In the world of 1960’s Hammond organ grooves, the tune ‘No More Water In Th… Read Full Bio ↴In the world of 1960’s Hammond organ grooves, the tune ‘No More Water In The Well’ by Odell Brown and the Organizers looms large. Long a favorite of funk and soul collectors, that 45 is one of that groups best. However the group’s catalogue goes a lot deeper than that. Between 1966 and 1970 Odell Brown (with and without the Organizers) recorded a series of excellent albums for Chicago’s Cadet records. Along with some of Cadets best producers and arrangers (including the brilliant Richard Evans), Brown and his band laid down some of the most sophisticated and exciting soul jazz of the day.

Formed initially in 1961, when the members were students at Tennessee State A&M University, the group broke up (after Brown was drafted) and reformed in Chicago in 1966.

Featuring Odell Brown on organ, Artee ‘Duke’ Payne on tenor sax, alto sax and flute, Tommy Purvis on tenor sax, Curtis Prince on drums and Master Henry Gibson on congas (supplemented by numerous Chess/Cadet session players like Phil Upchurch), the group laid down three LP’s, and three 45’s (one non-LP), with Brown doing one solo album for Cadet after their dissolution.

Unlike many organ-led bands of the day, Brown and the Organizers stayed away from greasy, blues-based jams, working instead in a jazzier mode. This was in large part due to the playing of Payne, who added a sharp, Coltrane-influenced ‘inside/outside’ feel to his playing. One of the group’s trademarks is the unison playing of Payne and Purvis. In fact, the saxes are as important (sometimes more so) to the group’s sound than Brown’s organ.

This is not to say that Brown isn’t often the focus of their sound. In an era where many of the key organists had a gritty, heavy sound, Brown used a combination of stops to create a slightly smoother but no less exciting sound. He was also the Organizer’s main original composer, with Payne, Purvis and Prince making contributions as well.

Day Tripper
Odell Brown & The Organ-izers Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Got a good reason
For taking the easy way out
Got a good reason
For taking the easy way out now
She was a day tripper
One way ticket, yeah
It took me so long to find out
And I found out

She's a big teaser
She took me half the way there
She's a big teaser
She took me half the way there, now
She was a day tripper
One way ticket, yeah
It took me so long to find out
And I found out
Ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah

Tried to please her
She only played one night stand
Tried to please her
She only played one night stand, now
She was a day tripper
Sunday driver, yeah
It took me so long to find out
And I found out

Day tripper, day tripper, yeah

Day tripper, day tripper, yeah
Day tripper, day tripper, yeah

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Odell Brown & The Organ-izers's song Day Tripper describe a woman who is only interested in short-term, casual relationships. The singer initially believes he has a good reason for taking the easy way out and being with her, but eventually realizes that she is a big teaser who only takes him halfway there. He tries to please her but discovers that she is only interested in one-night stands. The title, "Day Tripper," refers to someone who takes a recreational trip or is only interested in a momentary fling.

Metaphorically speaking, the song can be interpreted as a commentary on the emptiness of casual relationships and the dangers of getting involved with people who are only interested in fleeting experiences. The singer's attempts to please the woman are fruitless because she is not interested in anything long-term or meaningful. The use of the term "day tripper" reinforces this theme, as it suggests someone who is only interested in superficial experiences and is not concerned with building a deep connection with another person.

Overall, the lyrics to Day Tripper offer a cautionary tale about the dangers of getting involved with casual partners and the importance of seeking out meaningful connections in life.

Line by Line Meaning

Got a good reason
I have a valid reason

For taking the easy way out
to opt for a simpler solution

Got a good reason
I had a solid purpose

For taking the easy way out now
to resolve the issue easily at this moment

She was a day tripper
She traveled only for a day

One way ticket, yeah
She had a single ticket

It took me so long to find out
I struggled for a while before discovering

And I found out
But finally uncovered the truth

She's a big teaser
She enjoys playing games

She took me half the way there
She got me almost to the destination

She was a day tripper
She traveled only for a day