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.
Hometown
Family Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
There's only concrete to walk upon
The motorway has been through and gone
There's nothing here left to see
Corner shop
All that's left is an empty plot
Making room for an office block
Hometown
Everything has been changed around
Buildings so high, can't even spy
The sun going down
It looks cold
I see no sight of a barber's pole
Even that one has been sold
To the city men with their "Vacant" signs
How strange
People thinking that I have changed
But as it happens, I'm just the same
It's just the cut of the clothes I wear
Hometown
Everything has been changed around
Buildings so high, can't even spy
The sun going down
The song "Hometown" by Family is a melancholic look at the changes that have taken place in the singer's hometown. The first verse is a commentary on the loss of nature and the encroachment of urban development. The grass is gone, replaced by concrete and the motorway has obliterated any reminders of what once was. The second verse is a reflection on the disappearance of local businesses and the rise of corporate entities taking over. The barber's pole, a symbol of community, has been sold off to make way for a new office block. The chorus further emphasizes the changes that have taken place, with the buildings being so high that one can't even see the sun going down.
The bridge of the song discusses the singer's own appearance, which has seemingly changed along with the rest of the town. However, he clarifies that it's not he who has changed, but rather the changing times that have altered what he wears. The song ends with a final chorus highlighting the transformation of the singer's hometown, and how everything he once knew as familiar is now unrecognizable.
Overall, "Hometown" is a powerful commentary on the effects of urbanization and gentrification on a community. The loss of nature, local businesses, and identity are all explored in this poignant and emotive song.
Line by Line Meaning
Grass is gone
The natural environment has been replaced by urbanization and there's no vegetation.
There's only concrete to walk upon
The town has been paved entirely with concrete and the natural beauty has been replaced.
The motorway has been through and gone
The construction of a highway has transformed the place and changed it forever.
There's nothing here left to see
The place is so transformed that there is nothing left to recognize.
Corner shop
The traditional shop has been closed.
All that's left is an empty plot
The shop has been demolished and the area is now empty.
Making room for an office block
The old shop is being replaced with an office building reflecting urbanization.
It's just a sign of the change of times
The changes in the town are due to the change and development of times.
Hometown
The place where one grew up.
Everything has been changed around
The place has changed dramatically and is unrecognizable.
Buildings so high, can't even spy
The town now has very tall buildings that you can't see beyond.
The sun going down
The town looks dull and nothing like what it used to be.
It looks cold
The place seems uninviting and unhappy.
I see no sight of a barber's pole
The traditional barber shop is no longer present.
Even that one has been sold
The traditional barber shop has been sold to city developers.
To the city men with their "Vacant" signs
City developers have put up signs indicating that the area has become vacant.
How strange
It seems strange to witness all these transformations.
People thinking that I have changed
People might think that the person has changed after visiting the transformed town.
But as it happens, I'm just the same
The person remains unchanged despite the transformations in the town.
It's just the cut of the clothes I wear
The change is only in what we wear, and not who we are.
Contributed by Victoria V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Lewis Tyler
Reminds me slightly of Love. Love this song by Family great underrated group.
captainsoul1953
lewis tyler yes...i can see that
Steven Maginnis
It ranks right up there with "Little Boxes" and Rush's "Subdivisions" as one of the greatest critiques of suburbia and/or urban renewal. Pity this song isn't better known.
puddypuss
its good to hear this. I wish someone would put today on you tube as it seems to have been overlooked.
Mirror Time
Thanks. This is a great little Gem.
Twigg Ster
Also available on the "Old Songs-New Songs" compilation.
Twigg Ster
Also available on the "Old Songs-New Songs" compilation. Same version as this
James McIntyre
Not the same
Frank Lee
This is the original recording. They overdubbed violin and vibraphone for the album "Old Songs New Songs".
Jack Casey
Fucking awesome.