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.
Stop Crossing The Bridge
Les Fleur De Lys Lyrics
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Get there baby or you may find
You're gonna cross over baby
And leave me behind
I was doin' alright, till I got uptight for you
You, you're puttin' me on
Like a woman supposed to do
You can't believe it's true
Stop crossing the bridge before you
Get there baby or you will find
You're gonna cross over baby
And leave me behind
You, took all you could take
But you gave no love to me
I, I made a mistake
Giving honey, to the bee
Now that you're comin' on strong
Like a woman you just can't see
Stop crossing the bridge before you
Get there baby or you will find
You're gonna cross over baby
And leave me behind
Stop crossing the bridge before you
Get there baby or you will find
You're gonna cross over baby
And leave me behind
Stop crossing the bridge before you
Get there baby or you will find
The song Stop Crossing The Bridge by Les Fleur De Lys is a cautionary tale about a woman who is so eager to move on to the next phase of her life that she risks losing what she already has. The lyrics warn the woman not to "cross the bridge" before she gets there, meaning that she shouldn't move on to a new relationship or situation before being sure that it's what she really wants. The singer of the song is worried that if the woman moves on too quickly, she will leave him behind and he will be alone.
Throughout the song, the singer expresses his frustration with the woman's behavior. He accuses her of "puttin' him on" and "comin' on strong" like a woman who can't see what she's doing. He also points out that she "took all she could take" without giving any love in return, and that he made a mistake by giving her too much. Despite all of this, he still loves her and doesn't want to lose her.
Line by Line Meaning
Stop crossing the bridge before you
Don't move forward in the relationship till we are ready
Get there baby or you may find
If you move too fast, you will lose me
You're gonna cross over baby
You will leave me behind and move on without me
And leave me behind
I will be left alone and heartbroken
I was doin' alright, till I got uptight for you
I was fine before I fell in love with you
You, you're puttin' me on
You're playing with my emotions
Like a woman supposed to do
You're acting like a typical woman in a relationship
Now that you got me girl
Now that you have my heart
You can't believe it's true
You can't believe you actually have my love
You, took all you could take
You took everything and gave nothing back
But you gave no love to me
You never reciprocated my feelings
I, I made a mistake
I was wrong to give so much when you gave so little
Giving honey, to the bee
I gave my love to someone who could not appreciate it
Now that you're comin' on strong
Now that you're showing interest in the relationship
Like a woman you just can't see
You're not seeing the potential damage if we move too fast
Contributed by Leah H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.