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.
Suspicion
Family Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
For me it's suffice
But for one good friend
I'd give it up twice
But strange looks come easy when giving I've found
Age old suspicion is so hard
Age old suspicion is so hard, to put down
Don't make much difference
If I feel it's good
And it's turning me on
But the same magic feeling keeps coming on round
Age old suspicion is so hard
Age old suspicion is so hard, to put down
Oo if I was immortal
But held by the balls
Now would I cut to freedom
Thereby giving all
I'd like to think so but that's here and now
Age old suspicion is so hard
Age old suspicion is so hard, to put down
The lyrics to Family's song "Suspicion" explore the theme of suspicion and how it can be challenging to overcome. The opening lines suggest that the singer is content with their current situation, despite not making much money. However, they would be willing to give it up for a good friend. The lines "But strange looks come easy when giving I've found / Age old suspicion is so hard / Age old suspicion is so hard, to put down" suggest that even when one is doing a good deed or acting selflessly, suspicion and doubt can still arise from others. The singer laments the difficulty in overcoming this long-standing suspicion.
The chorus of the song emphasizes the singer's individuality and personal preferences. The lines "Don't make much difference / I'm right or wrong / If I feel it's good / And it's turning me on" suggest that the singer is secure in their own choices and motivations, even if they are not universally approved of. The repetition of "Age old suspicion is so hard, to put down" emphasizes the struggle against this societal suspicion.
The final verse introduces the idea of immortality and how it would impact one's actions. The lines "Oo if I was immortal / But held by the balls / Now would I cut to freedom / Thereby giving all" suggest that even if one had eternal life, they may still be held back by societal constraints and suspicion. The closing lines suggest the pervasive nature of suspicion and that it is difficult to completely overcome, even in the face of immortality.
Line by Line Meaning
Said I don't make much money
I admit that I am not earning a lot of money
For me it's suffice
However, I am content and satisfied with what I have
But for one good friend
Except for one special person in my life
I'd give it up twice
I am willing to sacrifice and give up even more for them
But strange looks come easy when giving I've found
Unfortunately, people are quick to judge and question my motives when I try to be generous
Age old suspicion is so hard
This kind of suspicion and skepticism has been around for a long time
Age old suspicion is so hard, to put down
It's difficult to overcome this kind of distrust from others, even when it's unwarranted
Don't make much difference
It doesn't matter to me
I'm right or wrong
Whether I am correct or mistaken
If I feel it's good
As long as it feels right to me
And it's turning me on
And it's causing me to feel inspired and motivated
But the same magic feeling keeps coming on round
I continue to experience this same incredible and thrilling sensation
Oo if I was immortal
If I were to be immortal
But held by the balls
But still held captive by some other force
Now would I cut to freedom
Would I attempt to escape my confinement in order to be freed
Thereby giving all
In the process, sacrificing everything that I have
I'd like to think so but that's here and now
I would like to believe that I am capable of such bravery, but I am unsure if I would actually do it
Age old suspicion is so hard
This kind of mistrust has been around and has proven to be so difficult to overcome
Age old suspicion is so hard, to put down
It's challenging to remove this kind of skepticism and lack of trust from others
Contributed by Thomas K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Lemmy Kay
Great. Nearly forgot this song. Good as the whole album.