Originally from Nottingham in the UK, this band of virtuoso musicians under the leadership of Alvin Lee conquered the UK scene and then spread their wings to the USA. Their blend of jazz, blues and rock was initially slightly awkward but their first album provided an opening for them. In October, their 1967 self-titled debut album was released.
In 1968, after touring Scandinavia and the United States, Ten Years After released their second album, live Undead, which brought their first classic, "I'm Going Home." This was followed in February 1969 by studio issue, Stonedhenge, a British hit, that included another classic, "Hear Me Calling" (it was released also as a single, and covered in 1972 by British glam rock rising stars, Slade). In July 1969 they appeared at the Newport Jazz Festival, in the first event to which rock bands were invited. In August, the band performed a breakthrough American appearance at Woodstock; their furious-to-soft-to-furious rendition of "I'm Going Home" featuring Alvin Lee as the lead singer was featured in both the subsequent film and soundtrack album and catapulted them to star status.
During 1970, Ten Years After released "Love Like a Man", their only hit in the UK Singles Chart. This song was on their fifth album, Cricklewood Green. The name of the album comes from a friend of the group who lived in Cricklewood, London. He grew a sort of plant which was said to have hallucinogenic effects. The band did not know the name of this plant, so they called their album Cricklewood Green. It was the first record to be issued with a different playing speed on each side – one a three-minute edit at 45rpm, the other, a nine-minute live version at 33rpm. In August, Ten Years After played the Isle of Wight Festival 1970 to an audience of 600,000.
In 1971, the band released the album A Space in Time which marked a move toward more commercial material. It featured their biggest hit, "I'd Love To Change The World". But a few albums later, the band broke up after the 1974 album Positive Vibrations. They re-united in 1983 to play the Reading Festival and this performance was later released on CD as The Friday Rock Show Sessions - Live At Reading '83. In 1988, they re-united for a few concerts and recorded the album About Time (1989). Finally, in 1994, they participated in the Eurowoodstock festival in Budapest.
Alvin Lee has since then mostly played and recorded under his own name. In 2003, the other band members replaced him with Joe Gooch and recorded the album Now. Material from the following tour was used for the 2005 double album Roadworks.
Lee died on March 6, 2013. According to his website, he died from "unforeseen complications following a routine surgical procedure."[2][3][4] He was 68. His former bandmates lamented his death, Leo Lyons called him "the closest thing I had to a brother", while Ric Lee (no relation) said "I don't think its even sunk in yet as to the reality of his passing." Billboard Magazine wrote of his passing, highlighting such landmark performances as "I'm Going Home" from the Woodstock festival and his 1974 hit single "I'd Love to Change the World."[5]
Band members:
Alvin Lee – guitar, vocals
Leo Lyons – bass
Chick Churchill – keyboards
Ric Lee – drums
Joe Gooch – guitar, vocals (joined in 2003)
You can also see Alvin Lee and / or Alvin Lee & Ten Years After and / or Alvin Lee & Co and / or The Alvin Lee Band on Last.fm.
Going Back To Birmingham
Ten Years After Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Way down in Alabama
Goin' back to Birmingham
Way down in Alabama
Gonna do some boppin'
In that rock and rollin' town
Hey, hey, hey, hey
Hey, now, now, now, now
Hey, yeah
Come on baby, come down the road
Sit bye, bye, bye
Bye, bye, baby, bye, bye
So long, I said, baby, so long
Come on baby, won't do you no wrong
Hey, hey, hey, hey
Hey, little baby
Now, now, now, now, now, now
Hey, yeah
Come on baby, come on down with me
Boom, boom, boom, boom
I said baby, boom, boom
Yeah, with my baby, yeah, yeah
Come on baby, come on down the road
Goin' back to Birmingham
Way down in Alabama
Goin' back to Birmingham
Way down in Alabama
Gonna do some boppin'
In a rock and rollin' band
Ten Years After's song "Goin' Back to Birmingham" is an upbeat, rock and roll tune that transports the listener to the lively musical scene of Birmingham, Alabama. The title itself hints at the theme of the song, which is about the singer's excitement and anticipation to return to Alabama and indulge in the music and culture that Birmingham has to offer.
The opening two lines of the song "Goin' back to Birmingham, way down in Alabama" set the tone for the rest of the lyrics. The repetition of "way down in Alabama" emphasizes the distance he's traveled to get there, and implies that this is a place he has been before. The singer's intention is to "do some boppin' in that rock and rollin' town," indicating the excitement he has for the music scene there.
As the song progresses, the singer's excitement becomes more and more palpable. He talks about how his baby should come with him and how they would "sit bye, bye, bye" in a fun and cool manner. The chorus, "Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey little baby, hey now now now now, hey yeah, come on baby, come down the road" is the singer's invitation to his baby to join him in Birmingham. He wants them to experience everything together, and the repetition of "hey" is reflective of his enthusiasm.
In summary, the song is about the singer's love for the rock and roll scene in Birmingham, Alabama. Through his exhilarating lyrics, we get transported to a time where music was all about boppin', dancing, and having a good time.
Line by Line Meaning
Goin' back to Birmingham
Returning to Birmingham, Alabama.
Way down in Alabama
Birmingham is located in the southern state of Alabama.
Gonna do some boppin'
Going to dance to the rhythm of rock and roll music.
In that rock and rollin' town
Birmingham is known for its lively rock and roll music scene.
Hey, hey, hey, hey
A common exclamation used to get someone's attention or indicate excitement.
Hey, little baby
A term of endearment for a sweetheart or significant other.
Hey, now, now, now, now
An emphatic way of calling someone's attention or urging them to take action.
Hey, yeah
An expression of agreement, approval or excitement.
Come on baby, come down the road
Inviting someone to join in on the journey to Birmingham.
Sit bye, bye, bye
Saying farewell, wishing someone a good journey.
Bye, bye, baby, bye, bye
A more affectionate way of saying goodbye to a loved one or significant other.
So long, I said, baby, so long
Expressing the final goodbye, acknowledging the end of a relationship or journey.
Come on baby, won't do you no wrong
Reassuring the significant other that the journey will be enjoyable and worthwhile.
Boom, boom, boom, boom
The rhythmic sound of the drums and a metaphor for the energy of rock and roll music.
I said baby, boom, boom
Repeating the earlier line to emphasize the music's energy and excitement.
Yeah, with my baby, yeah, yeah
Expressing the singer's excitement to enjoy the rock and roll music with their significant other.
Come on baby, come on down the road
Repeating the invitation for the significant other to join in on the journey to Birmingham.
Gonna do some boppin'
Repeating the earlier line to emphasize the focus on dancing and enjoying the music in Birmingham.
In a rock and rollin' band
Joining in with a band to dance and enjoy the rock and roll music scene in Birmingham.
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind