Sam Gopal (aka Sam Gopal's Dream) was an underground British psychedelic ro… Read Full Bio ↴Sam Gopal (aka Sam Gopal's Dream) was an underground British psychedelic rock band named after its founder and tabla player, Sam Gopal (born in Malaysia). The varying line-up featured many musicians, including, at one time, Lemmy.

The first line-up was Sam Gopal on tabla, Mick Hutchinson on guitar, Pete Sears (ex-Les Fleur de Lys) on bass guitar and keys, and later towards the end, Andy Clark on organ and vocals. On 28 April 1967, the band performed at The 14 Hour Technicolor Dream, a UK Underground event organised by the International Times at Alexandra Palace. Other performing bands included Pink Floyd, The Pretty Things, Savoy Brown, The Crazy World of Arthur Brown, Soft Machine and The Move. The band (then called Sam Gopal's Dream) played at the UFO Club (their first headline show), The Electric Garden in Covent Garden (later to become Middle Earth), The Roundhouse, and Happening 44. They later played the Christmas on Earth Show at Olympia in London with Traffic, Jimi Hendrix and Pink Floyd. Jimi Hendrix later sat in with them at London's Speakeasy Club. At some point in 1967 the band recorded a few tracks for Screen Gems with Gus Dudgeon as engineer.

Andy Clark later joined on organ and keyboards and they soon changed their name to Vamp with the addition of Viv Prince on drums, and released a single called, "Floatin", on Atlantic. After the original band broke up in 1968, Sears went on to session work and formed his own band Giant, while Hutchinson and Clark recorded three albums as Clark-Hutchinson.

Gopal formed a new line-up with vocalist-guitarist 'Ian Willis' (better known as Lemmy), Roger D'Elia and Phil Duke. The album "Escalator" was recorded in late 1968 and released in March 1969. Managed by Robert Stigwood, the band released a single "Horse" / "Back Door Man". Lemmy went on to be the bassist of Hawkwind and, in 1975, the founder, singer and bassist of Motörhead. Roger D’Elia (the grandson of the actress Mary Clare) later turned up in a mid-1970s band called Glider, which included Twink (ex-Pink Fairies), Andy Colquhoun and Chas McKay. A further line-up of the band featured Alan Mark, Mox Gowland, Mickey Waller (also known as Mickey Finn) and Freddie Gandy (ex-Pink Fairies).

In 1969 a new line-up with Alan Mark (vocals), Mox Gowland (harmonica & flutes), Micky Finn Waller (guitar), and Freddie Gandy (bass) recorded a few tracks for Stable including "Somebody stole the Sun".

Following this, Gopal spent some time in Amsterdam and changed the name of the band from to "Cosmosis". Managed by R.Cole/Peter Grant, and brought in Bernie Holland (guitar). Recorded a few tracks for the Led Zep people. Around this time in '71, Gopal had a bad motor accident and sidelined for a couple of years. During this period, recorded an album "Building B".

In 1976 went to Paris, and there recorded for Radio France "Feedback" and "Backfeed" with Didier Malherbe (sax) and Patrice Lemoine (piano).

From 1981 to 1988, Gopal spent time in Nepal where he had been studying Tablas the previous years, and to continue further, and also allowing his own music to come through.

In 1988, Gopal moved to Berlin and started in 1989 his next "one off" band "SANGIT" with a live recording at the Berlin/Philharmonie /Kammermusiksaal. "SANGIT" recorded the soundtrack for "The Great Moghuls", six documentary films for Channel Four.

In 1990 Gopal recorded an album "Soap Opera" with Andy Clark (Keyboards & vocals) in Berlin. In 1991, he recorded the next album "Not For Sale" (working title) with Andy Clark (Keyboards & vocals) and studio musicians, also in Berlin.

In the 90s Gopal extended his music into the 12-tone Tabla direction.

Gopal self-released another album Father Mucker in 1999 (GPS CD 001, Munchen, Germany). Songs from that album were recorded in 1990 (many with Andy Clark) but not mixed and overdubbed until 1999, in which year he recorded one more song for the album. There are as many as six albums recorded with professional musicians and mastered that remain unreleased.

Other recordings:

In 1980 recorded in Olympic Studios London, few tracks including "Sell out Joe" (Vocals), "Falling In" and "Showdown".

In 1989 recorded an album "Largo" in Zurich.

In 1992, a Live Recording of Sam Gopal's one-off Band "Brain Tonic", also called Brain Tonic.

In 1993, recorded an album "Blind Man's Movie" in Munich.

Back Door Man
Sam Gopal Lyrics

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I am a back door man i am a back door man
Yeah, I'm a back door man
Yeah, men don't know
But the little girls understand

Come and eat your dinner
Eat your pork and beans
I ain't gonna chicken any man ever seen

Yeah

Yeah, I'm a back door man
Yeah, men don't know
But the little girls understand

When everybody's tryin' to sleep
I'm out there making with midnight dream
Yeah you know it baby, I'm a back door man
Yeah, men don't know
But the little girls understand

Alright well, I'm a back door men

Yeah, I'm a back door man
Oh yeah, I'm a back door man

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Sam Gopal's song "Back Door Man" depict the persona of a rebellious and mysterious character who refers to himself as a back door man. The repetition of the line "I am a back door man" highlights his confidence and pride in his unconventional lifestyle. The term "back door man" suggests a person who sneaks in through the back door, symbolizing his secretive and illicit activities.

The lyrics convey a sense of sexual prowess and freedom. The line "men don't know, but the little girls understand" implies that while society may judge or misunderstand him, women are drawn to his allure and comprehend his true nature. This highlights a power dynamic where he is able to captivate and satisfy women, even though this may go against societal norms.

The verses also include references to indulgence and rebellion. The line "Come and eat your dinner, eat your pork and beans, I ain't gonna chicken any man ever seen" suggests his refusal to conform to traditional expectations and his willingness to challenge societal conventions.

Overall, the lyrics of "Back Door Man" depict a charismatic and enigmatic character who embraces his unconventional lifestyle, champions sexual freedom, and defies societal expectations.

Line by Line Meaning

I am a back door man i am a back door man
I am a person who engages in secretive, illicit activities

Yeah, I'm a back door man
Yes, indeed, I am a clandestine individual

Yeah, men don't know
Indeed, most men are unaware of my true nature

But the little girls understand
However, young women comprehend and embrace my intentions

Come and eat your dinner
Join me for a forbidden rendezvous

Eat your pork and beans
Indulge in pleasurable and sensual activities

I ain't gonna chicken any man ever seen
I am not going to shy away from any challenge

Yeah
Indeed

When everybody's tryin' to sleep
During the time when everyone is resting

I'm out there making with midnight dream
I am actively pursuing exciting and forbidden experiences

Yeah you know it baby, I'm a back door man
You are aware of it, my dear, that I am a secretive individual