The band's initial line up was as below, although there would be line up changes for the band by the time they came to work on their 3rd album, the first two members listed were a constant throughout the life time of the band.
* Steve Gould (vocals/saxophone/bass)
* Dave Kaffinetti (keyboards)
* Graham Field (organ)
* Mark Ashton (drums)
The band split up in the mid 1970s.
Diamonds
Rare Bird Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Some of us are dreaming, of digging up some gold
Some of us wanting, much more than we're getting
Taking while the luck is running through
You got a crooked hand and I'm calling you
You had it planned and now it's fallen through
So why don't you
They take it while they can
X2
They take the money while they can mister
Take it when we can I'll deal another hand
X2
You know it's up to you, so what you gonna do?
Bring it on out
Looking for good times, gold mines, a life of ease
Setting it all up, the joke is on the line
Oh winning the game tonight, my friend, is all you need
But I ain't gonna leave the table until the money's mine
You got a crooked hand and I'm calling you
You had it planned and now it's fallen through
So why don't you
They take the money while they can mister
They take the money while they can mister
They take the money while they can mister
Take it when we can I'll deal another hand
Woah oh!
They take it while they can
X3
They take the money while they can mister
Take it when we can I'll deal another hand
Take it while you can, take it while you can
X4
Rare Bird's song "Diamonds" is a commentary on human greed and the desire to accumulate material wealth. The opening lines describe a dichotomy between those who have already acquired riches and those who aspire to acquire it. The use of the metaphor of diamonds suggests that the song is not necessarily about the pursuit of wealth itself, but instead about the pursuit of something that other people covet. The line "some of us are dreaming, of digging up some gold" sets up this idea of the appeal of acquiring something that is difficult to obtain or that is valued by others.
Throughout the song, the singer seems to be critiquing those who are willing to do whatever it takes to accumulate wealth, even if it means being dishonest or unethical. The lines "Taking while the luck is running through/You got a crooked hand and I'm calling you" suggest a sense of gamesmanship, as if the acquisition of wealth is a high-stakes card game. However, the singer seems to be implying that there is something unsavory about those who are willing to cheat in order to win.
The chorus of the song repeats the idea that those who are successful in accumulating wealth are those who are willing to "take it while they can." The repeated line "they take the money while they can mister" almost sounds like a taunt or a threat, as if the singer is warning someone that their ill-gotten gains will not last forever.
Overall, Rare Bird's "Diamonds" is a song that critiques the idea of wealth as the ultimate goal in life. While the lyrics suggest that it is natural to aspire to have a certain level of material comfort, the song also implies that there is something hollow and ultimately unsatisfying about the pursuit of wealth at any cost.
Line by Line Meaning
Some of us are dealing, dealing in diamonds
There are some people among us who deal with high-value diamonds for a living.
Some of us are dreaming, of digging up some gold
Some people dream of finding a large deposit of gold and becoming rich overnight.
Some of us wanting, much more than we're getting
There are individuals who aspire to have more than what they currently have in terms of wealth or material possessions.
Taking while the luck is running through
Some people seize the opportunity to make money when they have the chance, as luck may not always be on their side.
You got a crooked hand and I'm calling you
Addressing someone with a dishonest or unfair strategy, and challenging them in their approach to acquire wealth.
You had it planned and now it's fallen through
Condemning an individual who had a cunning plan to cheat their way to riches, which has now failed.
They take it while they can
Highlighting the ways some people grab every opportunity they find to accumulate wealth.
Take it when we can I'll deal another hand
Advocating that, when an opportunity arises for financial gain, another opportunity will soon appear, and one can keep pursuing one's financial ambitions.
Looking for good times, gold mines, a life of ease
Expressing the desire for a life of luxury and comfort, living a life of ease without hardship, and finding a place where fortune will find you.
Oh winning the game tonight, my friend, is all you need
Stressing that winning the current battle over financial gains is essential and that should be the primary focus.
But I ain't gonna leave the table until the money's mine
Emphasizing the importance of never giving up when it comes to financial rewards and gaining wealth, and that one will not stop until the prize is gained.
Take it while you can, take it while you can
Encouraging taking financial opportunities while they are available, and profiting as much as possible from money-making activities.
Contributed by Isaiah W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Rupertthecat
The first album i bought over 50 years ago! Still sounds good to me.
Grover Baker
Rare Bird is a most criminally underrated band!! Every lp a dandy..those first two are absolute musts for any prog fan! Killer stuff..this 2nd lp is phenomenal!!!
Unclemoparman
Underrated quotes are overrated
Gonzo Tigerfish
underrated by whom? can you point them out? Almost all the review of this give it top marks
Grover Baker
@Gonzo Tigerfish I'm 70 years old..I've followed rock music since 1962..owned 2 record stores and sold hundreds of thousands of lps..I promoted this band since the 1st lp..you don't understand what I said..I'll say it again..they were criminally underrated by the mass market..duh
Bob Holtzmann
@Grover Baker I know what you mean - Rare Bird did get some minimal recognition in the 70s with hits like "Sympathy" and "Peace of Mind", but not much wide radio airplay beyond that. But I was fortunate to have a couple of FM radio stations that played a wider array of their songs, like "Beautiful Scarlet" and "Epic Forest".
Lost Cat9Lives
If mindless electronic keyboard noodling and trite lyrics is "criminally underrated" than yes. Not to be confused with the band "Yes". If you took Yes and removed the talent you would have something birdbrained like Rare Bird.
Herbert Hofmann
As your mind flies is an absolutly MASTERPIECE!!!!
valf ter1
I agri.
horst baur
Rare Bird special memories. Did not know about this album. All I got is Somebody's Watching and Epic Forest. Always liked this band. Thank you for sharing this.