Lowell George met Bill Payne when George was a member of Frank Zappa's Mothers of Invention. Payne had auditioned for the Mothers, but had not joined. They formed Little Feat along with former Mothers' bassist Roy Estrada and drummer Richie Hayward from George's previous band, the Factory. The name of the band came from a comment made by Mothers' drummer Jimmy Carl Black about Lowell's "little feet." The spelling of "feat" was an homage to The Beatles.
Their first two albums received nearly universal critical acclaim, and "Willin'" became a standard, subsequently popularized by its inclusion on Linda Ronstadt's album Heart Like a Wheel.
While touring in support of his solo album in June 1979, at the age of 34, George collapsed in his hotel room in Arlington, Virginia. The surviving members finished and released the Little Feat album "Down on the Farm" before disbanding.
The surviving former members of Little Feat reformed in 1987 when Paul Barrere, Sam Clayton, Kenny Gradney, Richie Hayward and Bill Payne added songwriter/vocalist Craig Fuller, formerly from the band Pure Prairie League (who also provided some rhythm guitar), and Fred Tackett on guitar, mandolin and trumpet.
With a seemingly constant tour schedule, Little Feat is easily one of the hardest-working and enduring bands in the industry today. With a history that spans more than 30 years, Little Feat is regarded by many rock music critics as a "band's band", and as one of the greatest rock bands in American rock music history. Best known for their combination of California rock and Dixie-inflected funk-boogie, they craftily blend folk, blues, rockabilly, country and jazz to create a unique style all their own, garnering a faithful grass-roots following. Simply put, Little Feat's sound transcends traditional music boundaries and they offer fans an unforgettable live performance.
Richie Hayward became the second founding member of the band to die, passing from pneumonia and other complications of lung disease on August 18, 2010.
Rocket In My Pocket
Little Feat Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
She said, "Why don't you ever take me out?
Pick me up in your brand new car
You shake the short change from your old fruit jar"
I put on my dancin' shoes
We headed straight for the rhythm and blues
The music was hot, but my baby was not
I've got a rocket in my pocket...
The lyrics to Little Feat's song Rocket in My Pocket seem to be about a man who's baby is calling him out for not spending enough quality time together. She suggests that he pick her up in his brand new car, implying that he has the means to do so, and she mentions the old fruit jar, which could possibly be a reference to him being stingy with his money or not spending it wisely. Despite her frustration, he puts on his dancing shoes and takes her to a venue with live rhythm and blues music. However, she isn't enjoying it as much as he is and seems to be lacking enthusiasm. The line "The music was hot, but my baby was not" suggests that she's not feeling as into the music or the outing as he is. This could be a sign that their relationship is lacking in some way.
The chorus of the song is the most memorable and catchy part with the lyrics "I've got a rocket in my pocket". This line could be interpreted in a few different ways. One possibility is that he's referring to a sense of excitement or passion that he feels inside of him, possibly related to the music or their relationship. Another interpretation could be that he's referencing his sexual desires. The use of the word "rocket" and the rhyme with "pocket" could suggest a euphemism for an aroused state. Overall, the song seems to be about a man trying to rekindle the romance with his partner, but they may be at different places in their relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
My baby called me up
My significant other contacted me
She said, "Why don't you ever take me out?
She questioned my lack of taking her on dates
Pick me up in your brand new car
She requested that I bring my new car to pick her up
You shake the short change from your old fruit jar"
You gather the last of your spare change
I put on my dancin' shoes
I prepared for a night of dancing
We headed straight for the rhythm and blues
We went to a music venue that featured rhythm and blues music
The music was hot, but my baby was not
The music was good, but my significant other did not enjoy it
I've got a rocket in my pocket...
I possess an infectious groove and am feeling good
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: LOWELL GEORGE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Robert Cochran
on Representing the Mambo
Heard this song right before I had to go on a buiness trip to Rio. The progression of the song up the mountainside to the dangerous favelas above the city to the isolated hidden samba clubs make this song a trip you can truly take in your mind to that place.