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.
Holding The Compass
Family Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To shine your light, the thing is at night
That the clouds get tight, and fold upon, and you tell me where's it gone?
(REPEAT)
Holding the compass ain't the way I've got to roam You know it takes me Straight home
Computer brain could guide a train Along it's path without help from a guy Who's prejudiced eye would see the track, see the track go back
(REPEAT CHORUS)
(ALTERNATE VERSION) Many a time I'll point to a sign
Which way to go, maybe I'll know
If the wind doesn't blow the words around, to different ground
Whoever you are, just pick out a star
To shine your light, the thing is at night
That the clouds get tight, and fold upon, and then where's it gone?
Holding the compass ain't the way I've got to roam
You know it takes me
Straight home
Computer brain could guide a train
Along it's path without help from a guy
Who's prejudiced eye would see the track, see the track go back
(REPEAT CHORUS)
The first verse of Family's song "Holding The Compass" encourages the listener to pick a star to guide them through darkness. The metaphorical use of a star as a guide could represent finding direction in one's life, while the clouds represent the obstacles that can get in the way. The repeated question of "where's it gone?" could imply a sense of loss, perhaps for a sense of direction or purpose. The concept of holding a compass is introduced in the chorus, but the singer suggests that this isn't the way they want to roam, implying that the answers they seek come from within themselves.
The second verse speaks to the reliance on technology and the potential danger of losing touch with one's instincts. The "computer brain" guiding a train could represent the danger of relying solely on technology without considering other factors. The prejudiced eye seeing the track go back could symbolize how preconceived notions or biases can cloud an individual's judgment. The chorus repeats the idea that holding a compass isn't the way the singer wants to find their way, indicating a desire for a more internalized sense of direction. The alternate version of the song mentions the singer pointing to signs, implying that external guidance can only go so far and ultimately, the individual must make their own choices.
Line by Line Meaning
Whoever you are, just pick out a star
It doesn't matter who you are, just find something to guide you forward like a star in the sky
To shine your light, the thing is at night
At night, everything can seem dark and uncertain, so find something to illuminate your path
That the clouds get tight, and fold upon, and you tell me where's it gone?
Clouds can obscure our vision and make us lose our way, but we need to keep searching for our guiding light
Holding the compass ain't the way I've got to roam
I don't need a physical compass to guide me, I have my own internal sense of direction
You know it takes me Straight home
I trust my own instincts to lead me to where I need to go, which is home
Computer brain could guide a train
Technology can be a helpful guide, but it doesn't have the intuition and human touch that we need in life
Along it's path without help from a guy
Machines can do a lot, but they still need input and guidance from humans to function properly
Who's prejudiced eye would see the track, see the track go back
If we approach things with a biased perspective, we may see things that aren't really there and end up going back instead of moving forward
Many a time I'll point to a sign
Sometimes we need external signs and guidance to show us the way
Which way to go, maybe I'll know
Even with signs, we still need to rely on our own intuition and decision-making abilities to determine our path
If the wind doesn't blow the words around, to different ground
Even with signs, external factors outside of our control can impact our journey and cause us to stray
Contributed by Noah E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
ShellacScrubber
By far the best line-up and the masterpiece "Bandstand" by far their best album in my opinion.
Ashley Collins
Cool to see John Wetton pre-Crimson. I liked his guitar playing, too, although it's no match for his mighty bass.
Croiners
Wow! Look at Wetton on the double!
Barry Greenstein
John Wetton was also in the band U.K. who released their eponymous debut album and their second album Danger Money which is one of my all-time favorite albums.
chris lewis
i could never understand why bandstand was never much appreciated always thought it was their best
Feel Taste
Beat-Club omg you're video so amazing !!!
Claudinei Lustosa
Melhor que Genesis, por exemplo
Linda Mears
I saw Family at the Kursaal, Southend. Probably around 1972)3
Loved them then, love them now .
Steven Maginnis
Uschi Nerke explained in German that Rob Townsend was unavailable because he'd been bitten by a dog. "Family, minus einz" - Family, minus one.
Nuno Harris
Hi. Whats the brand and modelo of the Double neck bass - guitar that John Wetton is playing ? Thanks