The original members of the group were Gary Loizzo on vocals, Charles Colbert, Jr. on bass guitar, Al Ciner on guitar, and Lee Graziano on drums. All members were from the greater Chicago area. As "Gary & The Nite Lites", they were somewhat successful in Chicago and put out one single. Soon afterwards, the group underwent several changes. They moved to the Acta record label and renamed themselves The American Breed. Two new members were also added by 1968: Kevin Murphy on keyboards and Andre Fischer on drums.
The band enjoyed its greatest success in 1967 and 1968. They put five singles on the charts, including "Step Out Of Your Mind", "Green Light" and "Bend Me, Shape Me". The group disbanded the following year, and Fischer went on to form Rufus (with Chaka Khan). He later married Natalie Cole. A compilation album, Bend Me, Shape Me: The Best of the American Breed, was released in 1994. "Bend Me, Shape Me" continues to receive occasional airplay on oldies radio stations.
In celebration of the 2005 baseball World Championship of the Chicago White Sox, the American Breed issued a CD single entitled "Rock with the Sox." The single was produced by Gary Loizzo.
Green Light
The American Breed Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
In your sheltered world like an antique doll
You always took and never learned to give
Don't you know that ain't no way to live
Give me the green light, come on baby
Turn on the green light, let's go baby
How can I break down your resistance
Give me the green light, come on baby
Turn on the green light, let's go baby
The basic facts of life have been denied
You buried your emotions deep inside
Don't keep running in the wrong direction
Come on baby, give me some affection
Give me the green light, come on baby
Turn on the green light, let's go baby
How can I break down your resistance
When you keep me at a distance
Give me the green light, come on baby
Turn on the green light, let's go baby
Give me the green light, come on baby
Turn on the green light, let's go baby
Give me the green light, come on baby
Turn on the green light, let's go baby
The American Breed's song Green Light speaks to the idea of walls and resistance in a relationship. The lyrics address the idea that the person they are singing to has built a wall and kept their emotions buried inside, making it difficult for the singer to connect with them on a deeper level. The opening lines, "When you were just a child you built a wall, In your sheltered world like an antique doll," suggest that this person may have experienced hurt or trauma in their childhood which has caused them to put up walls and resist opening up to others.
The chorus of the song, "Give me the green light, come on baby, Turn on the green light, let's go baby," gives the impression that the singer is ready and willing to move forward and take their relationship to the next level, but the other person's resistance is holding them back. They address their partner's reticence head-on, stating, "How can I break down your resistance, When you keep me at a distance." This line highlights the frustration the singer feels in trying to connect with their partner, but also shows a willingness to try and overcome the obstacles to having a deep and meaningful relationship.
Overall, the lyrics of Green Light convey a sense of impatience and frustration with a partner who is unwilling or unable to open up and let the singer in. Having observed their partner's tendency to keep themselves locked away emotionally, the singer is asking for a chance to break down the walls and build a more transparent and honest relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
When you were just a child you built a wall
As a child, you created emotional barriers that still persist
In your sheltered world like an antique doll
You lived a protected, isolated experience like an old toy
You always took and never learned to give
You've been selfish and haven't developed a spirit of generosity
Don't you know that ain't no way to live
Living with only self-interest isn't sustainable or fulfilling
Give me the green light, come on baby
Please allow us to move forward with our relationship
Turn on the green light, let's go baby
Let's progress without any further delay
How can I break down your resistance
I'm struggling to overcome your emotional barriers
When you keep me at a distance
Your reluctance to be close prevents our relationship from growing
The basic facts of life have been denied
You've lacked important life experiences
You buried your emotions deep inside
You've suppressed your feelings and hidden them away
Don't keep running in the wrong direction
Don't continue making poor choices
Come on baby, give me some affection
Show me some love and affection
Give me the green light, come on baby
Please allow us to move forward with our relationship
Turn on the green light, let's go baby
Let's progress without any further delay
Give me the green light, come on baby
Please allow us to move forward with our relationship
Turn on the green light, let's go baby
Let's progress without any further delay
Give me the green light, come on baby
Please allow us to move forward with our relationship
Turn on the green light, let's go baby
Let's progress without any further delay
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Kenneth Coby, Ronnie Tucker, Maurice Simmonds, Willie Hutch, Kourtney Lucas
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind