The oldest of three sons born to Shirley Jones and Broadway entertainer/television star Jack Cassidy, he first found success as a teen idol, following in the footsteps of his elder half-brother, David Cassidy of TV's The Partridge Family. He went to Beverly Hills High School.
He released several successful singles in the late 1970s. His first single, "Morning Girl", a The Neon Philharmonic classic, didn't chart in the USA but did well in Europe.[citation needed] His second single, a cover version of The Crystals' "Da Doo Ron Ron", hit #1 in the United States in 1977, and he, like David, became a major teen idol. He achieved two further top ten singles with cover versions of Eric Carmen's "That's Rock 'N' Roll" and "Hey Deanie" in 1977 and his first three albums also sold well. Cassidy and his mother Shirley Jones of the Partridge Family are the only mother and son to each have a song reach number one on the Billboard Hot One Hundred Charts.[citation needed] Cassidy also achieved chart success and toured in Australia.
Cassidy starred opposite Parker Stevenson in the popular The Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew Mysteries television series, which ran for several seasons on ABC-TV, starting in 1977. In 1987, Cassidy joined the cast of the Daytime Soap Opera General Hospital for several months, playing the character of Dusty Walker from 1987–1988. He was first in a series of young, male, blond actors to appear on General Hospital, followed by Chris Aable in 1988 and Steve Burton in 1989. Cassidy made his Broadway debut in 1993 in a production of Blood Brothers alongside brother David Cassidy - the first time the two brothers had ever appeared together professionally. Along with Petula Clark who played the mother, this production was a major success and achieved great critical acclaim.
Among his credits as a TV producer were the creation of the short-lived Fox Television Network Action/Adventure series Roar, which starred the then-unknown Heath Ledger. Other writing and producing credits include Cold Case, The Agency, and the creation of American Gothic as well as the 2005 ABC series Invasion.
Cassidy has two children from his first marriage with model Ann Pennington, and one child from his second marriage, with actress Susan Diol. On August 28, 2004, Cassidy married a third time, to producer Tracey Turner, with whom he has two children.
Wasp
Shaun Cassidy Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ain′t I seen you hanging around the Nashville?
Didn't you used to be a packy back in the west end?
Is that right, is that right?
Well I see you been through so many changes
Heavy changes
I can′t say I'm hip to where you're coming from
I can′t say I hip to where you′re going
Well I see something's growing in the back of your mind
I give you the willies
You don′t like my kind
But I can sing like a jingle
Sting as bad as any
Hey, that you? Is that still you?
You're looking mighty new wave
I hardly recognize you with that shish kabob through your face
But that′s all right, yeah, that's all right
I guess you′re trying to make a statement
You been out on the street
Looking for somebody to carve on
Well you can ramble,
Just don't go carving on me
'Cause I don′t mind the fashion
I′ve lived with your mind
I dig on the passions
The rest is just crap
I can sing like a jingle
And sting as bad as any
Hey, don't I know you?
Ain′t I seen you before?
Yeah, you're the one doing a pyramid party
Down in Marina del Ray
With their spoon and friends
Still going through them changes
You got your pants full of money
And your nose in the air
You′re a record producer
I don't really care
′Cause I can sing like a jingle
Sting as bad as any
The song "Wasp" by Shaun Cassidy is a commentary on the changing music scene and the increasing prevalence of punk and new wave music in the 1970s. The lyrics describe a conversation between Cassidy and various people, including cowboys, record producers, and punk rockers, who all represent different facets of the music world. The song highlights Cassidy's frustration with being unable to relate to these different groups and their changing styles, but also his admiration for the passion and creativity that they bring to the industry.
The first verse refers to a cowboy who has gone through a lot of changes, possibly reflecting the changes in country music during that era. The second verse is directed at someone who has adopted the new wave style, with a "shish kabob through your face." Cassidy seems to view this as a statement rather than a genuine expression of style. The final verse refers to a record producer who is primarily concerned with money and status, which Cassidy appears to disregard.
Overall, "Wasp" is a reflection on the musical trends and changes of the era, with Cassidy expressing frustration at being caught between different styles and attitudes. However, he also recognizes the value of the passion and creativity that these changes bring to the industry.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey, hey cowboy, hey cowboy
Addressing someone who he used to know, presumably a cowboy
Ain't I seen you hanging around the Nashville?
Questioning the cowboy's recent whereabouts
Didn't you used to be a packy back in the west end?
Recalling the cowboy's previous occupation as a packy in the west end
Is that right, is that right?
Asking for confirmation on his previous statements
Well I see you been through so many changes
Observing the cowboy's many changes over time
Heavy changes
Stressing the significant nature of the cowboy's changes
I can't say I'm hip to where you're coming from
Admitting that he does not understand the cowboy's current perspective
I can't say I hip to where you're going
Expressing confusion about the cowboy's future direction
Well I see something's growing in the back of your mind
Suggesting that there is something troubling on the cowboy's mind that he has not shared
I give you the willies
Admitting to feeling unsettled by the cowboy's behavior
You don't like my kind
Noticing that the cowboy seems to be prejudiced against him
But I can sing like a jingle
Asserting his musical abilities, ability to be catchy and memorable
Sting as bad as any
Also asserting his ability to be harmful and hurtful
Hey, that you? Is that still you?
Noticing more changes in the cowboy's appearance and wondering if he is still himself
You're looking mighty new wave
Observing that the cowboy's appearance is reminiscent of the new wave fashion trend
I hardly recognize you with that shish kabob through your face
Commenting on the cowboy's facial piercing that is very new and unfamiliar to him
But that's all right, yeah, that's all right
Accepting the cowboy's new look and trying to be supportive
I guess you're trying to make a statement
Assuming that the cowboy's new appearance is an intentional statement of some kind
You been out on the street
Suggesting that the cowboy has been exploring and experimenting with his new appearance
Looking for somebody to carve on
Implying that the cowboy may be tempted to hurt or harm others with his new look
Well you can ramble,
Acknowledging that the cowboy is free to do as he pleases
Just don't go carving on me
Making it clear that the cowboy should not harm or hurt him
'Cause I don't mind the fashion
Stating that he is not bothered by the cowboy's new fashion choices
I've lived with your mind
Implying that he knows the cowboy well and has accepted him despite their differences
I dig on the passions
Appreciating the cowboy's interests and motivations
The rest is just crap
Dismissing any other aspects of the cowboy's persona that he finds unimportant
I can sing like a jingle
Reiterating his musical abilities, talent for catchy lyrics
And sting as bad as any
Also asserting his ability to be hurtful
Hey, don't I know you?
Suggesting that he recognizes the cowboy from somewhere else
Ain't I seen you before?
Asking the cowboy if they have met before
Yeah, you're the one doing a pyramid party
Remembering the cowboy from a party that involved pyramids
Down in Marina del Ray
Recalling that the party took place in Marina Del Rey
With their spoon and friends
Implying that the party was attended by wealthy and privileged people
Still going through them changes
Noticing that the cowboy is still changing as a person
You got your pants full of money
Commenting on the cowboy's wealth and success
And your nose in the air
Implying that the cowboy is arrogant and haughty
You're a record producer
Confirming the cowboy's profession as a record producer
I don't really care
Dismissing the cowboy's occupation as irrelevant to their relationship
'Cause I can sing like a jingle
Concluding the song by bringing back his musical talents
Sting as bad as any
Noting that he still has the ability to hurt others with his music
Writer(s): Todd Rundgren
Contributed by Alaina I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.