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."
II X II
The Cowsills Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(Chorus)
We'll go two by two, Lord.
Open up the gate.
We know the rules, Lord .
Beg your pardon if we're late.
We love our brothers now.
But to head on down the long road,
Going two by two.
Takin' my good friend Joshua.
Takin' my mother and father too.
Cuz when I get to the end of my highway,
You know I want to be with you.
(Chorus)
I have cheated my lovers, Lord.
Sinned against many a man.
But I found out my satchel was empty, Lord.
Won't you fill it up again.
(Chorus)
But, I found out my satchel was empty, Lord.
Won't you fill it up, fill it up again.
(Chorus)
Head on down ---
(Chorus)
The lyrics to The Cowsills's song II X II are a representation of the band's deep-rooted religious beliefs. The song talks about following the rules of God, walking two by two down a long road, and ultimately wanting to be with God at the end of their journey. The lyrics speak of taking their friends, family, and loved ones with them on this journey, as they want to journey through life with the people they love. The chorus repeats a few times throughout the song, emphasizing the importance and urgency of living life by the rules and walking two by two down the road to salvation. The song also discusses the human tendency to sin and cheat, but ultimately asks God to fill up their figurative satchel again, symbolizing the need to be restored and forgiven.
Overall, the song is a touching representation of faith and the need for a higher power in life. It speaks to the power of relationships and how they ultimately shape our lives and our journeys. The lyrics are simple yet meaningful, and the chorus is catchy and easy to sing along with. The Cowsills's sound is unmistakably classic, and this song is a testament to their abilities as singers and musicians.
Line by Line Meaning
We'll go two by two, Lord.
We'll travel with a friend or companion, Lord.
Open up the gate.
Open the gate, possibly a symbolic reference to entering Heaven.
We know the rules, Lord.
We understand the expectations, Lord.
Beg your pardon if we're late.
Apologies if we arrive later than expected, Lord.
We love our brothers now.
We love everyone and want to show unity, Lord.
What else is there to do?
What other option do we have, Lord?
But to head on down the long road,
To journey along the path ahead, Lord.
Going two by two.
Traveling with a companion, Lord.
Takin' my good friend Joshua.
Bringing along a good friend named Joshua.
Takin' my mother and father too.
Taking along my parents on the journey too, Lord.
Cuz when I get to the end of my highway,
When I reach the end of my life's journey, Lord.
You know I want to be with you.
I want to be with you in Heaven, Lord.
I have cheated my lovers, Lord.
I have betrayed those I loved, Lord.
Sinned against many a man.
I have committed sins against many people, Lord.
But I found out my satchel was empty, Lord.
I have realized that I have nothing, Lord.
Won't you fill it up again.
Can you please fill it up again, Lord?
Head on down ---
Keep moving forward, Lord.
Contributed by Kaylee E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.