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.
Me My Friend
Family Lyrics
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I have been far and wide
I have sailed many a tide
I have rolled many a ride
But I wish, me my friend, I could sail to the stars
Have the gift to transport
my whole being, my whole thought
Me my friend, I have loved many girls, me my friend
I have told many lies
I have asked many whys
I have whispered many sighs
But I wish, me my friend, I could have till the end
Someone to love and hold
Through the warmth and the cold
Of my lonely years, my friend
The lyrics to Family's song "Me My Friend" seems to be a reflection of the experiences of the singer, expressing that he has traveled many places and experienced various highs and lows in his relationships with women. The first verse speaks on the singer's travels and how he has seen many lands, sailed many tides, and rolled many rides. Despite this, the singer expresses a wish to sail to the stars and enter a world of dreams, wishing for a new experience beyond what he has already encountered.
The second verse talks about the relationships that the singer has been in with women, admitting to telling lies, asking questions, and sharing intimate moments. However, he shares a desire for someone to hold and love through both warm and cold moments, expressing a longing for connection and companionship. The song has a bittersweet tone, with a hint of melancholy that reflects the singer's yearnings for that which isn't currently present in his life.
Line by Line Meaning
Me my friend, I have seen many lands, me my friend
I have traveled far and wide and have seen many different places.
I have been far and wide
I have traveled extensively.
I have sailed many a tide
I have been on many boats and sailed many seas.
I have rolled many a ride
I have gone on many adventures and had many different experiences.
But I wish, me my friend, I could sail to the stars
I wish I could go to space and explore the unknown.
Have the gift to transport
To have a special ability to travel to different places in an instant.
my whole being, my whole thought
To be able to experience and think in a completely new and different way.
To a world of dreams, my friend
To a place where anything is possible and imagination runs wild.
Me my friend, I have loved many girls, me my friend
I have had many romantic relationships in my life.
I have told many lies
I have not always been truthful with my partners.
I have asked many whys
I have questioned why certain things happen in relationships.
I have whispered many sighs
I have expressed my emotions and feelings for my partners.
But I wish, me my friend, I could have till the end
I wish I could have a lifelong romantic partner.
Someone to love and hold
A companion to share life's journey with.
Through the warmth and the cold
To be there for each other through both good times and bad.
Of my lonely years, my friend
To have companionship and love in the times when I feel alone.
Contributed by Elena R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.