Career
The idea was born when the British singers of the Spanish groups, Los Flaps and Diamond Boys, Albert Hammond and Steve Rowland met for the first time at a concert in Madrid in 1965. In 1966 The Family Dogg was formed in England with the participation of the singers Mike Hazelwood and Christine Holmes. The debut album A Way of Life was released in 1969, and the title track scored a number 6 hit in the UK Singles Chart. John Paul Jones of Led Zeppelin was a guest musician on that album.
In 1970 the group was renamed as "Steve Rowland and The Family Dogg". In April 1970 they got a Number 2 hit in the Netherlands with the song "Sympathy" previously recorded by the group Rare Bird in 1969. In 1972 Steve Rowland released a last Family Dogg album, View from Rowland's Head, with guest musicians like Chris Spedding on the guitar, and Ireen Sheer as singer.
Group Members
Original Lineup
Steve Rowland (Vocals, Guitar, Drums)
Albert Hammond (Vocals, Guitar)
Mike Hazelwood (Vocals, Guitar)
Christine Holmes (Vocals)
Doreen De Veuve (Vocals)
Pam "Zooey" Quinn (Vocals)
Later Members
Ireen Sheer (Vocals)
Sue Lynn (Vocals)
Sherri Lynn [Brenda Pidduck] (Vocals)
Pat Arnold (Vocals)
Discography
1969: A Way of Life
1972: View from Rowland's Head
External link
The Family Dogg
Family Dogg with their Smash hit A Way of Life at the German television program Beat Club
Way of Life
Family Dogg Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Old men praying, the world will change
Schoolgirls dating, daughters mating
Mothers waiting to rearrange
Trendy worker, factory shirker
Social nurture won't let you down
Chairman bluster, boardroom fluster
Tinker, tailor, soldier, sailor
Rich or poor man's wife
Some may wish to change their dish
But it's a way of life
(La la la la)Tinker, tailor
(La la la la)soldier, sailor
(La la la la)Rich or poor man's wife
(La la la la)Some may wish to change their dish
(La la la la)But it's a way of life
So be thankful for what you're given
And be good to your wife in bed
And look after the art of living
And don't forget you're a long time dead
When you're born it's a great big welcome
When you go it's a sad goodbye
Oh, with the bit in between your future
It's up to you if you laugh or cry
Cowboys playing, young men slaying
Old men praying, the world will change
Schoolgirls dating, daughters mating
Mothers waiting to rearrange
It's just a way of life
Just a way of life
Cowboys playing, young men slaying
Old men praying, the world will change
Schoolgirls dating, daughters mating
Mothers waiting to rearrange
Tinker, tailor, soldier, sailor
Rich or poor man's wife
Some may wish to change their dish
But it's a way of life
Tinker, tailor, soldier, sailor
Rich or poor man's wife
Some may wish to change their dish
But it's a way of life
The lyrics of Family Dogg's "Way Of Life" depict everyday life and the different roles people play in society. The song begins with the mention of cowboys playing and young men slaying, which can be interpreted as individuals enjoying themselves and taking risks. The next line mentions old men praying for the world to change, which alludes to their desire for a better future. The verse also mentions schoolgirls dating, daughters mating, and mothers waiting to rearrange, which highlights the different stages of life a woman goes through.
The next stanza talks about the different types of workers, such as the trendy worker and the factory shirker. It also mentions the chairman's bluster and boardroom fluster, indicating the chaos that occurs in the corporate world. The line "feather duster, your vintage crown" is a metaphor suggesting that a person's past accomplishments are like a crown or symbol of honor. The following verse, "Tinker, tailor, soldier, sailor, rich or poor man's wife," highlights the different roles people can play, regardless of their gender or social status. The line "some may wish to change their dish, but it's a way of life" suggests acceptance and resignation to one's circumstances.
The chorus repeats the phrase "Tinker, tailor, soldier, sailor, rich or poor man's wife. Some may wish to change their dish, but it's a way of life," emphasizing the idea that one's station in life is predetermined and cannot be changed. The song ends with a reminder to be grateful for what you have, cherish your loved ones, and enjoy life because death is inevitable.
Line by Line Meaning
Cowboys playing, young men slaying
The carefree nature of young men mastering the world.
Old men praying, the world will change
Elderly individuals yearning for a better tomorrow.
Schoolgirls dating, daughters mating
The development of young women finding their partners.
Mothers waiting to rearrange
Parents hoping for better lives for their children.
Trendy worker, factory shirker
Modern-day work culture and corporate frustrations.
Social nurture won't let you down
The support and unity of society can provide comfort.
Chairman bluster, boardroom fluster
Corporate hierarchy and the frenzy of business leadership.
Feather duster, your vintage crown
Acknowledgement of past accomplishments and personal victories.
Tinker, tailor, soldier, sailor
All walks of life and societal roles.
Rich or poor man's wife
The importance and choice of selecting one's partner.
Some may wish to change their dish
Individuals seeking different paths in life.
But it's a way of life
Acceptance of the journey and experiences each person endures.
(La la la la)Tinker, tailor
(La la la la)soldier, sailor
(La la la la)Rich or poor man's wife
(La la la la)Some may wish to change their dish
(La la la la)But it's a way of life
Reiteration of the acceptance and variety of life paths.
So be thankful for what you're given
Gratitude for what one is blessed with in life.
And be good to your wife in bed
Importance of cherishing and valuing romantic relationships.
And look after the art of living
Taking care of one's self and cherishing life.
And don't forget you're a long time dead
Reminder that death is inevitable, so make the most of life.
When you're born it's a great big welcome
Joyous welcome into the world of new life.
When you go it's a sad goodbye
Bittersweet farewell from this world.
Oh, with the bit in between your future
It's up to you if you laugh or cry
Life is a journey with unpredictable highs and lows, emotions are individual to each person.
It's just a way of life
Just a way of life
Repeating the overall message of embracing the journey of life.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ROGER FREDERICK COOK, ROGER JOHN REGINALD GREENAWAY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@chaswilson5145
@Theo Bolt What you on about fool?
Cowboys playing, young men slaying
Old men praying, the world will change
Schoolgirls dating, daughters mating
Mothers waiting to rearrange
Trendy worker, factory shirker
Social nurture won't let you down
Chairman bluster, boardroom fluster
Feather duster, your vintage crown
Tinker, tailor, soldier, sailor
Rich or poor man's wife
Some may wish to change their dish
But it's a way of life
Tinker, tailor
(La la la la)soldier, sailor
(La la la la)Rich or poor man's wife
(La la la la)Some may wish to change their dish
(La la la la)But it's a way of life
So be thankful for what you're given
And be good to your wife in bed
And look after the art of living
And don't forget you're a long time dead
When you're born it's a great big welcome
When you go it's a sad goodbye
Oh, with the bit in between your future
It's up to you if you laugh or cry
Cowboys playing, young men slaying
Old men praying, the world will change
Schoolgirls dating, daughters mating
Mothers waiting to rearrange
It's just a way of life
Just a way of life
Cowboys playing, young men slaying
Old men praying, the world will change
Schoolgirls dating, daughters mating
Mothers waiting to rearrange
Tinker, tailor, soldier, sailor
Rich or poor man's wife
Some may wish to change their dish
But it's a way of life
Tinker, tailor, soldier, sailor
Rich or poor man's wife
Some may wish to change their dish
But it's a way of life
@tonyapthorpe1751
This a a very beautiful song and it carries a lot of morals. The blonde haired lady was my beautiful friend Sherri Lynn, a beautiful, kind, caring woman who has now become an Angel.
@joeskinner9735
The blonde is Christine Holmes and at one time she was also on Crackerjack
@tonybeards9153
@Joe Skinner you are right, just googled her and it’s definitely Christine👍
@theobolt250
This is not a beautiful song, this is an evil song! The message is that everything should stay as it is! It's capitalistic influencing in a very subtle but effective way. Oh, the melody and the singing? Yeah, that's okay, but the message? Rotten to the core! It still eludes me how they got away with it.
@tonyapthorpe1751
@Theo Bolt Keep your opinions to yourself. As I said Sherri was a good friend and Steve Rowland to. Don't go insulting musicians and composers who make this their life work to provide enjoyment for others.
@chaswilson5145
@Theo Bolt What you on about fool?
Cowboys playing, young men slaying
Old men praying, the world will change
Schoolgirls dating, daughters mating
Mothers waiting to rearrange
Trendy worker, factory shirker
Social nurture won't let you down
Chairman bluster, boardroom fluster
Feather duster, your vintage crown
Tinker, tailor, soldier, sailor
Rich or poor man's wife
Some may wish to change their dish
But it's a way of life
Tinker, tailor
(La la la la)soldier, sailor
(La la la la)Rich or poor man's wife
(La la la la)Some may wish to change their dish
(La la la la)But it's a way of life
So be thankful for what you're given
And be good to your wife in bed
And look after the art of living
And don't forget you're a long time dead
When you're born it's a great big welcome
When you go it's a sad goodbye
Oh, with the bit in between your future
It's up to you if you laugh or cry
Cowboys playing, young men slaying
Old men praying, the world will change
Schoolgirls dating, daughters mating
Mothers waiting to rearrange
It's just a way of life
Just a way of life
Cowboys playing, young men slaying
Old men praying, the world will change
Schoolgirls dating, daughters mating
Mothers waiting to rearrange
Tinker, tailor, soldier, sailor
Rich or poor man's wife
Some may wish to change their dish
But it's a way of life
Tinker, tailor, soldier, sailor
Rich or poor man's wife
Some may wish to change their dish
But it's a way of life
@colinmunn4183
Stunning song! Such clever musicians.
@IngridAlcazarOficial
OMG! Mike Hazlewood looked that sweet... But Albert Hammond has been that lovely since then! ❤️ Steve Rowland had a great voice but the girls were that magnificent! Very enjoyable group really, great vibes, cool attitude and immense talent!
@theobolt250
The lead singer is hot! I would go down on him in an instant. Hmm.
@martinmaguire3517
Thank God for the wonderful German Beat Club who kept all these beautiful performances - while the BBC deleted lots, not realising the ''historical and social value'' of pop performances.