The Mothers of Invention
The Mothers of Invention were an American band active from 1966 to 1969. Th… Read Full Bio ↴The Mothers of Invention were an American band active from 1966 to 1969. Throughout, their output was primarily directed by composer and guitarist, Frank Zappa (1940–1993). Their albums combined a broad span of genres and utilised diverse instrumentation. Their lyrics were generally humorous, with frequent style-parodies of contemporary Pop music (with doo-wop love ballads endlessly lampooned), bountiful surreal imagery, cartoonish vocals and oblique, satirical protest songs. Their diversity and insincerity makes their classification difficult, but Zappa's increasingly ambitious and avant-garde compositions towards the end of the 1960s share many features of Free Jazz and 20th Century Classical music. The group's output, particularly Absolutely Free, also proved enormously influential on the then-nascent genre of progressive rock.
Zappa disbanded the original Mothers of Invention line-up in 1970 to create music under his own name, but shortly reformed an entirely new band sometimes known as "The Mothers". This new incarnation had a strong vaudeville style and were much bawdier than before, with new vocalists Flo & Eddie, previously of the Turtles, taking the lead. After Zappa was pushed offstage in the Rainbow Theatre in 1971, he broke up this second band and concentrated on a jazzier style with a short-lived big band called the Grand Wazoo, but returned with a third lineup of the Mothers in 1973. This reformed group retained musical similarities to the previous group and the chamber music of the late '60s Mothers, but with a tighter, funkier sound; George Duke's soulful vocals being perhaps the most memorable addition. Whilst members of the new Mothers frequently appeared on albums credited solely to Zappa, three albums, Overnite Sensation, Roxy & Elsewhere and One Size Fits All display the name Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention.
The Mothers of Invention (1966-1969)
Frank Zappa - Musical director, guitar & vocals
Ray Collins - Lead vocalist, harmonica, tambourine, finger cymbals, bobby pin & tweezers 1966-early 1967, September 1967-August 1968
Jim Black - Drums
Roy Estrada - Bass & guitarron; boy soprano
Elliot Ingber - Alternate lead & rhythm guitar early 1966-September 1966
Jim Fielder - guitar, piano late 1966-February 1967
Don Preston - keyboards November 1966-August 1969
Bunk Gardner - woodwinds November 1966-August 1969
Billy Mundi - Drums November 1966-Decmber 1967
Euclid James Motorhead Sherwood - soprano, tambourine baritone saxophone & Roadie 1966, September 1967-August 1969
Ian Underwood -Woodwinds,Saxophone July 1967-August 1969
Arthur Dyer Tripp III - drums, timpani, vibes, marimba, xylophone, wood blocks, bells, small chimes December 1967-August 1969
Lowell George - Rhythm Guitar November 1968-May 1969
Buzz Gardner November 1968- August 1969
Core discography (note that the band's canon is nebulous, due to the often poorly demarcated overlap with Frank Zappa's solo discography; this list additionally omits albums released after the breakup of the band)
1966 - Freak Out!
1967 - Absolutely Free
1968 - We're Only in It for the Money
1968 - Cruising with Ruben & the Jets
1969 - Uncle Meat
1970 - Burnt Weeny Sandwich
1970 - Weasels Ripped My Flesh
1971 - Fillmore East - June 1971
1971 - 200 Motels
1972 - Just Another Band from L.A.
1972 - The Grand Wazoo
1973 - Over-Nite Sensation
1974 - Roxy & Elsewhere
1975 - One Size Fits All
1975 - Bongo Fury (with Captain Beefheart)
Zappa disbanded the original Mothers of Invention line-up in 1970 to create music under his own name, but shortly reformed an entirely new band sometimes known as "The Mothers". This new incarnation had a strong vaudeville style and were much bawdier than before, with new vocalists Flo & Eddie, previously of the Turtles, taking the lead. After Zappa was pushed offstage in the Rainbow Theatre in 1971, he broke up this second band and concentrated on a jazzier style with a short-lived big band called the Grand Wazoo, but returned with a third lineup of the Mothers in 1973. This reformed group retained musical similarities to the previous group and the chamber music of the late '60s Mothers, but with a tighter, funkier sound; George Duke's soulful vocals being perhaps the most memorable addition. Whilst members of the new Mothers frequently appeared on albums credited solely to Zappa, three albums, Overnite Sensation, Roxy & Elsewhere and One Size Fits All display the name Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention.
The Mothers of Invention (1966-1969)
Frank Zappa - Musical director, guitar & vocals
Ray Collins - Lead vocalist, harmonica, tambourine, finger cymbals, bobby pin & tweezers 1966-early 1967, September 1967-August 1968
Jim Black - Drums
Roy Estrada - Bass & guitarron; boy soprano
Elliot Ingber - Alternate lead & rhythm guitar early 1966-September 1966
Jim Fielder - guitar, piano late 1966-February 1967
Don Preston - keyboards November 1966-August 1969
Bunk Gardner - woodwinds November 1966-August 1969
Billy Mundi - Drums November 1966-Decmber 1967
Euclid James Motorhead Sherwood - soprano, tambourine baritone saxophone & Roadie 1966, September 1967-August 1969
Ian Underwood -Woodwinds,Saxophone July 1967-August 1969
Arthur Dyer Tripp III - drums, timpani, vibes, marimba, xylophone, wood blocks, bells, small chimes December 1967-August 1969
Lowell George - Rhythm Guitar November 1968-May 1969
Buzz Gardner November 1968- August 1969
Core discography (note that the band's canon is nebulous, due to the often poorly demarcated overlap with Frank Zappa's solo discography; this list additionally omits albums released after the breakup of the band)
1966 - Freak Out!
1967 - Absolutely Free
1968 - We're Only in It for the Money
1968 - Cruising with Ruben & the Jets
1969 - Uncle Meat
1970 - Burnt Weeny Sandwich
1970 - Weasels Ripped My Flesh
1971 - Fillmore East - June 1971
1971 - 200 Motels
1972 - Just Another Band from L.A.
1972 - The Grand Wazoo
1973 - Over-Nite Sensation
1974 - Roxy & Elsewhere
1975 - One Size Fits All
1975 - Bongo Fury (with Captain Beefheart)
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The Mothers of Invention Lyrics
"If we FZ: Ok? Now if you still want to get your…
08. Later That Night You surely must be trying To break this heart of mine I…
14.- The Idiot Bastard Son The idiot bastard son: (THE FATHER'S A NAZI IN CONGRESS TOD…
15.- Lonely Little Girl You're a lonely little girl But your Mommy & your Daddy…
Absolutely Free Suzy: I don't do publicity balling for you anymore FZ: The…
Agency Man Sell us a president, agency man Smiling Big Brother, stern …
America Drinks (One, Two, Buckle my Shoe) (Do-dos, and yips yips, assorted …
America Drinks & Goes Home (Here's a special request) (Hope you enjoy it) I tired t…
Amnesia Vivace La-la-la-la Oooo... ah-ah-ah (My darling You mean so …
Andy Frank zappa (guitar, vocals) George duke (keyboards, synthes…
Any Way the Wind Blows Any way the wind blows is-a fine with me Any way…
Anything For you, I could do anything For your love, my heart…
Anyway the Wind Blows Any way the wind blows is-a fine with me Any way…
Are You Hung Up? EC: Uh . . . Uh . . . Uh…
Big Leg Emma There's a big dilemma About my Big Leg Emma, uh-huh, oh…
Billy The Mountain Billy the mountain Billy the mountain A regular picturesqu…
Bow Tie Daddy Bow tie daddy dontcha blow your top Everything's under cont…
Brown Shoes Don Brown shoes don't make it Brown shoes don't make it Quit…
Brown Shoes Don't Make It Brown shoes don't make it Brown shoes don't make it Quit s…
Bwana Dik Frank zappa (guitar, dialog) Mark volman (lead vocals, dialo…
Call Any Vegetable Cheesy, cheesy! (This is a song about vegetables . . .…
Camarillo Brillo She had that Camarillo brillo Flamin' out along her head, I …
Can't Afford No Shoes Heh-heh-heh Have you heard the news? (News? What news?) Can…
Can’t Afford No Shoes Heh-heh-heh Have you heard the news? (News? What news?) …
Cheap Thrills Darling, darling, please hear my plea God only knows what y…
Cheepnis Frank zappa (lead guitar, vocals) George duke (keyboards, sy…
Concentration Moon Concentration Moon Over the camp in the valley Concentration…
Cruisin' for Burgers I must be free My fake I.D. Freeeeeees me Gotta do a few…
Cruising for Burgers I must be free My fake I.D. Freeeeeees me Gotta do a few…
Crusin' For Burgers I must be free My fake I.D. Freeeeeees me Gotta do a few…
Didja Get Any Onya MOO-AHHH mOO-AHHH mOO-AHHH Years ago in Germany when I Was …
Didja Get Any Onya? MOO-AHHH MOO-AHHH MOO-AHHH Lowell: Years ago in …
Dinah-Moe Humm I couldn't say where she's coming' from, But I just met…
Directly From My Heart To You Direct Directly from my heart to you Direct Directly from…
Dirty Love Give me Your dirty love Like you might surrander To some dra…
Dog Breath In The Year Of The Plague AY-YEAH . . . AY-YEAH . . . AY-YEAH . .…
Dog Breath, in the Year of the Plague AY-YEAH . . . AY-YEAH . . . AY-YEAH . .…
Don Brown shoes don't make it Brown shoes don't make it Quit…
Don't You Ever Wash That Thing? Frank Zappa (lead guitar, vocals) George Duke (keyboards, sy…
Eddie, Are You Kidding? Ddie, are you kidding? I've seen you on my TV Eddie, are…
Electric Aunt Jemima Ow ow ow ow Rundee rundee rundee Dinny wop wop Ow ow ow…
Evelyn A Modified Dog Evelyn, a modified dog Viewed the quivering fringe of a spec…
Fifty-Fifty Well, my dandruff is loose An' my breath is chartreuse I k…
Florentine Pogen Ah-oh-oh-oh ah-oh-oh-oh ah-oh-oh-oh oh-oh Ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-…
Flower Punk Hey Punk, where you goin' with that flower in your…
Fountain of Love Fountain . . . of . . . love! One .…
Go Cry On Somebody Else A year ago today Was when you went away But now you…
Go Cry On Somebody Else's Shoulder A year ago today Was when you went away But now…
Go Cry on Somebody Else’s Shoulder A year ago today Was when you went away But now you…
god bless america God Bless America Land that I love Stand beside her, And …
God Bless America (live at the Whisky a Go Go) God Bless America Land that I love Stand beside her, And gui…
Happy Together Frank zappa (guitar, dialog) Mark volman (lead vocals, dial…
Harry You I'm gonna tell you the way it is And I'm not…
Harry, You're a Beast I'm gonna tell you the way it is And I'm not…
Help Help I'm a rock, help I'm a rock, help I'm…
Help, I'm a Rock Help, I'm a rock Help, I'm a rock Help, I'm a rock Help,…
Here Comes the Gear Lads (Here comes the gear, lads! Dunbar Hear comes the gear, la…
Hot Poop Gary Kellgren: He is working the controls because all he…
How Could I Be Such a Fool When I won your love, I was very glad Every happiness…
Hungry Freaks Mr. America, walk on by your schools that do not…
I Help I'm a rock, help I'm a rock, help I'm…
I Ain Ain't got no heart I ain't got no heart to give…
I Ain’t Got No Heart Ain't got no heart I ain't got no heart to give…
I'm Not Satisfied Yeah! Got no place to go I'm tired of walking up…
I'm The Slime I am gross and perverted I'm obsessed 'n deranged I…
Ian Underwood Whips It Out Ian: My name is Ian Underwood and I am the…
Inca Roads Frank zappa (guitar, vocals) George duke (keyboards, synthes…
It Can It can't happen here It can't happen here I'm telling you…
It Can't Happen Here It can't happen here It can't happen here I'm telling you,…
It Can’t Happen Here It can't happen here It can't happen here I'm telling you…
I’m Not Satisfied Yeah! Got no place to go I'm tired of walking up and…
Jelly Roll Gum Drop Oh, Jelly Roll Gum Drop, got my eyes on you Baby…
King Kong IV Ayyy! Yee-hah! Here's one with your father's moustache, you…
Later That Night You surely must be trying To break this heart of mine I…
Learning 'Penis Dimension' Penis dimension Penis dimension Penis dimension is worrying …
Let's Make the Water Turn Black Now believe me when I tell you that my song…
Little House I Used to Live In FZ: Thank you, good night . . . Thank you, if…
Lonely Little Girl You're a lonely little girl But your Mommy & your Daddy…
Lonesome Electric Turkey Frank zappa (guitar, dialog) Mark volman (lead vocals, dialo…
Louie Louie Ah! I know the perfect thing to accompany this man's…
Louie Louie (At the Royal Albert Hall in London) FZ: Ah! I know the perfect thing to accompany this…
Love of my Life Love of my life, I love you so Love of my…
Magdalena Hey! Ha! Oh! There was a man A little ole man Who liv…
Mom & Dad Mama! Mama! Someone said they made some noise The cops hav…
Montana I might be movin' to Montana soon Just to raise…
Mother People We are the other people We are the other people We are…
Motherly Love Motherly love Motherly love Forget about The brotherly and o…
Mr. Green Genes Eat your greens Don't forget your beans & celery Don't for…
My Guitar Wants To Kill Your Mama You know, your mama and your daddy Saying I'm no good…
Nasal Retentive Calliope Music YEAH! Bwa-hah-hah! Oh, my God . . . EC: Beautiful! God…
Oh No Oh no I don't believe it You say that you think you…
Our Bizarre Relationship FZ: Bizarre! Suzy: Bizarre . . . ha ha! No-one could…
Penguin in Bondage Thank you. Brian, I could use a little bit more monitor. H…
Penis Dimension Penis dimension Penis dimension Penis dimension is worrying …
Plastic People Ladies and Gentlemen... The President of the United States!…
Po-Jama People Some people's hot Some people's cold Some people's not very …
Pound for a Brown Dick Kunc: Fade!…
Po‐Jama People Some people's hot Some people's cold Some people's not very …
Prelude to King Kong Ayyy! Yee-hah! Here's one with your father's moustache, you…
Prelude to the Afternoon of a Sexually Aroused Gas Mask FZ: Blow your harmonica, son…
progress Bunk: Hey, put that down! Art: What are you doin′, man? Don:…
Progress? Bunk: Hey, put that down! Art: What are you d…
Prologue This town This town This town we're in is just a Sealed Tuna…
Pygmy Twylyte Green hocker croakin' In the Pygmy Twylyte Crankin' an' a-c…
Sharleena I'm cryin' I'm cryin' Cryin' for Sharleena, Don't you know? …
She Painted Up Her Face She painted up her face She sat before the mirror She pain…
Shove It Right In She chooses all the clothes She'll wear tonight to dance in…
Sleeping In A Jar It's the middle of the night And your mommy & your…
Sofa No. 1 Ich bin der Himmel Ich bin das Wasser (I am the sky…
Sofa No. 2 I am the heaven I am the water Ich bin…
Soft-Cell Conclusion A lot of people don't bother about their Friends in the…
Son of Mr Green Genes Eat your greens Don't forget your beans & celery Don't for…
Son of Orange County Ha ha ha ha ha ha...…
Son of Suzy Creamcheese What's got into ya? Suzy you were such a sweetie…
Status Back Baby I'm losing status at the high school I used to think…
Stuff Up The Cracks If you decide to leave me, it's all over If you…
T'Mershi Duween Wow!…
Take Your Clothes Off When You Dance There will come a time when everybody Who is lonely will…
Tears Began to Fall Frank zappa (guitar, dialog) Mark volman (lead vocals, dialo…
Telephone Conversation Pam: Well -just . . . operator? Hold for a…
Tengo Na Minchia Tanta Ah, tengo na minchia tanta Tengo na minchia accussi' Devi…
The Air The air Escaping from your mouth The hair Escaping from your…
The Chrome Plated Megaphone of Destiny A-ha-hah! Bwah-ha-ha! (Cough! Cough!) Ha ha ha ha! Nyah-…
The Duke of Prunes A moon beam through the prune In June Reveals your chest…
The Duke Regains His Chops And you'll be my Duchess My Duchess of Prunes I'm looki…
The Idiot Bastard Son The idiot bastard son: (THE FATHER'S A NAZI IN CONGRESS TODA…
The Jimmy Carl Black Philosophy Lesson FZ: At this very moment Jimmy Carl Black, the Indian…
The Legend of the Golden Arches Heh heh heh... GrrrRRRNNHH... Suzy: The first thing that at…
The Little House I Used To Live In FZ: Thank you, good night . . . Thank you, if…
The Mothers Play Louie Louie at the Royal Albert Hall in London [FZ:] Ah! I know the perfect thing to accompany this…
The Orange County Lumber Truck Ha ha ha ha ha ha...…
The Return of the Son of Monster Magnet Suzy? Yes Suzy Creamcheese? Yes This is the voice of …
The Uncle Meat Variations Ya ya ya ya ya ahhhahahhhhhhhh Ya ya ya ya ya ahhhahahhhh…
The Voice of Cheese Hello, teenage America (heh), My name is Suzy Creemcheese, …
Toads Of The Short Forest FZ: At this very moment on stage we have drummer…
Trouble Comin' Every Day Well I'm about to get sick From watchin' my TV Been checki…
Trouble Every Day Well, I'm about to get sick From watchin' my TV Been checkin…
Uncle Bernie's Farm (I'm dreaming...) There's a bomb to blow yo mommy up, A bom…
Uncle Bernie’s Farm (I'm dreaming...) There's a bomb to blow yo mommy up, A …
Uncle Meat Ya ya ya ya ya ahhhahahhhhhhhh Ya ya ya ya ya ahhhahahhhh…
Uncle Meat Film Excerpt Part II ------------------------------------------ 0: 00] Phyl…
Valarie La la la la la la La la la la la…
Village of the Sun [Chorus] Goin' back home To the Village of the Sun Out…
We Can Shoot You Ian: Dee... dee BAH dam... eeeeh-dam pa-pa-pa-pa-pam... tee-…
Weasels Ripped My Flesh FZ: Good night boys & girls . . . Thank…
What Kind of Girl Do You Think We Are Howard: What's a girl like you Doin' in a place like this?…
What's the Ugliest Part of Your Body What's the ugliest Part of your body? What's the ugliest …
What's the Ugliest Part of Your Body? (reprise) What's the ugliest Part of your body? (Darling, when I...) W…
What’s the Ugliest Part of Your Body What's the ugliest Part of your body? What's the ugliest …
What’s the Ugliest Part of Your Body? What's the ugliest Part of your body? What's the ugliest Par…
Who Are The Brain Police What will you do if we let you go home And…
Who Needs the Peace Corps What's there to live for? Who needs the peace corps? Think…
Why Don't You Do Me Right Why don'tcha do me right? Why don'tcha do me right? Why…
Wonderful Wino L.a. in the summer of '69 I went downtown and bought…
Would You Like a Snack? Went on the road For a month touring What a drag You gotta…
Wowie Zowie Wowie Zowie Your love's a treat Wowie Zowie You can't b…
WPLJ I say WPLJ, really taste good to me WPLJ, won't you…
You Ian: Dee... dee BAH dam... eeeeh-dam pa-pa-pa-pa-pam... tee-…
You Didn You didn't try to call me, why didn't ya try,…
You're Probably Wonderin' Why I'm Here You're probably wondering Why I'm here And so am I So…
You’re Probably Wondering Why I’m Here You're probably wondering Why I'm here And so am I So am …
Zomby Woof Three hunderd years ago Thought I might get some sleep…
“No. No. No.” Boppa dooayyydoo Boppa dooayyydoo Boppa dooayyydoo Bopp…