Brinsley Schwarz was popular in the U.K. and many European territories, touring Great Britian in 1972 as an opening act for Paul McCartney & Wings. The band also tried playing the UK's regional pub & hall circuit with artists Dave Edmunds, Atomic Rooster, Ducks DeLuxe, and the Grateful Dead, even headlining the first Glastonbury festival. In addition to Schwarz and Nick Lowe on bass & vocals, the band featured American Billy Rankin on drums, and Bob Andrews on Hammond B-3 organ, with additional guitarist Ian Gomm added in 1970.
Brinsley Schwarz signed a contract with manager Dave Robinson, who developed a plan to earn the group some wide scale publicity. They first played America on a fiasco laden press junket opening for Van Morrison at the Fillmore East in New York City in 1970 but were not well rested or well received. The group never toured the states again. Before breaking up in 1975, they released a total of 12 albums and 21 singles for United Artists. The band also notably were the first group to play live in 1973 on the BBC's 'Old Grey Whistle Test' programme and had a cameo in the film 'Stardust' with David Essex.
In 1970, Brinsley Schwarz released Despite It All, which had a definite country sound to it, and later added Ian Gomm to the band. Their wild performances soon garnered the band a large fanbase on the London pub rock scene, at venues such as 'The Tally Ho' in Kentish Town. Along with other bands like Eggs Over Easy, Brinsley Schwarz was soon dubbed "pub rock" by rock journalists. They sounded, at times, very much like The Band, with Schwarz's guitar work influenced greatly by Robbie Robertson's.
1972's ironic take on country rock, Nervous on the Road, received excellent reviews but did not reach the charts; neither did a series of singles or Please Don't Ever Change (1973). They continued recording for a time, but broke up in 1975.
Schwarz and Andrews joined Graham Parker & the Rumour, later Andrews moved to New Orleans and now plays in Dos Jefes Uptown Cigar Bar and has a web page www.neworleanspiano.com.
Rankin joined Terraplane and then Big Jim Sullivan's Tiger.
Lowe and Gomm both began solo careers, achieving moderate mainstream success, including Lowe's (1980) single "Cruel to Be Kind", originally Brinsley Schwarz's composition, and Gomm's 1979 hit "Hold On."
Lowe went on to greater acclaim than any other member, starting off as Stiff's in house producer he recorded the debut discs of Elvis Costello, The Damned & The Pogues, recorded several albums with Rockpile and had some late 70s solo hit singles. Lowe married Johnny Cash's step daughter Carlene Carter Cash for a spell in the 80's, and later made a million from the inclusion of Curtis Stigers' cover version of "(What's So Funny About) Peace Love & Understanding" on the multi-platinum soundtrack to Whitney Houston's film "The Bodyguard".
Gomm, once described in a 1971 NME issue as "the best guitarist in Britain" attempted a solo career, and later became a Welsh studio owner & record producer who worked with The Stranglers and Alexis Korner.
The original version of Elvis Costello's hit "(What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love, and Understanding," written by Lowe, was released by the band in 1974 on their album The New Favourites of Brinsley Schwarz and also featured on the multi million selling soundtrack of the movie The Bodyguard, where it was performed by Curtis Stigers.
Brinsley Schwarz Discography:
Brinsley Schwarz (April 1970)
Despite It All (December 1970)
Silver Pistol (October 1971)
Nervous on the Road (September 1972)
Please Don't Ever Change (October 1973)
The New Favourites of Brinsley Schwarz (July 1974)
The Last Album (June 1975)
Rarities (July 2000)
Speedoo
Brinsley Schwarz Lyrics
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Bom, bom, bom,
Bom, bom, bom, bom.
Now they up and call me Speedoo,
But my real name is Mister Earl.
Now they up and call me Speedoo,
But my real name is Mister Earl.
And for takin' other folks' girls.
Now they up and call me Speedoo,
'Cause I don't believe in wastin' time.
Now they up and call me Speedoo,
'Cause I don't believe in wastin' time.
Now I've known some pretty women
And I thought that would change their minds.
Well, now, some they call me Joe.
Some they call me Moe.
Best man is Speedoo;
He don't never take it slow.
Now they up and call me Speedoo,
But my real name is Mister Earl.
Now they up and call me Speedoo,
But my real name is Mister Earl.
Now they're gonna call me Speedoo,
Till they call off makin' pretty girls.
Bom, bom, bom,
Bom, bom, bom,
Bom, bom, bom, bom.
The song "Speedoo" by the Brinsley Schwarz band is about a man called Mister Earl who is often referred to as Speedoo. The first line of the song, "Now they up and call me Speedoo, but my real name is Mister Earl" suggests he is called Speedoo due to his fast-paced lifestyle, and he strongly believes in not wasting time. The reason for this fast-paced lifestyle is attributed to the fact that he likes meeting new people and stealing other people's girlfriends. He feels that he doesn't have any time to waste because he never wants to miss out on anything exciting.
The lyrics in the song portray the sense of rivalry that exists among the men who interact with him. They call him by different names such as Joe, Moe, and Speedoo, but he doesn't seem to care much as long as they acknowledge his presence. The line "Best man is Speedoo, he don't never take it slow" shows that Speedoo is a man who is quick and efficient in what he does, and he wants everyone to know it. This is reflected in his perception of himself, as he feels that he is the best man.
Overall, "Speedoo" is a song that talks about a man who lives life on the fast lane, always on the go and never taking it slow, and the reactions of the people around him, who admire him and are envious of him at the same time.
Line by Line Meaning
Now they up and call me Speedoo,
I am now commonly referred to as Speedoo
But my real name is Mister Earl.
My birth name is Mister Earl
All for meetin' brand-new fellows
I enjoy meeting new people
And for takin' other folks' girls.
I steal women from other men
'Cause I don't believe in wastin' time.
I value efficiency and time management
Now I've known some pretty women
I have had the pleasure of engaging with attractive women
And I thought that would change their minds.
Despite this, I thought they would want to be with me
Some they call me Joe.
Some people refer to me as Joe
Some they call me Moe.
Other people know me as Moe
Best man is Speedoo;
The preferred version of myself is Speedoo
He don't never take it slow.
I am always on the move and don't slow down for anyone
Now they're gonna call me Speedoo,
I will forever be associated with the name Speedoo
Till they call off makin' pretty girls.
Even after I stop stealing women, I will still be known as Speedoo
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Esther Navarro
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind