They were hired on the spot, audiences at Disneyland quickly accepting them and loving their good-time image, and the Playboys were soon playing to a full house every night. Band leader Les Brown had known Jerry Lewis for years, and he told record producer Snuff Garrett that the younger Lewis was playing at Disneyland. After listening to the band, Garrett liked their sound and thought using Gary's famous name might sell tons of records. Garrett took them into a recording studio with the song "This Diamond Ring" in a session financed by Jerry Lewis' wife Patti. However, according to Lewis, the Playboys weren’t allowed to play their instruments except on the backing tracks.
Garrett wanted to maximize the chances for a hit, so he insisted on using experienced studio musicians for the overdubs, which included guitar and keyboard solos, additional bass and drum overdubs, and timpani. These musicians included Tommy Allsup on guitar, Leon Russell on keyboards, Joe Osborn on bass, and Hal Blaine on drums. Session singer Ron Hicklin did the basic vocal track. Garrett then added Gary’s voice twice, added some of the Playboys and more of Hicklin. "When I got through, he sounded like Mario Lanza," Garrett commented.
Regarding the musicians who performed on "This Diamond Ring" and other tracks by the band, Gary Lewis told Songfacts, "The Playboys played on every track we ever did, the Wrecking Crew did solos and overdubs. I sang every song myself and had a backup singer that sang only harmonies with me. My producer Snuff Garrett can back up everything I've told you, and so can Leon Russell, who was the arranger of everything I did."
Garrett got airplay in New York City for "This Diamond Ring" by making a deal with WINS disc jockey Murray the K Kaufman, who ran a series of all-star concerts at theaters around the New York area, promising that if he played Lewis’ record, the Playboys would do his shows. Garrett then had Jerry Lewis use his contacts to get his son onto 'The Ed Sullivan Show', which often 'made' an artist. However, Sullivan had a general policy that all acts appearing on his show were to perform live (although one of his frequent guests, The Dave Clark Five, had lip-synched from their second appearance on, in early 1964). Since so many studio tricks had been used on the record, the Playboys could not re-create its sound. In compromise, Lewis sang along with pre-recorded tracks as the Playboys pretended to play their instruments. The January 1965 broadcast made Gary Lewis and the Playboys instant stars.
"This Diamond Ring" went all the way to #1, and pressing plants reportedly could not keep up with initial demand for the record. Successful touring and persistent airplay has made the tune a part of 60s music history, appearing in many multi-artist collections. However, only West and Lewis remained in the band by the end of 1965. Other members later included Tommy Tripplehorn (father of actress Jeanne Tripplehorn), Carl Radle, Jimmy Karstein, Dave Gonzalez, and "Myke".
In 1965, Gary Lewis was deemed 'Cash Box' magazine's "Male Vocalist of the Year," winning against nominees Elvis Presley and Frank Sinatra. As a testament to his group's success, his was also the only 60s artist to have its seven single releases reach Billboard magazine's Top 10 on the Hot 100 chart (with "Count Me In" (#2), "Save Your Heart for Me" (#2), "Everybody Loves a Clown" (#4), "She's Just My Style" (#3), "Sure Gonna Miss Her" (#9), and "Green Grass" (#8) all hitting the upper reaches of the chart). Lewis was drafted into the U.S. Army in January 1967 and discharged in 1968. He immediately returned to recording but was unable to regain his group's earlier momentum. Lewis continued touring, eventually marketing the band as a nostalgia act.
In total, Gary Lewis and his band has had eight gold singles, 17 top 40 hits, and four gold albums. In addition to playing on 'The Ed Sullivan Show', he appeared on 'American Bandstand', 'Shindig!', 'Hullabaloo', 'The Sally Jessy Raphaël Show', 'The Tonight Show', 'The Mike Douglas Show', 'Nashville Now', and Wolfman Jack's famous program. Gary Lewis has also appeared and performed on many of his father's Labor Day telethons for the Muscular Dystrophy Association.
Green Grass
Gary Lewis & The Playboys Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Gary Lewis and the Playboys
Written by Roger F. Cook and Roger John Reginald Greenaway
Peak chart position # 8 in 1966
Green grass 'round my window
Young leaves that the wind blows
Yes, it's springtime, golden sunshine
Now that summertime is nigh
Carefree kissin' couples
Dream away all their troubles
'cause it's springtime, golden sunshine
While the bluebirds sing their magic song
We will love the summer long
All the winter we've been waitin'
Girl and I anticipatin'
What we're gonna do with summer overdue
Now it's here, we're out together
So the weatherman had better
Do his best to make a show
And bring the sunshine out to grow the
Green grass 'round my window
Young leaves that the wind blows
Yes, it's springtime, golden sunshine
While the bluebirds sing their magic song
We will love the summer long
We will love the summer long
FADE
We will love the summer long
The song "Green Grass" by Gary Lewis and the Playboys is an upbeat celebration of springtime and summer, filled with imagery of young love and carefree days. The opening lines of the song set the scene with the singer looking out at the green grass and young leaves blowing in the wind around his window, while the golden sunshine of springtime fills the air. The singer is joined by his "little love" as they enjoy the season, glad that summertime is on its way.
The chorus of the song speaks to the joy and magic of being in love during the summertime, when carefree kissing couples dream away their troubles and the bluebirds sing their magical songs. The lyrics suggest that the singer and his love have been waiting all winter for this time to arrive, and as the weather warms up they're eager to make the most of their time together in the sun. As the song fades out, the singers declare their intention to love the summer long, soaking up every moment of happiness and freedom that the season brings.
In summary, "Green Grass" is a celebration of the joys of spring and summer, with lyrics that evoke the carefree pleasures of young love and the magic of the natural world during this time of year.
Line by Line Meaning
Green grass 'round my window
The green grass surrounding the window signifies springtime and new beginnings.
Young leaves that the wind blows
The newly sprouted leaves on the trees sway in the wind, reflecting the carefree nature of spring.
Yes, it's springtime, golden sunshine
The sunny weather during spring brings warmth and happiness.
And we're glad, my little love and I
The singer and their love interest are happy to experience the joy of spring together.
Now that summertime is nigh
As spring comes to an end, the anticipation of summer grows.
Carefree kissin' couples
Springtime inspires young couples to be affectionate and carefree.
Dream away all their troubles
The magic of spring allows couples to forget their worries and fully enjoy each other's company.
'cause it's springtime, golden sunshine
The sun during springtime symbolizes new beginnings and hope.
While the bluebirds sing their magic song
The bluebirds' cheerful song further enhances the happiness and hopefulness of the season.
We will love the summer long
The couple plans to enjoy every moment of summer together.
All the winter we've been waitin'
The long, cold winter made the singer and their love interest eagerly anticipate the warmth of spring and summer.
Girl and I anticipatin'
Both the singer and their love interest have been looking forward to summer.
What we're gonna do with summer overdue
They have been planning and dreaming of all the things they will do once summer finally arrives.
Now it's here, we're out together
The couple is happy to finally experience their summer plans together.
So the weatherman had better
They hope that the weather will be nice so that they can fully enjoy their summer.
Do his best to make a show
They hope that the weatherman will ensure that the weather is good.
And bring the sunshine out to grow the
They hope that the sunny weather will continue to bring warmth and happiness,
We will love the summer long
The couple plans to enjoy every moment of their summer together.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ROGER COOK, ROGER GREENAWAY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
木倉谷哲也
Lyrics:
Green grass ‘round my window,
Young leaves that the wind blows
Yes it’s springtime, golden sunshine
And we’re glad my little love and I
Now that summer time is nigh!
Carefree, kissin’ couples
Dream away all there troubles
‘Cause it’s springtime, golden sunshine
While the bluebirds sing their magic song
We will love the summer long!
All the winter we’ve been waitin’,
Girl and I anticipating
What we’re gonna do,
With summer overdue
Now it’s here we’re all together,
So the weather man had better
Do his best to make a show
And bring the sunshine out to grow the
Green grass ‘round my window,
Young leaves that the wind blows
Yes it’s springtime, golden sunshine
While the bluebirds sing their magic song,
We will love the summer long!
We will love the summer long
We will love the summer long……
Muffs 55mercury
One of the few good things his father did was encourage Gary to go into music. It paid off handsomely. 12 top 40 hits and the first seven went to the top 10
Pamela Johnson
Such a “feel good” song! Gary Lewis, you are awesome!
James Fox
One of my all-time favorite songs by Gary Lewis and The Playboys!💕🤸🤸🤸🤸
John Doe
Was watching a football game today, and the announcer said that the one team liked to find some open green grass for their receivers to run in, and when he said "green grass" this song popped into my head for the first time in decades and I just had to come here and listen to it. LOL!
Gary Henes
Lol!
Michele Yuergens
Lok@Gary Henes
Jorge Mario Rodas
Beautiful summer song and one of my favorites through more than fifty years. Cary really sang great and his group backed him up well.
Joe Jordan
Gary Lewis was backed up by the wrecking crew not the members of the group.
Chris Miles
Thanks to Leon Russell and Snuff Garrett!
Linda Devendorf
I was 14 years old when "Green Grass" came out. LOVED it and love it still! I remember listening to it on AM radio--I would put my transistor radio under my pillow so my sister wouldn't be awakened by the music (we shared a room). Often I would be listening to it until it signed off the air with the "Star Spangled Banner." I will ALWAYS love this song!!