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.
Younger Generation
John Sebastian Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And no matter where their heads are they know mom's ain't there
'Cause I swore when I was small that I'd remember when
I knew what's wrong with them that I was smaller then
Determined to remember all the cardinal rules
Like sun showers are legal grounds for cutting school
I know I have forgotten maybe one or two
And I know he'll have a question or two
Like "hey Pop, can I go ride my zoom
It goes two hundred miles an hour suspended on balloons
And can I put a droplet of this new stuff on my tongue
And imagine frothing dragons while you sit and wreck your lungs"
And I must be permissive, understanding of the younger generation
Then I'll know that all I've learned my kid assumes
And all my deepest worries must be his cartoons
And still I'll try to tell them him all the things I've done
Relating to what he can do when he becomes a man
And still he'll stick his fingers in the fan
And "Hey, Pop, my girlfriend's only three
She's got her own videophone and she's taking L.S.D.
And now that we're best friends she wants to give a bit to me
But what's the matter Daddy, how come you're turning green?
Can it be that you can't live up to your dreams?"
John Sebastian's "Younger Generation" speaks of the contrast between the younger and older generations. The song begins with an explanation of how every generation tends to view their elders as old-fashioned or out of touch, disregarding the fact that the elders have lived through and survived experiences that the younger generation has yet to encounter. Sebastian suggests that, when he was young, he believed he would understand his parents and all their ways better when he grew up. However, as he has grown older, he has realized that the things he thought were silly or outdated were actually essential and for his own good. He, therefore, sings that he has determined to remember all the cardinal rules, lest he forget what he learned from his parents.
Line by Line Meaning
Why must every generation think their folks are square
It's a common phenomenon for every generation to consider their parents old-fashioned.
And no matter where their heads are they know mom's ain't there
Children always have a feeling that their mother is watching over them, no matter where they are.
Cause I swore when I was small that I'd remember when
When the singer was young, he made a vow to himself to remember every rule that he learned from his parents.
I knew what's wrong with them that I was smaller then
The artist believed that he would comprehend the reason behind his parent's rules better when he grows up.
Determined to remember all the cardinal rules
The artist was determined to remember all the crucial or fundamental rules taught by his parents.
Like sun showers are legal grounds for cutting school
The singer recalls that sun showers were considered an acceptable reason to skip school.
I know I have forgotten maybe one or two
The singer is aware that a few rules taught by his parents might have slipped from his memory.
And I hope that I recall them all before the baby's due
The artist hopes to recall all the essentials before his baby arrives so that he can teach them everything he learned.
And I know he'll have a question or two
The artist acknowledges that his child will have queries and confusions, and will seek understanding from him.
Like "hey Pop, can I go ride my zoom
The artist anticipates that his son will ask for permission to ride a toy called zoom that runs at 200 miles an hour suspended on balloons.
It goes two hundred miles an hour suspended on balloons
The zoom travels at a speed of 200 miles an hour while being suspended on balloons.
And can I put a droplet of this new stuff on my tongue
The child might ask whether he can experiment with drugs by ingesting a drop of the new substance.
And imagine frothing dragons while you sit and wreck your lungs"
The child might imagine mythical creatures while experiencing the side-effects of consuming drugs, while the singer might be struggling with lung damage.
And I must be permissive, understanding of the younger generation
The singer understands the need for permissiveness and understanding as the younger generation navigates a different world.
Then I'll know that all I've learned my kid assumes
The singer realizes that his child thinks that all his learnings and experiences have become outdated.
And all my deepest worries must be his cartoons
The artist is afraid that his child won't take his concerns seriously and consider them unreal, assuming they are all just cartoonish.
And still I'll try to tell them him all the things I've done
The artist will still try to instill his experiences and wisdom to his child.
Relating to what he can do when he becomes a man
The singer talks about his experiences that he feels can help his child when he becomes an adult.
And still he'll stick his fingers in the fan
The child will still end up getting into trouble, even after all the guidance provided by the singer.
And "Hey, Pop, my girlfriend's only three
The artist imagines his child telling him that his girlfriend is just three years old.
She's got her own videophone and she's taking L.S.D.
The child's girlfriend has a phone with a camera, and she is experimenting with an illegal drug called LSD.
And now that we're best friends she wants to give a bit to me
The child's girlfriend wants to share LSD with him as they are best friends.
But what's the matter Daddy, how come you're turning green?
The singer will feel sick hearing that a three-year-old is taking LSD and giving it to his child, and his physical appearance might show it.
Can it be that you can't live up to your dreams?"
The artist's child may wonder if his father can't keep up with his dream of living in a world with different values.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JOHN BENSON SEBASTIAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@julianvickery8341
John B. Sebastian (a co-founder of the Lovin' Spoonful performing "Younger Generation" at Woodstock on Saturday, 16 August 1969, day two of the four day festival. https://youtu.be/XnsB4Ck__OE?list=RDTua-7kL1xE0
A sadly almost forgotten gem from a man who wrote so eloquently about the times in which he lived. The great thing about this performance was that it was an impromptu one. He was attending as a spectator until asked by organisers of the event to take the stage.
Lyrics:
Why must every generation think they're folks are square?
And no matter where they're heads are, they know mom's aint there.
Cause' I swore when I was small, that I'd remember when,
I knew what's wrong with them, that I was smaller than.
Determined to remember all the cardinal rules.
Like, sunshowers are legal grounds, for cutting school.
I know I have forgotten maybe one or two.
And I hope that I recall them all before the baby's due.
And I'll know he'll have a question or two.
Like, hey pop. Can I go ride my zoom?
It goes twohundred miles an hour, suspended on baloons.
And can I put a droplet of this new stuff on my tounge?
And imagine puffing dragons, while you sit and wreck your'e lungs.
And I must me permissive, understanding of the younger generation.
And then I know that all I've learned, my kid assumes.
And all my deepest worries must be his cartoons.
And still I'll try to tell him all the things I've done,
relating to what he can do when he becomes a man.
And still he'll stick his fingers in the fan.
And hey pop, my girlfriend's only three.
She's got her own videophone,
and she's taking LSD.
And now that were best friends, she want's to give a bit to me.
But whats the matter daddy? How come your'e turning green?
Can it be that you can't live up to your dreams?
@slash1811
Why must every generation think they're folks are square?
And no matter where they're heads are, they know mom's aint there.
Cause' I swore when I was small, that I'd remember when,
I knew what's wrong with them, that I was smaller than.
Determined to remember all the cardinal rules.
Like, sunshowers are legal grounds, for cutting school.
I know I have forgotten maybe one or two.
And I hope that I recall them all before the baby's due.
And I'll know he'll have a question or two.
Like, hey pop. Can I go ride my zoom?
It goes twohundred miles an hour, suspended on baloons.
And can I put a droplet of this new stuff on my tounge?
And imagine puffing dragons, while you sit and wreck your'e lungs.
And I must me permissive, understanding of the younger generation.
And then I know that all I've learned, my kid assumes.
And all my deepest worries must be his cartoons.
And still I'll try to tell him all the things I've done,
relating to what he can do when he becomes a man.
And still he'll stick his fingers in the fan.
And hey pop, my girlfriend's only three.
She's got her own videophone,
and she's taking LSD.
And now that were best friends, she want's to give a bit to me.
But whats the matter daddy? How come your'e turning green?
Can it be that you can't live up to your dreams?
@mirandaheim9959
The fact that he wasn't even supposed to play, wasn't prepared to perform at all, and did it is impressive. He came for the show, and ended up being a part of it last minute. And he nailed it.
@ATMAtim
Exactly
@etabmc
Wasn’t he mid trip as well?
@mikemorrison270
In the moment.
@phillydisco
@@etabmc Yeah, he was a little high lol
@JS-fd6jd
And... as the story goes, he borrowed this guitar from Tim Hardin who was either too high or too scared to perform. The promoters coaxed him out on stage cause no one else was available at the moment. And this and his other songs done that day are among the very best appearances of the whole event -- right there with CS&N doing Judy Blue Eyes and Hendrix doing the Star Spangled Banner & Purple Haze.
@danielvincent3473
This was the most beautiful moment at Woodstock. Looked like a utopian dream
@latitudeselongitudes1932
Yes,lyrics,voice,beautiful
@anthonygerace8926
John Sebastian was another star at that time who is largely forgotten today.
@IMCcanTWEESTED
In 1969 John Sebastian was singing about girls with "video phones" taking LSD. 30 years later in 1999, Kyocera developed the VP-210 visual phone that worked over landlines. By 2007, smartphones allowed users to access the internet and watch video clips. 3 years later, iPhone released Facetime. John was a futurist.