Growers of Mushroom was recorded at Spot Studios in Mayfair, London in late 1970. Shortly after the Brooks brothers departed and Ron Thomas filled in on bass. The band toured Europe as a four piece and released the Drowned My Life in Fear single and the Leaf Hound album in Germany on Telefunken. The Growers of Mushroom album was released shortly after (featuring all of the tracks on the self-titled album) but by this time French had already departed to join Atomic Rooster for their album in hearing of. French would also later join American hard rock band Cactus.
In 2004 Peter French put together a new incarnation of the band. In 2006 they released a limited 7" on Rise Above Records featuring a live version of their song Freelance Fiend recorded in Soho, London in September of 2005. Their most recent album Unleashed was released in 2007.
Their current line-up is Peter French (vocals), Luke Rayner (guitar), Ed Pearson (bass guitar) and Jimmy Rowland (drums).
They performed a 40th anniversary gig of their debut album in 2011 in London.
Stray
Leaf Hound Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Oh yeah, baby I've gotta get away from you
I've got to try to find myself little woman
But you know that I just can't get on through
I've got to get away a while little woman
Gotta stray away awhile from you, oh, yes I have
I've got to let loose this time pretty baby
All I do lay myself down and rest
Got a feeling catching up on me, little woman
Breaking me to my death, yeah
I've gotta go home a while, pretty baby
Yes, I know what I'm gonna do
I've gotta try to please myself, little woman
Can't you see just what I'm trying to do
Oh, I hear the feeling
As my soul keeps on stealing
Silent times away, got no time to play
I've gotta get away awhile, little woman
Oh yeah, baby I've gotta get away from you
I've gotta find myself little baby
Oh, don't you know that I just can't get on through
Anyway
All I do is lay myself down and rest
Got a feeling catching up on me little woman
Breaking me to my rest, oh yeah
I kept telling you, baby
The lyrics to Leaf Hound's song "Stray" are about a man who is feeling trapped and suffocated by his relationship with his significant other. He wants to break free and find himself again, but he feels like he can't because he is so tied up with her. He wants to get away for a while and find some peace, but it seems like he can't escape the feeling that is weighing him down.
Throughout the song, we see him struggling to find his way back to himself, trying to please himself rather than pleasing his partner. He talks about the feeling that's catching up to him, dragging him down to his rest, and the silent times that take him away from the world. He hears the feeling, his soul keeps on stealing, and he has no time to play. He wants to break free from the constraints of his relationship and find himself again.
Line by Line Meaning
I've gotta get away from you little girl
The singer of the song feels the need to distance themselves from a young female.
Oh yeah, baby I've gotta get away from you
The singer is emphasizing their need to leave the girl behind and start anew.
I've got to try to find myself little woman
The singer realizes that they have lost themself and need to embark on a journey of self-discovery.
But you know that I just can't get on through
The girl seems to be an obstacle in the artist's path towards self-realization, perhaps due to their toxic relationship.
Gotta stray away awhile from you, oh, yes I have
The artist repeats their need to distance themselves from the girl, making it clear that it's necessary for their wellbeing.
I've got to let loose this time pretty baby
The singer has been holding back for too long and wants to break free from their current state of being.
Oh, come on, let me lend a helping hand
The singer pleads with the girl to let them go and not hold them back any longer.
Got a feeling catching up on me, little woman
The artist senses a change coming on and feels the need to move along with it.
Breaking me to my death, yeah
The artist feels that their current situation is suffocating them and could lead to their eventual demise if they don't make a change.
Yes, I know what I'm gonna do
The artist has a clear plan of action to follow through with their desire to leave the girl behind and find themselves.
Can't you see just what I'm trying to do
The singer wishes that the girl would understand their need to leave and not stand in the way of their journey.
Oh, I hear the feeling
The artist senses a strong emotion within themselves that is urging them to take action.
As my soul keeps on stealing
Continuing the previous line's metaphor, the singer feels like their soul is being stolen by their stagnant situation.
Silent times away, got no time to play
The singer needs to be alone to reflect and work on themselves, and they don't have time to waste on idle activities.
I've gotta find myself little baby
The singer reiterates their desire to find their true self and break free from their current situation.
Oh, don't you know that I just can't get on through
Despite the girl's presence and their shared history, the artist knows that staying with her is not an option.
All I do is lay myself down and rest
The artist feels like they are stuck in a rut and not making progress towards their goals.
Breaking me to my rest, oh yeah
Continuing the previous line's sentiment, the singer feels like their lack of action is causing them to decay further.
I kept telling you, baby
In conclusion, the singer acknowledges that they have been vocal about their need to leave and find themselves, but the girl has not been receptive to their message.
Contributed by Emma N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@GWade1217
I’m a music lover. Proud of all the different kinds of music I know and love so I’m embarrassed to admit I’ve never heard of these guys till I stumbled upon them a few minutes ago and I’m blown away. How have I never heard of them? Wow!
@christopherjamespugh
Alan Wade enjoy pal 👍
@flyingvman1843
Excellent tune, sounds very early live Zeppelin crossesd with Free, also sounds like The Guess Who. several 90's american band took this sound.
@karylkline6442
I got the Free sound too!
@Jimbo700XX
Tons of great bands you never hear of but you gotta listen past what main stream feeds ya
@theoriginalnestor
I feel it, i feel the good vibes
@lerondthierry3505
dans quel groupe à jouer (par la suite)ce magic guitariste totalement inconnu et ici dans un trip du début à la fin ,et autant de puissance à l'intérieur de cette bombe d'album et ce sur tout les titres, de ce groupe a la courte vie (mème si réapparu)bonne seconde guitare également ; like: les accords de ''work my body'' et les parties solos!!!!! sur la partie en B ..l'apparition du clavier............good mushrooms.....like your psylo cibine.....
@TheOilman747
Excellent tune good rhythm to it
@kavilavano4433
THIS BAND COULD HAVE BEEN THE GREAT RIVAL OF LED ZEPPELIN !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
@SadisticKillerXx
Jhon Garcia's voice make this song so sick, still good in this version tho