The group released their self-titled first album in 1994 on Okeh/Epic, a subsidiary of Sony Music. On the strength of the single "Cold Beverage", in part due to MTV rotation, the album nearly went gold. After which, trying to capitalize on the success of the album, the group toured heavily, eventually landing a spot on the H.O.R.D.E. tour.
In 1995 they released their follow up album Coast to Coast Motel. Though it did not sell as well as the first album, it is generally considered among critics as the stronger of the two albums.
On tour following the release of the second album the group nearly broke up, due to bickering about finances. Deciding on a hiatus the three members went their separate ways, working on various side projects.
By October 1997 the group had reconciled their differences and released their third album, Yeah, It's That Easy, which along with their own work, showcased their collaboration with several other bands and musicians, including All Fellas Band, Philly Cartel, King's Court, and Dr. John. This soul-influenced album was more similar to their debut album than their previous release.
Soon after G. Love & Special Sauce set out on another world tour, returning to Philadelphia in 1999 for the release of their fourth album, Philadelphonic. Philadelphonic was followed up with Electric Mile in 2001, an album that shows the wide-ranging influences of the group, incorporating hip-hop, funk, psychedlia, blues, and soul in equal and ambitious measure. Ever the road band, the release of "Electric Mile" was followed by extensive touring.
By 2004 and The Hustle, G. Love (with the help of his bandmates and others) went solo and had eased up a little on the kitchen sink approach, offering instead a cohesive, dry groove reminiscent of his earliest efforts. Hustle was also the first G. Love release under Jack Johnson's Brushfire Records banner; the two had been pals at least since Philadelphonic, which Johnson had been a guest on.
Special Sauce did a series of shows in 2004 with Jack Johnson and fellow Brushfire artist Donavon Frankenreiter, and the trio also found time to issue a brief live EP, titled Some Live Songs.
In the summer 2005, the band was featured (along with the less well known Philly local Chuck Treece of 80's skate-rock band McRad) in an advertisement for the launch of Coca-Cola Zero, featuring the groups own unique version of the noted Coca-Cola advertising song I'd Like to Teach the World to Sing.
G. Love's 2nd electrical solo release Lemonade also included Special Sauce on some tracks. Jack Johnson, Tristan Prettyman, Ben Harper, Jasper, and Blackalicious also contrbuted.
G. Love still continues to tour with the Special Sauce in the meantime.
Leaving the City
G. Love & Special Sauce Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
All night long
She used to bang on the wall, babe
All night long
Now she gone
Oh couldn't carry on
Yes I'm a leaving the city tonight
All night long
That's the noise in the streets
Baby all night long
Now I'm gone
I couldn't carry on
Yes I'm a leaving the city tonight
Oh baby I'm gone
Leaving the city
Yes I'm leaving the city
Outta town today
My god little honey please
All night long
See used to hop all over me
Baby all night long
Well now shes gone
Mmm couldn't carry on
Yes, I'm leaving the city tonight
And today I'm sure
All night long
That's a little bit too long
Well I'm a pack my bags I'm gone
Yes where I'm going
What dangers I may face
You know I'd a leave this place
Oh I gotta get on get on get on down
Get on down
Well I've been hanging out for too long
Wastin' time
See I've been stickin' runnin' round
Flying circles all the time
Got's to get away
Might not be back no more
See I'm a leaving
Don't you know baby that I'm gone
Oh I'm a leaving
Yes I'm a leaving the city tonight
In the song "Leaving The City" by G. Love & Special Sauce, the singer describes a woman who used to bang on the wall all night long, making it impossible for him to sleep. However, now that she's gone, he feels like he can't stay in the city anymore. He's leaving, packing his bags and ready to get away from it all, even though he doesn't know what dangers he may face in his new destination. The repetition of "all night long" reinforces the feeling of being trapped in a never-ending cycle of noise and frustration, which makes it all the more necessary for him to escape.
The song can be interpreted in a few different ways. On one hand, it could be about the singer's romantic relationship with the woman who used to keep him up all night. They may have had a tumultuous relationship that ended badly, and now he's leaving the city to get away from her and start a new life. On the other hand, the song could be more of a commentary on the city itself, with the noisy woman representing the constant chaos and stress of urban life. In either case, the singer is looking for a fresh start and a way out of the situation that's been holding him back.
Line by Line Meaning
I know this guy
I have a friend with whom I am acquainted
All night long
Throughout the whole night
She used to bang on the wall, babe
She used to make persistent loud noises by banging on the wall
Now she gone
Now she has left
Oh couldn't carry on
Oh, I couldn't persist or continue
Yes I'm a leaving the city tonight
Yes, I am departing from the city tonight
Oh where I'm from
Oh, from the place I originate
That's the noise in the streets
That is the noise present in the streets
Baby all night long
Throughout the whole night, honey
Now I'm gone
Now, I have departed
I couldn't carry on
I could not persevere
Yes I'm a leaving the city tonight
Yes, I am departing from the city tonight
Oh baby I'm gone
Oh, darling, I have left
Leaving the city
Departing from the city
Yes I'm leaving the city
Yes, I am departing from the city
Outta town today
Out of town today
My god little honey please
My goodness, dear honey, please
See used to hop all over me
She used to jump on me
Well now shes gone
Well, she has left
Mmm couldn't carry on
Hmm, I could not persevere
Yes, I'm leaving the city tonight
Yes, I am departing from the city tonight
And today I'm sure
And today, I am certain
That's a little bit too long
That is quite lengthy
Well I'm a pack my bags I'm gone
Well, I am going to pack my bags and leave
Yes where I'm going
Yes, to the destination where I am heading
What dangers I may face
What risks I may encounter
You know I'd a leave this place
You know that I would depart from this location
Oh I gotta get on get on get on down
Oh, I have to leave quickly
Get on down
Hurry up and leave
Well I've been hanging out for too long
Well, I have been spending time here for an excessive amount of time
Wastin' time
Wasting time
See I've been stickin' runnin' round
You see, I have been here running around, being restless
Flying circles all the time
Continuously doing things with no end or direction
Got's to get away
I have to escape
Might not be back no more
Perhaps, I will not come back anymore
See I'm a leaving
You see, I am departing
Don't you know baby that I'm gone
Do not you know, darling, that I have left
Oh I'm a leaving
Oh, I am departing
Yes I'm a leaving the city tonight
Yes, I am departing from the city tonight
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: GARRETT DUTTON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind