1) A British… Read Full Bio ↴There are several artists using this name, chronologically:
1) A British rock band (1967 - 1973)
2) A disco group signed to New York Salsoul Records (1970's-1980's)
3) A Spanish indie pop band (1991 - 1993)
1) Family was British rock band from Leicester, England, active between 1967-1973. Their music has been described as a masterful blend of Blues-Rock, Prog-Rock, Art Rock and Psychedelia.
Family's debut single "Scene Through The Eye Of A Lens/Gypsy Woman" was released by Liberty in the autumn of 1967. While the single received praise from critics, it received very little airplay, due to its rather complex, uncommercial nature. Family's debut album, Music in a Doll's House, was released in July 1968 and it was produced by Traffic's Dave Mason and Jimmy Miller on a 4-track machine at Olympic Studios, London. The band's line-up: Roger Chapman (vocals/harmonica/tenor saxophone), Charlie Whitney (guitars/vocals), Rick Grech (bass/violin/cello/vocals), Rob Townsend (drums/percussion), and Jim King saxophone/flute/harmonica/vocals). Bandleader Tubby Hayes and his brass section played on "Old Songs New Songs". An extraordinarily ambitious album, 'Music In A Doll's House' marked an audacious beginning of what was a rather mixed career for Family. Many of the sounds conjured up in the studio had never been heard before - more incredible given that the album was created on a 4-track. The band's ability clearly transcended the available technology. Chapman's unusual vibrating delivery did not appeal to everyone, but it's a remarkable voice all the same. The musicianship and the unusual arrangements on this album found favour with fans who regarded it as a rather surreal musical feast. Music In A Doll's House is a truly innovative album and years ahead of it's time. The album charted respectably in the UK (reaching No. 35 in the UK album charts) and received considerable airplay from well-known British radio personality John Peel. It did not chart in the US. Interestingly, Mike Batt got his first big break in record production on this album by arranging "Mellowing Grey".
Family's 1969 follow-up, Family Entertainment, toned down the psychedelics of their previous offering, and featured their first UK hit "The Weaver's Answer." For the 1970 release A Song For Me, they developed a more aggressive sound, gaining them a larger European following. That year they played at several major rock festivals including the Isle Of Wight music festival and Holland's Kralingen Festival. Both of which were included in the documentary films Message To Love and Stomping Ground. The next release, Anyway, featured a side of a live performance of new material at Fairfield Hall in Croydon, England, as well as a side of new studio recordings.
The bar was raised in 1971 with Fearless, but the band's biggest success was yet to come, in 1972's Bandstand, featuring hits "Burlesque" and "My Friend the Sun". This was followed by the underrated but enjoyable It's Only a Movie, where the band's sound was augmented by Tony Ashton of Ashton Gardner and Dyke on piano.
Family disbanded in 1973 and former members went on to play in the bands King Crimson, the Streetwalkers and Stud.
2) Family were a disco group who formed in the 1970's and released the single 'Music (Listen To The Music)', on the Salsoul label which was later re-released on the Suss'd 2007 compilation 'Deep Disco Culture Vol. 2'.
3) Family was a Spanish indie band active 1991-1993 formed by Javier Aramburu and Iñaki Gametxogoikoetxea. They released just one album in 1993 titled Un soplo en el corazón," a tribute to the film by Louis Malle. In 2003 Spanish magazine Rockdelux released an album with the same songs played by other Spanish bands to celebrate 10 years from probably one of the best Spanish albums of 90's.
Broken Nose
Family Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And boy has she got class
She got diamonds on her fingers
And rhythm in her ass
I've tried to call her over
But I must be made of glass
Cos' she just looks right through me
Keeps walking straight on past
I like your...
Dig your...
Day...
Oh the day...
Eats in fancy places
Where the cover would pay my rent
Steaks on silver platters
And water costs 50 pence
Tips up all the waiters
And five will get you ten
Still I'm waitin' in the lobby
She won't even invite me in
Won't even invite me...
I like your kind of address
Dig your style of clothes
The day I stopped loving you
Was the day you broke my nose
(REPEAT CHORUS) (REPEAT BACKUP CHORUS)
When she goes to the theatre
It's always the latest show
While I'll wait in some poolroom
That's just across the road
One time she saw me waiting
And come across the spoke
She said 'adieu' and grabbed my cue
And shoved it down my throat
(REPEAT CHORUS and BACKUP)
In the song "Broken Nose" by Family, the singer describes his infatuation with a glamorous woman who seems to be completely out of his league. He sees her every day and is struck by her elegance and style, admiring her diamonds and her rhythm. However, despite his best efforts to get her attention and approach her, she seems to never notice him and walks past him without a second glance.
The woman leads a life of luxury, eating in expensive restaurants and tipping generously, while the singer can hardly afford to pay his rent. He waits for her in the lobby, hoping for an invitation into her world, but she remains oblivious to his presence. Despite all this, the singer continues to admire her from afar, enchanted by her address and style.
The lyrics take a darker turn towards the end of the song, as the woman humiliates the singer by shoving his cue down his throat in a poolroom. The chorus repeats, emphasizing the pain of heartbreak and the lasting damage that can come from unrequited love.
Overall, "Broken Nose" portrays the painful side of love and the desperation that can arise from an unattainable object of affection. It is a cautionary tale about the dangers of putting someone on a pedestal and the potential for disappointment and hurt.
Line by Line Meaning
I seen her everyday now
I see her every day and she's got class.
And boy has she got class
She's got an impressive presence.
She got diamonds on her fingers
She wears valuable jewelry.
And rhythm in her ass
Her confident demeanor shows in her walk.
I've tried to call her over
I've attempted to get her attention.
But I must be made of glass
She doesn't seem to acknowledge my existence.
Cos' she just looks right through me
I might as well be invisible to her.
Keeps walking straight on past
She continues down the street without stopping.
I like your...
I appreciate your...
Dig your...
I admire your...
Day...
Personality...
Oh the day...
Oh what a personality...
Eats in fancy places
She eats in upscale restaurants.
Where the cover would pay my rent
The prices are so high that the menu cover could cover my rent.
Steaks on silver platters
She eats expensive food on pricey dishes.
And water costs 50 pence
Even the water is expensive.
Tips up all the waiters
She is generous with her server tips.
And five will get you ten
She's so wealthy that she can afford to generously tip the servers.
Still I'm waitin' in the lobby
I'm waiting for her in the hotel lobby.
She won't even invite me in
She refuses to let me join her inside.
Walkin' straight on...
Continuing on my way without her.
I like your kind of address
I admire your place of living.
Dig your style of clothes
I appreciate your fashion sense.
The day I stopped loving you
The point in time that I lost my affection for you.
Was the day you broke my nose
The moment you caused me harm and pain was when I stopped feeling love for you.
When she goes to the theatre
When she goes to the movies or plays.
It's always the latest show
She goes to the newest, most sought after shows.
While I'll wait in some poolroom
Meanwhile, I'll bide my time in a pool hall.
That's just across the road
The pool hall is conveniently located nearby.
One time she saw me waiting
On one occasion, she noticed me waiting for her.
And come across the spoke
She approached me.
She said 'adieu' and grabbed my cue
She said goodbye and took my pool stick from my hands.
And shoved it down my throat
She forcefully pushed the stick into my mouth.
(REPEAT CHORUS) (REPEAT BACKUP CHORUS)
Repeat the chorus and backup lyrics.
Contributed by Miles B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Willie Nicol
Takes me back 40 years plus. Phenomenal band. Sometimes completely bonkers but always top class!
John Blaney
What a bloody great song, like all the others from Family. What a band they were.
sounddelight
This was my immersion into the fine rock groups the 60's delivered. Powerful, relentless, outstanding!
sounddelight
What a musical power!!!!
format c: for cortex
hüloğğğ
wendytravel1
Saw them open for Elton John at Carnegie hall way back ..great band ,super album cover. love this long .
Jack Craw
The best song from the best album from the best band that never made it
dave f
Relentless. From my favourite Family LP
REAC Guru
I've always wondered if this song and Dark Eyes were written for the same woman. Wouldn't that be a whole new story?
Dennis Lukaš BASS
WHOAAA!!