With his great appreciation for blues, soul, and R&B, Mike Bloomfield wanted to create a group of his own that would feature what he called "American music." He was inspired not only by the big band blues of B.B. King, T-Bone Walker, and Guitar Slim (Eddie Jones), but also by the contemporary soul sounds of Otis Redding, Steve Cropper, Booker T & the MGs, and other Stax recording artists. He also drew inspiration from traditional country, gospel, and blues forms. He organized the Electric Flag, initially called the American Music Band, in the spring of 1967, not long after he produced a session with Chicago harp player James Cotton that featured a horn section. Bloomfield decided that his new band would also have horns and would play an amalgam of those American musics he loved. He and Goldberg assembled the group, under Albert Grossman's management, in San Francisco and immediately began working on its first project -- the soundtrack for the film The Trip.
The band made its debut appearance at the Monterey Pop Festival, the first of the '60s rock music extravaganzas. Now called the Electric Flag, the group was well received by the audience of 55,000, though its performance fell short of Bloomfield's high standards. Following Monterey, the Flag proceeded to tour the Northeast and perform in the San Francisco area while working on a recording for Columbia Records. Though a critical success, the Flag remained largely unknown to the general public due in part to the band's inability to complete its initial record.
By early 1968, drummer Buddy Miles had become a dominant force in the Flag's esthetic direction. The group's repertory by then included numerous contemporary soul covers which featured Miles and many classic blues tunes. The band produced fewer than a dozen original pieces, mostly written by vocalist Nick Gravenites, and Bloomfield's original "American music" concept appeared to have narrowed considerably. By May 1968, only a month after the release of the aptly-titled "A Long Time Comin'," Mike Bloomfield quit the group, and though they strove to carry on under the direction of Buddy Miles, the Electric Flag was effectively finished. Personality conflicts, differing esthetics, and a series of drug problems hastened the band's downfall.
Though the Electric Flag was together in its original configuration less than a year, the band did make a strong impression on critics and musicians, primarily in the San Francisco area where they were based. One of the first rock groups to include horns, the Electric Flag was contemporaneous with the earliest edition of Blood, Sweat and Tears with Al Kooper.
Al Kooper left BS&T in April 1968, and was inspired by a jam recording with Moby Grape to the organize the similarly structured Super Session album. He included Bloomfield, Barry Goldberg and, after Bloomfield left the session due to a bout of insomnia, Stephen Stills. Bloomfield and Kooper also toured together, while drummer and vocalist Buddy Miles went on to form the Buddy Miles Express and also play in Jimi Hendrix's Band of Gypsys.
A reunion of sorts took place in 1974 with the Electric Flag releasing "The Band Kept Playing," but the recording was not a commercial or critical success and the band quickly disbanded after several months of sporadic gigs.
On July 28 and 29, 2007, a concert took place at the Monterey County Fairgrounds commemorating the 40th Anniversary of the Monterey Pop Festival. One of the acts featured was a one-time reunion of The Electric Flag, anchored by original members Gravenites, Goldberg, and Hunter, backed by members of the Tower of Power and The Blues Project. The one hour set featured material from the first album, as well as several blues covers.
Sunny
Electric Flag Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Sunny, you smiled at me and really eased the pain
Now the dark days are done and the bright days are here
My Sunny one shines so sincere
Sunny, one so true, I love you
Sunny, thank you for the sunshine bouquet
Sunny, thank you for the love you've brought my way
And now I feel ten feet tall
Sunny, one so true, I love you
Sunny, thank you for the truth you've let me see
Sunny, thank you for the facts from A to Z
My life was torn like wind-blown sand
Then a rock was formed when we held hands
Sunny, one so true, I love you
Sunny, thank you for that smile upon your face
Sunny, thank you, thank you for that gleam that flows with grace
You're my spark of nature's fire
You're my sweet complete desire
Sunny, one so true, yes, I love you
Sunny, yesterday all my life was filled with rain
Sunny, you smiled at me and really, really eased the pain
Now the dark days are done and the bright days are here
My Sunny one shines so sincere
Sunny, one so true, I love you
I love you (Sunny)
I love you (Sunny)
Said I love you (Sunny)
The lyrics to Electric Flag's song Sunny begin by expressing a gratitude towards a woman named Sunny who has brought light to the artist's life after a long period of rain and difficulties. The initial lines "Sunny, yesterday my life was filled with rain" depict a life that was once full of sadness and struggles, but Sunny has brought happiness and hope back into it. The sudden change – from dark days to bright ones – is attributed to Sunny's loving presence, which is deeply appreciated by the artist. The phrase "My Sunny one shines so sincere" emphasizes the sincerity of Sunny's love that has made a significant difference in the artist's life, and "Sunny, one so true, I love you" sums up the depth of gratitude and love that the artist has for Sunny.
The second stanza of the song continues expressing gratitude towards Sunny, thanking her for the love and care she has given. The lines "You gave to me your all and all" show the artist's recognition of Sunny's efforts to make things better, and "And now I feel ten feet tall" reveals the confidence and happiness that has been restored because of her. The third stanza is about the truth that Sunny has brought into the artist's life. The lines "My life was torn like wind-blown sand / Then a rock was formed when we held hands" vividly express the emotional turmoil that the artist was going through before he met Sunny. The rock formed when they held hands is symbolic of the stability and security that he has found in her, making her an integral part of his life.
The fourth and final stanza of the song focuses on Sunny's beauty and her positive influence on the artist. The line "You're my spark of nature's fire" implies that Sunny has ignited a passion in the artist's life, and "You're my sweet complete desire" further reinforces that sentiment. The song ends on a grateful note, once again expressing love and appreciation for Sunny.
Line by Line Meaning
Sunny, yesterday my life was filled with rain
Before you came into my life, things were dark and gloomy like a rainy day.
Sunny, you smiled at me and really eased the pain
Your smile brought so much joy and happiness that it made all my troubles disappear.
Now the dark days are done and the bright days are here
Your presence in my life has brought light and positivity, and now everything is better.
My Sunny one shines so sincere
You are the source of my happiness and joy, and your goodness shines through everything you do.
Sunny, one so true, I love you
You are sincere, honest, and true, and I love you deeply for who you are.
Sunny, thank you for the sunshine bouquet
You bring so much beauty, joy, and positivity into my life like a bouquet of flowers, and I am grateful for that.
Sunny, thank you for the love you've brought my way
Your love has transformed my life in so many positive ways, and I am grateful for you every day.
You gave to me your all and all
You have given me your everything, your love, and your support, and I appreciate that more than anything.
And now I feel ten feet tall
Your love has given me strength, confidence, and courage that makes me feel like I can handle anything.
Sunny, thank you for the truth you've let me see
You have shown me the truth about myself, my life, and helped me see things from a different perspective, and I appreciate that.
Sunny, thank you for the facts from A to Z
You have given me all the information and knowledge I need to make informed decisions, and I appreciate that.
My life was torn like wind-blown sand
My life was chaotic and uncertain before you came along, with no direction, and nothing to hold on to.
Then a rock was formed when we held hands
Your love and support have given me strength and stability, like holding onto a rock amidst the chaos and uncertainty.
Sunny, thank you for that smile upon your face
Your smile is contagious and makes everything feel better, and I am grateful for it.
Sunny, thank you, thank you for that gleam that flows with grace
Your confidence, grace, and positive attitude inspire me every day, and I am grateful for that.
You're my spark of nature's fire
You ignite my passion and creativity, and inspire me to be my best self.
You're my sweet complete desire
You are everything I desire in a partner and more, and I feel complete and fulfilled with you.
Sunny, one so true, yes, I love you
You are honest, sincere, and true, and I love you deeply for who you are.
I love you (Sunny)
I express my deep and sincere love for you, Sunny.
I love you (Sunny)
I express my deep and sincere love for you, Sunny.
Said I love you (Sunny)
I say it again, I love you deeply, Sunny.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BOBBY HEBB
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@randypalmatier5495
I haven't listened to this album in years and years. I think it sounds better now than it did so very long ago when I was a young man.
@michaelarnold2322
Love this version. Then again, I've loved this whole LP since I was 15.
@BandofGypzs
Hey, I too was 15 when I heard this album. I downloaded the album on my mp3 player. Still sounds just as good then now. Happy New Year.
@robertlaboube1365
The song was originally released on their 2nd album titled "An American Music Band". However, it was included as a CD bonus track on "A Long Time Comin'".
@rj112602
Actually, this song was on the original 2nd Electric Flag LP.
@G8GT364CI
Buddy always sang a little flat.
@marshallwarner1646
Yes, but always reaching for the note. Rod Stewart favors this approach too.
@G8GT364CI
@@marshallwarner1646 Rod's voice was 100 times better than Buddy's but yes. But Rod usually reached the note 😂.
@marshallwarner1646
@@G8GT364CI Usually. Flat is very appealing to people. 100 times you say.
@marshallwarner1646
Also, I give singing drummers a little space cause it ain't easy. Love Levon Helm.