There's more than just one band called The Brogues:

1. A 60's garage… Read Full Bio ↴There's more than just one band called The Brogues:

1. A 60's garage rock band.

The Brogues was a Merced, California band formed in 1964 and split in 1965. The members Gary Grubb (better known as Gary Duncan) and Greg Elmore later joined the Quicksilver Messenger Service, a San Francisco-based band that received relatively wide commercial success. The other members of the band were Eddie Rodrigues on guitar, Rick Campbell on organ and Bill Whittington on bass.
The band recorded only six songs: a demo session for "Someday" and "Journey", and two released singles "Someday/But Now I Find" and "(I Ain't No) Miracle Worker/Don't Shoot Me Down."
"(I Ain't No) Miracle Worker" is their best known song; it is included in the compilations Nuggets: Original Artyfacts from the First Psychedelic Era, 1965-1968 and Trash Box. It has been covered by several groups, including The Chesterfield Kings, The Barracudas and Pissed Off Wild. There is also an Italian version by I Corvi. The Italian title is "Ragazzo di Strada" "Don't Shoot Me Down" was included in Pebbles, Volume 10.
Gary Duncan (born Gary Ray Grubb, September 4, 1946 – June 29, 2019) was an American guitarist and singer. He was guitarist with The Brogues, then most notably with Quicksilver Messenger Service.

2. A current band from Dundee, Scotland, playing 60's influenced indie-pop:

The Brogues formed in March 2007 the band came about from various drunken chats, love of the same kind of music, mutual friends, acquaintances, Gretsch guitars and quite possibly fate if you believe in that sort of thing. After a summer of talking about getting something up and running it was decided towards the end of that year that it was time to make something happen. Ronnie and Marc had toyed with the idea of getting a band together but things weren’t ever quite right and there was always that missing piece of the puzzle. Ronnie had met Sean and Boon at various local gigs throughout 2006 and had started discussing the possibility of getting something up and running band wise but again nothing came of things. Fast-forward to Christmas 2006 and the wheels were now in motion to get things moving. At the time Sean and Boon were playing with local band Rising Signs and had been with them for aorund five years before things started to break down for the band The two of them had by this point decided it was time for a fresh start musically and were ready to get things moving on a new band. They were introduced to Marc via Ronnie and after an instant connection of the four and a few well-played rehearsals the Brogues were born.

www.myspace.com/thebroguesdundee

I Ain't No Miracle Worker
The Brogues Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Don't ask me to move a mountain
Don't ask me to swim your sea
Don't think that I am a tower of strength
Don't lean too much on me

When looking to the future
Don't build your dreams too high
I beg you to remember

I'm just an ordinary guy

I ain't no miracle worker
I do the best that I can
I ain't no miracle worker
Oh Lord, I ain't no miracle man

And I don't have a fortune
You know I sweat for each dime I make
But I'm always living now just looking
To that get love you bring

Every day I keep on trying
To do my best for you
And every trying just ain't enough baby
Well tell me what would you have me do

I ain't no miracle worker
I do the best that I can
I ain't no miracle worker
Oh Lord, I ain't no miracle man

Ask me to be tender
Ask me to be truth
Ask me for all the love I have
And girl, I'll give it all to you

But girl, I just can't offer
No storybook romance
Girl, that's what you're looking for, baby
I tell you, we just don't have a chance

I ain't no miracle worker
I do the best that I can

I ain't no miracle worker
Oh Lord, I'm not a miracle man

Overall Meaning

The Brogues's song I Ain't No Miracle Worker is a song about the singer's limitations and the need for realistic expectations from others. The opening lines of the song set the tone for the theme, as the singer states that he cannot move mountains or swim the sea, implying that he cannot do the impossible. He then goes on to say that he is not a tower of strength and that others shouldn't lean too much on him. He acknowledges that he is just an ordinary guy and that people should not build their dreams too high.

The chorus of the song is the main message, where the singer emphasizes that he is not a miracle worker or a miracle man, and that he can only do the best that he can. He then goes on to say that he does not have a fortune and works hard for every dime he makes. Despite this, he is always living in the present, looking forward to the future, and trying his best for the people he cares for.

In the last verse, the singer addresses a woman who is looking for a storybook romance, but he acknowledges that he cannot offer what she's looking for. He still offers to be tender, truthful, and give all the love he has. But, he clarifies that they just don't have a chance if she's looking for the unrealistic expectations of a "storybook romance".

Line by Line Meaning

Don't ask me to move a mountain
I can't do the impossible

Don't ask me to swim your sea
I can't go out of my way for you

Don't think that I am a tower of strength
I'm not invincible

Don't lean too much on me
Don't burden me with your problems

When looking to the future
When you plan ahead

Don't build your dreams too high
Be realistic

I beg you to remember
I'm asking you to keep in mind

I'm just an ordinary guy
I'm not special

I ain't no miracle worker
I can't perform miracles

I do the best that I can
I try my hardest

I ain't no miracle worker
I can't perform miracles

Oh Lord, I ain't no miracle man
I'm not a superhero

And I don't have a fortune
I'm not rich

You know I sweat for each dime I make
I work hard for my money

But I'm always living now just looking
I'm happy with what I have

To that get love you bring
Because of the love I have

Every day I keep on trying
I try my best every single day

To do my best for you
To make you happy

And every trying just ain't enough baby
But sometimes my best isn't good enough

Well tell me what would you have me do
What more can I do?

Ask me to be tender
Ask me to be gentle

Ask me to be truth
Ask me to be honest

Ask me for all the love I have
Ask me for all my love

And girl, I'll give it all to you
And I'll do it gladly

But girl, I just can't offer
But I can't give you

No storybook romance
A perfect fairytale love story

Girl, that's what you're looking for, baby
That's what you want

I tell you, we just don't have a chance
We can't have that kind of love

Contributed by Scarlett H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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Comments from YouTube:

@ashratempel5094

2y↑10

Masterpiece from the summer of my years.

@nmpepper

31w

Have you heard the Great Scots(from Canada) version? Produced by Richard Delvy, drummer of instrumental surf band The Challengers. Kicks BIG ASS !

@hyrobous

This tune is fantastic

@saminevalainen3554

1y↑3

Hellacopters brought me here. What a song.

@thelobo625

4y↑9

Pack street brought me here

@MisterJohnDoe

52w↑1

New to Pack Street, but thank you Weaver for letting me discover this beatiful song.

@teresacavallo8153

48w↑5

Best in Italian, " ragazzo di strada"..dei Corvi❤

@thepluraloftiger

8y↑30

thanks weavy

@thepluraloftiger

8y↑18

wooly bully's such a hunk

@mrbag60

14y↑17

A 1965 California garage rock classic with future Quicksilver Messenger Service members Gary Duncan and Greg Elmore in the band.

@rtrepsas

4y↑4

mrbag60 I Love your logo. Love, Forever Changes baby!

@martinmoffitt4702

5y↑12

RIP Gary Duncan

@GarageBoy

11y↑4

LOOOVE how the guitar solo starts, feedbacks, slows for a bit, and rocks out

@rosarioespinozaticeran7322

34w↑1

Cover: LOS DOLTONS ( Perú ) + UNA CHICA DE MUNDO ( 1968 ).

@lorellabruno9748

11y↑7

Anch'io l'ho sentita durante lo spot. Ho cercato il titolo italiano ed ho trovato la versione originale. Bellissima!!!!!

@redstarboy93

12y↑4

Super ! One of my favourite songs ever !

@robertobraschi1331

49w↑1

Grandiiiii

@rosacarbonchi5132

11y↑4

è così bella sta canzone..fa troppo anni 60:)

@MrEnzoprestinenzi

3y↑7

Non è che fa anni '60...è degli anni '60.

@Pelagion98

7y↑36

Presented to you by Remmy Cormo

@austinstowe6570

3y↑1

How is this the first comment I see on this song? XD

@Pelagion98

3y↑4

@@austinstowe6570 No idea! Lot of Pack Street fans in here I guess.

@olivermoran9319

3y↑1

I'm really surprised that Weaver has given Remmy this voice. I honestly cannot imagine him with this voice

@MisterJohnDoe

52w↑1

I'm new to Pack Street. Don't know a whole lot but it looks very interesting.

@jeanyvesscola3506

incontournable !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

@soylentramen7795

8y↑7

SUPER FUZZ!!

@frey1971

11y

woowwww

@michaelfuria4257

5y↑1

nice bass guitar sound.

@matly74

15y↑2

semplicemente...wow

@gerardop9633

3y↑3

La version original de este tema que tanta repercusion tuvo en Italia.Excelente garage + fuzz y organ sixties USA

@davidaguilar7498

Classic LA sound...for the San Francisco sound -CHOCOLATE WATCHBAND version say it all

@fredsherwood9009

4y↑5

Good song! I’ve read this is considered a “garage band” piece, but that does not do justice to the tightness and resonance of the guitar work. Very interesting stuff for 1965. You can almost hear the footsteps of Quicksilver approaching. (Who went on to do what I, and perhaps many others, consider the greatest rock song that never made it past the Top 50.)

@alanskinner2447

Apure classic !

@RedVynil

6y↑5

When he starts yelling, he sounds just like Alice Cooper.

@dariobava

Agreed.

@notilde

11y↑3

Appena trovata grazie a Shazam! Durante la pubblicità della mentos ti colpisce in un modo esagerato ..bellissimaa !

@augustinusnonexsistit9744

5y↑1

Ma è italiana?

@piroipo1

@@augustinusnonexsistit9744 ovviamente no!

@enricom7456

Beh ci sono canzoni per cui non si dovrebbe ricorrere a shzam per riconoscerle, questa è una di queste, per la mia esperienza ovviamente (e la carta di identità). Anche io l'ho conosciuta prima nella versione italiana come buona parte delle cover degli anni 60 del resto, a parte qualche celeberrimo brano come quelli di cover di pezzi di Beatles o Stones, ma anche quelle dei Procol Harum già ben noti in Italia.

@Ringo...

43w↑1

@@enricom7456 ciao, concordo perfettamente con il tuo scritto. personalmente sono della fine del decennio (31/12/1969 ore 23:58) ma conosco benissimo le varie canzoni, sia in versione originale che la versione in italiano.
Chiaramente, con la radio, si sentivano sopratutto le versioni italiane, ma poi, negli anni, ho trovato vari 45 giri, tra cui questo dei Brogues.
Mia piccola considerazione...quanti plagi negli anni '60 😂😂😂😂😂😂
ma senza questi plagi, non avremmo mai scoperto queste chicche, suppongo.

@enricom7456

43w

@@Ringo... beh una cover non è un plagio a meno che uno non la dichiari come tale. Talvolta è accaduto purtroppo. Ma ci ha permesso di conoscere brani altrimenti difficili da ascoltare.

@IlMaghetto88

4y↑5

Bella per Marracash

@sn-qx2sk

4y↑2

SONO UN RAGAZZO DI STRADA

@carlocasa

21w

Sounds like del shannon's keep searchin

@HugaReal

4y↑1

Dai ultras daiiiiii

@bttfnn

14y↑26

questa è quella giusta cazzò!!!! quanti gruppi italiani vivono di rendita a tuttoggi per delle cover?

@enricom7456

3y↑6

Verissimo, però la versione dei Corvi era favolosa, sul livello dell'originale e forse forse..... in se non è fare un cover che è sbagliato, ma appropriarsene come fece qualcuno di loro. Non certo i Corvi che oltretutto andarono a cercare gruppi davvero "underground" per quei tempi.

@robertopesenti1173

2y↑1

Quelli che più facevano cover inglesi e americane in Italia, erano L'equipe 84. Ad esempio "Ho in mente te, Sei già di un altro, etc., etc... Si guardavano bene dal farlo sapere...così che in Italia tutti pensavano fossero loro canzoni originali...e pensavano...Che bravi!
In realtà l'Equipe 84 non sapeva suonare, contrariamente ai Rokes!

@piombenedetto61

45w

@@robertopesenti1173 "Si guardavano bene dal farlo sapere" Cazzata, bastava leggere i crediti sui dischi e c'erano gli autori originali

@robertopesenti1173

45w

@@piombenedetto61 Cazzate saranno le tue! La maggior parte della gente che li ascoltava, mica andava a cercare gli autori sulle etichette dei dischi...Quando gli originali erano quasi sconosciuti in Italia, si tendeva facilmente a pensare fossero canzoni italiane, come ad esempio "Io ho in mente te". In altri casi, come "Sognando la California" dei Dik Dik, era impossibile credere fosse una canzone italiana, dato il successo mondiale dei "The mamas & the papas"

@hydorvox

14y↑1

Words and music by NANCIE MANTZ / ANNETTE TUCKER.

@luigirosania

4y↑1

Marracash - Poco Di Buono (Il Fegato)

@ASKY81

11y

grazie shazam.......

@38Achilles

11y

Your Dad tried to teach you, then yelled, "I ain't no Miracle Worker"!!!

@luiscalcano4359

What year did this song come out, and would this be considered punk/psych w a San Fran twang.

@INBARIO

13y↑1

@adrienne911sarah si sente a orecchio che non è sound mediterraneo soprattutto se pensi che viene dalla metà degli anni 60

@BlaCkRasH4n

10y↑4

Non sono un fabbricante di miracoli...cerco di fare il mio meglio.. :P
Naturalmente la versione italiana (COPIATA!!!) ha distrutto il significato di questa bellissima canzone

@vendicatoresolitari0

8y↑2

Non era "copiata" ma semplicemente tradotta! La versione dei Corvi non è peggiore di questa, solo che non è loro!

@Pergidezi

Ragazzi ma piantatela, una cover è una celebrazione di una bella canzone

@patrikgiovanchelli2056

il testo dei Corvi ha un'altro significato,non distrugge niente,anzi,molti giovani si riconobbero in quella rivendicazione orgogliosa di non appartenere al ceto dominante,era il 1966.

@enricom7456

3y↑1

@@patrikgiovanchelli2056 esatto il testo della versione dei Corvi è splendido, certo è diverso dall'originale ma non lo trovo un dramma, casomai sono molto più criticabili le cover che trasformano un brano con un pezzo impegnato in una canzonetta d'amore con un testo melenso. In ogni caso le cover sono state molto importanti per chi come me in quegli anni era un bambino che si è abituato ad amare il rock senza sapere in prima istanza che tale fosse, salvo poi scoprire che tutti i brani che più amavo in quegli anni erano tutti cover di gruppi rock stranieri. Ed i Corvi erano forse i miei preferiti, con Nomadi ed Equipe 84.

@DeadpoolDamian

11y

Mike Jagger is.

@sonoilking9453

11y↑1

mentos 45 ahahhaah

@augustinusnonexsistit9744

Ahaha

@staggza

13y↑2

you have to love a band who name themselfs after the dress shoe of choice for any self respecting 1970 skinhead,

@stevelacroix2626

3y↑1

this song is from the 60s

@norad_clips

8y↑19

Weaver followers and... Spanish speakers?

@lexiuscastro3182

7y↑1

italian speakers...

@robinmccready

14y

soundss a bit like townes van zadnt!

@mariomontri4801

11y↑3

rosita....ascoltala in italiano i corvi ragazzo di strada.

@josephferguson4507

7y↑1

sounds like chocolate watch and early has 2 future members of Quicksilver Elmore and Sir Duncan good stuff Roots garage punk

@Rousemouse100

1y↑3

The brogues did the original so the chocolate watch bands version is a cover. So who really sounds like who?

@richardscaife624

22w↑1

Chocolate watch band did a hand full of covers

@josephferguson4507

22w

Kinks did the original

@sumaccu

12y

@adrienne911sarah ahahahah l'ho pensato anch'io, soprattutto la versione dei Corvi, addiritura credevo che i corvi avessero scopiazzato da RUNAWAY di Del Shannon

@cretaceostrapulazza5918

5y↑2

his screaming reminds me of cobain, right?

@rankoknezevic416

Roberto non rompere con tuoi Corvi ragazzo di strada. RANKO

@160srocker

12y↑3

1970 skinhead, ha ha that's funny. I was a skinhead then...via the United States Marine Corps. At that time in space i believe we were the only TRUE skinheads.

@alextimossi7444

this fits into guardians of the galaxy 3

@lauralicata1

11y↑1

in italiano è bella ma questa la supera di gran lunga

@enricom7456

3y↑2

non sono così daccordo, premesso che una cosa è fare una cover un'altra scrivere la canzone, ma l'interpretazione dei Corvi è altrettanto valida, per alcuni aspetti forse superiore.

@keithaunn

23w

sono un poco di buono

@rickcrimsonred

2y↑9

La cover dei corvi è altrettanto bella...hanno eliminato l'organo puntando tutto sulle chitarre e i cori, per non parlare del testo che secondo me è migliore dell'originale( io sono un poco di buono...lasciami in pace perché sono un ragazzo di strada....etc)