Harpers Bi… Read Full Bio ↴Harpers Bizarre is the name of two separate musical acts.
Harpers Bizarre was an American pop-rock band of the 1960s, best known for their Broadway/choirboy sound and their remake of Simon & Garfunkel's "The 59th Street Bridge Song (Feelin' Groovy)."
Career
Harpers Bizarre was formed out of The Tikis, a Californian band who enjoyed some local success with Beatle-like songs in the mid 1960s. In 1967, record producer Lenny Waronker got a hold of the Simon & Garfunkel song "The 59th Street Bridge Song (Feelin' Groovy)," determined to make it into a single. The Tikis recorded it, with the arrangement featuring extended harmonies reminiscent of the work of Brian Wilson or even the Swingle Singers. The song was released under a new band name, "Harpers Bizarre" (a play on the magazine "Harper's Bazaar"), so as not to alienate The Tikis' fanbase. The Harpers Bizarre version of the song reached #13 on the American Billboard Hot 100 chart in April 1967, far exceeding any success that The Tikis thus far had.
The success of the single prompted Harpers Bizarre to record their debut album. At this point the band consisted of Ted Templeman (vocals, drums, guitar); Dick Scoppettone (born 5 July 1945; vocals, guitar, bass); Eddie James (guitar); Dick Yount (bass, vocals) and John Petersen (born 8 January 1942; drums, percussion, vocals). Petersen had previously already enjoyed a brief spell of success as member of the Beau Brummels; James left shortly after the first recording sessions and was replaced by Dick Young. Under the guidance of producer Lenny Waronker (and Templeman, who emerged as the leader of the group), Harpers Bizarre developed a unique sound which experimented with heavy vocal layering. Most of Harpers Bizarre's recordings are cheerful and airy, both in subject matter and musical accompaniment often with string and woodwind arrangements, resulting in a psychedelic Broadway/Baroque pop sound.
In addition to covering several old standards (including Cole Porter's "Anything Goes" and Gordon and Warren's "Chattanooga Choo Choo"), Harpers Bizarre also recorded the work of several contemporary songwriters, including Randy Newman, Van Dyke Parks and Harry Nilsson.
None of the subsequent singles, however, achieved the same level of success as their debut, and the band broke up shortly after their last album was released in 1969.
In 1976, a partial reunion of the group occurred (without Templeman) to record an album, As Time Goes By, that is often overlooked in Harpers Bizarre discographies.
Discography
Feelin' Groovy (1967)
Anything Goes (1968)
Secret Life of Harpers Bizarre (1968)
Harpers Bizarre 4 (1969)
As Time Goes By (1976)
Harpers Bizarre is also the name of an group of Harp Players from Cornwall, UK. 'Harpers Bizarre' Harp ensemble was formed in 2004 by Sarah Deere-Jones plus Sarah herself, who runs the Cornwall Harp Centre.Their first performance was at the Penventon Hotel in Redruth, Cornwall in November 2004 before going on to release their first CD 'A Cornish Pastiche' of new and traditional harp tunes.
59th Street Bridge Song
Harpers Bizarre Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You got to make the morning last
Just kicking down the cobble stones
Looking for fun and feelin' groovy
Hello lamppost, what cha knowing?
I've come to watch your flowers growing
Ain't cha got no rhymes for me?
Got no deeds to do, no promises to keep
I'm dappled and drowsy and ready to sleep
Let the morning time drop all its petals on me
Life, I love you, all is groovy
The song "The 59th Street Bridge Song" by Harpers Bizarre is a classic example of the peace, love and happiness that was prevalent in the 1960s. It is an ode to taking things slow and enjoying the little things in life. Starting with the line "Slow down, you move too fast," the song urges the listener to take their time and enjoy their surroundings. It then goes on to describe the simple joy of walking down the street and appreciating the beauty of nature, as exemplified in the line "Just kicking down the cobble stones, looking for fun and feeling groovy."
The second verse takes a surreal turn with the introduction of a lamppost as a character. The singer speaks to the lamppost, asking if it has any rhymes to share with him. The lamppost, of course, does not respond, and the singer goes on to hum a nonsensical tune, perfectly content in his present moment.
The final verse brings the song full circle, as the singer reflects on his lack of responsibilities and his readiness for sleep. The line "Life, I love you, all is groovy" encapsulates the overall sentiment of the song: life is good, and it's important to appreciate the simple moments that make it that way.
Line by Line Meaning
Slow down, you move too fast
Don't rush through life, take your time and enjoy the moment
You got to make the morning last
The morning is a time to relax and enjoy before the hectic day begins
Just kicking down the cobble stones
Taking a leisurely stroll and enjoying the simple things in life
Looking for fun and feelin' groovy
Having a carefree attitude and enjoying life in the moment
Hello lamppost, what cha knowing?
Observing the world around you and appreciating the beauty in everyday objects
I've come to watch your flowers growing
Taking time to appreciate the beauty of nature and the simplicity of life
Ain't cha got no rhymes for me?
Asking for inspiration and creativity from the world around you
Doot-in' doo-doo, feelin' groovy
Life is good and carefree
Got no deeds to do, no promises to keep
Enjoying a moment of rest and relaxation with no responsibilities or obligations
I'm dappled and drowsy and ready to sleep
Feeling comfortable, relaxed, and ready to rest
Let the morning time drop all its petals on me
Welcoming the new day and all the opportunities it brings
Life, I love you, all is groovy
Expressing love and appreciation for life, and feeling content and happy
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Paul Simon
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind