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.
Under the Radar
Little Feat Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Lookin back on it now it seems so much like a dream
All the places I ever wandered, all the kisses I ever stole
Yours are the ones I still remember, they never grow cold
They're just under the radar
My heart is a mountain, I'd walk on fire to get back to you
Reaching out for your touch, I'm clinging to your sould
No I'm not far from sight now
I'm just under the radar
Under the radar
It's a place where all is forgiven
Under the radar
Where love never grows old
It's lying just below the timber line
Under the radar
Where the spirit goes on and on
The time has come and gone, all my options blown to dust
When a gentle tap upon my shoulder left me reelin from my past
I was standing on a stretch of highway, going back to see a friend
Thought I'd reached the point of no return, but came back under the radar
I've been there ever since
Under the radar
It's a place where all is forgiven
Under the radar
Where love never grows old
It's lying just below the timber line
Under the radar
Where the spirit goes on and on
You can trace your thoughts of darkness with the movements of the sun
When you see what stands before you and allow yourself a dream
Though it's not far from sight now
No it's not far from sight
It's just under the radar
Under the radar
Where all is forgiven
Under the radar
Where love never grows old
Lying just below the timber line
Under the radar
Where the spirit carries on
Under the radar
Under the radar
Where love never grows old
It's lying just below the timber line
Under the radar
Where the spirit goes on and on and on and on and on
The lyrics of "Under The Radar" by Little Feat speaks of reminiscing on past experiences and the places one has wandered. The singer is trying to recall past loves, but the one that stands out the most is the one they stole a kiss from. The feeling of those kisses never faded and remained fresh in their memory. The singer then talks about his heart being a mountain, and he would even walk on fire to be reunited with his love. Although he may seem out of sight, he is still there, existing under the radar.
The chorus is then repeated, emphasizing the idea of under the radar being a place where all is forgiven and love never grows old. The final verse talks about standing on a stretch of highway, feeling as though they have reached the point of no return, but they came back under the radar. They have been living in that place ever since. The song ultimately conveys the idea of love being a powerful force that can remain strong and true even when it is hidden and not immediately visible.
Line by Line Meaning
I close my eyes and try to remember
I am remembering past experiences
Lookin back on it now it seems so much like a dream
Reflecting on the past feels like a distant dream
All the places I ever wandered, all the kisses I ever stole
Yours are the ones I still remember, they never grow cold
Of all the people and experiences, yours still remain vivid in my memory
They're just under the radar
These memories are deeply ingrained and unforgettable
My heart is a mountain, I'd walk on fire to get back to you
I deeply desire to be with you, willing to do whatever it takes
Reaching out for your touch, I'm clinging to your sould
I crave emotional connection and intimacy with you
Thought I'm not far from sight
No I'm not far from sight now
I'm just under the radar
I may not be physically or visibly close to you, but my feelings are strong and undiminished
Under the radar
It's a place where all is forgiven
Under the radar
Where love never grows old
It's lying just below the timber line
Under the radar
Where the spirit goes on and on
The concept of "under the radar" represents a place where love and forgiveness never falter, and the human spirit endures against all odds
The time has come and gone, all my options blown to dust
When a gentle tap upon my shoulder left me reelin from my past
I have experienced hardship and loss, and a sudden encounter has left me feeling overwhelmed by my history
I was standing on a stretch of highway, going back to see a friend
Thought I'd reached the point of no return, but came back under the radar
I've been there ever since
I thought my journey was over, but I ended up returning to this place of enduring love and forgiveness
You can trace your thoughts of darkness with the movements of the sun
When you see what stands before you and allow yourself a dream
Though it's not far from sight now
No it's not far from sight
It's just under the radar
Even when times are tough and hope seems fleeting, this "under the radar" place of forgiveness and love is always within reach
Where the spirit carries on
Under the radar
Under the radar
Where love never grows old
It's lying just below the timber line
Under the radar
Where the spirit goes on and on and on and on and on
This final repetition emphasizes the enduring nature of human spirit and love, and how they persist even when unseen and underappreciated
Contributed by Bella A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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.