He first appeared on the local Detroit scene in 1961 fronting a three-piece band called the Decibels. After they disbanded, Seger joined the four-piece Town Criers, a four-piece band who gained a steady following covered songs like "Louie Louie".
Seger soon left to join R&B group Doug Brown & the Omens. While Brown was the primary lead vocalist for the group, Seger would take the lead on some R&B covers. It was with this group that Seger first appeared on an officially released recording, the single "TGIF" backed with "First Girl". Around this time, Seger met his longtime manager Edward "Punch" Andrews, and began writing and producing for other acts that Andrews was managing, such as the Mama Cats and the Mushrooms (with future Eagle Glenn Frey). Andrews and his business partner Leone approached Seger and Brown to write a song for The Underdogs, another local band who recently had a hit with a song called "Man in the Glass". Seger contributed a song called "East Side Story", which ultimately proved to be a failure for The Underdogs.
Seger decided to record "East Side Story" himself, and officially left the Omens (though he did retain Doug Brown as a producer). As Bob Seger and the Last Heard, Seger released his version of the song with Hideout Records in January 1966, and it became his first big Detroit hit. The single (backed with "East Side Sound", an instrumental version of "East Side Story") sold 50,000 copies, mostly in the Detroit area, and led to a contract with Cameo-Parkway Records. Though the name "The Last Heard" originally referred to the collection of Omens and Town Criers who recorded "East Side Story" with Seger, it soon became the name of Seger's permanent band, which consisted of former Town Crier Pep Perrine on drums, Carl Lagassa on guitar, and Dan Honaker on bass. Following "East Side Story," the group released four more singles: the James Brown-inspired holiday single "Sock It To Me Santa", the Bob Dylan-esque "Persecution Smith", "Vagrant Winter", and perhaps the most notable, "Heavy Music", released in 1967. "Heavy Music", which sold even more copies than "East Side Story", had potential to break out nationally when Cameo-Parkway suddenly went out of business.
Seger and Andrews began searching for a new label. In the spring of 1968, Bob Seger & the Last Heard signed with Capitol Records, turning down Motown, who offered more money, as Seger felt that Capitol was more appropriate for his style of music. Capitol subsequently changed the name of the band to The Bob Seger System, a name which they would use until 1970 when Seger began a solo career.
Heavy Music Part 1
Bob Seger & The Last Heard Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We′re gonna have a good time
Don't you ever listen to the radio
When the big bad beat comes on?
I know you gotta dig it
I know you can′t stop
'Cause the bottom comes on so strong
Talkin 'bout heavy music
Oh, I got to have it, yeah
Heavy music
I got to love it now
Deeper, (heavy music)
Deeper, (heavy music)
Baby, don′t you get a kick; (heavy music)
From it, yeah, (music)
Dig it, (heavy music)
Dig it, baby, (heavy music)
Dancin′ (heavy music) to the heavy music, (music)
What I sing to the heavy music
Yeah, a little bit deeper now, alright
Don't you ever feel like goin′ insane
When the drums begin to pound?
Ain't there ever been a time in your life
You could believe what the band was puttin′ down?
About heavy music
That's what I′m talking 'bout
Heavy music
Oh, I'm talking ′bout
Deeper, (heavy music)
Come on in now (heavy music)
Baby don′t you get a kick, (heavy music)
From it, yeah, (music)
Dig it now, (heavy music)
Gotta dig it now, (heavy music)
Dancin' (heavy music) to the heavy music, (music)
Dancin′ to the heavy music, (music)
Oh yeah, alright, goin' in, goin′ in now
Oh yeah, I'm goin′ in
Oh yeah I'm goin' in now
Come on, (heavy music)
Come on with me baby (heavy music)
Come on, (heavy music)
Come on with me, baby, (music)
Come on, (heavy music)
Come on with me, baby, (heavy music)
Come on, (heavy music)
Come on, with me, babe (music)
Come on, (heavy music)
Come on with me, (heavy music)
Goin′ deeper, (heavy music)
What you say, (music)
We′re goin' deeper, (heavy music)
Take a look around, (heavy music)
Goin′ deeper, (heavy music)
Best to look around, (music)
Deeper, (heavy music)
Deeper, (heavy music)
Deeper, (heavy music)
Whoa, whoa, (music)
Deeper (heavy music)
Deeper (heavy music)
Deeper (heavy music)
Whoa, whoa (music)
Whoa, (heavy music)
Got to, (heavy music)
Deeper, (heavy music)
A little heavy, (music)
Goin' deeper, (heavy music)
Deeper, (heavy music)
Go go, (heavy music)
We′re goin' in now, (music)
The lyrics of "Heavy Music Part 1" by Bob Seger & The Last Heard seem to celebrate the power and impact of music, particularly emphasizing the intensity of rock and roll. The song starts with an invitation for the listener to have a good time and enjoy the music experience. The reference to not listening to the radio but feeling the beat implies a more visceral connection to music, suggesting that true appreciation comes from feeling the groove deeply within oneself.
The repeated emphasis on "heavy music" throughout the song underscores the importance of music that resonates on a deeper level. The lyrics talk about how the music hits hard and strong at the bottom, driving the listener to dig it and not be able to stop. The call for dancing to the heavy music indicates a physical and emotional response to the intense sound, urging the listener to fully embrace the music.
The lyrics also suggest a sense of release and liberation that comes from immersing oneself in the intense rhythm of the music. There is a mention of feeling like going insane as the drums pound, capturing the raw energy and passion that music can evoke. The song encourages the listener to let go of inhibitions and connect with the primal, cathartic experience of heavy music.
The escalating repetition of "deeper" and "going in" towards the end of the song could symbolize a journey into the depths of one's own emotions and desires through the music. The exhortation to take a look around and go deeper reflects a desire for a more profound connection to the music and a willingness to explore its transformative power. Overall, the lyrics of "Heavy Music Part 1" convey a message of embracing the intensity and emotional depth of music, inviting the listener to lose themselves in the electrifying experience of heavy rock music.
Line by Line Meaning
Ah, come on, baby
Encouraging someone to join in for a great time
We're gonna have a good time
Expressing excitement about enjoying oneself
Don't you ever listen to the radio
Asking if they ever feel the thrill of music
When the big bad beat comes on?
Referring to the irresistible rhythm
I know you gotta dig it
Recognizing the appeal of the music
I know you can't stop
Acknowledging the power of the music
'Cause the bottom comes on so strong
Explaining the compelling nature of the music
Talkin 'bout heavy music
Discussing the intense nature of the music
Oh, I got to have it, yeah
Expressing a strong desire for the music
Heavy music
Emphasizing the weight and impact of the music
I got to love it now
Affirming a deep affection for the music
Deeper, (heavy music)
Delving into the emotional depth of the music
Baby, don't you get a kick; (heavy music)
Asking if they also feel the excitement from the music
From it, yeah, (music)
Acknowledging the pleasure derived from the music
Dig it, (heavy music)
Appreciating and enjoying the music
Dig it, baby, (heavy music)
Encouraging full immersion in the music
Dancin' (heavy music) to the heavy music, (music)
Moving to the rhythm of the powerful music
What I sing to the heavy music
Expressing how the music inspires creativity
Yeah, a little bit deeper now, alright
Encouraging further exploration of the music
Don't you ever feel like goin' insane
Questioning the intense emotions music can evoke
When the drums begin to pound?
Referring to the driving force of the music
Ain't there ever been a time in your life
Asking about significant musical experiences
You could believe what the band was puttin' down?
Questioning the impact of the band's message
That's what I'm talking 'bout
Emphasizing the significance of heavy music
Oh, I'm talking 'bout
Continuing to discuss the importance of the music
Come on in now (heavy music)
Inviting someone to fully embrace the music
Take a look around, (heavy music)
Encouraging awareness of the impact of the music
Best to look around, (music)
Suggesting the benefits of exploring the music deeply
Whoa, whoa (music)
Reacting to the powerful effect of the music
Got to, (heavy music)
Expressing the necessity of heavy music
Goin' deeper, (heavy music)
Continuing to explore the profound aspects of the music
Deeper, (heavy music)
Emphasizing the depth and complexity of the music
Deeper (heavy music)
Continuing to delve deeper into the heavy music
Deeper, (heavy music)
Further exploring the intense emotions of the music
Go go, (heavy music)
Encouraging action and movement to the music
We're goin' in now, (music)
Entering a transformative musical experience
Writer(s): Bob Seger
Contributed by Alexandra E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.