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?"
Fall on You
Moby Grape Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yes, I know, it's fallin'
Did you ever get that feeling
That your baby's gonna set you free?
Won't she tell you why it's over?
Do you sit and wonder "Was it me?"
It'll happen with somebody new
But all the time you're worried 'bout
The pain that's gonna fall on you
You forgot to make a payment
And they're gonna disconnect your phone
You better pay up what you owe
They're gonna try to repossess your home
They want their bread in the morning
Plus your next month's payment, too
But all the time you're worried 'bout
The pain that's gonna fall on you
You caught your baby cheatin'
But you say you love her any way
But all the time you're thinkin'
Just to find a way to make her pay
You think to leave her broken hearted
Is the only thing that you can do
But all the time you're worried 'bout
The pain that's gonna fall on you
Yes, I know, it's fallin'
Yes, I know, it's fallin'
The lyrics to Moby Grape's song Fall on You seem to reflect on the anxiety and fear that comes with the realization that consequences are going to "fall" or "crash" upon someone. The song opens up with the singer acknowledging the fact that something is "falling." Throughout the rest of the song, the lyrics shift from reflections on a broken relationship to more materialistic concerns such as bills and payments. The songwriter uses the imagery of a looming disaster that is waiting to happen, something the singer of the song is dreading.
In the chorus, the lyrics "Yes, I know, it's fallin'" are repeated twice, which creates a sense of foreboding and anxiety. The lyrics in the rest of the song indicate that the pain and consequences that the singer is terrified of will soon catch up to them. The song portrays a sense of hopelessness and resignation in the face of an impending disaster.
Overall, the song Fall on You captures the unforgiving nature of life, where mistakes and bad decisions have consequences that we cannot avoid. The shadow of these consequences looms large over the singer, who is left defenseless against them. The song's lyrics remain relevant today, as we continue to grapple with the uncertainties and unpredictability of life.
Line by Line Meaning
Yes, I know, it's fallin'
Acknowledging that something is falling apart and there's nothing that can be done to stop it.
Did you ever get that feeling
That your baby's gonna set you free?
The feeling that your partner is going to break up with you and you're going to be single again.
Won't she tell you why it's over?
Do you sit and wonder "Was it me?"
Hoping that your partner will give you a reason for the break up so you can try to fix it and blaming yourself for the relationship ending.
You try and tell her she'll be sorry
It'll happen with somebody new
But all the time you're worried 'bout
The pain that's gonna fall on you
Telling your partner that they'll regret breaking up but secretly fearing the loneliness and heartbreak that will come with it.
You forgot to make a payment
And they're gonna disconnect your phone
You better pay up what you owe
They're gonna try to repossess your home
Feeling the weight of financial struggles and the consequences that come with not being able to pay bills.
They want their bread in the morning
Plus your next month's payment, too
But all the time you're worried 'bout
The pain that's gonna fall on you
Being pressured to pay bills when you're struggling and fearing the negative impact it will have on your future.
You caught your baby cheatin'
But you say you love her any way
But all the time you're thinkin'
Just to find a way to make her pay
Discovering that your partner is cheating on you but still trying to hold on to the relationship while also plotting revenge.
You think to leave her broken hearted
Is the only thing that you can do
But all the time you're worried 'bout
The pain that's gonna fall on you
Considering leaving your cheating partner but fearing the emotional pain that may come with it.
Yes, I know, it's fallin'
Yes, I know, it's fallin'
Repeating the opening lines to emphasize that things are getting worse and there's nothing that can be done to stop the fall.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, PETER LEWIS MUSIC
Written by: PETER LEWIS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
David Zimmerli
I remember buying this album the day it was released in Rochester, N.Y. more than 50 years ago. I found it to be everything that the music press had hyped it to be and more. It remains one of my favorite LPs from that musical age. Great music never gets old.....
John Bellomo
Grew uppin rOchestef
Born inna'62
LoVe this
HipPie stuff
j bEllomo
Kirk Hepburn
I'm 60 now and just discovered this great band last week...Fresh vintage. Lucky me.
sixbladeknife44
Been said many times before, but Moby Grape should’ve been huge...all their music stands the test of time and then some, so much talent in one band.
Bioniking
My personal favorite rock album. There’s so much going on, I could listen to this album forever
joseph lemko
I love Peter Lewis' songs. This is just one of the many classic songs from a fantastic album. The year of 1967 saw many great albums released.
Ron Burati
Watershed year
1blastman
@joseph lemko Back during this era, there were two bands that had three great lead guitarists, Moby Grape was one and Fleetwood Mac with Peter Green, Danny Kirwan and Jeremy Spencer was the other. Both bands suffered from drug abuse by their lead guitarists. But their music lives on.
joseph lemko
@1blastman : It is good to know that there still people who remember & like Moby Grape.
1blastman
And this was one of the very best.