The band initially consisted in 1969 of Steve Marriott (formerly of Small Faces; lead vocals, guitar, keyboards), Peter Frampton (from The Herd; lead guitar), Greg Ridley (from Spooky Tooth; bass) and Jerry Shirley (from The Apostolic Intervention; drums).
The joining of all these fairly known players resulted in Humble Pie being considered a bit of a “supergroup”. Worried about great expectations, the group began working together in secret at Marriott's cottage in Moreton, Essex. Signed to Andrew Loog Oldham's Immediate Records, their debut single "Natural Born Boogie" was rushed out in 1969 and was a UK number five hit; it was quickly followed by the album As Safe As Yesterday Is, praised as a progressive album in the vein of Small Faces. Their second album Town and Country was also released in 1969 and featured a more acoustic sound. Humble Pie concerts at this time featured an acoustic set followed by an electric set, an approach that would become popular decades later.
1970 saw the financial collapse of Immediate, a switch to A&M Records, and a change in band management. The albums Humble Pie and Rock On, both released that year, alternated between progressive rock and boogie rock excess. A concert at the Fillmore East in NYC was captured on Perfomance Rockin' The Fillmore (1971); it is considered one of the best live rock albums of its era, with Marriott, Frampton, and the rest of the group in fine form. The loud-quiet-loud epic "I Don't Need No Doctor" was an FM radio hit in the United States, propelling the album to the group's biggest commercial success yet.
However, Frampton had already left the band by the time of the album's release, to pursue a solo career that would become extremely successful later in the 1970s. With Dave "Clem" Clempson replacing Frampton, Humble Pie moved towards an even harder sound at the urging of manager Dee Anthony, emphasizing Marriott's blues and soul roots.
Smokin' (1972) had a minor hit in "Thirty Days in the Hole" and was reasonably successful commercially based on the group's constant touring. As a premiere US concert attraction, they traveled in a customized private jet, and partook in all forms of the rock n roll excess available to formerly working class musicians that rose to fame and riches in this era, even hiring The Blackberries, a trio of black backup singers including Vanetta Fields formerly of The Ikettes. Nevertheless the band's extended, long form concert boogie jam rock style was unable to break them into the mainstream radio. Eat It (1974) was three sides of mostly R&B covers and one side live, and while appreciated by their core fans, did nothing to expand the group's audience. The group staged the Goodbye Pie Tour in 1975 and essentially broke up.
In 1980 Marriott, divorced, and with financial problems in the UK, relocated to Atlanta Georgia and revived Humble Pie with Shirley, adding Bobby Tench (from Jeff Beck Group) on guitar and Anthony "Sooty" Jones on bass. Two albums with a more modern heavy metal sound were released but the effort soon fell apart. In 1991 Marriott and Frampton began collaborating again, with another Humble Pie rebirth possibly in the offing, but an unfortunate house fire took Marriott's life before anything tangible could materialise. http://rockandrollgarage.com/the-tragic-story-of-steve-marriott-death/
The Light
Humble Pie Lyrics
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Now that I have seen
I can hear and I can talk
Some people ain't too keen
They tread on your feet
No conscience can be seen
"How do you do?", the brick wall said
Knowing that you're right
Will show you the light
Knowing when you've done wrong
Feeling bad with fright
Why am I still sitting here?
Why am I alive?
Someone stole my axe today
Best one that I had
I don't know what is savin' me
From hidin' me away
I've had enough of feelin' down
I'm just here on display
Who dat dere, with the black fair hair
Drove me off the road
Don't ask why he looks so high
Tell it all in code
Maybe a quarter to three
I lost all track of mind
I watched a fox just the other night
Funny how time flies
Knowing when you're right
Will show you the light
Knowing when you've done wrong
Feeling bad with fright
Why am I still lying
Over what has been
What am I suppose to do
I'm waitin' for your ring
Spread your wings and you will see
What you can really make
Of a rockin' chair that is so bare
The paint will surely flake
'Cause knowing that you're right
Will show you the light
Knowing when you've done wrong
Feeling bad with fright
Because knowing that you're right
Will show you the light
The Light by Humble Pie is a song that explores the themes of self-discovery and the struggle to find meaning in life. The opening verse expresses a feeling of contentment and gratitude for one's own abilities, but acknowledges that not everyone shares this sentiment. Some people are insensitive and cause harm without realizing it, as symbolized by the metaphor of them "treading on your feet". The song then takes a more introspective turn, as the singer questions their purpose and place in the world. The line "Someone stole my axe today, best one that I had", could be interpreted as a metaphor for losing one's tools or resources, or for feeling like something important has been taken away.
The chorus of the song emphasizes the importance of self-reflection and self-awareness. Knowing when you're right and admitting when you've done wrong will guide you towards inner clarity and enlightenment, symbolized by "the light". The bridge of the song seems to refer to a specific event or encounter that has left the singer feeling unsettled and confused. The use of coded language suggests that this person or situation may have been dangerous or illegal. The closing verse references a rocking chair that needs repainting, which could represent the rejuvenation of one's spiritual or emotional life.
Line by Line Meaning
Feelin' good, suppose I should
I'm feeling good and I should be.
Now that I have seen
Now that I have experienced certain things.
I can hear and I can talk
I have the ability to communicate.
Some people ain't too keen
Some people are not too smart.
They tread on your feet
They are disrespectful and hurtful towards you.
No conscience can be seen
They don't seem to have a conscience.
"How do you do?", the brick wall said
"How are you?" the brick wall asked metaphorically.
And later broke in two
And it eventually crumbled and fell apart.
Knowing that you're right
Being sure that you are correct.
Will show you the light
Will reveal the truth to you.
Knowing when you've done wrong
Being aware when you've made a mistake.
Feeling bad with fright
Feeling guilty and fearful because of your mistake.
Why am I still sitting here?
I'm wondering why I'm not taking action.
Why am I alive?
Asking existential questions about my existence.
Someone stole my axe today
Someone stole my valuable tool today.
Best one that I had
It was the best one I had.
I don't know what is savin' me
I don't know what is keeping me sane.
From hidin' me away
From isolating myself.
I've had enough of feelin' down
I'm tired of feeling depressed.
I'm just here on display
I'm just existing without purpose.
Who dat dere, with the black fair hair
Who is that person with black, curly hair.
Drove me off the road
Forced me off the path I was on.
Don't ask why he looks so high
Do not inquire why he appears to be under the influence of drugs.
Tell it all in code
Speak in a secret language.
Maybe a quarter to three
Maybe around 2:45.
I lost all track of mind
I became very confused.
I watched a fox just the other night
I observed a fox recently.
Funny how time flies
It's interesting how time seems to pass by quickly.
Why am I still lying
I'm wondering why I'm still not telling the truth.
Over what has been
About what has already happened.
What am I suppose to do
What am I supposed to do next, what's my purpose?
I'm waitin' for your ring
I'm waiting for you to call me or contact me.
Spread your wings and you will see
Take a chance and try new things.
What you can really make
What you are truly capable of.
Of a rockin' chair that is so bare
Of a chair that is old and empty.
The paint will surely flake
The paint on the chair will eventually come off.
Because knowing that you're right
Because it's important to be sure that you're correct.
Will show you the light
Will reveal the truth to you.
Knowing when you've done wrong
Being aware when you've made a mistake.
Feeling bad with fright
Feeling guilty and fearful because of your mistake.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: PETER FRAMPTON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Ferenc Zakharides
on C'mon Everybody
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