The band's only appearance on the UK Singles Charts was "I'm the Urban Spaceman", which reached #5 in October 1968. The single was produced by Paul McCartney under the pseudonym "Apollo C. Vermouth". The band disbanded in 1970. The band reunited briefly in 1972 and again in 1988, before reuniting permanently in 2002.
After the initial split, Innes provided songs for "Monty Python's Flying Circus" and the Monty Python troupe's subsequent films, and is often considered to be an "unofficial member" of the troupe. Stanshall died in a house fire in 1995.
The band's six albums are: "Gorilla" (1967), "The Doughnut in Granny's Greenhouse" (1968, released as "Urban Spaceman" in the US), "Tadpoles" (1969), "Keynsham" (1969), "Let's Make Up and Be Friendly" (1972) and "Pour l'Amour des Chiens" (2007).
Canyons of Your Mind
The Bonzo Dog Band Lyrics
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This is the b-side of our platter, sports fans.
And I'm singing just for you, covered in sequins
[Sung]
In the canyons of your mind
I will wander through your brain
To the ventricles of your heart, my dear
'Cross the mountains of your chest
I will sticker Union Jacks
To the forest of your cheek
Through the holes in your string vest
[Spoken]
My darling, in my cardboard-coloured dreams
(Ooh, cardboard-coloured dreams)
Once again I hear your love
(Ooh, ooh, ooh)
And I kiss, yes I kiss your perfumed hair
(But she's not there)
The sweet essence of giraffe
And each time I hear your name
(Frying pan, frying pan)
Oh! How it hurts
(He's in pain)
In the wardrobe of my soul
(Oh, my soul)
In the section labelled "shirts"
(Aah)
Ah! Oh!
The Bonzo Dog Band's song "Canyons of Your Mind" is a playful exploration of the singer's infatuation with someone. The opening spoken word section introduces the song as a B-side and the singer, humorously describing themself as "covered in sequins," sets the tone for the playful and irreverent nature of the song.
The lyrics of the song revolve around the idea of the singer wandering through the canyons of the object of their infatuation's mind, ventricles of their heart, and mountains of their chest. They playfully describe placing Union Jacks on her chest, and wandering through her cheek, among other playful descriptions. The spoken word section that follows describes the singer's dreams, where they imagine holding their love and kissing her perfumed hair, all while surrounded by the "sweet essence of giraffe."
The final moments of the song see the singer lamenting the pain they feel at the mere mention of their love's name, all while imagining the metaphorical wardrobe of their soul filled with the pain and longing of unrequited love.
Overall, the lyrics to "Canyons of Your Mind" are a humorous exploration of desire and infatuation, told through playful and irreverent imagery.
Line by Line Meaning
In the canyons of your mind
I will explore the depths of your thoughts and emotions.
I will wander through your brain
I will roam freely through your mind, uncovering the hidden mysteries within.
To the ventricles of your heart, my dear
I will delve into the innermost chambers of your heart, where your deepest feelings and desires reside.
I'm in love with you again!
Despite all that has passed between us, I find myself falling in love with you once more.
'Cross the mountains of your chest
I will cross the peaks and valleys of your chest, traversing the terrain of your body.
I will sticker Union Jacks
I will leave my mark on you, claiming you as my own, just as the Union Jack represents the British Empire.
To the forest of your cheek
I will explore the soft curves and contours of your face, the way a forest is full of twists and turns.
Through the holes in your string vest
I will find my way to you, no matter the obstacles or barriers in my path.
My darling, in my cardboard-coloured dreams
Even in my drab and colorless dreams, you are the bright spot and focal point.
(Ooh, cardboard-coloured dreams)
My dreams lack vivid colors and depth, but they are filled with the image of you.
Once again I hear your love
I am reminded of the love we shared in the past, and my heart yearns for it once again.
(Ooh, ooh, ooh)
The memory of your love fills me with longing and desire.
And I kiss, yes I kiss your perfumed hair
I imagine reaching out and embracing you, kissing the scent of your hair and inhaling your essence.
(But she's not there)
Sadly, this is just a dream, and you are not actually with me.
The sweet essence of giraffe
Even in my dreams, my imagination runs wild and I conjure up the scent of something as exotic and bizarre as giraffe essence.
And each time I hear your name
Your name strikes a chord in my heart, invoking memories of our love, both good and bad.
(Frying pan, frying pan)
Perhaps the sound of your name incites anger and resentment, like the sound of a frying pan sizzling with heat.
Oh! How it hurts
The pain of our past love and heartbreak is still palpable and acute.
(He's in pain)
The singer is clearly tormented and suffering due to the memories of their relationship.
In the wardrobe of my soul
The deepest recesses of my being are like a closet filled with memories and emotions, both positive and negative.
(Oh, my soul)
The artist is lamenting and baring his soul, exposing the vulnerabilities and raw emotions he still feels.
In the section labelled "shirts"
Just as clothing is sorted and categorized, the emotions and memories of their past relationship are neatly compartmentalized, in this case, under the label of "shirts".
(Aah)
The singer lets out a sigh of frustration and despair, lamenting the pain caused by their feelings for this person.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: VIVIAN STANSHALL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind