Mother Love Bone was established in 1988 by former Green River members Jeff Ament, Bruce Fairweather and Stone Gossard, former Malfunkshun frontman Andrew Wood and former Ten Minute Warning and Skin Yard drummer Greg Gilmore. Initially, the group was formed in 1987 out of the cover band Lords of the Wasteland which featured Wood, Gossard, Ament and Malfunkshun drummer Regan Hagar. By early 1988 the band had added Fairweather, replaced Hagar with drummer Greg Gilmore and changed its name to Mother Love Bone.
This new line-up quickly set about recording and playing area shows and by late 1988 had become one of Seattle's more promising bands. Wood's exuberant on-stage personality, outlandish clothes and dreamy lyrics helped bring attention to the band. In the 1996 grunge documentary, Hype!, Seattle engineer Jack Endino called Wood "the only stand-up comedian frontman in Seattle," a reference to Wood's playful style of interacting with Mother Love Bone fans.
In early 1989, the band signed to PolyGram subsidiary Mercury Records. As part of its contract PolyGram also created the Stardog Records imprint exclusively for the band. In March 1989, the group issued its debut EP, Shine, becoming the first of the new crop of Seattle bands to have a release on a major label. The record sold well and rapidly increased the hype surrounding the band. John Book of Allmusic said the "record contributed to the buzz about the Seattle music scene."
In late 1989, the group returned to the studio (this time in San Francisco, California) to record its debut album, Apple. Despite some initial difficulties, the record was on-time for its projected March 1990 release. By this point interest in the band had hit a fever pitch and it seemed destined that the band were going to make it big. Only days before Apple was slated to be released, however, frontman Andrew Wood, who had a long history with drug problems, overdosed on heroin. After spending a few days in the hospital in a coma, Wood died, effectively bringing the group to an end. The album would see release later that year on July 19, 1990. Kim Neely of Rolling Stone said that the album "succeeds where countless other hard rock albums have failed, capturing the essence of what made Zep immortal – dynamics, kids! – and giving it a unique Nineties spin."
Mr. Danny Boy
Mother Love Bone Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
what can i take from you
whats worth a plug nickel from a silly fool
what can i take from you
why did i leave you there
why did i leave you there
with your long black kitty and your funky hair
why did i leave you there
did ya see mr danny boy
he's a rock top boxer just a bundle of joy
see mr danny boy
why did i leave you there
why did i leave you there
with your long black kitty and your funky hair
why did i leave you there
said baby
stop lovin by the rules
i heard the rumors danny
stop your talkin danny - i heard the rumors danny, danny
lost down in santa fe
i had love with a runaway
and to think my daddy thought i was gay
lost back in santa fe
the riff miester is my friend
the riff miester is my friend
i love that mother fucker till the very end
bolan was my man
said baby
stop lovin by the rules
i heard the rumors - danny
stop your talkin - danny i've heard the rumors danny danny
its a long, long road......for this here desperado
and its cold cold cold, visions of tomorrow
when was the last time you wrote for me a song
repeat chorus etc.(think of mario)
The song "Mr. Danny Boy" by Mother Love Bone appears to be about regrets, loss, and a longing for someone or something. The opening lines "what can I take from you" suggest a yearning for something that may have been lost, but it's unclear exactly what that might be. The repeated line "why did I leave you there" could be interpreted in many different ways, perhaps as a lament for a missed opportunity or a failed relationship. The mention of a "long black kitty and funky hair" is a curious detail that adds some intrigue to the song, but it's not clear what it refers to.
The chorus introduces the character of Mr. Danny Boy, who is described as a "rock top boxer" and a "bundle of joy." It's not clear why the singer is addressing him, but the fact that he is a fighter suggests a possible connection to the themes of struggle and resilience that run throughout the song. Later in the song, the singer mentions a friend called the "riff miester," who he loves "till the very end." This suggests a close bond with this person, perhaps one that is rooted in music.
Throughout the song, there is a sense of restlessness and searching for something that may not be attainable. Lines like "stop lovin by the rules" and "lost down in Santa Fe" suggest a desire for freedom and adventure, but also a feeling of being lost or adrift. The final lines of the song, "when was the last time you wrote for me a song," seem to convey a longing for connection and creative expression that may have been lost along the way.
Line by Line Meaning
what can i take from you
Questioning what value or worth you have to offer
what can i take from you
Questioning what value or worth you have to offer
whats worth a plug nickel from a silly fool
Wondering if anything you have to offer is valuable, even to a foolish person
what can i take from you
Questioning what value or worth you have to offer
why did i leave you there
Regretting leaving behind someone with a distinctive style and a pet cat
why did i leave you there
Regretting leaving behind someone with a distinctive style and a pet cat
with your long black kitty and your funky hair
Remembering someone's unique appearance
why did i leave you there
Regretting leaving behind someone with a distinctive style and a pet cat
see mr danny boy
Noticing a lively rock boxer
did ya see mr danny boy
Asking if someone else has noticed the dynamic rock boxer
he's a rock top boxer just a bundle of joy
Describing the energetic and joyful nature of the rock boxer
see mr danny boy
Noticing a lively rock boxer
why did i leave you there
Regretting leaving behind someone with a distinctive style and a pet cat
why did i leave you there
Regretting leaving behind someone with a distinctive style and a pet cat
with your long black kitty and your funky hair
Remembering someone's unique appearance
why did i leave you there
Regretting leaving behind someone with a distinctive style and a pet cat
said baby
stop lovin by the rules
Encouraging someone to take risks and not always play it safe
i heard the rumors danny
stop your talkin danny - i heard the rumors danny, danny
Telling someone to stop spreading rumors and gossip
lost down in santa fe
Feeling lost or aimless while in Santa Fe
i had love with a runaway
Sharing a past experience of a relationship with someone who was not interested in commitment
and to think my daddy thought i was gay
Reflecting on a time when someone close to you misunderstood your sexuality
lost back in santa fe
Feeling lost or aimless while in Santa Fe
the riff miester is my friend
Expressing admiration for someone who is skilled in playing guitar riffs
the riff miester is my friend
Expressing admiration for someone who is skilled in playing guitar riffs
i love that mother fucker till the very end
Feeling deep love and loyalty for the skilled guitarist
bolan was my man
Sharing admiration for musician Marc Bolan
said baby
stop lovin by the rules
Encouraging someone to take risks and not always play it safe
i heard the rumors - danny
stop your talkin - danny i've heard the rumors danny danny
Telling someone to stop spreading rumors and gossip
its a long, long road......for this here desperado
Feeling like you have a difficult journey ahead, perhaps as an outcast or misfit
and its cold cold cold, visions of tomorrow
Feeling uncertain about what the future holds and possibly lonely in the present
when was the last time you wrote for me a song
Asking when someone last wrote a song for you as an expression of love or devotion
repeat chorus etc.(think of mario)
Repeating earlier lyrics of the chorus, with perhaps a mention of the video game character Mario
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ANDREW WOOD, BRUCE IAN FAIRWEATHER, GREG A. GILMORE, JEFFREY ALLEN AMENT, STONE C. GOSSARD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
lyonslaforet
A perfect mix between Guns N'Roses and Pearl Jam!
Louise Rose
Absolutely epic - and great production, too! the dynamics of the rhythm section and those big splashes of funky/pulsating guitars make it feel huge around Andy's teasing vocals. The band took full advantage of having two solid guitar players who were both able to play lead, and Terry Date's production brings this out. 3:47-4:17 is one of the most intensely erotic guitar breaks I have ever heard in a glam rock track, it's like a hard-on visualized as music, pure arousal! (I mean on the CD of course, where those big power chords are just roaring through the sound image....)
RealRavenCorps
I love this song, Mother Love Bone was awesome.
Kevlar1990
Stone Gossard writes some sweet riffs. RIP Andrew Wood.
hershysquirts187
this shit gives me flashbacks. why cant music be fresh and killer bands like this get a chance to shine. there is so many killer bands in my city that will never get the light of day. the scene back then was so awsome. so many great bands.
Jesse Edens
Still listening to in 2020 ♥️🤘
serenity peralta
such a good song
Kelly Schulz mcleary
Absolutely love my mother love bone
RevengeOfTheNerfed
I hate abbreviating Mother Love Bone, it makes me sound like I'm talking about Major League Baseball. Think about it. Anyways, a really good MLB song.
Shivaji Ramos
yeah, baseball is a cool sport ... puff puff pass ... MLB is mad cool.