Like their name, the group's sound was of the psychedelic variety. They released singles on smaller labels, like Ganim Records and Verve Records, but those singles did not gain the band much recognition. However, Mercury Records signed the band to a record deal in late 1966 and the group's debut album, Psychedelic Lollipop was released shortly thereafter. It was one of the first records to contain the word "Psychedelic" on the sleeve (along with the 13th Floor Elevators' The Psychedelic Sounds of the 13th Floor Elevators).
The group's biggest song, "(We Ain't Got) Nothin' Yet" was released as a single in 1967, with "Gotta Get Away" as the b-side. The song hit number 5 on the US charts, although it did not fare nearly as well in the UK. The next single by the Blues Magoos, "There's A Chance We Can Make It," was only a minor hit, with its b-side "Pipe Dream" actually charting higher (though neither side hit the top 40). After one more minor chart single with "One By One," subsequent singles were largely ignored by record buyers. Neither of the two albums released after Psychedelic Lollipop, Electric Comic Book (1967) and Basic Blues Magoos (1968), had much success. By 1968, the band was discouraged and they split up.
The group's management had other plans. The band was signed to ABC Records, but most of the members did not go along with this plan. Only Castro agreed and started up a revamped Blues Magoos, with Eric Katz, Richie Dickon, John Leillo and Roger Eaton. In 1969, the band completed Never Goin' Back To Georgia, but that release did not attract public attention either. Eaton left the band, and the other Blues Magoos used session musicians for the follow up Gulf Coast Bound. It did poorly as well and though the Magoos struggled for another two years, they eventually parted ways. In 1981, Castro resurfaced with the group Balance.
The original group's output on CD is now complete. Repertoire has released their three albums in deluxe digi-packages with detailed liner notes. Each CD has bonus tracks which include mono versions of single releases, fan club exclusives, and obscure early recordings. Additionally, Collectibles still has the doubled-up "Lollipop/Comic Book" CD for sale and Mercury's "Kaliedoscopic Compendium" anthology is still available as well. The post-1969 group's output has not been released on CD to date.
After a stint with the rock musical Hair and recording with Mercury label mate Exuma (Tony McKay), Peppy Castro formed Barnaby Bye with fellow cast members Bobby and Billy Alessi. The group released two albums on Atlantic Records, Room to Grow (1972) and Touch (1973). In 1981, Castro resurfaced again with the group Balance whose song "Breaking Away" reached No. 22 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. In July 2008, the Blues Magoos with original members Ralph Scala, Castro and Geoff Daking reunited for the first time in years for two concerts, including one with The Zombies at the Fillmore New York at Irving Plaza in New York City. In December 2009 they traveled to Spain for the Purple Weekend festival.
In 2014, The Blues Magoos released their first new album in 43 years, titled Psychedelic Resurrection. The Blues Magoos toured in 2015.
Glória
The Blues Magoos Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Like to tell you 'bout my baby, you know she comes around
Just 'bout five feet four, a-from her head to the ground
You know she comes around here, just about midnight
She make me feel so good, Lord, she make me feel all right.
And her name is G-L-O-R-I
G-L-O-R-I-A (Gloria)
I'm gonna shout it all night (Gloria)
I'm gonna shout it every day (Gloria)
Yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah.
She comes around here, just about midnight
She make me feel so good, Lord, I wanna say she make me feel all right
Comes a-walkin' down my street, oh she comes up to my house
She knock upon my door and then she comes to my room
Yeah and she make me feel all right.
G-L-O-R-I-A (Gloria)
G-L-O-R-I-A (Gloria)
I'm gonna shout it all night (Gloria)
I'm gonna shout it every day (Gloria)
Yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah
Looks so good (Gloria)
All right, feel so good (Gloria)
All right, yeah now.
The Blues Magoos's song "Gloria" is a classic rock and roll song that was originally written and performed by Van Morrison and his band, Them. The song is a tribute to a woman named Gloria who makes the singer feel good and all right. The lyrics describe Gloria as being a short woman who comes around just about midnight, and who knocks on the singer's door and comes to his room. The song is a celebration of Gloria and her ability to make the singer feel good, which is reflected in the repetition of the word "Gloria" throughout the song.
On a deeper level, the song can be seen as a celebration of the simple pleasures of life, such as the joy of being with someone you love and who makes you feel good. The song is also an example of the power of music to bring people together and create a sense of community. The repetition of the word "Gloria" throughout the song serves to unify the listeners and create a feeling of shared experience, which is one of the hallmarks of rock and roll music.
Overall, "Gloria" is a classic rock and roll song that celebrates the joys of life and the power of music to bring people together. Its catchy melody and simple lyrics have made it a favorite of music fans for generations, and it continues to be a staple of classic rock radio to this day.
Line by Line Meaning
Like to tell you 'bout my baby, you know she comes around
I would like to talk to you about my girlfriend who frequently visits me.
Just 'bout five feet four, a-from her head to the ground
She is short, about 5 foot 4 inches in height from head to toe.
You know she comes around here, just about midnight
She usually comes to my place around midnight.
She make me feel so good, Lord, she make me feel all right.
She makes me feel happy and content.
And her name is G-L-O-R-I
Her name spells out the letters G-L-O-R-I.
G-L-O-R-I-A (Gloria)
This is her name, Gloria.
I'm gonna shout it all night (Gloria)
I am going to say her name loudly all throughout the night.
I'm gonna shout it every day (Gloria)
I am also going to say her name loudly every day.
She comes around here, just about midnight
Again, she usually comes to my place around midnight.
She make me feel so good, Lord, I wanna say she make me feel all right
She makes me feel happy and content and I really want to emphasize that.
Comes a-walkin' down my street, oh she comes up to my house
I see her walking down my street and then she comes to my house.
She knock upon my door and then she comes to my room
She knocks on my door and then comes into my room.
Looks so good (Gloria)
Gloria looks attractive and appealing.
All right, feel so good (Gloria)
Being around Gloria makes me feel happy and satisfied.
All right, yeah now.
Everything is going well and I am satisfied with my life at the moment.
Writer(s): van Morrison, George Ivan Morrison Copyright: Unichappell Music Inc., Bernice Music Inc., Carlin Music Corp., Piccadilly Music Corp.
Contributed by Maya R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@annbonny9649
the ABSOLUTE best version of gloria!!!!!!!!
@robertpaulson2842
2nd best after Them
@AngelTorres89
A true psychedelic masterpiece
@rpclark44
A real classic. Thanks for posting!
@WytZox1
Although Shadows Of Night (Chicago band) had top-40 hit with this song Blues Magoos version is soooo much better and perhaps ahead of their time! Wow! ☺
@-draftee
Saw the Shadows of Night play numerous times in the 70's in Aurora, IL nightclubs. They sometimes did 15-20 min versions of Gloria that IMO were better than this version, although I do like this and most of the other covers of this fun song. Check out Van Morrison doing Gloria on the Jools Holland show.
@garymullen3123
Awsum, also check out "the belles - Melvin" an all girl garage 60s band with there own take on it
@robertpaulson2842
lmao, only 3k views on a song this great. The world is fucked.