Dorset and Colin Earl had previously been members of The Good Earth. Soon after recruiting Paul King and Mike Cole, they made their national debut at the Hollywood Festival at Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire in May 1970, the week their first single, "In the Summertime" was released. They stole the show and the record topped the UK Singles Chart for seven weeks, made number one in almost every other country around the world, and to date has sold around 23 million copies. After John Godfrey replaced Cole, their second single "Baby Jump" also topped the UK chart in March 1971. A third hit, "Lady Rose" (also in 1971), gave the group the image as a band for producing summertime based hits.
In time Dorset found the group's good-time blues and jug band repertoire a little restricting, and in 1972 he released a solo album Cold Blue Excursion, with his songs backed by strings and brass and, in one instance, a jazz band. His intention to broaden the group's appeal by recruiting a drummer led to King and Earl trying to sack him, but the management, regarding Dorset as inseparable in the public eye from Mungo Jerry, fired them both instead. Dorset and Godfrey, the bassist, recruited new members and presented a new sound, heard on the fourth album Boot Power. King and Earl went on to form the King Earl Boogie Band.
Mungo Jerry's hits continued through to 1976 with "Open Up" (Top Twenty in Europe and number one in Brazil); "Alright Alright Alright" (a rewrite of an old French hit for Jacques Dutronc, and again a major hit worldwide reaching the Top 3 in the UK); "Wild Love"; "Long Legged Woman Dressed In Black"; "Hello Nadine" (European hit and Top Five in Canada); and "It's a Secret" (European hit).
In 1975 Earl, who had played piano with Foghat in between, returned to play keyboards, and percussion player Joe Rush, part-time member of the band in earlier days, also came back for a while.
The group's line-up has changed constantly over the years. Among those who have played with them are bassist Bob Daisley, drummers Dave Bidwell, Paul Hancox and Boris Williams, guitarist Dick Middleton and keyboard/accordion player Steve Jones. They have remained particularly popular throughout Europe. Mungo Jerry was the first western band who had live TV gigs, in all countries behind the Iron Curtain. Their famous "Golden Orpheus" gig in Bulgaria, also gave them a lot of new fans.
In 1980 another Dorset song, "Feels Like I'm in Love", originally written for Elvis Presley, and recorded by the band as a B side of a single, became a British number one hit for Kelly Marie. They remained successful with overseas hits like "On A Night Like This", "Knockin' On Heaven's Door" and "Sunshine Reggae" (British version by Mungo Jerry & Horizon). But Dorset had to wait until 1995 for a real comeback, when "In the Summertime" was recorded by reggae vocalist Shaggy, who topped the charts worldwide. The last UK chart entry for Mungo Jerry was "Toon Army", a song for Newcastle United F.C. in 1999.
In 1983 "Mungo Jerry" Ray Dorset was part of the blues supergroup Katmandu, which recorded A Case For The Blues, with guitarist Peter Green, formerly of Fleetwood Mac, and keyboard player Vincent Crane, formerly of Atomic Rooster and The Crazy World of Arthur Brown.
In 2003, with German musicians, Dorset recorded Adults Only album under the name Mungo Jerry Blues Band, widely acclaimed as one of the best of his career. 2005 saw him performing with three Mungo Jerry line-ups: The British Mungo Jerry Band (pop/rock), the German Mungo Jerry Blues Band (blues/rock) and Mungo Jerry & the Goodtime Gamblers (jug/blues/skiffle).
Also in June 2005, Ray Dorset had a gig again as a duo with Mike Cole - the original double bass player from the early Mungo days - as a highlight of the "35 Years Of Mungo Jerry" event in both Newcastle and Stoke.
In March 2006 Mungo Jerry released their new single "Mr Midnight" from Phantom of the Opera on Ice (http://www.plazarecords.co.uk); produced by Roberto Danova - who had mixed in the past the old continental Mungo Jerry hits "Lana" and "It's a Secret" - and is well-known for his work with rock and pop music, in combination with big orchestras.
Alright Alright Alright
Mungo Jerry Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
What's been wrong and what's been right,
Some say that and some say this,
Some say no and some say yes,
Alright, alright, alright,
Alright, alright, alright,
I don't know what's going on,
Too many head's and too many minds,
Too many wrongs and too many rights,
Alright, alright, alright,
Alright, alright, alright
I hear you talking, alright, alright, alright,
I hear you talking, alright, alright, alright
Alright, alright, alright, alright, alright,
Alright, alright, alright,
Alright, alright, alright, alright, alright,
Alright, alright, alright,
Oh, I've been thinking about my life,
What's been wrong and what's been right,
Some say that and some say this,
Some say no and some say yes,
Alright, alright, alright,
Alright, alright, alright,
I hear you talking, alright, alright, alright,
I hear you talking, alright, alright, alright
Alright, alright, alright, alright, alright,
Alright, alright, alright,
Alright, alright, alright, alright, alright,
Alright, alright, alright,
The song Alright Alright Alright by Mungo Jerry is a reflection on life, and the struggles one faces in trying to discern what is right and what is wrong. Throughout the song, the singer expresses confusion and frustration at the many different opinions and conflicting viewpoints of others. He knows that there are too many heads and too many minds, making it difficult to come to a definitive conclusion about what actions are right or wrong. Despite this, the refrain of "alright, alright, alright" is repeated, perhaps as a way to encourage himself to persevere despite the confusion.
The singer acknowledges that he has been thinking about his life and what has been wrong and right, trying to make sense of the complexities that surround him. He acknowledges that there are varied opinions on what is right and wrong, and that it is often difficult to know which path to take. However, he seems to find some comfort in the repetition of the refrain "alright, alright, alright," as if reminding himself that things will eventually work out and become clearer.
Overall, the song Alright Alright Alright by Mungo Jerry is an introspective exploration of the human experience, reflecting on the struggles we face in trying to understand what is right and wrong.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh, I've been thinking about my life,
I have been reflecting on my personal journey.
What's been wrong and what's been right,
The choices I've made and their outcomes.
Some say that and some say this,
Opinions and beliefs of different individuals.
Some say no and some say yes,
Contrasting responses and viewpoints.
Alright, alright, alright,
Acknowledging and accepting the conflicting perspectives.
I don't know what's going on,
Feeling uncertain and unaware.
But I know what's right from wrong,
Being aware of moral convictions.
Too many head's and too many minds,
A variety of thought processes and opinions.
Too many wrongs and too many rights,
An overwhelming number of right or wrong options.
I hear you talking, alright, alright, alright,
Acknowledging what other people have to say.
Alright, alright, alright, alright, alright,
Agreeing to disagree and moving on.
Oh, I've been thinking about my life,
Ruminating further on my past, present, and future.
What's been wrong and what's been right,
Retracing my steps and taking responsibility.
Some say that and some say this,
Different people offer varying feedback and suggestions.
Some say no and some say yes,
Different individuals tend to have opposing perspectives.
Alright, alright, alright,
Accepting and being content with varying viewpoints.
I hear you talking, alright, alright, alright,
Asking for input and listening to suggestions.
Alright, alright, alright, alright, alright,
Acknowledging feedback in a non-judgmental way.
Alright, alright, alright, alright, alright,
Still moving forward amidst differing beliefs and ideas.
Lyrics Β© Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: RAY DORSET
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@pinkfloydandsydbarretttour5569
I had totally forgotten about this incredible song. So glad to re-discover it.
@catherinebouville8714
moi aussi , contente de retrouver cet air
@richardwinn8941
This was a big big hit in 73 but rarely heard nowadays until this recent TV Advert where its brought to generations who,ve never heard it before and can appreciate what an absolutely great song it is.The genius of Ray Dorset and Mungo Jerry!!!
@mariechristinenerriec1986
Je crois que le chanteur jacques dutronc y est pour quelque chose ETMOI ET MOI ET MOI en 1966 π«π·π«π·π«π·π«π·π«π·
@MichCine1
Merci de le rappeler
@stopsthismadness9924
Mungo Jerry were a fabulous band. Ray Dorset looks amazing and he's 76 years of age. Love to watch them live.
@MichCine1
Cover of a French song from Jacques Dutronc long before
@janinapalmer8368
There's no more sheer talent like this anymore ...
@leehogg4624
There is but it doesn't get the appreciation these days.
@PatrickBaele
Jacques Dutronc