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.
Sorrow Boy
Family Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
With so much mind
You look so tired
With glassy eyes
Your quiet pain
I feel the hum
Beneath the surface
A steady drum
When you've been wronged
You heart is aching
But you're still strong
Come back alive
When stars collide
You can feel the universe
Behind your eyes
And you find your body
In between the waves
A sonic haven
For the lonely days
Your mood so mellow
How your colors bloom
You steal the evening
From an empty room
And I might not of seen you
If I looked too hard
But I just gave up
And here you are
You'll sweet the sound
And break the melody
That was already broken
Now it's fixed for me
Not everyone's the way you are
You are a blood star
The song "Sorrow Boy" by Family describes a person who seems tired and sad, but also strong and resilient. The lyrics address this person directly, saying that their pain is felt by those around them, even if it is hidden beneath a surface of quiet strength. The idea of stars colliding and feeling the universe behind one's eyes suggests a sense of awe and wonder, and the notion of finding one's body in between the waves hints at a desire for escape and transcendence.
The lyrics go on to describe how this person's mood is "mellow" and how their "colors bloom." They are able to steal the evening from an empty room, meaning that they can bring life and energy to situations that might otherwise feel empty or dull. Although they might not be immediately noticeable, the singer speaks of giving up and finding this person, suggesting that they have a quiet power and allure that draws people in.
The final lines of the song call this person a "blood star," which is a poetic way of saying that they shine brightly and radiate life and energy. Overall, the song speaks to the complexity of human emotions, and how even those who seem sad or downtrodden can have an inner strength and beauty that is worth recognizing.
Line by Line Meaning
Sorrowed boy
A boy burdened with sadness and grief
With so much mind
A boy with a lot on his mind; troubled with heavy thoughts
You look so tired
A boy that appears exhausted from the weight he carries
With glassy eyes
A boy with eyes that are watery, indicating sadness
Your quiet pain
A boy who bears his pain silently
I feel the hum
The singer senses the boy's anguish and despair
Beneath the surface
The boy's pain is not readily visible to others
A steady drum
The artist feels the boy's pain consistently, like a constant drumbeat
You're like a child
The boy exhibits childlike vulnerability and innocence
When you've been wronged
The boy is hurt when treated unjustly
You heart is aching
The boy's heart is filled with emotional pain and turmoil
But you're still strong
Despite his pain, the boy remains emotionally strong and resilient
Come back alive
The singer implores the boy to reclaim his optimism and vitality
When stars collide
The singer poetically urges the boy to find hope in seemingly random occurrences
You can feel the universe
An allusion to finding meaning in the larger, cosmic order of things
Behind your eyes
The artist suggests that the boy's innermost thoughts and feelings hold cosmic significance
And you find your body
The artist surprisingly notes that the boy can discover his own personal identity amidst the turbulence
In between the waves
An analogy for surviving amidst the ups and downs of life
A sonic haven
The boy can find comfort in sound, music, or his own voice
For the lonely days
An acknowledgement that sadness is often a solitary experience
Your mood so mellow
The boy's demeanor is calm and tranquil
How your colors bloom
A metaphor for the boy finding beauty and joy amidst his sadness
You steal the evening
The boy captures the attention and admiration of those around him
From an empty room
The boy's presence can brighten even the bleakest and most desolate of places
And I might not of seen you
The singer admits that he may have overlooked or underappreciated the boy in the past
If I looked too hard
An admission that the boy's pain and despair is not always visible on the surface
But I just gave up
The singer confesses to almost losing hope in the boy's recovery
And here you are
The artist is pleased to see the boy has overcome his hardships and persevered
You'll sweet the sound
An allusion to the boy's unique ability to make music sound more beautiful
And break the melody
The boy has the power to change the course of the future
That was already broken
The boy has the potential to overcome adversity and heal
Now it's fixed for me
The boy has altered the artist's perspective and outlook
Not everyone's the way you are
The artist reminds the boy that he is a rare and unique individual
You are a blood star
A term of endearment for the boy, a unique and shining personality
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