P.F. Sloan

"P.F. Sloan" is the title of a song by singer-songwriter Jimmy Webb,about his contemporary, P.F. Sloan. Webb released two different versions of the catchy, bittersweet composition, which seems to be about the costs and disappointments of being a creative groundbreaker. While Sloans insistence on becoming a recording artist was an inspiration to fellow songwriter Webb, who had worked with Sloan with Bones Howe and The Fifth Dimension, a personal dispute led Webb to deny the existence of "P.F. Sloan" when asked about the songs title character during an article interview, saying that he had made the name up. Eugene Landy, the controversial psychologist, laid claim to being the real P.F. Sloan when he was asked by reporters why he considered himself able to direct Beach Boys lead singer, Brian Wilsons musical career. Landy claimed to have written the songs attributed to "P.F. Sloan". Cover versions of the song were recorded by The Association in 1971, Jennifer Warnes, and by British band Unicorn in the early 1970s – released as a single and album track on Transatlantic Records. Jackson Browne performed the song with Webb on Webbs 2010 album Just Across the River. British female singer-songwriter Rumer has also recorded the song. It was released as the lead single from her second studio album Boys Dont Cry on May 4, 2012.