet, the results can take time—but they’re always worth the wait. Now, nearly 20 years after its original limited release, Solitude & Sunshine: The Songs of Rod McKuen by Grammy-winning vocalist Petula Clark is finally getting a proper retail release in an Expanded Edition CD, featuring six bonus tracks, five of which have never been heard before.

This deeply personal collection stems from a friendship that began in 1960s France, where British pop icon Petula Clark met poet-singer-songwriter Rod McKuen. Already a global sensation with hits in both English and French, Petula found in Rod a kindred spirit. McKuen, meanwhile, called Clark his favorite female vocalist and had long envisioned a full album of his songs sung by her—much like his famed 1969 collaboration with Frank Sinatra, A Man Alone.

Their mutual admiration turned into creative synergy. After Petula recorded McKuen’s poignant “The Wind of Change” and the heartfelt “I Think of You,” the idea of a full-length project was publicly announced—but delayed for decades due to scheduling conflicts. It wasn’t until 2005 that the stars finally aligned. Following Petula’s acclaimed stage runs in Blood Brothers and Sunset Boulevard, she and Rod met again—this time in the studio.

Recorded at Hollywood’s Private Island Trax with additional sessions in Geneva, the album features 20 songs from McKuen’s rich catalog, brought to life by one of England’s most iconic voices. Originally issued in a 14-track limited edition through fan channels, the expanded version now brings this emotional and elegant tribute to the wider public for the first time.

In addition to newly uncovered material, the CD includes heartfelt liner notes written by both Rod McKuen and Petula Clark, as well as rare photos from the sessions—a true keepsake for collectors and fans of classic vocal pop.

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Track Listing:

1. Rock Gently

2. People Change

3. Love’s Been Good to Me

4. The Importance of the Rose (with Rod McKuen)

5. I Never Go There Anymore

6. Moving Day

7. Listen to the Warm

8. It’s Raining

9. The Single Woman

10. Where Are We Now (with Rod McKuen)

11. Seasons in the Sun

12. As I Love My Own

13. About the Time

14. Solitude’s My Home

15. Simple Gifts (Bonus)

16. Love Is (with Rod McKuen) *

17. Three *

18. Song Without Words *

19. The Silver Apples of the Moon (with Rod McKuen) *

20. If You Go Away *

*Previously unreleased bonus tracks