About the song
“Muskrat Love” is a distinctive soft rock ballad originally penned by Willis Alan Ramsey, which has journeyed through several renditions to become a memorable piece in pop music history. The song, initially titled “Muskrat Candlelight”—a reference to the evocative opening lyric—narrates a whimsical and romantic tale of two anthropomorphic muskrats, Susie and Sam. This charming and quirky narrative was first introduced in 1972 on Ramsey’s self-titled album, showcasing his unique songwriting and storytelling ability.
The song’s first major exposure came in 1973 when the folk/rock band America recorded a version for their album *Hat Trick*. The band’s rendition, retitled “Muskrat Love” to reflect the song’s chorus, was marked by its acoustic beauty and harmonics, a contrast to the band’s typical rock-oriented style. Despite its artistic appeal, America’s cover faced resistance from their label, Warner Bros., which was reportedly displeased with the track and urged the band to reconsider its release as a single. However, America persisted, believing in the song’s charm. The single, although not a major commercial success, managed to reach number 67 on the Billboard Hot 100 and performed somewhat better on the Cash Box chart, peaking at number 33, and on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart, where it reached number 11.
The real breakthrough for “Muskrat Love” came in 1976 when it was covered by the pop duo Captain & Tennille. Their version brought the song into the limelight, transforming it into a significant hit. Captain & Tennille’s rendition climbed to number four on the Billboard Hot 100 and reached number two on the Cash Box chart, solidifying its place as one of the duo’s most popular songs of the year. This version’s success contrasted sharply with the more modest performance of America’s earlier cover.
The song’s reception has remained varied over the years. In a 2012 interview, Gerry Beckley of America described “Muskrat Love” as a “polarizing little number,” acknowledging that reactions from fans are mixed. Some audiences express their disappointment if the song is not performed at concerts, while others appreciate the band’s choice to omit it from their setlists.
Overall, “Muskrat Love” stands out as an intriguing piece of musical history, illustrating the way a song can evolve through different interpretations and still capture the imaginations of listeners, despite its occasional divisive nature.
Video
Lyrics
Muskrat, muskrat candlelight
Doin’ the town and doin’ it right
In the evenin’, it’s pretty pleasin’
Muskrat Susie, Muskrat Sam
Do the jitterbug
Out in the muskrat land
And they shimmy
Sam is so skinny
And they whirl and they twirl and they tango
Singin’ and jinglin’ a jango
Floatin’ like the heavens above
Looks like muskrat love
Nibblin’ on bacon, chewin’ on cheese
Sam says to Susie
Honey, would you please be my Mrs?
Suzie she says yes, with her kisses
Now, he’s ticklin’ her fancy
Rubbin’ her ties
Muzzle to muzzle now
Anything goes
As they wiggle
Sue starts to giggle
And they whirl and they twirled and they tango
Singin’ and jinglin’ a jango
Floatin’ like the heavens above
Looks like muskrat love
And they whirl and they twirl and they tango
Singin’ and jinglin’ a jango
Floatin’ like the heavens above
Looks like muskrat love
Do, do, do, do, do
Do, do-e, do
Do, do, do, do, do
Do, do-e, do
Do, do, do, do, do
Do, do-e, do
Do, do, do, do, do