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.
Emotions
Family Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Emotions you feel around you they steal,
Saying much more than mere words can
When choirs sing emotions they bring.
Explaining much more than few words
Strange, when loneliness holds you,
Contentment to fears, enchantment to tear.
Drops its the same, playing one game,
Stealing their way in to take you
Stranger to see, emotions run free,
Seeing what being they make you.
Chains, within and about you
Like a cage, bars to hold to.
Something to remind, as the years slip behind.
The song "Emotions" by Family explores the powerful impact that emotions can have on a person's life. The lyrics suggest that emotions are not simply fleeting feelings, but rather they can have a profound effect, stealing our attention and influencing our behavior in many ways. The song suggests that emotions are difficult to articulate, and often choirs or music are more effective at expressing them than words alone. The first two lines of the song ("Emotions you feel around you, they steal/Saying much more than mere words can") suggest that emotions are pervasive and difficult to ignore, and that they convey a depth of meaning that goes beyond what words can express.
Later in the song, the lyrics explore the ways in which different emotions can impact a person's life. Loneliness is described as a cloak that surrounds the individual, while tears can be both enchanting and frightening. The chorus of the song ("Drops its the same, playing one game/Stealing their way in to take you/Stranger to see, emotions run free/Seeing what being they make you") suggests that emotions can be unpredictable and uncontrollable, "running free" and shaping our experiences in surprising ways.
Overall, "Emotions" is a thoughtful exploration of the role that emotions play in our lives. The song acknowledges their power and complexity, suggesting that they can both enrich and challenge us as individuals.
Line by Line Meaning
Emotions you feel around you they steal,
The emotions that surround you have the power to take over your thoughts and actions.
Saying much more than mere words can
Emotions have the ability to convey a deeper message than just mere words can express.
When choirs sing emotions they bring.
When choirs sing, the emotions they project can be very powerful and have a profound impact on the listener.
Explaining much more than few words
Emotions have a way of conveying meaning that is much deeper than what can be expressed in just a few words.
Strange, when loneliness holds you,
Loneliness can be an overwhelming feeling that can be hard to deal with.
Like a cloak that surrounds you.
The feeling of loneliness can surround you and make it hard to see anything else around you.
Contentment to fears, enchantment to tear.
Emotions can range from feelings of contentment and joy to feelings of fear and sadness.
Drops its the same, playing one game,
Emotions can be unpredictable and can vary greatly, but they all play a part in the same emotional game of life.
Stealing their way in to take you.
Emotions can have a way of taking over your thoughts and actions without you even realizing it.
Stranger to see, emotions run free,
It can be strange to see how freely emotions can flow and take over someone's thoughts and actions.
Seeing what being they make you.
Emotions have the power to shape who you are and how you interact with the world around you.
Chains, within and about you
Emotions can feel like chains that are wrapped around you and hold you back.
Like a cage, bars to hold to.
Emotions can make you feel trapped, like you are stuck in a cage with no way out.
Something to remind, as the years slip behind.
Emotions have the power to remind you of the past and how they have shaped who you are today as time goes by.
Contributed by Callie W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Tony Clewett
Saw Family play this at a gig for the first time when Chappo had the lyrics on a scrap of paper. Always preferred the live version. Family Entertainment a favourite album and what a band!!
shemanic1
my top Family album & I have 6 on vinyl. Love Chapman's voice
captainsoul1953
One of the great 69s albums....what a vocal performance
GayleMI
Nicky Hopkins on piano...of course.
RolandDeschain7
This album is Awesome! I got it off a friend a few years ago. I have since met a few people who love Prog Rock, but they have rarely heard of this GEM! Another discovery I have recently got from a Prog Rock fan is this great site. I use this to read about/get reviews, then go on You tube for a good listen, then buy the album. Look for site Progarchives.
giulio caroletti
I always thought "Family Entertainment" as better than "Music in a doll's house", although the consensus is rather the other way round. I found "Music..." had a lot of amazing arrangemets ideas, but I think "Entertainment" has the better melodies, and it is also much more consistent-despite-diversity than "Music...". Anyway (pun intended), two great albums from an amazing band.
Patricia2Paris1
One of the first uk prog rock song
discdon
A great album although I found this track one of the weakest. Saw them with Eclection ( two stages) in Coventry in 1969 in some College, I was blown away at a very tender age... . Anyone know the exact date or College?
I wonder which came first - Family Entertainment's cover photo or The Doors 'Strange days'?
Bob fronz
Weakest...a milestone
captainsoul1953
60s rather