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.
Sometimes I Think About
The Blues Magoos Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
That 12 mile road that I used to roam.
Sometimes I think about that girl named Willie Jean
Wondering if she made it down to New Orleans.
Whenever I think about the folks back there
You know I wonder if they still have that old county fair.
Sometimes I think about that girl named Willie Jean
We used to watch riverboats from a grassy bank
Drinking hot water from a railroad filling tank.
Sometimes I think about that girl named Willie Jean
Wondering if she made it down to New Orleans.
The folk back there say why you come to harm
Now here I am sitting here on this county farm.
Sometimes I think about that girl named Willie Jean
Wondering if she made it down to New Orleans.
Oh, Willie Jean, Willie Jean would you come back to me
Here I am sitting here on this county farm.
Oh, Willie Jean, Willie Jean would you come back
Come on help me now.
The Blues Magoos's song Sometimes I Think About is all about reminiscing on things from the past. It begins with the singer thinking about old folks back home while reflecting on the 12 mile road they used to roam. The nostalgia is portrayed through the lyrics, as the singer wonders if the old county fair and the riverboats from a grassy bank still exist. The lyrics suggest that the singer is now on a county farm alone, thinking about a girl named Willie Jean, whom he also wonders has managed to make it down to New Orleans. The chorus of the song repeats the name of the girl, which highlights the singer's longing for her to return to him.
The second verse of the song is similar to the first, with the singer reminiscing about the past and the people they knew. The lyrics portray his feelings of loneliness and isolation as he is sitting alone on the county farm. The song's overall theme is about looking back on the past and realizing how much has changed since then. The singer misses the people and places of his past, wondering if they are still there, but also seemingly stuck in his present situation.
Line by Line Meaning
Sometimes I think about old folks back home
Occasionally, I recollect memories of the elderly residents from my hometown.
That 12 mile road that I used to roam.
I nostalgically recall venturing on the road that extended 12 miles from our hometown.
Whenever I think about the folks back there
Every time my thoughts sway towards the people from our hometown.
You know I wonder if they still have that old county fair.
I am curious about whether the old county fair is still held by them.
We used to watch riverboats from a grassy bank
In the past, we would sit on the grass by the riverbank to observe riverboats passing by.
Drinking hot water from a railroad filling tank.
We would quench our thirst by consuming hot water from the filling tank of a railroad.
The folk back there say why you come to harm
The residents of our hometown ask me the reason for my unfortunate encounter.
Now here I am sitting here on this county farm.
Currently, I am dwelling on this farm in the county.
Oh, Willie Jean, Willie Jean would you come back to me
I am pleading Willie Jean to return to me.
Here I am sitting here on this county farm.
I am situated on this county farm as of now.
Oh, Willie Jean, Willie Jean would you come back.
I am requesting Willie Jean to come back to me.
Come on help me now.
I am asking for assistance in my plight to bring Willie Jean back to me.
Lyrics © Royalty Network
Written by: ESPOSITO, GILBERT, SCALA, THEILHELM, Emil Thielhelm, Michael Esposito, Ronald Gilbert, Ralph Lynn Scala
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
eoj2495
The whole album is fantastic. More bluesy than psychedelic I think....
Dennis Pierson
I agree. It is one of my favorite albums.
Gamers against Lean Alberta 2007
Blues,RnB,and Country I would guess with maybe a little Pop somewhere in there too. You can definitely still hear the psychedelic influence in the picking and use of melody.
Andrew Emmons
38 years old and just discovering this band. This song is amazing!
detroitbob58
LOVE the Hammond B-3 organ!! Remember seeing local bands load into a club, and if they brought in a B-3, you knew you were going to see some good music!! Ah, the good ole 60's, they were the music of my life!!
Memphis Mick
It's probably a Vox Continental or Super Continental organ. It has that sound.
Bob Walker
I played bass and sang this song in a local band when it came out. Thanks for the memories
resistor 27 rutter
This is a great song.
Playback007able
diggin the Magoos raw garage, psych, rock style and textures that are not overproduced, and allow the artists' vibe and emotions to transmit so freely...coincidentally played a cut off this Slab for a buddyamine last night during our music appreciation meeting. Anyway, luv how the lyrics paint a Midwest landscape of first love born out of a comradre of boring discontent that resolves for a brief moment in mutual self medicating therapy, only to fade away and be lost. Married nicely to a blue melody with that sort of horse driven gait of syncopated percussion rhythm, the sonic image is one of restlessness. The B.M. deserve greater recognition, as do so many other acts of their era.
mercurialmagictrees
Playback007able yeah certainly , I'm happy to have stumbled upon this band