In 1970 the band was involved in an automobile accident which claimed the life of Nick Pantas, whom the band decided not to replace. After recovering from his injuries, Doug Thaler quit the band, and was replaced by Micky Lee Soule. (Upon leaving in 1972, Thaler moved to New York and got a job as a booking agent — Elf was one of the bands he booked. In 1983, he became co-manager of Mötley Crüe. Present day he works at Metropolitan Talent as an artist manager, working with artists such as Art Garfunkel, Bruce Hornsby & Ratdog).
Cover of Elf's debut self-titled album was produced by Deep Purple members Roger Glover and Ian Paice, who happened to see Elf auditioning in 1972. For the next few years, the band enjoyed mild success as an opening act for Deep Purple.
Dio both sang and played the bass guitar until, in 1973, bass player Craig Gruber was asked to join. The same year saw Feinstein quit the band, to be replaced by Steve Edwards. Feinstein formed a band called The Rods, which met with a moderate amount of success, touring with groups such as Judas Priest and Iron Maiden, as well as Metallica, before finally retiring from the music industry. He would not return to the music scene until 2004, when his band, Feinstein, released the album Third Wish on the Magic Circle Music label.
In 1974, Dio was asked by Glover to sing on his solo album The Butterfly Ball and the Grasshopper's Feast. Dio's rich, soulful voice gained the attention of guitarist Ritchie Blackmore who had just left Deep Purple and was looking for musicians for his first solo album, Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow. He decided to use Elf for this album, and the band Rainbow was thus formed, with Blackmore replacing Edwards. After they finished recording the album, however, Driscoll, Gruber, and Soule were replaced by Cozy Powell, Jimmy Bain and Tony Carey, who played with Dio and Blackmore during the subsequent tour. In early 1975 percussionist Mark Nauseef joined Elf, but the group disbanded shortly afterwards
for the Slime singer's project see ELF.
Annie New Orleans
Elf Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And I just can't cope any more
When it gets down to fundamentals
You're a bit confusing
You've got wrinkles on your face
But they seem to be in place
So I wonder well I wonder
Annie New Orleans
You're a hard core woman, a red necked woman
A good old girl from the South
With a negative way of speaking
But you're sentimental
We never speak of life but you want to be my wife
And I wonder, well I wonder
Are you leading the young boy on?
Annie New Orleans
Well didn't think I heard you at all
I was starting to fall
Back it up and try it again
I ain't letting you win, no way, all right
Aggravatin' Annie you're on my fanny
And I can't cope any more
When it gets down to fundamentals
Lady, you're confusing
Well, you've got some wrinkles on your face
But they're all in their place
So I wonder, I just wonder
Well are you leading the young boy on?
Annie New Orleans
Hey, Annie New Orleans
Oh, hey, Annie New Orleans
Yeah
The song "Annie New Orleans" by Elf is about a woman named Annie who is from New Orleans and the confusion she brings into the singer's life. The lyrics suggest that Annie is aggravating and confusing to the singer, with her negative way of speaking and unclear intentions towards a young boy. The singer questions whether Annie is leading the boy on, despite her wrinkles and tough exterior. The chorus repeats the name "Annie New Orleans" almost as if the singer is trying to make sense of this woman and her impact on his life.
The song's lyrics seem to convey a sense of frustration and confusion towards this woman, who appears to be both alluring and frustrating. The use of contrasting descriptions, such as "hard-core woman" and "sentimental," make it difficult to understand exactly who Annie is and what her motivations are. The repetition of the name "Annie New Orleans" emphasizes this confusion and the singer's inability to fully understand her.
Overall, "Annie New Orleans" is a song about trying to comprehend someone who is both intriguing and confusing, a common theme in many love songs. The use of vivid imagery and contrasting descriptions creates a sense of complexity that reflects the often-complicated nature of human relationships.
Line by Line Meaning
Aggravatin' Annie you're getting on my fanny
I find you, Annie, to be a bother and it's causing me distress.
And I just can't cope any more
I've reached my limit in dealing with you.
When it gets down to fundamentals
When it comes to the basics of things,
You're a bit confusing
You tend to be unclear or puzzling.
You've got wrinkles on your face
There are creases on your countenance.
But they seem to be in place
Yet, they are arranged in an orderly manner.
So I wonder well I wonder
Thus, I am curious and consider.
Are you leading the young boy on?
Are you influencing and causing attraction to the young lad?
Annie New Orleans
This is Annie from New Orleans.
You're a hard core woman, a red necked woman
You are a firm and uncomprimising lady from the Southern states.
A good old girl from the South
A traditional girl from a Southern background.
With a negative way of speaking
You tend to express yourself in a pessimistic manner.
But you're sentimental
Yet, despite your tough exterior you are sentimental and emotional.
We never speak of life but you want to be my wife
We have never discussed the future but you seem to be interested in marrying me.
And I wonder, well I wonder
I contemplate and consider.
Are you leading the young boy on?
Are you influencing and causing attraction to the young lad?
Annie New Orleans
This is Annie from New Orleans.
Well didn't think I heard you at all
I thought I did not hear a sound from you.
I was starting to fall
I was beginning to fail in my resistance towards you.
Back it up and try it again
But now I’m going in reverse and repeating my actions.
I ain't letting you win, no way, all right
But I'm determined to not let you succeed or have your way with me.
Aggravatin' Annie you're on my fanny
Annie, you are annoying me and are a burden on me.
And I can't cope any more
I reach my limit in dealing with you.
Lady, you're confusing
You, ma'am, are causing me bewilderment.
Well, you've got some wrinkles on your face
You have noticeable folds on your visage.
But they're all in their place
However, they are arranged accordingly.
So I wonder, I just wonder
Thus, I am curious and ponder further.
Well are you leading the young boy on?
Are you influencing and causing attraction to the young lad?
Annie New Orleans
This is Annie from New Orleans.
Hey, Annie New Orleans
A call out to Annie from New Orleans.
Oh, hey, Annie New Orleans
Another greeting to Annie from New Orleans.
Yeah
An exclamation.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: MICKY LEE SOULE, RONNIE DIO
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind