Their songs have been sampled by many hip-hop acts such as Johnny D, Public Enemy, DJ Shadow, Shawty Lo, Big L, Kanye West, Jin, Eminem, and 9th Wonder. They combined funk with many other styles like Latin, salsa, rock, blues and soul.
Some of their songs have been used in the soundtracks of films: The Greatest (1977) directed by Tom Gries and Monte Hellman; and The Warriors (1979) directed by Walter Hill. The band continues to perform live; their signature song is arguably "Fencewalk."
Composite Truth (1973) was the band's most commercially successful album.
2. Croatian band "ManDrill" started their version of alternative-funk in 1997. In 1998. they won an unsigned band contest "Ri Rock", and started gigging frequently. ManDrill music changed through the years and document of that is debut album "Embryo" (2002).
After a few lineup changes, the band finally released their second album, "P" in 2006, havig a very succesful hit, "Ljubio, valjao". With the popularity came the lawsuit for the name - that's when ManDrill had to change the name to Mandrili. Under that name they released their third and most succesful album (ranked top five Croatian albums for 2008) "Tibet". They're still very active with the following lineup: Kristian Ćoza - Vocals, Tomislav Radinović - Guitars, Robert Jovanović - Bass, Dalibor Peršić - Drums
Polk Street Carnival
Mandrill Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The band went to San Francisco
We had a concert on a street called Polk Street
It was a most beautiful happening
The vibes were good
The women were there
Everybody was bibing
We'd now like to share this with you
Eh heh as a matter of fact strike up the band ooh
Early in San Francisco touring with the band
Playing big rock concert Polk Street Carnival
All the good vibrations make the music sweet
People young and happy dancing in the street
One woman was bumping all over the place
She had a real familiar look about she face
And when she wine the closer gates open and shut
She had to be a descendant of Bertha Butt
And hear she bawling
Polk Polk Street carnival. Polk Street what a baccanal
Sing in on louder
Polk Polk Street carnival. Polk Street what a baccanal
Yes man
What a big confusion one man raisin Kane
King of the Gypsy Wizard Daniel was his name
The man head on fire Paint he face in all
Colours of the rainbow, Peace and love he bawl
Well now it's rain rain rain everybody wet
It was a day in history we just couldn't forget
And as the entertainer we just had a ball man
You know the sun jumped down in the carnival
And what we singing
Polk Polk Street carnival, Polk Street what a baccanal
Pick it up pick it up
Polk Polk Street carnival, Polk Street what a baccanal
Polk Polk Street carnival, Polk Street what a baccanal
Polk Polk Street carnival, Polk Street what a baccanal
Polk Polk Street carnival, Polk Street what a baccanal
Polk Polk Street carnival, Polk Street what a baccanal
Polk Polk Street carnival, Polk Street what a baccanal
Polk Polk Street carnival, Polk Street what a baccanal
Polk Polk Street carnival, Polk Street what a baccanal
Polk Polk Street carnival, Polk Street what a baccanal
Polk Polk Street carnival, Polk Street what a baccanal
Polk Polk Street carnival, Polk Street what a baccanal
Polk Polk Street carnival, Polk Street what a baccanal
Polk Polk Street carnival, Polk Street what a baccanal
The lyrics of the song "Polk Street Carnival" by Mandrill reminisce about the time the band performed a concert on Polk Street in San Francisco. The song starts by describing the positive energy that the musicians experienced during their performance in the city. The lyrics go on to describe the crowd, beautifully stating that "the vibes were good, the women were there, everybody was vibing". The band members feel that it was a special event and would like to share this unique experience with their audience. The song has a festive and carnival-like feel that captures the energy of the original event.
The song then goes on to describe a few of the colorful characters they encountered during the carnival. One woman in particular caught their attention with her wild dancing style, causing the gates to open and shut. Another character was a man named Daniel, the self-proclaimed "King of the Gypsy Wizards" who painted his face in all the colors of the rainbow and shouted about peace and love. The lyrics describe both characters in a playful and whimsical manner, adding to the overall festive tone of the song.
"Polk Street Carnival" is an upbeat, funky, and groovy song that celebrates the energy and spirit of San Francisco's Polk Street. Mandrill's lyrics reference a number of real-life events and characters from the band's experience, giving the song an authentic and unique feel. The catchy chorus, with its repetition of "Polk Polk Street carnival, Polk Street what a bacchanal," adds to the festive atmosphere and is sure to have listeners singing along.
Line by Line Meaning
Last year about this time
This song takes place during the band's trip to San Francisco last year.
The band went to San Francisco
The band traveled to San Francisco for a tour.
We had a concert on a street called Polk Street
The band performed a concert on Polk Street in San Francisco.
It was a most beautiful happening
The concert was a wonderful event filled with good energy.
The vibes were good
The atmosphere of the concert was positive and uplifting.
The women were there
Women attended the concert.
Everybody was bibing
Everyone was having a good time, possibly drinking.
We'd now like to share this with you
The band wants to share their experience with their audience.
With a thing called Polk Street Carnival
The band wrote a song about the concert called Polk Street Carnival.
Early in San Francisco touring with the band
The band started touring in San Francisco.
Playing big rock concert Polk Street Carnival
They played a major rock concert called Polk Street Carnival.
All the good vibrations make the music sweet
The positive energy of the crowd made the music sound better.
People young and happy dancing in the street
The crowd was filled with young and joyful people who danced in the street.
One woman was bumping all over the place
One woman was dancing energetically and moving around a lot.
She had a real familiar look about she face
The woman looked familiar to the band members.
And when she wine the closer gates open and shut
When she danced, it seemed like the closer gates would open and close rhythmically.
She had to be a descendant of Bertha Butt
The woman was compared to Bertha Butt, a character in a song known for her dancing.
And hear she bawling
The woman was shouting.
Polk Polk Street carnival. Polk Street what a baccanal
She was excited about the Polk Street Carnival and called it a lively and festive event.
Sing in on louder
The band encouraged the audience to sing along louder.
Yes man
An expression of enthusiasm or agreement.
What a big confusion one man raisin Kane
There was a commotion caused by one man.
King of the Gypsy Wizard Daniel was his name
The man causing trouble was named Daniel and was called the King of the Gypsy Wizards.
The man head on fire Paint he face in all
Daniel painted his face with all the colors of the rainbow and put his hair on fire.
Colours of the rainbow, Peace and love he bawl
Daniel shouted about peace and love while displaying vivid colors of the rainbow.
Well now it's rain rain rain everybody wet
It started raining heavily and everyone got soaked.
It was a day in history we just couldn't forget
The concert was so memorable that it will stay in everyone's mind as a significant event.
And as the entertainer we just had a ball man
The band had a great time entertaining the crowd.
You know the sun jumped down in the carnival
The sun set during the concert, creating a beautiful atmosphere.
Pick it up pick it up
Another call to the audience to sing along louder and give more energy.
Polk Polk Street carnival, Polk Street what a baccanal
Repeating the excitement of the Polk Street Carnival and calling it a wild celebration.
Writer(s): Carlos Delano Wilson, Louis Wilson, Ricardo Wilson
Contributed by Abigail N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Tammy Prattis
At the beginning of this song the words are actually everybody was vibing not bibing.