The group was formed in late 1966 in San Francisco. Frontman and rhythm guitarist Alexander "Skip" Spence (the original drummer for the Jefferson Airplane), lead guitarist Jerry Miller and drummer Don Stevenson (both formerly of the Frantics), rhythm guitarist (and son of actress Loretta Young) Peter Lewis (of the Cornells), and bassist Bob Mosley all wrote songs for their debut album Moby Grape (1967). In a marketing stunt, Columbia Records immediately released five singles at once, and the band was perceived as being over-hyped. Nonetheless, the record was critically acclaimed, and fairly successful commercially, with The Move covering its sardonic ode to hippiedom, "Hey Grandma". Spence's "Omaha" reached the lower rungs of the American singles charts in 1967, and Miller-Stevenson's "8:05" became a country rock standard (covered by The Grateful Dead, Robert Plant, Guy Burlage, and others). Moby Grape has today achieved the status of a highly respected rock album.
In addition to the marketing backlash, band members found themselves in legal trouble for charges (later dropped) of consorting with underage females, and the band's relationship with their manager rapidly deteriorated. The second album, Wow, was a critical and commercial failure. During its recording, Spence came to the studio with an axe, intending to kill Stevenson; he was committed, and after being released from Bellevue Hospital traveled to Nashville to record his only solo album, Oar. The band released three more albums: Moby Grape '69, Truly Fine Citizen, and 20 Granite Creek. In 1972 bob mosley released his only solo album, after which he left the group. The remainder soldiered on for two decades, recording and performing to a small but devoted audience.
Moby Grape was an example of a talented band who, through a combination of mismanagement and inexperience, never fully realized their potential. Along with the Flamin' Groovies, they were somewhat of an anomaly in the San Francisco rock scene; their concision and their strong roots in country music and early rock and roll seemed to work against them. In addition, perhaps because they were so versatile, their image was somewhat nebulous; as writer Robert Christgau put it, "All they really lacked was a boss, and what could be more American than that?"
Ain't That a Shame
Moby Grape Lyrics
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Nine Lives
Ain't That A Bitch
(Tyler, Perry, Child)
Up in smoke you've lost another love
As you take a hit off your last cigarette
Strung out, burnt out
And you don't give a...
'Til the best part of you starts to twitch
Ain't that a bitch
Freak out! I'm alone now
I feel just like I'm losin' my mind
'Cause love is like the right dress
On the wrong girl
You never know what you're gonna find
You think you're high and fine as wine
Then you wind up like a dog in a ditch
'Cause love is like a wrong turn
On a cold night... yeah
Ain't that a bitch, Ain't that a bitch
In a daze
In the throes of emotion
You see God in the Devil's eyes
Then you fall so far from grace
You wouldn't know a kiss
If it was on your face
You can tell it to the jury
But you ain't got no case
Freak out! I'm alone now
I feel just like I'm losin' my mind
'Cause love is like the right dress
On the wrong girl
You never know what you're gonna find
The gal was fine as calamine but not
Enough to scratch a seven year itch
'Cause love is like the last licks
Outta Hendrix... yeah
Ain't that a bitch, Ain't that a bitch
Then you feel so out of place
Lickin' up the arsenic
>From the same old lace
You know the stuff is poison
But you gotta have a taste
You gotta
Freak out! I'm alone now
I feel just like I'm losin' my mind
'Cause love is like the right dress
On the wrong girl
You never know what you're gonna find
You think you're high and fine as wine
Then you wind up with your face in the ditch
'Cause love is like a warm gun
On a cold night... yeah
Ain't that a bitch, Ain't that a bitch
The lyrics to "Ain't That A Bitch" by Aerosmith tell a story of a person who has lost another love to their addiction. The opening lines of the song describe someone who has turned to smoking as a way of escaping the pain of their failed relationship, as they have hit rock bottom and given up on trying to be happy. The song is essentially about the futility of love and the difficulty in finding real love, with the lyrics comparing love to various unpredictable events.
The song's chorus is where the phrase "Ain't That A Bitch" is introduced, emphasizing the theme that love is unpredictable, and the pursuit of it can often lead to failure and disappointment. Tyler and Perry cleverly use metaphors such as love being the "right dress on the wrong girl" and the "last licks outta Hendrix" to illustrate their points. The closing lines bring the idea of addiction back into the forefront, as the singer is described as "licking up the arsenic from the same old lace", seemingly unable to break free from their self-destructive habits.
Overall, "Ain't That A Bitch" is a complicated song that explores themes of addiction, heartbreak, and the difficulties of love. Through clever use of metaphors and a catchy chorus, the lyrics offer insight into the emotional struggles of those trying to navigate love and addiction.
Line by Line Meaning
Up in smoke you've lost another love
You have lost love due to your smoking habits
As you take a hit off your last cigarette
While taking the last drag of your cigarette
Strung out, burnt out
You are exhausted and drained due to addiction
Yeah you're down on your luck
You are experiencing misfortune
And you don't give a...
You don't care about the situation
'Til the best part of you starts to twitch
But when your true emotions are involved, you become physically affected
Ain't that a bitch
Isn't that unfair?
Freak out! I'm alone now
I am in a state of panic as I am by myself
I feel just like I'm losin' my mind
I feel like I am going insane
'Cause love is like the right dress
Love is like a perfect fit
On the wrong girl
But it doesn't fit the person you are with
You never know what you're gonna find
You never know what love will bring
You think you're high and fine as wine
You think everything is going well
Then you wind up like a dog in a ditch
But then you end up in a bad situation
'Cause love is like a wrong turn
Because love can lead you down the wrong path
On a cold night... yeah
In a situation that is unfavorable
Ain't that a bitch, Ain't that a bitch
Isn't that just unfair?
In a daze
In a state of confusion
In the throes of emotion
Overwhelmed by feelings
You see God in the Devil's eyes
You see good in something bad
Then you fall so far from grace
But then you hit rock bottom
You wouldn't know a kiss
You are unable to appreciate love
If it was on your face
Even if it was right in front of you
You can tell it to the jury
You can defend yourself to others
But you ain't got no case
But you have no valid argument
The gal was fine as calamine but not
The girl looked good but
Enough to scratch a seven year itch
She wasn't enough to satisfy a long-standing desire
'Cause love is like the last licks
Because love is fleeting
Outta Hendrix... yeah
Like a guitar solo that ends too soon
Ain't that a bitch, Ain't that a bitch
Isn't it just unfair?
Then you feel so out of place
You feel uncomfortable
Lickin' up the arsenic
Engaging in harmful practices
>From the same old lace
Coming from familiar sources
You know the stuff is poison
You are aware of the negative effects
But you gotta have a taste
But you still engage in the behavior
You think you're high and fine as wine
You think everything is going well
Then you wind up with your face in the ditch
But then you end up in a bad situation
'Cause love is like a warm gun
Because love can be dangerous
On a cold night... yeah
In a situation that is unfavorable
Ain't that a bitch, Ain't that a bitch
Isn't it just unfair?
Writer(s): Peter Lewis, Jerry A Miller Jr, Donald J Stevenson
Contributed by Grace G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Bioniking
It's a shame what happened to Moby Grape. It's a shame more people don't know about this band. But it's not a shame that I know of the Moby Grape!
joseph lemko
Excellent song from a great album. These guys were so talented.
Jonathan Kosyjana
god damn man,people need to listen to this,its soo sad theres so many great bands out there that no one knows
Dolores Britton
I'm singing harmony and feeling joyful!
Mr. Gracian
my favorite 60-ties group!!!!
nyg1954
my favorite american group.
stratocaster486
Hell! I was tired in'69 don't know what I am in 2017......
Pickr Head
This is a Jerry Miller/Don Stevenson/Peter Lewis song, NOT Fats Domino as stated in the description....although Fat's song is good too.
Donald Gehre
Bob Mosely sings with a lot of heart.
bobh28630
Perhaps an algorithm misidentified based on the title alone.
There are not enough accolades to describe this astonishingly talented band. I bought all their albums when initially released and feel they should be afforded the same historic status as the Grateful Dead, Jefferson Airplane, and Quicksilver Messenger. Moby Grape featured five excellent singers and songwriters as well as people who could really, really play live. Special kudos to David Rubinson, producer extraordinaire who captured that lightning in a bottle.