The Earth Band was, from a pop perspective, almost deliberately contrary, but combined the stylistic approach of progressive rock with Mann's keen ear for melody. Mann's interest in English 20th century classical music saw him re-create Gustav Holst's Planets Suite, garnering an unlikely UK hit with a version of the "Jupiter" movement that had lyrics added and entitled "Joybringer". Their 1973 album The Good Earth tapped into ecological concerns, a recurring theme in Mann's music in later years, and had a free gift of a piece of land in Wales with each album sold.
The membership of the Earth Band was relatively informal; Mick Rogers originally performed lead guitar and lead vocal duties before being replaced by Chris Thompson on vocals and Dave Flett on guitar. Drumming duties were fulfilled by Chris Slade, who was later to be a member of AC/DC and Asia in a long and varied career which perhaps can be summed up by his being released by AC/DC despite being, according to the rest of the band, the best musician in the band. Similarly, the technically skilled bass player Colin Pattenden, after leaving the Earth Band, became a sound consultant, running his own company designing and installing sound systems. There was much about the Earth Band that was potentially successful, but the contrariness of the band's approach and Mann's perfectionism meant that albums frequently came out with different track listings in different territories, or in alternative versions.
The breakthrough for the band in the US came when they had a No. 1 pop charts hit in early 1977 with Bruce Springsteen's "Blinded by the Light". While the Springsteen original from 1973's Greetings From Asbury Park, N.J. album has a folky, acoustic sound, the Manfred Mann's Earth Band version is driving rock, combining Mann's Moog synthesizer and organ work with Flett's guitar. Manfred can be heard singing at the end of "Blinded By The Light", in the round, with Thompson - it was this feature of the song that initially attracted him. The band took advantage of the publicity and re-released another Springsteen song, "Spirit in the Night", which had been recorded the previous year on Nightingales and Bombers, originally with Rogers on vocals although for some territories it was re-recorded with a vocal from Thompson.
Nightingales and Bombers, The Roaring Silence, and Watch are considered the highlight of the Earth Band's achievement. Watch produced another hit single in "Davy's On The Road Again", and the albums were innovative and original despite the dependence on covers of other artists' songs. Nightingales and Bombers took its title from a World War II naturalist's recording of a nightingale singing in a garden as warplanes flew overhead; the recording appears in a track on the album. Roaring Silence featured a guest appearance by jazz saxophonist Barbara Thompson, and Watch included two stand-out recordings from the bands live performances of "Davy's On The Road Again" and "Mighty Quinn".
Flett left before 1979's Angel Station to be replaced by Steve Waller, sharing the vocal duties with Thompson who was also intent on pursuing a solo career. 1980's Chance showed a move towards a more electronic approach, and produced several cuts that were hits in the UK and/or saw significant airplay in both the US and UK. The songs "Lies (All Through The 80's)", "Stranded", and "For You" (another Springsteen song) still receive significant airplay over 25 years since their release.
Mann became very active in the international anti-apartheid movement, and was banned from entering South Africa, the country in which he had been born. Instead members of the band made journeys to South Africa to record African musicians for the album Somewhere in Afrika, pre-figuring Paul Simon's Graceland. The album included a cover of The Police's "Demolition Man" and a well-received version of Bob Marley's "Redemption Song", which remains in the band's set today. American versions of the album also included Ian Thomas's "The Runner", whose music video had images of the Munich and Montreal Olympic Games, and which enjoyed much airtime in the lead-up to the Los Angeles Olympics.
Manfred Mann's Earth Band has continued recording to the present day, covering tracks by artists as varied as Paul Weller, Robert Cray, Del Amitri, and The Lovin' Spoonful. Mann has also released a solo project, Plains Music, based on Native American music, and his latest album, 2006, includes collaborations with the German rapper Thomas D and tracks featuring the music of, amongst others, the Super Furry Animals. The Earth Band remain active in live performances in Europe, with a line up that includes both Manfred Mann and Mick Rogers.
Most of the band's albums have been re-released in recent years and a 4-CD set featuring many previously unissued versions of tracks was released in August 2005. This includes material from the unreleased (and thought to be lost) Manfred Mann ChapterIII Volume 3 album and the first Earth Band album, Stepping Sideways. The fourth CD in the package includes both unreleased studio material and live performances.
Resurrection
Manfred Mann's Earth Band Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Jesus Christ you've come out of hiding
Just sign here on the dotted line
I'll see you're OK
I'll say to you expenses are high
Seeing you've made it before
I'll take 20% and no more (Gross)
A saleable piece of the cross
Crown of thorns
A disciple or two
We'll sell them Jesus hats
Jesus socks
Jesus coats
We'll sue the Pope
Jesus shoes
Jesus dirty books too
I wonder what will Billy Graham do
Let me say how much I respect your wish
To feed the multitude with 5 loaves and a fish
But I'm sure you'll see by going on the road with me
Will make the needy pay
There's more money that way
We'll sell them Jesus hats
Jesus socks
Jesus coats
We'll sue the Pope
Jesus shoes
Jesus dirty books too
I wonder what will Billy Graham do
The lyrics to Manfred Mann's Earth Band's song Resurrection, are a commentary on the commercialization of religion and exploitation of spirituality for profit. The song imagines a scenario where Jesus Christ has returned and is met by a manager or agent who persuades him to sign a contract for representation. The agent offers to take a commission of 20% while selling various items associated with Jesus, such as hats, coats, shoes, and even dirty books. The lyrics suggest that the authenticity of the relationship with Jesus is irrelevant, as long as there is a market for his image.
The song also questions the role of prominent figures in religion, specifically mentioning Billy Graham and the Pope. The implication is that such figures are complicit in the commercialization of spirituality, either endorsing or benefitting from the sale of religious merchandise. The lyrics also reference the story of Jesus feeding the multitude with 5 loaves and a fish, but suggest that commercialization and concerts are more efficient ways to make money than selfless acts of charity.
Overall, the song condemns the commodification of religion and the exploitation of spiritual beliefs for profit, while urging listeners to remain wary of the motives behind organized religion and the figures who lead them.
Line by Line Meaning
Jesus Christ you've come out of hiding
Addressing Jesus, who has been absent and now resurfaces.
Just sign here on the dotted line
Asking Jesus to sign a contract/agreement.
I'll see you're OK
Assuring Jesus that everything will be fine.
I'll say to you expenses are high
Telling Jesus that the cost of living is expensive.
Seeing you've made it before
Acknowledging Jesus' past accomplishments/successes.
I'll take 20% and no more (Gross)
Stating that they will only take a small percentage of Jesus' earnings.
Oh, tell me Lord did you happen to bring with you
A saleable piece of the cross
Crown of thorns
A disciple or two
Asking Jesus if he brought any valuable items such as pieces of the cross, crown of thorns, or followers.
We'll sell them Jesus hats
Jesus socks
Jesus coats
We'll sue the Pope
Jesus shoes
Jesus dirty books too
I wonder what will Billy Graham do
Explaining the plan to market and sell various Jesus-themed merchandise and potentially sue the Pope (while also considering the actions of Billy Graham).
Let me say how much I respect your wish
To feed the multitude with 5 loaves and a fish
Acknowledging Jesus' miracle of feeding a large crowd with very little food.
But I'm sure you'll see by going on the road with me
Will make the needy pay
There's more money that way
Proposing that Jesus could make more money by going on the road with them and making the less fortunate pay for their services.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: CINJUN TATE, JEFFREY CAIN, CEDRIC LEMOYNE, GREGORY SLAY, SHELBY TATE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind