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.
How-Hi-The-Li
Family Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And we'd like to know if Mr. Cho En Li
gets high with all the tea in China
And if the Eastern block is really
straight or not or are all the heads in Asia Minor.
CHORUS
Put the people back on the road to reality
We only wanna turn the whole world on
And the politicians start to speak
Trying to make themselves clear
To the ones who can't diagnose
The symptoms of verbal diarrhoea
And the ministers of state
Who preach their words of hate
We suggest they change their religion before it's too late.
Repeat CHORUS
The lyrics to "How-Hi-The-Li" by Family are a scathing critique of government and societal norms. The song initially questions the stereotype of the Chinese being tea drinkers and wonders if Mr. Cho En Li, a Chinese name, also indulges in drinking tea in excess. This tongue-in-cheek reference to the stereotype sets the tone for the rest of the song.
The chorus is a call to action, urging listeners to break away from societal constraints and embrace reality. The lyrics suggest that politicians, who often spew meaningless rhetoric, are suffering from "verbal diarrhoea." Ministers, who preach hate instead of love, should change their religion before it's too late. The song clearly condemns the hypocrisy of those in positions of power and demands a change.
Overall, "How-Hi-The-Li" is a powerful social commentary that encourages listeners to question authority and embrace their own realities.
Line by Line Meaning
And we'd like to know if Mr. Cho En Li gets high with all the tea in China
We are curious if Mr. Cho En Li indulges in drug consumption with all the easily obtainable tea in China
And if the Eastern block is really straight or not or are all the heads in Asia Minor
We question whether the people, leaders, and ideologies in the Eastern countries are true and legitimate
CHORUS
Our objective is to liberate people from societal restrictions and help them find their way back to reality by inspiring change and progress across the globe
And the politicians start to speak
When the politicians begin to address the general public
Trying to make themselves clear
Trying to communicate their message effectively
To the ones who can't diagnose
To the individuals who lack the ability to identify or comprehend their hidden intentions or meanings
The symptoms of verbal diarrhoea
The undesirable effects of incessant, insincere, or pointless spoken words
And the ministers of state
The government officials in power
Who preach their words of hate
Who propagate and spread messages of animosity and negativity
We suggest they change their religion before it's too late
We persuade them to make a drastic change in their beliefs or perspectives, as it is beneficial for them and the public in general
Repeat CHORUS
We reiterate our mission to empower people and revitalize the world with our agenda of positive transformations
Contributed by Benjamin I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.