The band originally consisted of Ed King (lead guitar), Mark Weitz (keyboards), Lee Freeman (rhythm guitar), Gary Lovetro (bass), and Randy Seol (drums). On their first and most famous single, Incense and Peppermints, lead vocals were sung by Greg Munford, a 16-year-old friend of the band.
Strawberry Alarm Clock's song reached #1 on the Billboard pop singles chart in late 1967, and it has since been included in many mutli-artist collections and also appeared in many films as an iconic tune of the swinging sixties. After that success, the band added George Bunnell (bass and rhythm guitar) before making their first LP in 1967, also titled Incense and Peppermints. Bunnell would also become their main songwriter.
Membership changes were many. which sadly foretold the band's falling fortunes. Gary Lovetro left the band before their second album, Wake Up It's Tomorrow, which was also released in 1967. Their single from that album, Tomorrow, was a minor hit and their only other top 40 appearance, reaching #23 in early 1968. Although the group followed up with more LPs in 1968 (The World in a Seashell) and 1969 (Good Morning Starshine), Strawberry Alarm Clock had begun to fall apart and their audience was mostly gone The group managed to keep performing in various forms until 1971, when Strawberry Alarm Clock finally broke up.
Strawberry Alarm Clock as a band has made two notable appearances in films, first in the 1968 Jack Nicholson movie Psych-Out, where they played several songs including Incense and Peppermints, Rainy Day Mushroom Pillow, and The Pretty Song from Psych-Out. They second' appeared in the 1970 Russ Meyer camp classic Beyond the Valley of the Dolls.
Ed King went on to join Lynyrd Skynyrd. Several members of Strawberry Alarm Clock reunited in the 80s to perform on oldies concert tours as well. Still, no additional albums came of that.
The original band lineup reunited one last time to perform an approximately one-hour set at the Virginia Theatre in Champaign, IL, on April 29, 2007. The event was part of the last day of film critic Roger Ebert's ninth annual Overlooked Film Festival and was preceded by a screening of Beyond the Valley of the Dolls. Despite being unable to speak due to recent surgery, Ebert made prepared remarks with the use of a device given to him by a U of I professor.
Barefoot In Baltimore
Strawberry Alarm Clock Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Heel and toe with you
Summer turns the stove on
And fun begins to cook
Barefoot walks in Baltimore
With empty pocketbook
Don't step on the cracks
Old folks try to catch their breath
As children catch their jacks
Barefoot in Baltimore
Heel and toe with you
Baltimore is music
Dancing in the street
Half chewed dubble bubble
Tugging at our feet
Melted tar in crosswalks
Crab shells in the park
Pavement frying our poor toes
Until long after dark
Barefoot in Baltimore
Heel and toe with you
When night comes we can go walking
On the shores of Chesapeake Bay
A silence tailored for talking
And a love with so much to say
Barefoot in Baltimore
Heel and toe with you
The song "Barefoot in Baltimore" by Strawberry Alarm Clock is a nostalgic ode to the city of Baltimore during summertime. The singer is walking barefoot with a partner, enjoying the heat of the pavement and the sounds of the city. The lyrics describe the unique sensory experiences of summer in Baltimore, such as the sizzling sidewalks, half-chewed dubble bubble, and the smell of melted tar. The song also references the Chesapeake Bay, a popular destination for nighttime walks and romantic conversations.
Beyond its nostalgic appeal, the song may also be a critique of societal expectations around material wealth. The singer walks barefoot with an "empty pocketbook," suggesting a rejection of consumer culture and a desire for a simpler, more experiential life.
Overall, "Barefoot in Baltimore" is an upbeat and catchy celebration of summer and youthful abandon.
Line by Line Meaning
Barefoot in Baltimore
Enjoying the summertime atmosphere and culture of Baltimore while barefoot.
Heel and toe with you
Walking hand in hand together enjoying the city.
Summer turns the stove on
As the summer season begins, the excitement and activity in the city begin as well.
And fun begins to cook
The energetic and lively atmosphere of Baltimore in the summertime intensifies.
Barefoot walks in Baltimore
The artist is enjoying the city, walking around barefoot and carefree.
With empty pocketbook
Despite not having much money or material possessions, the singer is still able to enjoy the city.
Laugh at sizzling sidewalks
Finding humor in the hot pavement and summer heat.
Don't step on the cracks
Playfully avoiding stepping on the lines of the pavement.
Old folks try to catch their breath
The heat and fast pace of the city can be tiring for some elderly residents.
As children catch their jacks
Children are playing and enjoying their summer by playing with toy jacks on the pavement.
Baltimore is music
The city of Baltimore itself is full of music and rhythm.
Dancing in the street
The vibrant, lively nature of Baltimore is infectious, making individuals feel like dancing in the streets.
Half chewed dubble bubble
The pavement is covered with pieces of chewed bubblegum.
Tugging at our feet
The sticky, melted bubblegum is causing the characters to navigate carefully through the city.
Melted tar in crosswalks
The high temperatures are causing the street tar to melt and stick to shoes.
Crab shells in the park
Baltimore's famous seafood is an important part of the city's culture, with crab shells littering the parks.
Pavement frying our poor toes
The heat is so intense that it is actually burning the characters' bare feet.
Until long after dark
The heat and energy of the city continue well into the night.
When night comes we can go walking
Nighttime in Baltimore is just as enjoyable and fun as the daytime.
On the shores of Chesapeake Bay
The characters can walk along the scenic Chesapeake Bay and continue their explorations there.
A silence tailored for talking
The calm, peaceful atmosphere of the Bay provides a perfect setting for quality conversation.
And a love with so much to say
The characters in the song are enjoying each other's company and have a deep connection, with much to say to each other.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Ed King, Mark Weitz, Roy Freeman
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind