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.
Good Friend Of Mine
Family Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
News came by on the grapevine
So I hope you don't seem to be simple, no
Cause you were a good friend of mine
We were just friends back in schooldays
Shared cigarettes, girls and wine
You got lucky, came into some money
You were a good friend of mine
You know I left school and earned money
Things went by **
But you could afford to be educated
You were a good friend of mine
Said I've worked like a slave till my dad died
Mother and me, we went crying
Still paid out to the chaplain, oh Lord
You were a good friend of mine
Meet Mary my wife and the kids here
All our food it came off the breadline
I guess you're what they call a gay bachelor, yeah
And you're still a good friend of mine
Now you hear me, we will be together
Goin' to your place or to mine
We don't need to ** that we have it all
And of course you're a good friend of mine
I said we're healthy, my my my
You're still a good friend of mine
The lyrics to Family feat. Roger Chapman's song Good Friend Of Mine tell the story of two friends who have taken different paths in life. The singer has heard that his friend has travelled the world and has become financially successful, but he hopes this success hasn't made him arrogant or changed him from the good friend he used to be. They were close friends in their schooldays, sharing cigarettes, girls and wine, but the singer left school to earn money while his friend was able to receive an education. Despite this, they have remained friends.
The singer reveals that he had to work hard for his money and had a difficult time when his father passed away, but he and his mother still paid out to the chaplain. In contrast, his friend was able to afford an education and has become a wealthy, gay bachelor. However, the singer emphasizes that they are still good friends and that they don't need to prove anything to each other. They are both healthy and have families, and the singer looks forward to spending time with his friend.
Overall, the lyrics reflect on the value of friendship and how even when friends take different paths in life or experience different levels of success, a true and meaningful friendship can still endure.
Line by Line Meaning
Well I heard that the world you have travelled
I have heard that you traveled around the world.
News came by on the grapevine
I heard this news through a gossip or rumor.
So I hope you don't seem to be simple, no
I hope you haven't become naive because of your travels.
Cause you were a good friend of mine
I consider you a treasured friend.
We were just friends back in schooldays
We only shared a friendship while in school.
Shared cigarettes, girls and wine
During our friendship, we shared smoking, female company, and wine.
You got lucky, came into some money
You were fortunate to gain some monetary wealth.
You were a good friend of mine
Your newfound wealth did not change my perception of our friendship.
You know I left school and earned money
I left school and obtained financial independence.
Things went by
Time passed by.
But you could afford to be educated
You had the financial means to pursue education.
You were a good friend of mine
Despite our different paths, I still respect and cherish our friendship.
Said I've worked like a slave till my dad died
I worked tirelessly until the death of my father.
Mother and me, we went crying
My mother and I mourned over my father's death.
Still paid out to the chaplain, oh Lord
We still donated to the chaplain despite our financial struggles.
You were a good friend of mine
Even during our tough times, you remained a valued friend.
Meet Mary my wife and the kids here
Let me introduce you to my wife Mary and our children.
All our food it came off the breadline
We struggled financially and depended on charity for our food.
I guess you're what they call a gay bachelor, yeah
I assume you are what society calls a happy single man.
And you're still a good friend of mine
Your marital status does not affect our friendship.
Now you hear me, we will be together
Let me make it clear that we will remain friends and spend time together.
Goin' to your place or to mine
We will go to either your house or mine.
We don't need to boast that we have it all
We don't need to brag about having everything in life.
And of course you're a good friend of mine
It goes without saying that our friendship is still intact.
I said we're healthy, my my my
I emphasize that we are both in good health.
You're still a good friend of mine
Our friendship endures despite the passage of time and life's challenges.
Contributed by Matthew A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@pcbluespcblues
bloody great song, as are all Family's songs!
@stevenkalka
Family had such a unique sound, they didn't try to sound like anyone else.
@RothkoFridgeMagnet
Quite often they didn't try to sound like themselves either!
@Mongwad
Chappo is absolutely amazing on this one.
@lauramccann7561
Never seemed to get the acclaim they were due. Not sure why, talented musicians, a wonderful singer and great songs. A special band.
@24031965GAV
Grew up with this 45 in our house. No Mule's Fool on the flip side. Strange Band EP great too.
@elenagallina598
Well, I think that ...THIS MUSIC is a "Good Friend Of Mine"!
@MrWaspig
Fantastic. But isn''t on my copy of "Song for me".
@Tobcontinued1
~n~ that u HavE BEEnnNn! <3....