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?"
Indifférence
Moby Grape Lyrics
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What a difference a day has made
What a difference a day has made
What a difference and more of the same
What's that song you're singing?
Just a bell ringing in my mind
Just part of what there is to find
(Refrain)
What's this deeper here?
Something that you've always been
Is it you I've finally found?
Brought you up, now brings you down
(Refrain)
What's this song you're bringing?
Just a bell ringing in my mind
Is it forever ever?
That's the part that blows my mind
Just one thing I got to say
Try some today, now, baby
Try some now
Moby Grape's song "Indifference" talks about the sudden shifts that can take place in one's life, leading to profound changes in one's perspective. The refrain of the song highlights how a person can feel and experience a significant difference in their life in just one day. This line could represent how quickly life can change, and how we may not always be prepared for its twists and turns.
The song's verses delve into the question of what kind of life is being led, and what is being gained or lost in this existence. The lyrics address the concept of soul searching, where a deeper part of oneself is being looked for. The lines "Is it you I've finally found? Brought you up, now brings you down" hint at the idea of what a person searched for and found but was not quite what was expected. The song suggests that there may be no answers to these questions, leaving the singer in a state of confusion and indifference.
Overall, the song balances the idea of searching and finding oneself with a sense of uncertainty about what it even means to find oneself. The song's message seems to be that exploring one's self is an ongoing journey with no clear cut answers.
Line by Line Meaning
What a difference a day has made
Time has a transformative power that can change things drastically in a short period of time
What a difference and more of the same
Despite changes, some things remain unchanged or unimproved
What's that song you're singing?
What is the message you are trying to convey?
Just a bell ringing in my mind
It is something I cannot forget or ignore, it keeps coming back
What's that tune you're bringing?
What new experience or knowledge are you bringing to the table?
Just part of what there is to find
It is just a small fraction of what lies ahead, there is always more to discover
What's this deeper here?
What is the hidden significance or meaning behind this?
Something that you've always been
It is something that has been a part of you for a long time, maybe even since birth
Is it you I've finally found?
Have I discovered a part of myself that was previously unknown?
Brought you up, now brings you down
What once lifted you up, now weighs you down
What's this song you're bringing?
What new perspective or insight are you sharing now?
Is it forever ever?
Will this last for all time, or is it only temporary?
That's the part that blows my mind
That is the part that I find difficult to comprehend or accept
Just one thing I got to say
There is one important thing that needs to be said
Try some today, now, baby
Take action in the present, don't wait for tomorrow
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: ALEXANDER SKIP SPENCE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind