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.
Old Songs New Songs
Family Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
My girl here, she lies sleeping
The other door slips ajar and it's my wife
She's been peeping
While I've been leaping
High grey stone walls, they all
They all surround me
Well the tracker dogs came around while their masters howled
Said I can't be found near
Old songs, new songs
Keep on singing
A new day, yesterday
All gone, until tomorrow
But I surely know a girl like her could only bring
Bring me sorrow
Much worse to follow
All in all, I'm gonna do my best
To do the work that they hand me
Well I'm gonna do my best so if I'm asleep
Understand me
Don't you underhand me, no
Old songs, new songs
Keep on singing
In the song "Old Songs New Songs" by Family, the lyrics describe a man who is in a precarious position. He is trying to stay warm by a fire while his girlfriend sleeps, but his wife enters the room, having caught him cheating on her. The man reflects on the high stone walls that surround him, making it impossible to escape. The imagery of tracker dogs and their masters searching for him adds to the feeling of being trapped. Despite all of this, the chorus of the song stresses the importance of continuing to sing old songs and new songs, suggesting that music is a source of hope and resilience in times of trouble.
What is interesting about this song is that it was released in 1971, a time when rock music was often associated with rebellion and anti-authoritarianism. Yet "Old Songs New Songs" takes a different approach, depicting a man who has been caught and is facing the consequences of his actions. This suggests that Family, as a band, was interested in exploring different facets of the human experience beyond the typical themes of rock music.
Line by Line Meaning
Fire is on, I'm getting warm
I feel the warmth of the fire and it's comforting
My girl here, she lies sleeping
My girlfriend is resting peacefully next to me
The other door slips ajar and it's my wife
My wife is peeking through the door that's slightly open
She's been peeping
My wife has been spying on me
While I've been leaping
I've been taking risks and doing things without thinking of the consequences
High grey stone walls, they all / They all surround me
I feel trapped and confined by the walls around me
Well the tracker dogs came around while their masters howled
The dogs that were searching for me were barking loudly
Cowered they find me
The dogs managed to track me down and I'm scared
Said I can't be found near
The people searching for me think that I'm too dangerous to be around
Old songs, new songs / Keep on singing
No matter what happens, music will always bring comfort and joy
A new day, yesterday / All gone, until tomorrow
The past is behind us and we can only focus on moving forward
But I surely know a girl like her could only bring / Bring me sorrow / Much worse to follow
I'm aware that my actions and the people I associate with will only bring me pain and trouble in the future
All in all, I'm gonna do my best / To do the work that they hand me
I'm determined to do my best and take on whatever tasks come my way
Well I'm gonna do my best so if I'm asleep / Understand me / Don't you underhand me, no
If I'm resting or asleep, please don't disturb me or underestimate me
Contributed by Ella D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Lakhana
In March of 1968 I heard this song on the radio. I cranked up the volume and could not believe what I was hearing. Instruments jumping from one side to the next and then going in circles. I went out and bought the album the next day because of this song. They were decades ahead of their time, especially Chapman with his "gravel" voice. How it changes after the slight pause and goes into the wah-wah with the horns is way ahead of its time. Forget punk, heavy metal and rap.........this is how music was MEANT to be heard.
Mike Reiss
@Kev Mac I'm in the States and I know who they are too but we are obviously in the minority.
Kev Mac
It's criminal they don't own the music world.Hardly known here in the States.The originality and musicianship is top notch, unmatched til this day.
Karim Tabrizi
Agree 100%
mike saunders
One of those songs that you never want to end.
progrockcoffee
Composer Mike Batt was only 18 years old when he arranged the first four chords to this song, as well as other string and brass parts throughout this album. Fantastic composer, and a fantastic band!
Charles Yeomans
Without a doubt one of the most underrated bands of all time.
This track made use of Stereo in the early days like nobody had, it went round and round
the mixer was supreme, but the band has always been up as my favourites, if people could only realise how good they were, never commercial, just great music
david obrien
Spot on Charles.
Tony Day
I've got this album, it's great. My mate lent it to me in 1969. I saw them in Brighton (UK) in early 70s.
I think the singer was wearing a neck brace, due to his strained vocal chords no doubt, or maybe that was another group.
Oh dear...maybe I should return my friends record sometime.
Martin Dytham
I fell in love with this remarkable band the first time I heard this fantastic track on their magnificent first album. Those harmonies!!