In 1967, the band was signed to bubblegum label Buddah Records, where they released five LPs under their own name and a variety of singles, as well as "appearing" on the bubblegum concept LP The Kasenetz-Katz Singing Orchestral Circus, which sounded suspiciously like the usual Buddah studio band, in spite of its promotion as a "bubblegum superjam".
Their first hit, "Simon Says", was panned by the band members, but Jeckell persuaded the band to record it. In the process they changed the beat and patterned the song after "Wooly Bully" by Sam the Sham and the Pharoahs. "Simon Says" soon became a chart-topping hit. Some, but not all, of the band's tracks were performed by studio musicians. The band started touring, opening for major acts such as The Beach Boys. They followed on to release the hits "1-2-3 Red Light", "Indian Giver", "Goody, Goody Gumdrops" and "May I Take a Giant Step".
Eventually, the group members were replaced by the producers of Super K, and the musicians that appear on the 1910 Fruitgum Company's final two albums, Indian Giver and Hard Ride, are completely different bands. Hard Ride is in fact a complete departure from the bubblegum sound, and represented an attempt to conquer the FM radio market, with hippie, blues, and psychedelic elements over lengthy tracks.
The band's most recent appearance was on the Bubble Gum Rock Special.
The seminal punk rock group Ramones cited 1910 Fruitgum Company as a fundamental influence on their music. They covered their song "Indian Giver".
1910 Fruitgum Company's song "1-2-3 Red Light" was frequently covered by the Rhode Island School of Design band The Artistics, which would later mutate into the seminal new wave band Talking Heads.
Simon Says
1910 Fruitgum Company Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
That is so much fun
And it's not so very hard to do
The name of the game is Simple Simon says
And I would like for you to play it to
Put your hands in the air
Simple Simon says
Simple Simon says
Do it when Simon says
Simple Simon says
And you will never be out
Simple Simon says
Put your hands on your head
Let your back bone stretch
Simon says
Simple Simon says
Put your hands on your head
Let your back bone stiff
Simon says
Put your hands on your head
Simple Simon says
Bring them down by your side
Simple Simon says
Shake them to your left
Simple Simon Says
Now shake them to your right
Put your hands on your head
Simple Simon says
Bring them down by your side
Simple Simon says
Shake them to your left
Simple Simon Says
Now shake them to your right
Now that you have learnt
To play this game with me
You can see its not so hard to do
Lets try it once again
This time more carefully
And I hope the winner will be you
Clap your hands in the air
Simple Simon says
Do it double time
Simple Simon says
Slow it down like before
Simple Simon says
Ah, your looking fine
Simple Simon says
Now clap them high in the air
Simple Simon says
Do it double time
Simple Simon says
Slow it down like before
Simple Simon says
Ah, your looking fine
The 1910 Fruitgum Company's song "Simon Says" is a catchy and playful tune that encourages listeners to participate in an interactive game. The song begins by asking listeners to join in a game known as Simple Simon says. The game requires players to follow a series of actions initiated by Simon. The actions involve putting hands up, shaking them, and placing them on the head, among others. The lyrics make it clear that if players follow Simon's instructions, they will never be out of the game. The song ends on an upbeat note, inviting listeners to play the game again.
The song "Simon Says" can be interpreted to be a playful youth game that encourages listening and following instructions. The game teaches players to pay attention to instructions and work in coordination with the group. It promotes teamwork and social interaction while at the same time being a fun game to play. The song's catchy tune and easy-to-follow lyrics make it a favorite among kids and adults alike.
Line by Line Meaning
I'd like to play a game
I want to engage in a leisure activity
That is so much fun
Something that is enjoyable and entertaining
And it's not so very hard to do
The activity is not difficult
The name of the game is Simple Simon says
The game is called Simple Simon says
And I would like for you to play it to
I request that you participate in the game with me
Put your hands in the air
Raise your hands above your head
Simple Simon says
Follow the instructions of Simple Simon
Shake them all about
Move your hands in a lively manner
Do it when Simon says
Perform the action only when instructed by Simple Simon
And you will never be out
You will not be eliminated from the game
Put your hands on your head
Place your hands on your head
Let your back bone stretch
Straighten your spine
Simon says
Instruction given by Simple Simon
Let your back bone stiff
Make your spine rigid
Bring them down by your side
Lower your hands to your side
Shake them to your left
Move your hands to the left side of your body
Now shake them to your right
Move your hands to the right side of your body
Now that you have learnt
Now that you have acquired knowledge
To play this game with me
To engage in this game with me
You can see its not so hard to do
You can now understand that the game is not difficult
Lets try it once again
Let's attempt the game one more time
This time more carefully
With more attention and caution
And I hope the winner will be you
I desire for you to emerge victorious in the game
Clap your hands in the air
Make a clapping motion above your head
Do it double time
Perform the motion twice as fast
Ah, your looking fine
You are doing well and looking good
Slow it down like before
Perform the motion at a slower pace
Now clap them high in the air
Raise your hands and clap above your head
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ELLIOT CHIPRUT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@stefanwohlke7502
We are living in very difficult times in 2022 - energy crisis, war in Ukraine.... it's really good to hear such nice feel-good oldies from years long past. I was born in 1967 and remember that my parents played "Simon Says" by the 1910 Fruitgum Company from a tape reel very often in the early 70s. I still love listening - greetings from Germany.
@Bob-jl2oe
@Stefan Wöhlke- “different times”? Really? “Times” are always different. What kind of times was it in the early 40’s when Hitler was killing the Jews?
@merryj370
Yes and this is my favorite song..always was and always will be
@robby062
It’s a great song, but when it came out in 1968, times really weren’t that different. We had riots in cities and the Vietnam War, for starters… the more things change, the more they remain the same.
@adamt5164
@@robby062 There was no energy crisis in 1968, but the underlying problem it caused, inflation was definitely also around in 1968, as a result of the 'guns AND butter' high deficit policies from the mid 1960s.' Inflation first crept up in 1966.
@mercurykingfirst
Sooner or later, everything will be okay
@kennethlamb2926
1968 in Panama Canal Zone in the Navy. There was a bar on Base called the Firecracker where officers and enlisted mixed within walking distance to main Admin building. At 1600 (4pm) the bar filled up and the jukebox blasted. When the crowd got to feeling good I would play this song three times in a row (three plays 25 cents) and the nurses and men would dance like crazy in dress whites. An unforgettable moment in time.
@fazbell
I was walking in a mall in Bangkok, Thailand and saw a Thai man who seemed to be playing every bubble-gum song ever recorded. He did a really good version of this song and many others. What a strange place to encounter this kind of music. Very psychedelic in its own way.
@momster64
This song was a staple at the roller rink we frequented in the 70’s, it brings back great memories!😅
@robertking8932
I am 65 and still like to listen to this song