Founder Al Kooper conceived Blood, Sweat and Tears as an experiment in expanding the size and scope of the rock band with touches of jazz , blues , classical , and folk music. When Kooper was forced out of the band soon after its eclectic debut, Child Is Father to the Man, BS&T became increasingly identified as a "jazz-rock" group, although its music was essentially easy-listening rhythm and blues or rock with the addition of brass.
Kooper formed BS&T after leaving the Blues Project in 1967. The nucleus of the original band was Steve Katz, also of the Blues Project; Jim Fielder, who had played with the Mothers of Invention and Buffalo Springfield; and Bobby Colomby, who had drummed behind folksingers Odetta and Eric Andersen. The horn players were recruited from New York jazz and studio bands. Child Is Father featured songs by Harry Nilsson, Tim Buckley, Randy Newman, Gerry Goffin, and Carole King, along with Kooper originals and arrangements by Fred Lipsius for brass, strings, and studio effects. The band nearly broke up when Kooper, Randy Brecker, and Jerry Weiss left (Brecker to join The Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra). Regrouping under Katz and Colomby, and fronted by David Clayton-Thomas (who had sung with a Canadian blues band, The Bossmen), BS&T entered a period of immense popularity. Blood, Sweat & Tears featured arrangements of music by French composer Erik Satie and jazz singer Billie Holiday, as well as by Laura Nyro, Steve Winwood, and others. It was the #1 album for seven weeks in 1969, sold over 3 million copies, and spawned three gold singles: “You’ve Made Me So Very Happy,” “Spinning Wheel,” and “And When I Die,” each of which hit #2.
In 1970 the U.S. State Department sent the band on a goodwill tour of Yugoslavia, Romania, and Poland. Blood, Sweat & Tears 3 duplicated the Blood, Sweat & Tears mix of styles and was almost as popular. The album went to #1, and two singles, “Hi-De-Ho” and “Lucretia MacEvil,” hit the Top 30. But interest in the group began to wane, and 4, which contained almost all original material, barely made the Top 10. In 1971 “Go Down Gamblin’” was its last hit. By the time Clayton-Thomas left for a solo career in 1972, BS&T’s place on the charts had been filled by similarly styled bands such as Chicago, Chase, and Ides of March. Katz left the next year, first to join the short-lived American Flyer and then to an A&R position at Mercury Records.
BS&T became regulars in Las Vegas, with ever-changing personnel recruited largely from big bands like Maynard Ferguson’s, Woody Herman’s, and Doc Severinsen’s. Vocalist Jerry LaCroix appeared between his tenures with Edgar Winter’s White Trash and Rare Earth, while guitarist Mike Stern later played with Miles Davis’ early-’80s band. Clayton-Thomas’ return in 1974 briefly boosted BS&T’s popularity, but Columbia dropped the group, and Colomby, the last original member, left in 1976. He continued to influence BS&T as producer of Brand New Day and, with Clayton-Thomas, as co-owner of the band’s name and catalogue. He then moved on to a career in A&R for several labels, as well as TV reporting. Since 1975 the live act has been billed as Blood, Sweat and Tears Featuring David Clayton-Thomas. [from The Rolling Stone Encyclopedia of Rock & Roll (Simon & Schuster, 2001)
http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/bloodsweatandtears/biography
In late 2005, the band returned to touring. The year 2007 witnessed the band's first world tour in a decade. From 2008 through 2010, Steve Katz returned to appear at BS&T's shows as a special guest.
From 2013 till 2018, Blood Sweat and Tears was fronted by Bo Bice, who was the runner-up against Carrie Underwood in the fourth season of American Idol.
In 2018, the group decided to replace Bice with former Tower of Power singer Tom Bowes, who had previously done a brief stint with BS&T back in July through November 2012.
In 2019 Keith Paluso, from the reality TV show The Voice, was chosen as BS&T's new singer.
Hi-De-Ho
Blood Sweat & Tears Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Gonna find me a piece of the sky
Gonna find me some of that old sweet roll
Singing hi-de-hi-de-hi-de-hi-di-ho
Listen, I've been down so low
That the bottom looked like up
Once I felt like second saves
Now I've offered all I have
But it ain't no way to live
Being taken by the ones who have
The least amount to give
Singing hi-de-ho, hi-de-hi
Got to find me a piece of the sky
Gonna find me some of that old sweet roll
Singing hi-de-hi-de-hi-de-hi-de-ho
I wanna tell you
Once I met the devil
He was mighty slick
Tempted me with worldly goods
Said I could have my pick
But when he laid the paper on me
And showed me where to sign
I said "Thank you very kindly
But I'm in too great a need of mine"
Singing hi-de-ho, hi-de-hi, oh
Got to find me a piece of that sky
Gonna find me some of that old sweet roll
Singing hi-de-hi-de-hi-de-hi-de-ho, yeah
Hi-de-hi-de-ho
Hi-de-hi-de-ho, yeah
Hi-de-hi-de-ho
Hi-de-hi-de-hi
Talking 'bout hi-de-hi-de-ho
The lyrics to Blood Sweat & Tears's song "Hi-De-Ho" can be interpreted as an anthem for those who have hit rock bottom and are determined to rise above it. The phrase "hi-de-ho" is a joyful expression, and in this song, it represents the search for hope and redemption. The opening lines convey the desire to elevate oneself and reach for something beyond one's current circumstances. The "old sweet roll" symbolizes the good life that the singer is striving to achieve.
The second verse reveals the hardships that the singer has faced in the past, where the bottom looked like up, and he was content with second-best. However, now he realizes that he deserves more and has nothing left to offer to those who take advantage of him. This highlights the contrast between the singer's past and present state of mind, where he is determined to seek out better things in life.
The final verse tells the story of how the devil tempted the singer with worldly possessions, but the singer was wise enough not to fall for it, recognizing that what he needed was different from what was being offered. The song ends on a positive note with the singer continuing to chase his dreams, and the repeating phrase "hi-de-ho" becoming a symbol of his perseverance.
Line by Line Meaning
Hi-de-ho, hi-de-hi
I'm feeling great and ready to achieve my dreams
Gonna find me a piece of the sky
I am determined to reach for the stars and make my dreams come true
Gonna find me some of that old sweet roll
I want to experience the good things that life has to offer
Singing hi-de-hi-de-hi-de-hi-di-ho
I am so filled with joy that I can't help but sing
Listen, I've been down so low
I have experienced some tough times and hardships
That the bottom looked like up
I've hit rock bottom and things could not get any worse
Once I felt like second saves
I used to settle for mediocrity and not aim for greatness
Was enough to fill my cup
I thought I was content with just enough, but now I want more
Now I've offered all I have
I've given my all, but it's not enough to live a satisfying life
But it ain't no way to live
Living with just enough to survive and give to others isn't fulfilling
Being taken by the ones who have
Those with very little are often taken advantage of by those who have more
The least amount to give
The people who have the most often give the least
I wanna tell you
I have a story to share
Once I met the devil
I was tempted by something dangerous
He was mighty slick
The temptation was very alluring and hard to resist
Tempted me with worldly goods
I was promised material possessions and wealth
Said I could have my pick
I was told that I could have anything I desired
But when he laid the paper on me
The devil presented me with a contract or agreement
And showed me where to sign
I was asked to sign the contract and agree to the terms
I said 'Thank you very kindly
I politely declined the offer
But I'm in too great a need of mine'
I realized that I have my own goals and dreams that I want to achieve
Hi-de-ho, hi-de-hi, oh
I'm feeling great and ready to achieve my dreams
Got to find me a piece of that sky
I am determined to reach for the stars and make my dreams come true
Gonna find me some of that old sweet roll
I want to experience the good things that life has to offer
Singing hi-de-hi-de-hi-de-hi-de-ho, yeah
I am so filled with joy that I can't help but sing
Hi-de-hi-de-ho
I'm feeling great and ready to achieve my dreams
Hi-de-hi-de-ho, yeah
I'm feeling great and ready to achieve my dreams
Hi-de-hi-de-ho
I'm feeling great and ready to achieve my dreams
Hi-de-hi-de-hi
I'm feeling great and ready to achieve my dreams
Talking 'bout hi-de-hi-de-ho
I can't stop talking or singing about how great I feel
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Carole King, Gerry Goffin
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@denvercampbell1634
On a 70's Music Spree this evening, started by searching up the Georgia Songs (The Night the Lights Went Out & Midnight Train : 2 different artists, both great songs) then the playlist popped up some Cool older Chicago songs (Getting Stronger Everyday & Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is) those reminded me of another great 70's band that incorporated a Horn section into their musical sound - Blood, Sweat & Tears.
So here I am!
By the way 70's music is the BEST! - It does help that in was born in 1970, so those were the 1st songs I ever heard. I was lucky, my parent always had "classic rock" type of music playing, in the car on AM radio, and at home it was records on the Old-School Turntable stereo.
So it definitely made an impression on me, and the nostalgia I cannot put into words...
I do love all types of music, so I have tried it all out, and still listen to several different genres daily.
That being said, once the 80's came w/MTV and all the commercialism, Popular Music has never been the same.
Don't get me wrong, I love a lot of 80's Music, 90's & even current bands. For example Bon Iver gives me the 70's music type of feeling; in other words, I can feel Soul in the music.
But its like looking for a needle in a haystack to find Bands that REALLY put 100% of their Being into their music, and I bet most the time its because they aren't ALLOWED to by the Industry itself.
That's why I think 70's (and some mid-late 60's) music is the best, because you have a high % chance of listening to Real Music/Art that someone(s) put their SOUL into....and you can tell, you will know it when you hear/feel it in the right songs! PEACE TO ALL !!
@denvercampbell1634
On a 70's Music Spree this evening, started by searching up the Georgia Songs (The Night the Lights Went Out & Midnight Train : 2 different artists, both great songs) then the playlist popped up some Cool older Chicago songs (Getting Stronger Everyday & Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is) those reminded me of another great 70's band that incorporated a Horn section into their musical sound - Blood, Sweat & Tears.
So here I am!
By the way 70's music is the BEST! - It does help that in was born in 1970, so those were the 1st songs I ever heard. I was lucky, my parents always had "classic rock" type of music playing, in the car on AM radio, and at home it was records on the Old-School Turntable stereo.
So it definitely made an impression on me, and the nostalgia I cannot put into words...
I do love all types of music, so I have tried it all out, and still listen to several different genres daily.
That being said, once the 80's came w/MTV and all the commercialism, Popular Music has never been the same.
Don't get me wrong, I love a lot of 80's Music, 90's & even current bands. For example Bon Iver gives me the 70's music type of feeling; in other words, I can feel Soul in the music.
But its like looking for a needle in a haystack to find Bands that REALLY put 100% of their Being into their music, and I bet most the time its because they aren't ALLOWED to by the Industry itself.
That's why I think 70's (and some mid-late 60's) music is the best, because you have a high % chance of listening to Real Music/Art that someone(s) put their SOUL into....and you can tell, you will know it when you hear/feel it in the right songs! PEACE TO ALL !!
@ZombieLegacy
Lyrics:
Hi-de-ho, hi-de-hi
Gonna find me a piece of the sky
Gonna find me some of that old sweet roll
Singing hi-de-hi-de-hi-de-hi-di-ho
Listen, I've been down so low
That the bottom looked like up
Once I felt like second saves
Was enough to fill my cup
Now I've offered all I got
But it ain't no way to live
Being taken by the ones who have
The least amount to give
hi-de-ho, hi-de-hi
Gonna get me a piece of the sky
Gonna get me some of that old sweet roll
Singing hi-de-hi-de-hi-de-hi-de-ho
I wanna tell you
Once I met the devil
He was mighty slick
Tempted me with worldly goods
Said I could have my pick
But when he laid the paper on me
And showed me where to sign
I said "Thank you very kindly
But I'm in too great a need of mine"
Singing hi-de-ho, hi-de-hi, oh
Got to find me a piece of that sky
Gonna find me some of that old sweet roll
Singing hi-de-hi-de-hi-de-hi-de-ho, yeah
Hi-de-hi-de-ho
Hi-de-hi-de-ho, yeah
Hi-de-hi-de-ho
Hi-de-hi-de-hi
Talking 'bout hi-de-hi-de-ho
@virvisquevir3320
Hi de ho
Hi de hi
Gonna get me a piece of the sky
Gonna get me some of that old sweet roll
I'm singing 'hi de hi de hi de hi de hooooo'
I've been down so low
Bottom looked like up
Once I thought that seconds saves
Was enough to fill my cup
Now I offered all I got
And that ain't no way to live
Being taken by the ones who got
The least amount to give
Hi de ho
Hi de hi
I'm gonna get me a piece of the sky
I'm gonna get me some of that old sweet roll
I'm singing hi de hi de hi de hi de hooooo
*
Once I met the devil
He was mighty slick
Tempted me with worldly goods
He said 'you can have your pick'
But when he laid that paper on me
And he showed me where to sign
I said 'Thank you very kindly
But I'm in too good a mood to mind'
Hi de ho
Hi de hi
I'm gonna get me a piece of the sky
I'm gonna get me some of that old sweet roll
Singing 'hi de hi de hi de hi de hooooo'
Hi de ho
Hi de hi
Gonna get me a piece of the sky
Gonna get me some of that old sweet roll
Singing 'hi de hi de hi de hi de hooooo'
@lancehouston4156
Vocals & Horn section 2nd to none! Even “Chicago” who I also enjoy!
🎷🎼🎺🎹
@someguyspage1809
This is such a masterpiece. The gospel choir coming in near the end is just superb.
@adorabledeplorable5105
Especially the girl at the end with that higher than high note .
@dtmjax5612
One of the best male vocalists of all time.
@blurtreynolds7477
David Clayton Thomas; he is amazing
@kindGSL
Inspired by God.
@edihejzel
Agree!!!! 100%
@scottburton9701
David Clayton Thomas is outstanding!
@johmhill7312
No doubt!!
@oscarenriquedellachabensen5759
Excelente, cuando yo era joven la escuchaba todos los días. Mix de Gospel, Blues, Soul y músicos de alto nivel. Clayton Thomas Great Singer.