John Sebastian (born John Benson Sebastian on 17 March 1944, in Greenwich V… Read Full Bio ↴John Sebastian (born John Benson Sebastian on 17 March 1944, in Greenwich Village, New York City) is an American songwriter and harmonica player. He is best known as a founder of The Lovin' Spoonful, a band inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2000. His tie-dyed denim jacket is prominently displayed there.
Early in their recording and airwave career, Lovin' Spoonful members termed their approach "good-time music". Unlike many pop groups of the day, the Lovin' Spoonful played all the instruments on their records, and aside from a few covers, wrote all their own material.
His group The Lovin' Spoonful played a major role in the mid-'60s rock revolution, but what leader, singer and songwriter Sebastian had in mind was actually a counter-revolution. "We were grateful to the Beatles for reminding us our rock & roll roots," John explains, "but we wanted to cut out the English middlemen, so to speak, and get down to making this new music as an 'American' band."
This the Lovin' Spoonful did like nobody before or since, putting their first seven singles into the Top 10. This was unprecedented, and utterly unthinkable at the height of Beatlemania. At first they'd taken older material from blues, country, folk and jug band sources - what we now term "roots music" - and made it sound modern. Then, in a series of original songs composed and sung by John Sebastian, they did the reverse, creating thoroughly modern music that sounded like it contained the entire history of American music. Which it did.
He embarked on a moderately successful solo career after leaving the Lovin' Spoonful in 1968. Sebastian was popular among the rock festival circuits. He had a memorable, albeit unscheduled appearance at Woodstock, appearing after Country Joe McDonald's set, playing songs such as "I Had A Dream," "Rainbows All Over Your Blues" and "Younger Generation" which he dedicated to a newborn baby at the festival. Documentary remarks by festival organizers revealed that Sebastian was under the influence at the time, hence his spontaneity and casual, unplanned set. Sebastian also returned for Woodstock '94, playing harmonica for Crosby, Stills and Nash. Sebastian released his eponymous LP John B. Sebastian in 1970, which featured him accompanied by various L.A. musicians.
Sebastian played harmonica with The Doors on the song Roadhouse Blues under the pseudonym G. Puglese to avoid problems with his contract, which was featured on Morrison Hotel album, also played on "Little Red Rooster" on the live album Alive, She Cried and on seven songs on Live In Detroit. He is also credited with playing harmonica on Crosby Stills Nash & Young's "Déjà Vu" from the album of the same name.
He had been involved in music for films (most notably Francis Ford Coppola's "You're A Big Boy Now" and Woody Allen's "What's Up Tiger Lily") and Broadway, but when producers of a TV show called "Welcome Back Kotter" commissioned a theme song in 1976, Sebastian's "Welcome Back" became a chart-topping solo record.
Thankfully John's induction into the Rock 'n Roll Hall of Fame in 2000 hasn't slowed him down. Whether the stage is at Carnegie Hall or a folk festival in some far-flung locale, John is still out there spreading his gospel of American roots music. He is the subject of the current PBS special "Do You Believe In Magic: The Music of John Sebastian," and a new album of duets with David Grisman was released in 2007. He has also lent his music in support of social, environmental and animal rights causes. Recently he joined a delegation of songwriters (including Lamont Dozier, Allen and Marilyn Bergman, and Mike Stoller) in Washington, DC to campaign on behalf of the National Music Publisher's Association.
Perhaps because it has been the product of heart and soul and history, the oldest song in the Sebastian catalog is as fresh and vital as the song he's about to write tomorrow. That's why you still hear his music everywhere - in movies, on television, in cover versions and samples - and why it's always welcome. John is also a welcome media presence; his commentary, insights and anecdotes and stories are regularly featured in print, radio, TV and film documentary projects. John Sebastian is not only a master musician, writer and performer, he remains one of the best ambassadors American music has ever had.
Early in their recording and airwave career, Lovin' Spoonful members termed their approach "good-time music". Unlike many pop groups of the day, the Lovin' Spoonful played all the instruments on their records, and aside from a few covers, wrote all their own material.
His group The Lovin' Spoonful played a major role in the mid-'60s rock revolution, but what leader, singer and songwriter Sebastian had in mind was actually a counter-revolution. "We were grateful to the Beatles for reminding us our rock & roll roots," John explains, "but we wanted to cut out the English middlemen, so to speak, and get down to making this new music as an 'American' band."
This the Lovin' Spoonful did like nobody before or since, putting their first seven singles into the Top 10. This was unprecedented, and utterly unthinkable at the height of Beatlemania. At first they'd taken older material from blues, country, folk and jug band sources - what we now term "roots music" - and made it sound modern. Then, in a series of original songs composed and sung by John Sebastian, they did the reverse, creating thoroughly modern music that sounded like it contained the entire history of American music. Which it did.
He embarked on a moderately successful solo career after leaving the Lovin' Spoonful in 1968. Sebastian was popular among the rock festival circuits. He had a memorable, albeit unscheduled appearance at Woodstock, appearing after Country Joe McDonald's set, playing songs such as "I Had A Dream," "Rainbows All Over Your Blues" and "Younger Generation" which he dedicated to a newborn baby at the festival. Documentary remarks by festival organizers revealed that Sebastian was under the influence at the time, hence his spontaneity and casual, unplanned set. Sebastian also returned for Woodstock '94, playing harmonica for Crosby, Stills and Nash. Sebastian released his eponymous LP John B. Sebastian in 1970, which featured him accompanied by various L.A. musicians.
Sebastian played harmonica with The Doors on the song Roadhouse Blues under the pseudonym G. Puglese to avoid problems with his contract, which was featured on Morrison Hotel album, also played on "Little Red Rooster" on the live album Alive, She Cried and on seven songs on Live In Detroit. He is also credited with playing harmonica on Crosby Stills Nash & Young's "Déjà Vu" from the album of the same name.
He had been involved in music for films (most notably Francis Ford Coppola's "You're A Big Boy Now" and Woody Allen's "What's Up Tiger Lily") and Broadway, but when producers of a TV show called "Welcome Back Kotter" commissioned a theme song in 1976, Sebastian's "Welcome Back" became a chart-topping solo record.
Thankfully John's induction into the Rock 'n Roll Hall of Fame in 2000 hasn't slowed him down. Whether the stage is at Carnegie Hall or a folk festival in some far-flung locale, John is still out there spreading his gospel of American roots music. He is the subject of the current PBS special "Do You Believe In Magic: The Music of John Sebastian," and a new album of duets with David Grisman was released in 2007. He has also lent his music in support of social, environmental and animal rights causes. Recently he joined a delegation of songwriters (including Lamont Dozier, Allen and Marilyn Bergman, and Mike Stoller) in Washington, DC to campaign on behalf of the National Music Publisher's Association.
Perhaps because it has been the product of heart and soul and history, the oldest song in the Sebastian catalog is as fresh and vital as the song he's about to write tomorrow. That's why you still hear his music everywhere - in movies, on television, in cover versions and samples - and why it's always welcome. John is also a welcome media presence; his commentary, insights and anecdotes and stories are regularly featured in print, radio, TV and film documentary projects. John Sebastian is not only a master musician, writer and performer, he remains one of the best ambassadors American music has ever had.
Baby Don't You Get Crazy
John Sebastian Lyrics
We have lyrics for these tracks by John Sebastian:
A Younger Girl She's one of those girls, Who seems to come in the…
Apple Hill One fine morning I got tired of hanging around Took a…
Black Satin Kid Out of the kickinest state of the union With cattle and…
Black Snake Blues Black snake is in my room Black snake is in my…
Coconut Grove It's really true how nothin matters No mad, mad world and…
Darlin' Be Home Soon Come And talk of all the things we did today Here And laugh…
Darlin' Companion Darlin' Companion Come on and give me understandin' And let …
Darling Be Home Soon Come And talk of all the things we did today Here And laugh…
Daydream What a day for a daydream What a day for a…
Didn't Wanna Have To Do It Didn't want to have to do it Didn't want to have…
Didn't Want To Have To Do It Didn't want to have to do it Didn't want to have…
Do You Believe In Magic Do you believe in magic in a young girl's heart How…
Don't You Run With Him When I leave you now As you know I must And time…
Face Of Appalachia Bein' born in blocks of buildings with a subway lullaby Wh…
Freezin' From the Inside Out Cross-eyed and crazy I sit here in the snow Lookin' at…
Good Time Music I've been listening to my radio for two or three years And…
Goodnight Irene Irene good night Irene good night Good night Irene Good nigh…
Hideaway Watchinґ from her basement window Peopleґs feet goinґ by Hid…
How Have You Been How have you been my darling children, While I have been…
I Don't Want Nobody Else Well I guess I had to break some hearts And I…
I Found a Dream I had a dream last night What a lovely dream it…
In The Still Of The Night In the still of the night I held you, held you…
Jug Band Music I was down in Savannah Eatin' cream and bannanas When the he…
Link in the Chain Well the caveman carried the wood to the fire And never…
Lovin' You If you are wond′rin' what I′m gonna do While you are…
Magical Connection Magical connection, genuine affection Paralel direction in …
Money I get money from you To tickle your whim or blow…
Mornin Blues Well I woke up early with the mornin' blues With an…
Nashville Cats [Chorus] Nashville cats, play clean as country water Nashvil…
Pow I've always been the guy with a finger in his…
Rain Hey Rain You and me and rain on the roof Caught up in…
Rainbows All Over Your Blues I been waiting my time just to talk to you You´ve…
Red-Eye Express Hurry up Lorey, hurry up, Sue We can't hardly wait for…
Red-Eye Express (Remastered) Hurry up Lorey, hurry up, Sue We can't hardly wait for…
She Is Still A Mystery Remember hallways, you're waiting always To see behind the d…
She's A Lady She's a lady And I chanced to meet her In my scufflin…
She's Funny Once she dressed in silks and lace, Owned a Rolls…
Sitting In Limbo Sitting here in Limbo But I know it won′t be long Sitting…
Six O'Clock There's something special 'bout six o'clock In the morning w…
Someone's Standing in Your Door Someone's standing in your door, sheriff I think he wants t…
Stories We Could Tell Talkin' to myself again Wondering if this travelin' is goo…
Summer In The City Hot town, summer in the city Back of my neck getting…
Tar Beach Summer's comin' I can feel the heat We'll burn like butter…
The Room Nobody Lives In The room nobody lives in is up the stairs and four…
Warm Baby [Chorus] Summertime's for summer girls, Who kiss and run awa…
We'll See We'll see, we'll see We'll see, we'll see what happens Thoug…
Welcome Back Welcome back, your dreams were your ticket out Welcome back,…
Welcome Back Kotter 1976 Welcome back, your dreams were your ticket out Welcome back…
Well Well Well In my time of dying I don't want anybody to mourn All…
What She Thinks About All the things that man devises To help him do his…
You I know there's things you never thought before That have to…
You Didn You didn't have to be so nice I would have liked…
You're A Big Boy Now I know there's things you never thought before That have to…
Younger Generation Why must every generation think their folks are square And n…
Younger Girl She's one of those girls, Who seems to come in the…
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