Les Fleur de Lys (sometimes The Fleur de Lys) was a British band originally… Read Full Bio ↴Les Fleur de Lys (sometimes The Fleur de Lys) was a British band originally formed in 1964 in Southampton. Known for their varied line-ups, only drummer Keith Guster was a member throughout their history. After finally disbanded in 1969, keyboardist Pete Sears went on to play with Sam Gopal then was a founding member of Jefferson Starship and went on to play with Hot Tuna, bassist Gordon Haskell replaced Greg Lake in King Crimson before going on a successful solo career, while guitarist Bryn Haworth recorded solo albums in the 1970s.

Although several of their singles are coveted by collectors of British 1960s rock, Les Fleur de Lys never came close to getting a hit. The group did release a number of fine singles in the mod-psychedelic style that has latterly become known as "freakbeat", with more of a soul music influence than most such British acts.

Les Fleur de Lys changed lineups about half a dozen times during their recording career, which roughly spanned 1965-1969. Drummer Keith Guster was the only constant member; some of the musicians passing through went on to commercial success with Journey and Jefferson Starship (keyboardist Pete Sears) and King Crimson (bassist Gordon Haskell). At the outset they recorded a couple of singles for the Immediate label that were produced by Jimmy Page (there remains some controversy about whether he played guitar on these as well). A cover of the Who's "Circles" featured the fluid, slightly distorted guitar lines that would become Les Fleur de Lys's most distinguishing characteristic. The 45s made no commercial impact, however, and Les Fleur de Lys helped sustain themselves in the late '60s by backing relocated South African singer Sharon Tandy.

Continuing to record intermittently on the side, the band managed a few decent slabs of freakbeat with "Hold On", "Mud in Your Eye", and their most psychedelic outing, the memorably titled "Gong with the Luminous Nose". As if the musical chairs of personnel weren't enough, they further confused record buyers with tracks issued under different names like Shyster and Chocolate Frog, as well as playing on singles by Tandy, Waygood Ellis, and John Bromley. One single issued under the moniker Rupert's People, the Procol Harum-like "Reflections of Charlie Brown", became a European hit of sorts; subsequent singles by Rupert's People, however, are not Les Fleur de Lys playing under an assumed name. They finally disbanded in 1969.

Keyboardist Pete Sears went on to play with Sam Gopal Dream then was a founding member of Jefferson Starship and went on to play with Hot Tuna, bassist Gordon Haskell replaced Greg Lake in King Crimson before going on a successful solo career, while guitarist Bryn Haworth recorded solo albums in the 1970s.

A compilation of their work was issued in 1996 under the name Reflections.

I Like What I'm Trying to Do
Les Fleur De Lys Lyrics

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Hah
Won't let me on to your scene
And you never let me get uptight
And you gettin' me down
'Cause I wait like a clown
At the door of your house every night

And I'm working myself to a shadow

Just tryin' to get close to you
But I'll never give it up, little girl
'Cause I like what I'm tryin' to do

You go out every night with your boys
And they tell me that you run with the pack
And your mothers upset 'cause you ain't called her yet
And she don't know when you're comin' back

Baby yeah I'm working myself to a shadow
Tryin' to get close to you
But I'll never give it up, little girl
'Cause I like what I'm tryin' to do

Hep hep
I'm tryin, I'm tryin'
Tryin' to keep on the time
'Cause I'm tryin, I'm tryin'
Got to keep on the time
Hear me tryin and tryin'
Got to keep on the time
Got to keep a keep a tryin'
Got to got to keep tryin'

Tell me your daddy's rich-ah
And yes doesn't give [?___?]
But I've seen you go out with a couple of guys
Who didn't have the money of mine

Baby yeah I'm working myself to a shadow
Tryin' to get close to you
But I'll never give it up, little girl
I like what I'm tryin' to do

Hep hep
I'm tryin, I'm tryin'
Tryin' to keep on the time
C'mon
Tryin, I'm tryin'
I've got to keep on tryin'
C'mon c'mon
I'm tryin, I'm tryin'
I've got to keep on tryin'

I've got to keep a keep a tryin'
I've got to keep a keep a tryin'

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Les Fleur De Lys's song I Like What I'm Trying to Do express the singer's struggle to gain the attention and affection of a girl who is out of his reach. The first verse establishes the girl's indifference towards him, as she never lets him into her "scene" and constantly keeps him waiting outside her house like a "clown." The second verse emphasizes the singer's persistence despite the girl's unavailability and lack of interest. He works himself to a "shadow" just to get close to her, but he refuses to give up because he likes what he's trying to do. The chorus repeats the phrases "I'm trying" and "got to keep on trying," suggesting that the singer will not stop pursuing the girl no matter how difficult it may seem.

Throughout the song, there are also references to the girl's social standing and the singer's financial status, which could contribute to the girl's disregard towards him. The line "tell me your daddy's rich" implies that the girl is from a wealthy family, whereas the line "I've seen you go out with a couple of guys who didn't have the money of mine" suggests that the singer may not be as financially privileged as the girl's other suitors.

Overall, the lyrics convey the singer's determination to win over the girl he desires, despite the obstacles in his path. They also touch on themes of class and social hierarchy, highlighting the difficulties that arise when attempting to bridge the gap between different backgrounds and lifestyles.

Line by Line Meaning

Won't let me on to your scene
You exclude me from your group of friends

And you never let me get uptight
You never make me feel nervous or anxious

And you gettin' me down
I feel disappointed with you

'Cause I wait like a clown
I embarrass myself waiting for you

At the door of your house every night
I wait outside your house every night

And I'm working myself to a shadow
I'm working really hard and exhausting myself

Just tryin' to get close to you
I'm trying to get closer to you emotionally

But I'll never give it up, little girl
I won't stop trying, even if it's difficult

'Cause I like what I'm tryin' to do
I enjoy the challenge of trying to win you over

You go out every night with your boys
You spend every night out with your male friends

And they tell me that you run with the pack
They say you hang out with a particular group of people