While fronted by singer John Farnham from 1982–1986, the band's original members were Glenn Shorrock (vocals), Graeham Goble, Beeb Birtles and Ric Formosa (guitars and vocals), Roger McLachlan (bass) and Derek Pellicci (drums).
The group evolved from the harmony-rock group Mississippi in 1975. Prior to that, Birtles had been the bassist in 1960s pop band Zoot (which also included singer-guitarist Rick Springfield), and Shorrock had been the lead singer of leading Australian 60s pop band The Twilights and early 1970s country rock band Axiom.
They found immediate success in Australia, but individual members had greater ambitions. Like many other Australasian groups of the period, both Axiom and Mississippi had tried to break into the UK record market without success. Remembering the indifferent reaction they had received in the UK, they decided the new band would focus on establishing themselves in the United States.
A key factor in their eventual success was their manager Glenn Wheatley, who had been the bassist in the highly-regarded Australian rock band The Masters Apprentices. Wheatley's first-hand experiences of the rip-offs in the 1960s music scene, combined with his subsequent experience working in music management in Britain and the United States in the early 1970s, enabled him to help LRB become the first Australian group to enjoy sustained commercial and chart success in the United States.
Fuelled by a very successful Australian hit single "Curiosity Killed The Cat", the band began making promotional visits to the US in 1976. This resulted in a hit single, "It's A Long Way There", which broke into the Top 30 and galvanised the commitment of the band members. More concert performances in the US followed, and in 1977 "Help Is On Its Way" (an Australian number one single) and "Happy Anniversary"[4] both narrowly missed the US Top 10. During this period McLachlan left the group and was replaced by George McArdle while lead guitarist Formosa was replaced by David Briggs.
From 1978 until 1981, Little River Band achieved six consecutive US Top 10 singles with "Reminiscing", "Lady", "Lonesome Loser", "Cool Change", "The Night Owls" and "Take It Easy On Me". During their career the band have sold more than 25 million records and scored 13 American Top 40 hits.
Bassist/vocalist Wayne Nelson joined in 1980 and is currently the lead singer. In 1981 he sang lead vocals on their top ten US hit "Night Owls". Guitarist Stephen Housden joined the band in 1981 replacing David Briggs. Housden owns the rights to the name Little River Band. He co-wrote the band's last hit in Australia "Love is a Bridge".
In 1982 Shorrock was forced out of the band and went on to pursue a solo career. He failed to make an impression in the U.S., but he had a substantial hit in Australia with a cover version of Bobby Darin's "Dream Lover".
The pressures of success and constant touring gradually took their toll on LRB and members gradually left. John Farnham replaced Shorrock in 1982 and the first single with Farnham, "The Other Guy" reached #11 in the US. Subsequent singles were only minor hits. In Australia the band continued to be popular and songs such as "Down On The Border", "Playing To Win" and "Love is a Bridge" were major hits. Farnham's popularity in Australia was increasing at this time, and he left the band to return to his solo career, achieving huge success in Australia (he was also managed by Wheatley).
Birtles left in 1983 because he did not like the direction the band was taking and he was not a fan of Farnham's onstage performance. Farnham left in 1986 to be replaced by the returning Shorrock. Goble left the group in 1990. Shorrock left again in 1996; he was offered the option to buy out the remaining members but he decided instead to take a payment. Derek Pellicci left the band in 1999.
Little River Band are considered to be among Australia's most significant bands. The "classic lineup" of the band (Birtles, Shorrock, Goble, Pellicci, Briggs and McArdle) were inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame at the 18th Annual ARIA Music Awards of 2004. They performed "Help Is On Its Way" that night.
Three founding members, Birtles, Shorrock and Goble, continue to perform reunion concerts but due to the fact they lost the rights to the name Little River Band, they appear under the name Birtles Shorrock Goble: The Original Voices of Little River Band.
"Reminiscing", written by Goble, was recognised by BMI as one of the most frequently played songs in the history of American radio, with more than four million plays to its credit. "Lady" has also accumulated more than three million plays, and Goble is the first and only Australian songwriter ever to win a Four "Million Air" award from BMI. According to Albert Goldman's biography, John Lennon named "Reminiscing" as one of his favorite songs.
Little River Band continues to work in the US and performs around 100 shows every year.
Lady
Little River Band Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Take time to make time
Make time to be there
Look around, be a part
Feel for the winter
But don't have a cold heart
And I love you best
You're there when I need you
You're there when I need
I'm gonna need you
A long time ago
I had a lady to love
She made me think of things
I never thought of
Now she's gone and I'm on my own
A love song has come into my mind
A love song
It was there all the time
So lady
Let me take a look at you now
You're there on the dance floor
Making me want you somehow
Oh lady
I think it's only fair
I should say to you
Don't be thinkin' that I don't want you
'Cause maybe I do
Look around, come to me
I have no answers
But know where I wanna be
I look around, play a part
I was born in the winter
And cooled by a warm heart
And I love you best
You're not like the rest
You're there when I need you
You're there when I need
I'm gonna need you
So lady
Let me take a look at you now
You're there on the dance floor
Making me want you somehow
Oh lady
I think it's only fair I should say to you
Don't be thinkin' that I don't want you
'Cause maybe I do
Don't be thinkin' that I don't want you
Lady I do
The Little River Band's "Lady" is a poignant love song about a man who is looking for companionship after losing his love. The song begins with the idea of looking around and taking a moment to breathe and make time for the people around you, encouraging people to be more present in their lives. The lyrics then shift to the singer's past love and how their absence has led to the realization that he is looking for someone new.
The love song goes on to express how much he loves and needs the woman he is now singing to. He recognizes that she is not like the rest and is there when he needs her, hinting at a possible past relationship or an emerging one. He reminisces about his past love, and while he thought he knew everything there was to love, he never imagined a love song would come into his mind.
The chorus repeats through the song, where the singer asks the lady to let him take a look at her and how he needs her in his life. The love song is both sweet and sincere, showcasing the raw emotion of the singer.
Line by Line Meaning
Look around you, look up here
Be present and mindful of your surroundings
Take time to make time
Invest in yourself, your relationships and your passions
Make time to be there
Prioritize being there for the people who matter
Look around, be a part
Participate in your community and surround yourself with people you love
Feel for the winter
Experience the hardships that come your way
But don't have a cold heart
Don't become jaded or cynical despite the hardships
And I love you best
You are my favorite person
You're not like the rest
You stand out to me in a unique and special way
You're there when I need you
You are reliable and dependable when I need support
You're there when I need
You are always available when I need help or guidance
I'm gonna need you
I anticipate relying on you in the future
A long time ago
This story takes us back to the past
I had a lady to love
I was in love with a woman in the past
She made me think of things
She brought new ideas and experiences into my life
I never thought of
I had never considered before
Now she's gone and I'm on my own
I am single now and without her
A love song has come into my mind
I was inspired to write a love song
It was there all the time
The inspiration for this song was always within me
So lady
Addressing a woman with respect and admiration
Let me take a look at you now
I want to admire your beauty and presence
You're there on the dance floor
I am watching you dance and having fun
Making me want you somehow
You are attractive to me and I feel drawn to you
Oh lady
Continuing to address her with respect and admiration
I think it's only fair
I believe it's appropriate to let you know
I should say to you
I want to express something to you
Don't be thinkin' that I don't want you
I want you to know that I am interested in you
'Cause maybe I do
I may have feelings for you
Look around, come to me
Come find me and be present with me
I have no answers
I don't have all the solutions or explanations
But know where I wanna be
I am sure of where I want to go and what I want to do
I look around, play a part
I participate in my environment in my own way
I was born in the winter
Winter is a metaphor for a difficult upbringing
And cooled by a warm heart
Despite the hardship, I was comforted and loved
Lady I do
Reiterating my feelings for her
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: GRAEHAM GEORGE GOBLE, GRAHAM GEORGE GOBLE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Candy630
I love everything 70’s I’m 54 now I would go back in time if i could when people were simple and spoke when you passed by them on the streets
@Robert-xe2jl
I couldn't agree more, Jean. I was just a kid back then, like you were. I didn't appreciate the 70s then, but sure miss them now.
@greg2976
I made the same comment. Where did those days go to?!
@rodneybourne9230
Oh to be so young sigh.
@LovelyKentucky
Hi Jean❤.
@TC-dw6wg
I lived my teenage years through the seventies and had a great time. I also would go back in a heart beat. We lived in a more honest world.
@mikelemay6893
We grew up in the absolute best of times 70's and 80's. So wish I could go back.
@alfredobotello5214
When I was a little boy, this song would come on the radio as my mom drove us to the beach. We would stop and get croissants on the way. She was a single mom, an independent free spirt: she took belly dancing lessons, went on hikes with the Sierra Club, took Toastmasters classes to get over her fear of public speaking, volunteered to work as a translator for the 1984 Olympics, and worked two jobs to put me through Catholic school. Four weeks ago I had to put her in assisted living. I am heart broken. This songs takes me back to happier days.
@allenliu7519
She is a tough woman, she is good
@nikkijessieslist6830
I'm truly sorry you are going thru this..my life..same but remember when words fail...music speaks