The nucleus of this 70's hippie honky tonk revival group originally formed circa 1964 in Ann Arbor Michigan, but really took off into outer space when they relocated to Berkeley Ca in 1967 where they opened for other popular psychedelic blues rock heavies of the era including Grateful Dead, Jefferson Airplane & The Doors. The group played an authentic Texas saloon pleasing sound that paid tongue in cheek tribute to lonesome cowboy & pill poppin' trucker songs, as well as popular counter culture pastimes like smuggling cocaine & smoking weed.
The band became known for marathon live shows. Alongside Frayne, the classic lineup was Billy C. Farlow (b. Decatur, Alabama) on vocals and harmonica; John Tichy (b. St. Louis, Missouri) on guitar and vocals; Bill Kirchen (Kirchen was born in Bridgeport, Connecticut, June 29, 1948, but grew up in Ann Arbor, Michigan) on lead guitar; Andy Stein (b. August 31, 1948, in New York City) on saxophone and fiddle; "Buffalo" Bruce Barlow (b. December 3, 1948, in Oxnard, California) on bass guitar; Lance Dickerson (b. October 15, 1948, in Livonia, Michigan, died November 10, 2003, in Fairfax, California) on drums; and Steve "The West Virginia Creeper" Davis (b. July 18, 1946, in Charleston, West Virginia), followed by Bobby Black, on pedal steel guitar.
Most vocals were handled by harmonica player Billy C Farlow, but Pianist George Frayne adopted the stage persona of Commander Cody.
Within a few years of moving to California they were signed to Paramount Records, who issued three well received and now influential classic 70's country rock albums. Their 2nd single, a cover of an old 1950's country song Hot Rod Lincoln became a big hit in 1971 and sold nearly a million copies. At the peak of their popularity in 1974, they moved onto the more artistically open minded Warner Brothers label. The group toured extensively, and were amongst the most popular live rock groups of their day, directly influencing the burgeoning British Pub Rock scene.
You can also see Commander Cody & His Lost Planet Airmen or Commander Cody on Last.fm.
Full Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commander_Cody_and_His_Lost_Planet_Airmen
Southbound
Commander Cody And His Lost Planet Airmen Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Is your glass half empty is your glass half full now
I hope you're happy, I hope you're happy
Is your glass half empty is your glass half full
I hope you're happy, I hope you're happy.
When you weak up in the mornin', is your mind thoughtful
And that is why I can say to you without fear of misunderstanding.
Southbound how would you like to go
Somewhere tropical breezes blow
Southbound how would you like to be
Swingin' in the branches of the coconut tree.
I hope you're happy, I hope you're happy
And that is why I can say to you without fear of misunderstanding.
Southbound unfold your wings and fly away into the starry sky
Soon you'll be a friend of mine
Eat plenty of coconut and have a good time.
Is your glass half empty is your glass half full now
I hope you're happy, I hope you're happy
And that is why I can say to you without fear of misunderstanding
Southbound I hope you're happy...
The lyrics to Commander Cody And His Lost Planet Airmen's song "Southbound" seem to be about finding happiness and living life to the fullest. The song starts by asking if the listener's glass is half empty or half full and expressing a hope that they are happy. The next verse talks about starting the day with a thoughtful mind, reiterating the hope that the listener is happy.
The chorus then invites the listener to imagine going south, where tropical breezes blow and swinging in the branches of coconut trees is a possibility. The song encourages the listener to "unfold your wings and fly away into the starry sky" and "eat plenty of coconut and have a good time." The repetition of "I hope you're happy" throughout the song, along with the tropical imagery, suggests that the key to happiness is embracing opportunities for joy and adventure.
Overall, the song seems to be a call to live life in a way that brings happiness and individual fulfillment. By encouraging the listener to embrace potential adventures and enjoy the simple pleasures of life, "Southbound" suggests that happiness comes from living life in a way that feels authentic and joyful.
Line by Line Meaning
Is your glass half empty is your glass half full now
Do you tend to see the negative or positive in life?
I hope you're happy, I hope you're happy
I wish for your happiness and well-being.
Is your glass half empty is your glass half full
Are you generally optimistic or pessimistic?
When you weak up in the mornin', is your mind thoughtful
Do you wake up with a mindful state of mind?
Southbound how would you like to go
Would you like to head south in your travels?
Somewhere tropical breezes blow
Would you like to go to a warm, tropical location?
Southbound how would you like to be
Would you like to live or visit a southern location?
Swingin' in the branches of the coconut tree
Enjoying a relaxed and carefree lifestyle.
Southbound unfold your wings and fly away into the starry sky
Go south and explore the wonders of the night sky.
Soon you'll be a friend of mine
You'll be welcomed and well-liked.
Eat plenty of coconut and have a good time
Enjoy the local cuisine and have fun.
And that is why I can say to you without fear of misunderstanding
Because I understand your desires and hope for your happiness.
Southbound I hope you're happy...
I hope you find happiness in your southern travels.
Contributed by Jayden G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.