He pioneered studio tools such as multiple over-dubbing on one- and two-track machines, close miking, direct input of bass-guitars, the compressor, and effects like echo and reverb, as well as sampling. Unlike other producers, his search was for the "right sound" rather than for a catchy musical tune, and throughout his brief career he single-mindedly followed his quest to create a unique "sonic signature" for every record he produced.
At a time when many studio engineers were still wearing white coats and assiduously trying to maintain clarity and fidelity, Meek, the maverick, was producing everything on the three floors of his home studio and was never afraid to distort or manipulate the sound if it created the effect he was seeking. For the song "Johnny Remember Me" he placed the violins on the stairs, the drummer almost in the bathroom, and the brass section on a different floor entirely.
Meek was one of the first producers to grasp and fully exploit the possibilities of the modern recording studio. His innovative techniques -- physically separating instruments, treating instruments and voices with echo and reverb, processing the sound through his fabled home-made electronic devices, the combining of separately-recorded performances and segments into a painstakingly constructed composite recording -- comprised a major breakthrough in sound production. Up to that time, the standard technique for recordings, regardless of musical genre, was to record all the performers in one studio playing together in real time as the music was cut live to tape all at once. Joe Meek's recording techniques (as well as the recording techniques of Les Paul) did much to further the art of record production as we know it today.
Besides his idiosyncratic music production, many of Meek's character eccentricities continue to capture the imagination of people today. Although never properly diagnosed, it is believed today by many that Meek suffered from bipolar disorder type one (some even suggest further that he was paranoid-schizophrenic). Meek was obsessed with outer space, the occult and the idea of "the other side". He would set up tape machines in graveyards in a vain attempt to record voices from beyond the grave, in one instance capturing the meows of a cat he claimed was speaking in human tones, asking for help. In particular, he had an obsession with Buddy Holly (claiming the late American rocker had communicated with him in dreams). His professional efforts were often hindered by his paranoia (Meek was known to tear up his walls as he was convinced that Decca Records would put hidden microphones behind his wallpaper in order to steal his ideas), drug use, and attacks of sudden rage and depression.
Meek's homosexuality (illegal in the UK at the time) also put him under pressure during his career. He had been charged with "importuning for immoral purposes" in 1963 and was consequently subjected to blackmail. In January of 1967, police in Tattingstone, Suffolk, discovered a suitcase containing the mutilated body of Bernard Oliver, an alleged rent boy who had previously associated with Meek. According to some accounts, Meek became concerned that he would be involved in the murder investigation when the Metropolitan police stated that they would be interviewing all known homosexuals in the city. On February 3rd, 1967, the eighth anniversary of Buddy Holly's death, Meek killed his landlady Violet Shenton and then himself with a single barreled shotgun that he had confiscated from his protegé, former The Tornados' bassist and solo star Heinz Burt. Joe Meek was 37 at the time of his death.
Walkin' With My Angel
Joe Meek Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Who would ever try to put me down
When I'm walkin' walkin' with my angel
'Cause every guy I see
Is a-wishin' that-a he were me
When I'm walkin' walkin' with my angel
When we're strollin' hand in hand
I'm as happy as can be
And everyone can see she belongs to me
Well I feel so proud
It's as good as walkin' on a cloud
When I'm walkin' walkin' with my angel
When we're strollin' hand in hand
I'm as happy as can be
'Cause she's the prettiest girl in town
And everyone can see she belongs to me
Well I feel so proud
It's as good as walkin' on a cloud
When I'm walkin' walkin' with my angel
When I'm walkin' walkin' with my angel
Yeah, when I'm walkin' walkin' with my angel
The lyrics to Joe Meek's song "Walkin' With My Angel" convey a sense of pride and happiness experienced when the singer is in the company of their significant other. The song begins by asserting that there is no other person in town who can bring the singer down, highlighting a sense of self-confidence and security. The singer believes that when they are walking with their angel, every other guy they encounter wishes they could be in their place.
As they stroll hand in hand, the singer expresses their utmost happiness and pride. The angel, described as the prettiest girl in town, is a visual representation of their love and belongingness. The singer feels a sense of fulfillment and bliss, equating it to walking on a cloud. The repetition of these sentiments in the final lines emphasizes the joy that comes from simply being in the presence of their angel.
Overall, the lyrics of "Walkin' With My Angel" celebrate the singer's feelings of love, pride, and happiness when they are with their significant other. It showcases the profound impact of love on their emotional state, reinforcing the idea that being with their angel brings them immense joy and fulfillment.
Line by Line Meaning
Ain't no guy in town
There is no man in the entire town
Who would ever try to put me down
Who would dare to criticize or belittle me
When I'm walkin' walkin' with my angel
When I am strolling alongside my beloved angel
'Cause every guy I see
Because every man I encounter
Is a-wishin' that-a he were me
Secretly desires to be in my place
When I'm walkin' walkin' with my angel
When I am strolling alongside my beloved angel
When we're strollin' hand in hand
When we are leisurely walking while holding hands
I'm as happy as can be
I am incredibly joyous
She's the prettiest girl in town
She is the most beautiful lady in the entire town
And everyone can see she belongs to me
And everyone can clearly perceive that she is my partner
Well I feel so proud
I am filled with immense pride
It's as good as walkin' on a cloud
It feels as blissful as walking on a cloud
When I'm walkin' walkin' with my angel
When I am strolling alongside my beloved angel
Yeah, when I'm walkin' walkin' with my angel
Yes, when I am strolling alongside my beloved angel
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: CAROLE KING, GERRY GOFFIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
SmarkySmarkz
He was my Granddad. Miss him lots. =) Really nice to find his music here on Youtube!! RIP.
99tosign99
Came out late 1961 - one of Joe Meek’s “sounds like it was made in the bathroom” songs. Emotionally brilliant! I love the echo that Joe Meek got in his backings, heard in this and the likes of John Leyton’s “Johnny Remember Me”
Muswell
That famous voice echo that only Joe Meek could achieve in a small sitting room.
Jim Clapperton
One of my all time favorites. Fantastic. A superb voice. Takes me back to my school days in Haywards Heath / Beckworth
Viv Cole
Fantastic song, so well sung. I thought so too in 1962.
Craig Collis
Reached number 39?!!! I guess that shows the quality of music in that era. This pisses all over any of todays number ones. Beautiful song.
Valerie Macdougall
Worked with Don on American bases in Germany in early '60's . Fantastic voice and performer and a lovely lovely man.
John Robertson
wow great info..did he want to be a singer back then..i picked this up at a second hand shop in the early 70s..and then went on to look for more of don's and joe's music..the rest is history..i would love more of your memories of the late great Don
John Robertson
amazing sound..rgm was so far ahead of his time
Nostalgic Memories
Absolute genius track.