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.
She's A Lady
John Sebastian Lyrics
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And I chanced to meet her
In my scufflin days
She's a lady
Hypnotized me there that day
I came to play in my usual way, hey
Floating along with a whimsical twinkling
Linger with me. She said, 'Yes! '
And, oh, the time did fly.
She's a lady
Give her time for she's
Allowed to change her mind
She's a lady
Happy to say she once was mine.
Only sometimes I remember old times
And when she says, 'Can you guess, it's a dress
You won't believe.
Would you come zip me up
And button up my sleeve'.
Oh, lady, lady of ladies.
I remember days that felt like
It was raining daisies.
The song "She's A Lady" by John Sebastian tells the story of a lady that Sebastian met during his struggling days. Sebastian is entranced by this lady who appears in his life and he had a chance encounter with her, but she left a lasting impression on him. He describes her as whimsical with "strange green eyes" that he found mesmerizing. Sebastian played his music to impress her, but he was hypnotized by her presence. When she asked him to "linger with me," Sebastian was unable to resist her and spends the day with her. He emphasizes that it is not easy to understand her, and she is "allowed to change her mind," but he cherishes the moments he had with her to this day.
The lyrics of "She's A Lady" are sensational and provide an interesting story for the listeners to interpret. It is open to various interpretations, and it is relatable to all people who have experienced a chance encounter with someone that left a lasting memory. The storyline is simple but profound, and one can quickly translate the emotions Sebastian felt for this lady. The whimsical way in which Sebastian describes the lady creates a delightful romantic atmosphere for listeners.
Line by Line Meaning
She's a lady
This woman is sophisticated and refined.
And I chanced to meet her
I happened to meet this woman.
In my scufflin days
I met her during a time when I was struggling.
She's a lady
This woman is sophisticated and refined.
Hypnotized me there that day
I was mesmerized by her when I met her.
I came to play in my usual way, hey
I approached her in a casual manner.
Floating along with a whimsical twinkling
She was carefree and whimsical.
In her strange green eyes
She had unique green eyes.
Linger with me. She said, 'Yes! '
She agreed to spend more time with me.
And, oh, the time did fly.
The time we spent together passed quickly.
She's a lady
This woman is sophisticated and refined.
Give her time for she's
She needs time to make decisions.
Allowed to change her mind
She is permitted to change her opinions.
She's a lady
This woman is sophisticated and refined.
Happy to say she once was mine.
I am glad to have had the opportunity to be with her.
Only sometimes I remember old times
Occasionally, I reminisce about our past together.
And when she says, 'Can you guess, it's a dress
When she asks me to guess about her clothing.
You won't believe.
It's beyond belief.
Would you come zip me up
Can you help me with my clothing?
And button up my sleeve'
Can you fasten my sleeve?
Oh, lady, lady of ladies.
Oh, this sophisticated woman.
I remember days that felt like
I recall moments that were similar to
It was raining daisies.
It was a time of happiness and beauty.
Contributed by Nathan J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.