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?"
Ooh Mama Ooh
Moby Grape Lyrics
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I can be sure you're my sweet
Instead of countin' sheep
I'm smellin' at you
You're really such a tease
But you sure know how to please
Won't you set my mind at ease?
Don't you know that you made me love you
And all the things I wanna do to you
Non-stop, non-stop foolin' around
You ask, but it's headin' up town
Got to do what you want to make you feel right
That's why I'm rockin' here tonight
To make you feel good
(Hey) Ma-ma-ma, ooh-wa-wa, ooh
(Hey) Ma-ma-ma, ooh-wa-wa, ooh
Doin' what I wanna do
Had me a taste of the big time
Let them fools push me around
Got to where every night I was up tight
Rock and roll's bringin' me down
Now I'm comin' home
Back where I belong
Gettin' up next to you, Mama
Is like rockin' all night long
(Well) Mama-mama, mama-mama, ooh wa wa wa, ooh wa wa wa, ooh
(Well) Mama-mama, mama-mama, ooh wa wa wa, ooh wa wa wa, ooh
Doin' what I wanna do
(Hey, mama-mama, ooh wa wa wa, ooh wa wa wa, ooh a-ha)
Doin' what I wanna do
(Hey, mama-mama, ooh wa wa wa, ooh wa wa wa, ding dong)
Doin' what I wanna do
(Hey, sha-ma-ma-ma, boom-a-rang-a, hoo ma-ma-ma, hoo ma-ma-ma)
Doin' what I wanna do
(Hey, bong bong, put bong-bong, pit-e-pit bong, bing bang)
Doin' what I wanna do
The song "Ooh Mama Ooh" by Moby Grape is a typical rock and roll song about unbridled passion and desire. It talks about a woman who is so attractive that she looks good enough to eat, and the singer cannot resist her. The lyrics suggest that the woman is a tease, but knows how to please the singer. He is willing to do anything to make her feel good, including doing what he wants to do. He says that being next to her is like rocking all night long. The singer is head over heels in love with the woman and will do anything to be with her.
The song has a lot of typical rock and roll elements. The lyrics are suggestive and risqué, and the melody is upbeat and catchy. The song talks about the wild and free lifestyle associated with rock and roll, where anything goes, and there are no rules. The repetition of "ma-ma-ma, ooh-wa-wa, ooh" and "doin' what I wanna do" adds to the carefree and playful nature of the song.
Line by Line Meaning
You look good enough to eat
You are incredibly attractive and tempting to me.
I can be sure you're my sweet
I am confident that you are the one for me.
Instead of countin' sheep
Rather than trying to fall asleep counting sheep, I'm thinking of you.
I'm smellin' at you
I'm so captivated by you and your presence that I'm even 'smelling' you in my thoughts.
You're really such a tease
You're very flirtatious, playing with my emotions and desires.
But you sure know how to please
Despite being a tease, you know exactly how to satisfy me and make me feel good.
Won't you set my mind at ease?
Can you please reassure me and make me feel secure?
Every little thing you say I do
I'm so enamored by you that even the smallest things you say make a big impact on me.
Don't you know that you made me love you
You have had such a strong effect on me that I have fallen in love with you.
And all the things I wanna do to you
I have many desires and fantasies about what I want to do to you in a romantic or sexual way.
Non-stop, non-stop foolin' around
Often engaging in playful behavior or flirtation with each other.
You ask, but it's headin' up town
You may be asking me for something, but my thoughts and actions are getting carried away (like a train heading toward the city).
Got to do what you want to make you feel right
I feel compelled to do what you ask in order to make you happy and comfortable.
That's why I'm rockin' here tonight
My excitement and adrenaline are running high, which is why I'm partying and dancing intensely tonight.
To make you feel good
My ultimate goal is to make you feel happy and satisfied.
(Hey) Ma-ma-ma, ooh-wa-wa, ooh
A joyful vocalization that expresses excitement and enjoyment.
Had me a taste of the big time
I have experienced a lot of success and fame in the past, which can be thrilling but also overwhelming.
Let them fools push me around
I allowed other people, who were foolish or ignorant, to control and manipulate me.
Got to where every night I was up tight
I became so anxious and distressed that I became tense every night.
Rock and roll's bringin' me down
My career in the music industry is starting to wear me down and make me feel discouraged.
Now I'm comin' home
I'm returning to where I feel most comfortable and loved.
Back where I belong
I am happy to be in a place where I feel like I fit in and where I am valued.
Gettin' up next to you, Mama
Being close to you, my romantic partner or mother figure, is incredibly comforting and fulfilling to me.
Is like rockin' all night long
Being with you gives me the same rush and exhilaration as an intense night of partying or performing.
(Well) Mama-mama, mama-mama, ooh wa wa wa, ooh wa wa wa, ooh
A triumphant and celebratory vocalization.
(Hey, mama-mama, ooh wa wa wa, ooh wa wa wa, ooh a-ha)
A joyful exclamation expressing pleasure and excitement.
(Hey, mama-mama, ooh wa wa wa, ooh wa wa wa, ding dong)
A carefree, playful vocalization expressing a sense of humor and lightheartedness.
(Hey, sha-ma-ma-ma, boom-a-rang-a, hoo ma-ma-ma, hoo ma-ma-ma)
A playful, rhythmic, and nonsensical vocalization that is meant to be enjoyed rather than analyzed.
(Hey, bong bong, put bong-bong, pit-e-pit bong, bing bang)
A fun and carefree sequence of sounds that are meant to be catchy and entertaining.
Doin' what I wanna do
I am acting on my own desires and enjoying the freedom to do so.
Writer(s): Donald J. Stevenson, Jerry A. Miller Jr
Contributed by Anna F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.