Elston had been singing with the Hi-Fi's in the mid-60s, warming up for Ray Charles in tours across the country. When that group split in 1966, members Marilyn McCoo and Lamont McLemore went on to co-found the enormously successful Fifth Dimension and Elston started the Friends, whose sound was similar to, and often confused with, the Fifth Dimension -- both included tightly harmonizing men and women dressed in late 60s "hip" clothing -- though the Friends' music was generally more soulful.
The newly formed Friends of Distinction was managed by football great Jim Brown and signed with RCA Records. Hitting the popular music scene when Motown and Stax were dominating, the Friends arrived with a breezy California pop/soul sound. Great harmonies and crossover arrangements backed the individually strong lead vocals of the group members. Combined with top notch material (both originals and covers), the group, like the Fifth Dimension, sounded like a breath of fresh air on Pop radio in 1969.
Their first single, "Grazin' In the Grass," was a Elston-sung vocal remake of a Hugh Masekela instrumental cut, and hit the top 5 on both Pop and Soul charts in 1969. The group's follow-up, "Going In Circles," was a brilliant ballad that also charted high. Love took some time off to have a baby, and Charlene Gibson stepped in and sang lead on the group's third big hit, "Love or Let Me Be Lonely." She also sang on the wonderful album cut, "Crazy Mary."
The Friends were quite prolific from 1969-71, releasing 5 albums (a sixth appeared in 1973). They also released a number of great singles, including "Check It Out" (later remade by Tavares) and a terrific cover of Neil Sedaka's "Time Waits for No One." Their best cuts are excellently compiled in The Best of the Friends of Distinction, which was released in 1996.
As popular music changed in the mid-70s, the Friends' fortunes declined. Jessica Cleaves was featured with Earth Wind and Fire,first appearance on the"Last Days and Time" release. A grueling touring schedule and the lack of a hit for several years led the group to call it quits in 1975. Elston and Butler continued to write and perform for a few years, then ultimately went their separate ways, taking jobs outside of music.
Over the next two decades, there was a rediscovery of the great music that the Friends had made together, and their biggest hits were remade by several artists, with "Going In Circles" charting for the Gap Band and Luther Vandross and "Love or Let Me Be Lonely" for pop artist Paul Davis. Most recently, "Grazin In the Grass" was released by Disney star Raven.
In 1990, Elston and Butler decided to bring the Friends back together. Tragically, Butler died (at Elston's side) before the group reunion could be realized. After Butler's death, Elston spent several years forming a new Friends group, ultimately bringing together Geno Henderson, Wendy Bruné and Berlando Drake to sing with Elston. That lineup currently tours and continues to entertain audiences nearly 40 years after the world first heard the Friends of Distinction.
Grazing In The Grass
The Friends of Distinction Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(Grazin' in the grass is a gas, baby, can you dig it)
What a trip just watchin' as the world goes past
(Grazin' in the grass is a gas, baby, can you dig it)
There are so many groovy things to see while grazin' in the grass
(Grazin' in the grass is a gas, baby, can you dig it)
Flowers with colors bright, makin', everything outta sight in the grass
(Grazin' in the grass is a gas, baby, can you dig it)
The sun beamin' down between the leaves
(Grazin' in the grass is a gas, baby, can you dig it)
And the birds dartin' in and out of the trees
(Grazin' in the grass is a gas, baby, can you dig it)
Everything here is so clear, you can see it
And everything here is so real, you can feel it
And it's real, so real, so real, so real, so real, so real
Can you dig it?
I can dig it, he can dig it, she can dig it
We can dig it, they can dig it, you can dig it
Oh, let's dig it
Can you dig it, baby?
I can dig it, he can dig it, she can dig it
We can dig it, they can dig it, you can dig it
Oh, let's dig it
Can you dig it, baby?
The sun beamin' down between the leaves
(Grazin' in the grass is a gas, baby, can you dig it)
And the birds dartin' in and out of the trees
(Grazin' in the grass is a gas, baby, can you dig it)
Everything here is so clear, you can see it
And everything here is so real, you can feel it
And it's real, so real, so real, so real, so real, so real
Can you dig it?
I can dig it, he can dig it, she can dig it
We can dig it, they can dig it, you can dig it
Oh, let's dig it
Can you dig it, baby?
I can dig it, he can dig it, she can dig it
We can dig it, they can dig it, you can dig it
Oh, let's dig it
Can you dig it, baby?
I can dig it, he can dig it, she can dig it
We can dig it, they can dig it, you can dig it
Oh, let's dig it
Can you dig it, baby? (Grazin' in the grass is a gas, baby, can you dig it)
I can dig it, he can dig it, she can dig it
We can dig it, they can dig it, you can dig it
Oh, let's dig it
Can you dig it, baby? (Grazin' in the grass is a gas, baby, can you dig it)
Grazin' in the grass is a yes, baby, can you dig it
The Friends of Distinction's "Grazing In The Grass" is a song that emphasizes the joy of nature and its beauty. The lyrics allude to the idea that there are plenty of interesting things to see and experience in nature if one takes the time to observe. The phrase 'Grazing in the grass" implies that the singer is taking the time to leisurely appreciate the ecology of nature. Whimsical verse structures are supported by lightweight instrumentation in the background of the piece, exemplifying the airiness of the song. The repeated line, "Grazing in the grass is a gas, baby, can you dig it?" drives home the song's theme that nature is a place of peace and beauty where one can enjoy life to the fullest.
Furthermore, the lyrics create the impression of the beauty of the sun shining between the leaves and the chirping of the birds, depicting nature’s beauty. The singer notices how completely real everything here appears to be, allowing its viewers to see and sense it. The friendly and welcoming words in the choruses give a sense of a community in which everyone can enjoy and thrive together. The Friends Of Distinction's call for everyone to "dig it" is hence an invitation to participate in this experience of sharing a moment of pure enjoyment and happiness.
Line by Line Meaning
It sure is mellow grazin' in the grass
Relaxing and calm activity of grazing or sitting among the grass
(Grazin' in the grass is a gas, baby, can you dig it)
Grazing in the grass is exciting and fun
What a trip just watchin' as the world goes past
Amazed by the world as it moves around
There are so many groovy things to see while grazin' in the grass
Numerous amazing things to discover by sitting in the grass
Flowers with colors bright, makin', everything outta sight in the grass
The grass is full of splendorous flowers with vibrant colors
The sun beamin' down between the leaves
The sunlight passing through the leaves of trees and spreading around
And the birds dartin' in and out of the trees
Birds flying in and out of the trees quickly
Everything here is so clear, you can see it
The environment is so vibrant that one can clearly see everything
And everything here is so real, you can feel it
The atmosphere is so lively that one can easily feel the pulse of the surrounding
Can you dig it?
Are you enjoying it? Are you feeling it?
I can dig it, he can dig it, she can dig it
Everyone can enjoy and feel the liveliness of the environment
We can dig it, they can dig it, you can dig it
Everyone can feel and experience the groove in the grass
Oh, let's dig it
Let's enjoy this moment to its fullest
Grazin' in the grass is a yes, baby, can you dig it
Enjoying in the grass is definitely a fun activity
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Harry Elston, Philemon Hou
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind