Beginnings 1962—1963
The Mann-Hugg Blues Brothers (as the band were originally called) were formed in London in December 1962 by keyboard player Manfred Mann and drummer/vibes player Mike Hugg. Born out of the British blues boom then sweeping London's clubs (which also spawned such luminaries as The Rolling Stones and The Yardbirds), the band were completed by Mike Vickers on lead guitar, Dave Richmond on bass, and Paul Jones fronting as lead vocalist and harmonica player. Gigging constantly throughout late 1962 and early 1963, the band soon attracted attention for their distinctive sound propelled by Mann's keyboards, Jones' soulful vocals and an occasional horn section.
Manfred Mann's Cock-A-Hoop (1964)
The group signed to HMV Records in March 1963 after a change of name to Manfred Mann (at the suggestion of their label's producer), and debuted in July of that year with the jazzy instrumental single "Why Should We Not?", which failed to chart, as did the follow up (with vocals this time), "Cock-A-Hoop"
Early success 1964—1965
Groovin' with Manfred Mann EP (1964)
In 1964 the group were asked to provide a new theme tune for the ITV pop music TV series Ready Steady Go!. They responded with the energetic "5-4-3-2-1" which, with the help of weekly TV exposure, rose to No.5 in the UK charts. It was shortly after "5-4-3-2-1" was recorded that Richmond left the band, being replaced by Tom McGuinness - the first of many line-up changes. After a further self-penned hit ("Hubble Bubble (Toil And Trouble)") the band struck gold with "Do Wah Diddy Diddy", a cover of a minor hit earlier that year by The Exciters. The track, which showcased Jones' powerful singing, reached the top of both the UK and US charts (The Exciters version had only charted #78 in the US).
During 1965 the group continued to have hits with both self-penned and cover material, their sound increasingly moving away from the blues-based music of their early years to a highly successful pop-soul hybrid. Notably the group began to have success with interpretations of Bob Dylan songs, including "With God On Our Side" as a track on a best-selling EP.
The One In the Middle EP (1965)
They also reached No.2 in the UK with the controversial "If You Gotta Go, Go Now", which was banned or edited by a number of TV and radio stations. Prior to this latter release, Paul Jones announced his intention to quit the band for a solo career once a replacement could be found.
The Mike d'Abo years 1966—1969
Jones stayed with the band for one more year, during which time Mike Vickers was replaced by Jack Bruce of John Mayall's Bluesbreakers (long enough to play bass on the band's second UK No.1 single "Pretty Flamingo"). Jones was eventually replaced by Mike d'Abo - among those on the shortlist was Rod Stewart - and this was one of the few occasions when a band has successfully swapped lead singers and remained at the top. Jack Bruce left to form Cream and was replaced by Klaus Voorman (a longtime Beatles associate), with McGuinness moving to guitar. To complete the changes, the group switched labels to Fontana Records.
With d'Abo as vocalist, the group pursued a softer acoustic pop sound, with a tinge of Dylanesque social comment and surrealism in the lyrics. Their first Fontana Records single was in fact a Dylan cover, "Just Like A Woman", and the group went on to score their biggest hit for two years with a cover of his "Mighty Quinn".
Frustrated with the limitations and image of being seen purely as a hit singles band (their last two albums failed to chart), the group split in 1969.
1970s and on— Manfred Mann's Earth Band
Mann went on to write advertising jingles after the group's demise, but still continued to work in the group format. Initially he formed Manfred Mann Chapter Three (with Mike Hugg), an experimental jazz rock band, described by Mann as an over reaction to the hit factory of the Manfred Mann group. This was, however, short lived and by 1971 they had disbanded and Mann had formed a new group, Manfred Mann's Earth Band.
For further details, see Manfred Mann's Earth Band.
5-4-3-2-1 The Manfreds (1998)
1990s and on—The Manfreds
In the 1990s, most of the original 1960s line-up reformed as The Manfreds, minus Manfred Mann himself (hence the name), playing most of the old 1960s hits and a few jazz instrumentals, sometimes with both Paul Jones and Mike d'Abo fronting the line-up.
At the same time Jones and Tom McGuinness (McGuinness formed McGuinness Flint in 1970, but they disbanded in 1975) have been mainstays of The Blues Band (which they helped form in 1978).
It's Gonna Work Out Fine
Manfred Mann Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Darling, I've started makin' wedding plans, oh, yeah
If your love is half as true
As the love I offer you
Oh, darling, I think it's gonna work out fine
And I've got to tell you
Baby, I'd better let that distance be
I think I'd better
Your lips set my soul on fire
Don't you see you're my one desire
Oh, darling, I think it's gonna work out fine
(I think it's gonna work out fine) don't you see it will?
(I think it's gonna work out fine) it's gonna work out fine
(I think it's gonna work out fine) oh, yeah
I'm so glad that you're mine, all mine
Remember, you used to call me Dapper Dan
That was in the good old days
The thriller, the ever-rated lovin' man, oh yeah
Whole lots of girls used to be my speed
Now, pretty baby, you're all I need
Oh, darling, I know it's gonna work out fine
Don't you see, darling
I know it's gonna work out fine
Let me tell you, baby
I'm sure it's gonna work out fine
So
Fine
In Manfred Mann's "It's Gonna Work Out Fine," the singer is expressing their love for someone, declaring that they believe their relationship will be successful. The lyrics imply that the couple has discussed marriage, and the singer has even gone to see a preacher. They express confidence in their love, saying that if their partner's commitment is at least half as true as their own, then everything will work out.
However, there seems to be some hesitation from the partner, as the singer notes that their lover is "starting to get next to me" but then backs off, saying, "Baby, I'd better let that distance be." Despite this, the singer is confident that the passion between them is real and that their love is genuine. They remember the days when they were a player, with lots of girls, but now they only need this one person. The song ends with the assurance that everything will be fine, repeating the title phrase "It's gonna work out fine."
The song seems to be a celebration of love and commitment, with the singer expressing their beliefs that their relationship will be successful. However, there is a hint of uncertainty, as they acknowledge their partner's hesitation and seem to be trying to convince themselves that everything will be okay.
Line by Line Meaning
Darling, I've been to see the preacher man
My love for you is so strong that I have taken the step to meet the preacher to plan our wedding.
Darling, I've started makin' wedding plans, oh, yeah
I took the initiative to plan our wedding because I am confident that our love is true and will lead to a successful marriage.
If your love is half as true
I am hoping that your love for me is at least as strong as the love that I have for you.
As the love I offer you
I am certain that my love for you is genuine and will never fade away.
Oh, darling, I think it's gonna work out fine
I have a strong feeling that our love will overcome any obstacle and lead to a happy ending.
And I've got to tell you
I need to express my feelings to you and let you know how much I care about you.
Darling, you're startin' to get next to me
I am beginning to feel a strong emotional connection to you that was not there before.
Baby, I'd better let that distance be
Even though I am feeling close to you now, I know that it is important to maintain some distance between us to ensure a healthy relationship.
Your lips set my soul on fire
Your kisses and affection make me feel alive and passionate.
Don't you see you're my one desire
I hope you realize that you are the only person I want to be with and share my life with.
Oh, darling, I think it's gonna work out fine
I am confident that our love will continue to thrive and result in a successful and happy relationship.
(I think it's gonna work out fine) don't you see it will?
I strongly believe that everything will be fine and I hope that you have the same faith in our relationship.
(I think it's gonna work out fine) it's gonna work out fine
I am certain that our love and relationship will succeed and bring us happiness.
(I think it's gonna work out fine) oh, yeah
I am convinced that our love will work out and I am excited for our future together.
I'm so glad that you're mine, all mine
I feel grateful and lucky to have you in my life and love having you all to myself.
Remember, you used to call me Dapper Dan
In the past, you had a different nickname for me that you may have forgotten about.
That was in the good old days
That nickname represents a time in the past when things were simpler and more carefree for us.
The thriller, the ever-rated lovin' man, oh yeah
I used to be known as a great lover and I hope to continue being that for you.
Whole lots of girls used to be my speed
In the past, I used to date many different women who were all different in personality and interests.
Now, pretty baby, you're all I need
Now, I have found everything I want and need in you and our relationship.
Oh, darling, I know it's gonna work out fine
I am confident that our love is strong enough to withstand any challenge and will result in a happy outcome.
Don't you see, darling
I hope you realize and understand the depth and strength of my love for you.
Let me tell you, baby
I want to express my feelings to you and assure you of my love and commitment to our relationship.
I'm sure it's gonna work out fine
I am certain that our relationship will thrive and bring us happiness and fulfillment.
So fine
Everything about you and our relationship makes me feel amazing and content.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Rose Marie Mccoy, Sylvia Mckinney
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Adrian
on The Runner
Canadian Sinver / Songwriter Ian Thomas wrofe this song. He lives in Stoney Creek, Canada.
Dennis the Menace
on Do Wah Diddy Diddy
I live in Davenport,was still in the army when the band was stranded herein Davenport.