This tune, one of Collins’ greatest recordings and the title track from her 1968 album, wasn’t written by or for Collins to record. The song was written by the late, great Sandy Denny who recorded a demo of it in 1967. Shortly thereafter, Denny joined forces with The Strawbs who had a go at the song on their “All Our Own Work” album which was recorded in 1967 but not officially released in the U.S. until 1973. Judy Collins heard Denny’s original demo in 1967 and recorded and released it as the B-side to her smash hit single “Both Sides Now.” She then made that recording the title track to her classic album “Who Knows Where The Time Goes” whose musicians included Stephen Stills (guitar), James Burton (guitar), Buddy Emmons (pedal steel), Van Dyke Parks (piano), Chris Ethridge (bass) and drummer/mother murderer Jim Gordon. Sandy Denny then took the song with her when she joined Fairport Convention where it was recorded for their 1969 album “Unhalfbricking” becoming the group’s signature tune. Others who have committed this song to wax include Nana Mouskouri, 10,000 Maniacs, Cat Power, Charlie Louvin, Susanna Hoffs & Matthew Sweet, Nina Simone and many others.
