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).
Watermelon Man
Manfred Mann Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Hey, watermelon man
Give me one that rattles when you lug it
One that's red and juicy when you pluck it
Do you understand, watermelon man?
Hey, watermelon man
Hey, watermelon man
When I hear your call I start to drooling
Do you understand, watermelon Man?
Hmm, watermelon
Hey, watermelon man
Hey, watermelon man
Hot and bothered, need a little cooling
When I hear your call I start to drooling
Do you understand, watermelon Man?
Uh, yeah-yeah
Why don't you cut me a slice?
Say man, what's that you're selling?
Ha-ha-ha-ha, a watermelon
Give me one that rattles when you lug it
One that's red and juicy when you pluck it
Do you understand, watermelon man?
The lyrics to Manfred Mann's song 'Watermelon Man' are an ode to the classic summer fruit. The singer addresses the watermelon seller, asking for a perfectly ripe, juicy watermelon that 'rattles when you lug it'. He also expresses his need for cooling down from the heat, and his desire for a delicious slice of watermelon. The song is light-hearted and playful in tone, reflecting the joy and simplicity of summertime.
However, the song can also be interpreted as a commentary on the role of food in society. The watermelon man is a symbol of the working-class vendor, providing sustenance to the masses. The singer's craving for the watermelon represents the dependence of society on these workers and their products. The line 'When I hear your call I start to drooling' reinforces this idea, as it shows the watering mouth of the working-class person craving a slice of watermelon to help them get through the day.
Overall, 'Watermelon Man' is a fun and catchy song, celebrating the simple pleasures of summer and the hard work of everyday people.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey, watermelon man
Addressing the person selling watermelon
Hey, watermelon man
Repeating the previous line to emphasize the address
Give me one that rattles when you lug it
Requesting a watermelon that makes noise when picked up
One that's red and juicy when you pluck it
Requesting a ripe, juicy watermelon
Do you understand, watermelon man?
Confirming that the request is clear and understood
Hey, watermelon man
Addressing the person selling watermelon
Hey, watermelon man
Repeating the previous line to emphasize the address
Hot and bothered, need a little cooling
Feeling overheated and in need of refreshment
When I hear your call I start to drooling
Becoming excited and salivating at the thought of watermelon
Do you understand, watermelon Man?
Confirming that the request is clear and understood
Hmm, watermelon
Expressing appreciation for the watermelon being sold
Hey, watermelon man
Addressing the person selling watermelon
Hey, watermelon man
Repeating the previous line to emphasize the address
Hot and bothered, need a little cooling
Feeling overheated and in need of refreshment
When I hear your call I start to drooling
Becoming excited and salivating at the thought of watermelon
Do you understand, watermelon Man?
Confirming that the request is clear and understood
Uh, yeah-yeah
Acknowledge that the request has been heard and understood
Why don't you cut me a slice?
Requesting a portion of the watermelon to taste
Say man, what's that you're selling?
Asking the watermelon seller about their product
Ha-ha-ha-ha, a watermelon
Answering the question with a humorous statement about the obviousness of what is being sold
Give me one that rattles when you lug it
Requesting a watermelon that makes noise when picked up
One that's red and juicy when you pluck it
Requesting a ripe, juicy watermelon
Do you understand, watermelon man?
Confirming that the request is clear and understood
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Tratore, BMG Rights Management
Written by: Herbie Hancock
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
ricjan58
What a wonderful and quite unusual song from this incredible band.Seems like the Shindig! audience didn't know how to react.Thanks so much for posting this gem.
EPA18
ricjan58 I don't think this was a good song for the group. Not a good fit.
JNwagbo
An instrumental song by Herbie Hancock from 1963
Hasta Luego
Banda Estratosferica!!! 😎👏👏👏👏
Willie Finn
says 1966 but looks earlier 1965?.... the manns could play a bit...mike vickers great on the sax.
caz60s
Yes most definitely 1965!
VirreFriberg
@caz60s it's 1965. Mike Vickers left Manfred Mann in October 1965