Critically acclaimed though perceived as commercially disappointing, their debut contained tracks such as a spirited version of the Bobby Troup chestnut "The Girl Can't Help It", and it brought them a cult following. Their second album, 1970's 'Flamingo', revealed a musical approach that continued to draw upon 50s rock and roll as well as upon the more tuneful work of The Beatles and the The Rolling Stones. 'Flamingo' is also notable as well as the only album by the group to feature an apostrophe after "Flamin" (all the others are credited to "The Flamin Groovies"). It also was the first of their two albums for the label Kama Sutra.
Their next album, and last with musician Roy Loney, was the 1971 classic 'Teenage Head'. Continuing their streak of critical praise, this album appears in the famous book '1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die'. Mick Jagger praised the work as an excellent album with parallels to the Stones' work at the time which, like 'Teenage Head', revisited both 50s music and roots rock. 'Teenage Head' is also considered to be a classic in the proto-punk music canon.
Still, Roy Loney left the Flamin' Groovies, and he was replaced by singer-songwriter and guitarist Chris Wilson, who, along with Jordan, began to move the group in a more overtly power pop direction. Between 1971 and 1976, very little was heard of the band except their 1972 anti-drug song "Slow Death". In 1976, they teamed up with British producer and famous retro rock artist Dave Edmunds, and recorded an album entitled 'Shake Some Action'.
With Cyril Jordan and George Alexander the lone holdouts in the band after their line-up changes, their sound found them fully embracing melodic 60s British invasion music and putting on a suit and tie public image reminiscent of those groups. The album even breaking into the Billboard 200 chart, reaching the #142 slot, it picked-up massive critical acclaim. Title track "Shake Some Action" became somewhat of a 'signature song' for the group, and the album has been viewed as a landmark release of the Anglo-American power pop movement.
The following effort, 1978's 'Now', continued to be a good example of their self-conscious attempt to revive the sound of classic 60s rock. As Cyril Jordan told an interviewer, "The time that we were personifying had died in America years before. We were trying to put it into a capsule." The Groovies continued in the same style until somewhere early in the 80s, almost folding entirely and shifting into a sporadic, on-again/off-again existence as the American music scene changed into a more new wave and alternative rock based direction.
In retrospect, the band has been praised by critics as being "one of America's greatest, most influential, and legendary cult bands", in the words of Allmusic. Their siren song of a last album, 1993's 'Rock Juice', has also attracted attention as a great underground release. As time goes by, many punk and powerpop leaning bands have took inspiration from the Groovies.
High Flyin' Baby
Flamin' Groovies Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Well she takes the tune yeah raw machine
When it comes to love babe she ain't small.
She's the queen of hearts y'all
What she don't know baby she don't care
But the bottom half there said they don't wear
High flyin baby, high flyin baby keep your head, o yeah
High flyin baby, high flyin baby keep your head, o yeah
High flyin baby, high flyin baby keep your head
See that girl with the basket on
Baby she not here she completly gone yeah
She got the cards, baby got no care
When she got the words it's a real affair
Well you should take that baby down to the Kansas star
I'll take that baby wherever I go
High flyin baby, high flyin baby keep your head, o yeah
High flyin baby, high flyin baby keep your head
High flyin baby, high flyin baby keep your head, o yeah
High flyin baby, high flyin baby keep your head
"High Flyin' Baby" is a song by Flamin' Groovies that tells the story of a woman who lives a carefree life and loves to have fun. The song is full of vivid imagery and metaphors, describing the woman as "so clean" and a "raw machine." She's also called the "queen of hearts," suggesting that she's confident and in control of her life. The lyrics suggest that she doesn't worry about what others think and "what she don't know baby she don't care." The woman is a free spirit who lives for the moment, with no cares or worries.
The chorus of the song, "High flyin baby, high flyin baby keep your head," is a mantra for the woman to stay true to herself and continue living her life the way she wants to, with her head held high. The lines "See that girl with the basket on, Baby she not here she completly gone yeah" paint a picture of a woman who is truly carefree and isn't afraid to be herself. The song also mentions taking the woman to the "Kansas star," which is a reference to a popular casino in Kansas that was known for its gambling and live music.
The song was released in 1971 as a single and was later included on the Flamin' Groovies' album, "Supersnazz." It has been covered by several other artists over the years, including The Chesterfield Kings and The Oblivians. "High Flyin' Baby" is an upbeat, high-energy song that showcases the Flamin' Groovies' garage rock sound and their ability to write catchy, memorable hooks.
Line by Line Meaning
I gotta roll baby she's so clean
I need to hurry because my girl is waiting and she is so perfect and pristine.
Well she takes the tune yeah raw machine
She follows my lead effortlessly and is a natural at everything she does.
When it comes to love babe she ain't small.
She loves big and passionately without holding back.
She's the queen of hearts y'all
She is the ruler of all hearts and has the power to capture anyone's heart.
What she don't know baby she don't care
My girl is carefree and doesn't let things bother her, even if she doesn't know about them.
But the bottom half there said they don't wear
The people at the bottom don't wear anything, possibly referring to a group of nudists.
See that girl with the basket on
Look at that girl carrying a basket.
Baby she not here she completely gone yeah
She is not present mentally and is lost in her own thoughts.
She got the cards, baby got no care
She holds all the power and control, yet she doesn't seem to care about it.
When she got the words it's a real affair
When she speaks, it's a big deal and everyone pays attention.
Well you should take that baby down to the Kansas star
You should take that girl to the popular casino in Kansas, possibly suggesting that she is lucky.
I'll take that baby wherever I go
I will bring my girl with me wherever I go because I can't be without her.
High flyin baby, high flyin baby keep your head, o yeah
Stay confident and continue soaring high, my love.
High flyin baby, high flyin baby keep your head
Keep your head up and aim high, my love.
High flyin baby, high flyin baby keep your head, o yeah
Don't let anything bring you down and keep reaching for the stars, my love.
High flyin baby, high flyin baby keep your head
Keep your spirits high and continue on your path, my love.
Writer(s): Cyril Jordan, Roy A. Alan Loney
Contributed by Charlotte D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.