German progressive jazz-rock band that released four albums between 1970-19… Read Full Bio ↴German progressive jazz-rock band that released four albums between 1970-1974.

Based out of Stuttgart, Joy And The Hit Kids released several singles before changing their name to Joy Unlimited. Fronted by the excellent soul/blues influenced voice of Joy Fleming, they released their first album, Overground, for Polydor in 1970. (Confusingly, this was released as Turbulence in the UK and as self-titled in the USA.) The group linked up with composer and ballet choreographer Lothar Höfgen for what was to be a series of three (!) conceptual albums based on “rock ballets.” The first was 1971’s classic Schmetterlinge (Butterflies in the U.S.). After that, Joy left for a solo career.

Joy’s replacement was American singer Ken Traylor, who sang on the otherwise rather similar-sounding Reflections. Male folksinger Joschi Dinier fronted the band for their last album, the more pensive and pastoral Minne, with lyrics in an old dialect of German based on the medieval poetry of Walther von der Vogelweide.

All Together Now
Joy Unlimited Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

One two three four
Can I have a little more
Five six seven eight nine ten
I love you

A B C D
Can I bring my friend to tea
E F G H I J

I love you

Bom bom bom bompa bom
Sail the ship Bompa bom
Chop the tree bompa bom
Skip the rope bompa bom
Look at me

All together now
All together now
All together now
All together now
All together now
All together now
All together now
All together now

Black white green red
Can I take my friend to bed
Pink brown yellow orange and blue
I love you

All together now
All together now
All together now
All together now
All together now
All together now
All together now
All together now
All together now
All together now
All together now
All together now
All together now
All together now
All together now
All together now
Bom bom bom bompa bom
Sail the ship Bompa bom
Chop the tree bompa bom
Skip the rope bompa bom
Look at me

All together now
All together now
All together now
All together now
All together now
All together now
All together now
All together now
All together now
All together now
All together now
All together now
All together now
All together now

All together now
All together now

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Joy Unlimited's "All Together Now" seem to convey a sense of unity and love. The song starts with counting, and as the numbers go up, we hear the phrase "I love you" repeated. It's as if the singer is expressing their love for the world and everyone in it. The letters of the alphabet are then named, and we hear the question "Can I bring my friend to tea?" This could be interpreted as an invitation extended to everyone, and not just their immediate circle of friends.

The chorus repeats throughout the song with the phrase "All together now" being emphasized. The following verses discuss the various colors and the ability to take a friend to bed. While these lyrics may seem sexual in nature, it could also mean that love knows no bounds and that it can exist between anyone and everyone.

Overall, the song embodies the idea of love and unity. It encourages people to come together and break down any perceived barriers.

Line by Line Meaning

One two three four
Counting in sequence starting from one

Can I have a little more
Asking for more of something

Five six seven eight nine ten
Continuing the count in sequence

I love you
Expressing affection towards someone

A B C D
Listing the first four letters of the alphabet

Can I bring my friend to tea
Asking permission to bring a friend to a social event

E F G H I J
Listing the next six letters of the alphabet

Bom bom bom bompa bom
Mimicking a drum beat

Sail the ship Bompa bom
Describing a ship sailing

Chop the tree bompa bom
Describing a tree being chopped down