ESG (Emerald, Sapphire and Gold) formed in 1978 in the South Bronx. The band originally consisted of the four Scroggins sisters -- Deborah (bass, vocals), Marie (congas, vocals), Renee (vocals, guitar), and Valerie (drums); although line-up changes have happened many times since their formation, including bandmembers who were neighbors, daughters of original members, and even male band members.
The Scroggins mother bought the band's instruments when they were still teenagers to keep them supposedly busy and away from trouble. They had to teach themselves their instruments, but it wasn't long before they started playing shows and clubs. Soon, Ed Bahlman, the owner of 99 Records (a record shop and a label that included Y Pants, Liquid Liquid, Bush Tetras, and Konk on its roster), was impressed enough to take them under his wing as a manager and producer. Consequentially, ESG and their music fell in with the no wave and post-punk scene of New York City thereafter, even though their music was neither abrasive in anyway or art conscious -- but the group's sparse, heavily rhythmic, and unpolished sound fit right into the New York scene in which Bahlman's label was a significant factor. Bahlman booked them successfully at punk clubs and they were a hit in the underground NYC scene.
After a few singles and EPs in the late '70s and early '80s the band hooked up with Factory Records producer Martin Hannett while he was in the area recording A Certain Ratio's first album, "To Each" in 1981. The 6 song ESG 12" EP on 99 Records from the same year features a particularly unique and widely sampled track, UFO, using Hannett's fondness for reverb, flangers and feedback to make a song that was so unusual it has been very widely sampled, along with other tracks from that record. That EP is a rarity on vinyl that is highly prized by DJs and copies typically sell on Ebay for about $50 with only a dozen or so copies surfacing there in recent years.
Their first full-length LP came with 1983's Come Away with ESG. Unfortunately, their record label had to soon close because of Bahlman's legal battle with Sugarhill over Grandmaster Flash's sampling of Liquid Liquid's "Optimo" caused him financial and mental stress, with Sugarhill's fall into receivership -- and inability to award 99 Records their due settlement -- acting as the final straw. With the closing of 99 Records, ESG disbanded shortly thereafter (1984), but re-formed in the early '90s, heralding their comeback with a self-titled 1991 compilation of previously released material.
In the years since their original formation, the group's work had become popular among hip-hop artists searching for samples, with such acts as TLC, Wu-Tang Clan, Beastie Boys, Big Daddy Kane, Gang Starr, Tricky, Jay Dee (J-Dilla) on his Donuts album, and indie rockers like Unrest and Liars. The group addressed this issue on the 1992 12" EP Sample Credits Don't Pay Our Bills. The album, ESG Live!, was release in 1995 and featured both old and new material.
The band played what was to be their final show on Friday, September 21, 2007 at Chicago's Abbey Pub, during the Estrojam festival. But the band announced that they reformed in 2008 to play their first returning show at NYC's Santos House Party on September 13, 2008. They also claimed that both more shows and new music will emerge in the future.
Moody
ESG Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Walking down the street
You see, I'm gonna see my baby
And it make me feel moody
Like this...
Moody
Moody, moody, moody
Moody, moody, moody
Can go to see your baby
Can make you feel moody
Can make you feel high, feel low
Feeling, feel like, like this...
Moody
Moody, moody, moody
Moody
Moody, moody, moody
Ba da ba da...
Moody
Moody, moody, moody
Moody
Moody, moody, moody
Moody, moody, moody
Moody, moody, moody
Moody, moody, moody
The lyrics to ESG's song "Moody" describe the emotional rollercoaster that comes with being in love. The singer is feeling very mellow as she walks down the street, but that mood changes when she thinks about seeing her baby. The anticipation of seeing a loved one can make someone feel moody, as they experience highs and lows of emotion.
The repetitive use of the word "moody" emphasizes the impact that love can have on a person's emotions. It's almost as if the singer is trying to convince herself that her changing moods are a normal part of being in a relationship. The line, "Can go to see your baby, can make you feel moody" acknowledges that these feelings are not unique to her, but something that many people experience.
The song has a simple and catchy melody that matches the straightforward lyrics. It's a reminder that sometimes the most powerful emotions can be expressed through the simplest of words.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm feeling very mellow
I'm feeling calm and relaxed
Walking down the street
Strolling along the road
You see, I'm gonna see my baby
I'm going to meet my beloved
And it make me feel moody
And it makes me feel emotional
Like this...
Just like this...
Moody
Experiencing strong emotions
Moody, moody, moody
Feeling emotional repeatedly
Can go to see your baby
Meeting your beloved can give you a different emotional experience
Can make you feel moody
Can make you feel emotional
Can make you feel high, feel low
Can give you different emotional highs and lows
Feeling, feel like, like this...
Emotionally, I feel like this...
Ba da ba da...
Instrumental
Moody, moody, moody
Feeling emotional repeatedly
Moody
Experiencing strong emotions
Moody, moody, moody
Feeling emotional repeatedly
Moody
Experiencing strong emotions
Moody, moody, moody
Feeling emotional repeatedly
Moody
Experiencing strong emotions
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: RENEE SCROGGINS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@albertrosa5716
Another Paradise Garage classic 💯👍💪
@katrostorm3075
I remember this song from the downtown New York club scene late 80s early 90s
@ISVVVc628
High School Memories 🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤
@AfoteyAnnum
FRFR!!!!
@perspicaciouscritic
Amoeba!
@miguelalvarado1342
Fleez by Yeah Yeah Yeahs brought me here, and I like it
@9800Richardson
This was on the smithereens soundtrack.
@eddiesoul4890
This song came from a movie in 1980 .. I can't remember the movie but it was the club scene..The song became a hit by accident...
@GoatzombieBubba
Vampires Kiss
@thomasdanielbollada7906
andre harris @ the shelter on the old dhp