Origins And Early Successes
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Originally inspired by The Beatles, the Cowsills developed their musicianship and harmonized vocals in performances at school dances and churches in their hometown. They were encouraged by their parents, Barbara and Bud Cowsill, who drove them around to shows in the family's station wagon. Bud had retired from a long career in the US Navy to manage his children's career together with his wife.
The band drew increasing attention through the 1960's as their musical proficiency improved. In late 1965, the initial four members were hired as a regular act on Bannisters Wharf in Newport where they would sing "The Beatles" songs hour after hour. They also produced their first recordings, and released them on Mercury Records. Despite their appeal, the company passed on a record contract for reasons never specified. In 1966, the band was signed by MGM records, and shortly after Barbara - who would become known to their fans affectionately as "Mini-Mom" due to her diminutive stature - joined the group to record The Rain, The Park and Other Things. Shortly thereafter the band was expanded yet again to include siblings Susan and Paul.
With the success of "The Rain, The Park and Other Things" the band quickly became a popular act in the U.S., and achieved significant airplay in England and other parts of Europe. "The Rain, The Park and Other Things" wound up reaching #2 on the Billboard charts, and sold some three million copies in its first release.
Bob Cowsill is quoted as follows on the band's early days:
"Although Bill and I performed at a very young age, and Bill, myself, Barry and John did a lot of frat parties at Brown University and clubs in Newport ... the most memorable performance of what I would view as the precursor of what The Cowsills would be was at King's Park in Newport (right at the foot of Halidon Hall) at some carnival. The family angle just evolved ... first Bill and me, then Bill me and Barry, then Bill, me, Barry and John, then Bill, me, Barry, John and Mom, then Bill, me, Barry, John, Mom and Paul, then later, me, Paul, John, Barry, Mom and Susan, then back to Bill, me, Barry and John (very briefly in the end) and then to me, Paul, John and Susan. Our first real break came when we were playing the MK Hotel in Newport (in the basement there) and a guy from the Today show saw us and asked if we wanted to be on the Today show. We weren't famous or anything but we were young and we were related and we were quite good. So we went on the Today show (I doubt a tape exists of that but if it did it would be priceless to see) and someone from Mercury Records saw us which ultimately led to our signing with that label and putting out "Most Of All" (a great "school's out" song that should have been our first hit in my opinion) which led to Artie Kornfeld and Steve Duboff. Mercury dropped us, but Artie and Steve had written "The Rain, The Park and Other Things" and we went in and recorded that song at A&R studios in New York and took the whole package to MGM who decided wouldn't it just be terrific if their mother performed with them and, voila, the rest, as they say, is history. "
In 1969 they had another number two hit with their version of the title song from the musical Hair.
The Cowsills are often cited as the inspirtation for TV's "The Partridge Family."
Hello Hello
The Cowsills Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You know I'd never treat you mean
(Oh no not mean)
Hello, hello
I like your smile
Hello, hello
Shall we talk awhile
You know I'd never treat you mean
Never knew how I'd meet you
Never knew how to greet you
But when I saw you look that way
I knew I had to say
Hello (hello) Hello (hello)
You've got pretty hair
Hello, hello
Can you tell I care
Would you like some of my tangerine
You know I'd never treat you mean
Hello, hello
I like your smile
Hello, hello
Shall we talk awhile
Would you like some of my tangerine
You know I'd never treat you mean
Oh no no no
(You know I'd never treat you mean)
The Cowsills's song "Hello Hello" is a cheerful and upbeat tune about a young man who has never met the girl he is talking to before. He compliments her on her smile and hair and offers her some of his tangerine, assuring her that he would never treat her mean. The lyrics have a playful and innocent quality, as the young man tries to make a connection with the girl through small talk and gestures of kindness.
At first, the young man seems uncertain about how to approach the girl, admitting that he "never knew how to greet" her. However, when he sees her looking his way, he is inspired to break the ice and say hello. The song implies that simple gestures, like offering someone a piece of fruit, can go a long way in making an introduction and starting a conversation.
Overall, "Hello Hello" is a fun and lighthearted song that captures the excitement and nervousness of meeting someone new. The young man's sincerity and charm are evident in his lyrics, making it hard not to smile along as he tries to win the girl's heart.
Line by Line Meaning
(Would you like some of my tangerine)
As a gesture of kindness, would you care for some of my tangerine?
You know I'd never treat you mean
I want you to know that I would treat you with kindness and respect.
(Oh no not mean)
Emphasizing that I would never intend to treat you in a negative or disrespectful way.
Hello, hello
Greeting you with enthusiasm and friendliness.
I like your smile
I appreciate and admire the pleasant expression on your face.
Shall we talk awhile
Would you be interested in engaging in a friendly conversation with me for a little while?
Never knew how I'd meet you
I did not anticipate the circumstances that brought us together.
Never knew how to greet you
I was unsure of how to approach and address you.
But when I saw you look that way
However, when I observed your expression in that moment,
I knew I had to say
I realized that I needed to speak to you.
You've got pretty hair
I notice and think highly of the appearance of your hair.
Can you tell I care
I hope that my words and actions convey my positive feelings toward you.
Oh no no no
Another repetition of the earlier statement that I would never treat you poorly.
Lyrics ยฉ CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: TONY ROMEO, WES FARRELL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@BanksyGirl
Broke my heart when I heard how her father treated her, and the boys too. She seemed so sweet and adorable. Loved the Cowsills.
@gabez8
imho i believe that monsters like Bud Cowsill, Joe Jackson, Murry Wilson, etc pimp their kids out to the exploitative music industry in order to hide the fact they abuse their kids.
@maureenmcgovern6119
I agree. He was a terrible father.
@davidberchtold3859
I believe that the man was misunderstood due, in part, to the pressures of life, and, perhaps some mental health issues.
@bikermyk4966
Watching her sing about a tangerine is so ap-peeling.....just love her!
@mapleva
I saw Susan backstage at the Happy Together concert at Snoqualmie Casino near Seattle. The Cowsills were one of the acts performing, along with other groups from the 60s. Of course the Turtles were the headliner. We went to see Howard of the Turtles, who lived in Seattle at the time. Susan was walking around back stage, but I was too starstruck to say "hi".
@jeffclement2979
Ooh Snoqualamie
Ted Bundy's old stomping ground
(sorry)
@usmc-veteran7316
Not me, I would have loved to talk to her. She was so talented then and Now!!!
@bluebirds4me
@@usmc-veteran7316 Very talented, all of them but I must say I liked the early clean cut look. Personally, I think they lost that luster in later life..rather sloppy, grungy.
But I loved them and still do!
@usmc-veteran7316
@@bluebirds4me I grew up a Led Zeppelin fan. I never listened to the Cowsills, my sister was crazy about them. I did not realize how talented they were. Now I love watching their videos, I guess it reminds me of the mid to late 60s. The only thing I have in common the Cowsills...Barry was born in 1954, myself 1955 and John 1956. John also was so talented on the drums at a young age and he's sounding good now.