Seger started his musical career in the 1960s in his native Ann Arbor, Michigan, soon after playing in and around Detroit as a singer and as the leader of Bob Seger and the Last Heard, and then later the Bob Seger System.
In 1968, Bob Seger signed with major label Capitol Records and formed The Bob Seger System. This group was essentially a Michigan proto-punk band not unlike the SRC or The Frost. Their first single was the anti-war message song "2+2=?", which reflected a marked change in Seger's political attitudes from "The Ballad of the Yellow Beret". The single was again a hit in Detroit, but went unnoticed almost everywhere else.
The second single from The Bob Seger System was "Ramblin' Gamblin' Man". Predictably it was a smash hit in Detroit, but it also became Seger's first nationally charted hit, peaking at #17. The song's success led to the release of an album in 1969, and the Ramblin' Gamblin' Man album reached #62 on the Billboard pop albums chart.
Seger was unable to follow up this early moderate success; the Seger System's follow-up album Noah failed to chart at all, leading Seger to briefly quit the music industry and attend college. Seger returned the following year, however, with the System's final album, 1970's Mongrel. In 1971, Seger released his first solo album, the all-acoustic Brand New Morning. This was done in order to fulfill his Capitol contract.
Mongrel
The Bob Seger System Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Here come the valleys and Shoreline still
I've know 'em all, I know 'em well
Mongrel, on the hard sell
With a fortrel polyester ink well
But I can't leave you with the blues no
Remember days, and endless nights
Spread my freedom and I scream for my rights
Spurned my creator, screamed for my rights
Child of green candles in the wishin well
Mongrel, Hard sell
With a fortrel polyester ink well
But I can't leave you with the blues no
Come down to ?, I'll buy you out
Gonna make you shake it gonna make you shout
Gonna burn you gonna, make you swell
Mongrel, hard sell
With a fortrel polyester ink well
But I can't leave you with the blues no
No no
The Bob Seger System's song "Mongrel" is about the trials and tribulations of life, represented through the metaphor of the mountains, hills, and valleys. The singer of the song has been through it all and knows the terrain well, having experienced the highs and lows of life. The "hard sell" refers to the difficult times in life that may require some selling or convincing to get through. The use of the fortrel polyester ink well as a metaphor for writing one's life story shows the mundane aspects of life that are necessary to create a bigger picture.
The lyrics also touch on the theme of freedom and individuality. The singer has taken control of their life and fought for their rights, even if it meant going against their creator. The "child of green candles in the wishin well" may represent a belief in fate or destiny, but the use of the term "mongrel" suggests a sense of being an outsider or not fitting in with society's expectations. The repeated line "But I can't leave you with the blues no" may mean that despite the hardships, the singer is determined to stay positive and not succumb to despair.
Line by Line Meaning
Here come the mountains, here come the hills
The natural features of the environment are approaching
Here come the valleys and Shoreline still
The low-lying areas and the coast is also arriving
I've know 'em all, I know 'em well
I am familiar with these landscapes
Mongrel, on the hard sell
I am a mixed breed, but I'm trying to convince you of something
With a fortrel polyester ink well
I am equipped with cheap materials to make my pitch
But I can't leave you with the blues no
I won't let you be sad or disappointed in my offer
Remember days, and endless nights
I recall long periods of time in my life
Spread my freedom and I scream for my rights
I fought for my liberty and passionately advocated for my entitlements
Thru empty days and endless nights
During times of loneliness and tedium
Spurned my creator, screamed for my rights
I rejected the idea of a higher power and demanded justice
Child of green candles in the wishin well
I grew up making wishes on green candles
Mongrel, Hard sell
I am a mixed breed and aggressively pursuing a sale
With a fortrel polyester ink well
I am using cheap materials to make my pitch
But I can't leave you with the blues no
I won't let you be sad or disappointed in my offer
Come down to ?, I'll buy you out
If you come to me, I'll make a deal with you
Gonna make you shake it gonna make you shout
I'll make you excited and enthusiastic
Gonna burn you gonna, make you swell
I'll make you feel intense emotion
Mongrel, hard sell
I am a mixed breed and using aggressive tactics to push my product
With a fortrel polyester ink well
I am using cheap materials to make my pitch
But I can't leave you with the blues no
I won't let you be sad or disappointed in my offer
No no
Absolutely not
Contributed by Stella E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Ricky LaDuke
This album is not talked about nearly enough at all. Amazing album.
Lad Strayer
This is one of my all time favorite albums.
Eric Ornella
I remember listening to this album when I was 14 at my friends house on his dad's stereo in 1970. We'd crank it up and rock out like you do when you're 14 in the suburbs. I saw them live that summer and they blew me away.
Samuel Cantley
When I 14 my my neighbor whose daughter was very pretty with sit on the front porch and swing and show me how to play with a baby doll I'd only 14 I didn't know what you was saying
Peter Nieckarz, Jr.
When I preach the Gospel According to Bob, THIS is the chapter I am citing!
Footstompin' Leroy Scott
Really cool record this. Loadsa strong tunes. Great vocals.
Sounds late 60s but still fresh. Capt Beefheart meets Rod Stewart and the Faces. Great.
Jeremy C. Parsons
It was released in 1970, so I'm sure that's why you're getting that late 60's vibe.
SuperDoobrie
Yeh i was thinking Small Faces/Humble Pie. Could be some cross-pollination tho.
Storm Raven
Best Seger album ever
Steve Leonard
this band was the headliner of my very first concert!( in the Oakland mall parking lot in Madison heights,mi