MacArthur Park?

Question

Trying to figure out what the chorus of this song "MacArthur Park" means in relation to the rest of the song--the rest of the song makes sense but this chorus comes out of nowhere! And what is up with the cake? Can't put up the whole song--it's too long. You can read it here, but here's the chorus part.

http://artists.letssingit.com/macarthur-park-lyrics-macarthur-park-49qs8rp


MacArthur's Park is melting in the dark
All the sweet, green icing flowing down...
Someone left the cake out in the rain
I don't think that I can take it
'cause it took so long to bake it
And I'll never have that recipe again
Oh, no!
Oh, no
No, no
Oh NO

Answer 1

In a site called SongFacts.com, people write their interpretations of lyrics. Here's the page for MacArthur Park:
http://www.songfacts.com/detail.php?id=1875

Here are a couple of entries from this site:

I am a product of the 60's. When I first heard MacArthur Park I was immediately captivated by the unusual sound and lyrics, and the length of the song. It was practically unheard of for a songwriter of that day to pen such a lengthy work, but all things considered, it all works out wonderfully. My impression of MacArthur Park is that it is a sad love song. It is lamenting the ending of a relationship that has taken a lot of blood, sweat, tears, and time, sic, to build, and the person doing the lament is despairing of ever having the recipe to build such a deep, loving relationship again. I see the 'cake' as an allegorical symbol of that relationship. Relationships take a lot of kindness and tender loving care to nuture, and if both figures fail to constantly work at building that relationship, the 'cake' gets 'left out in the rain' and it begins to 'melt', sic. Actually, the central figure of the song is walking through MacArthur Park, a real park, located in Los Angeles, where he and his love spent many wonderful and gratifying moments and he is recalling those times, then he begins to sink into dispair in that he realizes that 'after all the loves of his life' he will never meet another who will touch him as the one he has lost, and in some later, grayer time, he realizes he will still be thinking of her...'and wondering why'.... These are wonderful lyrics by Jimmy Webb and a wonderful rendering of song by Richard Harris. Don't forget that there are other fine songs on Harris' album, "A Tramp Shining", which features MacArthur Park, and that he did not 'talk the song' as others claim. Harris was a gifted singer as can also be noted in his rendering of "My Boy", of the album by the same name. Harris had a deep, mellow voice and was perfect for MacArthur Park.
- Steve, Atlanta, GA

MacArthur Park is a sad, touching song about a once wonderful relationship- one that comes along rarely. The lyrics reveal a lot about the sincerity, seriousness, and caring nature of the songwriter. Ironically, it was probably these very qualities that frightened the girl with the "yellow cotton dress." The "someone" that "left the cake out in the rain" was the perhaps unrealizing writer. Still, it was his qualities that no doubt made the "cake" originally, so he needs to try to be thankful for what he had. I had such a first hand experience and I no longer will be "wondering why." It is a forever melancholy thing, but we are human and find adjustments most difficult- especially when the needed adjustment is not even evident. Are you actually serious? I can't believe you are actually taking this song seriously. It's rather amusing. This song is about a freaking cake, and I don't think it is a metaphor, but if it is, it's a crappy metaphor. Next time, they need to get a song writer who can actually write a half decent song. melancholy relationship...yeah. sure.
- Kelly MacKenzie, Edmonton, Canada