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."
I Love The Flower Girl
The Cowsills Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Raindrops falling on her
She didn't seem to care
She sat there and smiled at me
And I knew (I knew, I knew, I knew, I knew)
She could make me happy (happy, happy)
Flowers in her hair, flowers everywhere
I love the flower girl
Oh, I don't know just why
She simply caught my eye
I love the flower girl she seemed so sweet and kind.
She crept into my mind.
I knew I had to say hello (hello, hello)
She smiled up at me
She took my hand and we walked through the park alone
But I knew (I knew, I knew, I knew, I knew)
She had made me happy (happy, happy)
Flowers in her hair, flowers everywhere
I love the flower girl
Oh, I dont know just why
She simply caught my eye
I love the flower girl she seemed so sweet and kind
She crept into my mind
Suddenly the sun broke through (see the sun).
I turned around she was gone (where did she go).
And all I had left was one little flower from her hair.
But I knew (I knew, I knew, I knew, I knew)
she had made me happy (happy, happy).
Flowers in her hair, flowers everywhere
I love the flower girl
Was she reality or just a dream to me?
I love the flower girl
Our love shall lead the way
To find a sunny day
I love the flower girl
Was she reality or just a dream to me?
The Cowsills's song "I Love The Flower Girl" is a light and cheerful song about the singer's encounter with a charming woman he spots in the rain. The first verse sets the scene for the encounter, as he spots her sitting in the rain, indifferent to the weather, and she catches his eye. The second verse describes how he goes over to her and she takes his hand, and they walk around the park together. The chorus repeats twice in the song, emphasizing how drawn the singer is to the flower girl and her carefree demeanor.
The third verse signals a change in the atmosphere as the sun suddenly breaks through the layers of clouds, and the girl disappears suddenly, leaving the singer with only one little flower from her hair. The final chorus reiterates the singer's feelings towards the flower girl and how her presence and brief encounter with him made him happy. The song ends on a hopeful note, as the singer states that their love shall lead the way to a sunny day.
Overall, "I Love The Flower Girl" is a simple yet catchy song about unexpected encounters and appreciating the joys of life. The flower girl symbolizes a moment of happiness amidst the rain and clouds, and the singer's feelings towards her represent the fleeting-yet-impactful nature of some interactions in life.
Line by Line Meaning
I saw her sitting in the rain
He noticed a girl sitting in the rain
Raindrops falling on her
It was raining on her
She didn't seem to care
The girl didn't care that it was raining
She sat there and smiled at me
She smiled at him
And I knew (I knew, I knew, I knew, I knew)
He was certain
She could make me happy (happy, happy)
The girl had the potential to make him happy
Flowers in her hair, flowers everywhere
The girl had flowers in her hair and they were all around her
I love the flower girl
He loves the girl with the flowers in her hair
Oh, I don't know just why
He doesn't know why he loves her
She simply caught my eye
He was attracted to her
She seemed so sweet and kind
The girl appeared to be a nice person
She crept into my mind
He couldn't stop thinking about her
I knew I had to say hello (hello, hello)
He knew he had to introduce himself
She smiled up at me
The girl smiled at him
She took my hand and we walked through the park alone
They went for a walk in the park together
Suddenly the sun broke through (see the sun).
The sun came out from behind the clouds
I turned around she was gone (where did she go).
The girl disappeared when he wasn't looking
And all I had left was one little flower from her hair.
He found a flower from her hair and that was all that remained
Our love shall lead the way
He believes that their love will guide them
To find a sunny day
They will find happiness together
Was she reality or just a dream to me?
He is unsure if the girl was real or just a figment of his imagination
Contributed by Amelia I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@LarryTaint-qn8pd
I loved a flower girl. Married her. She died about 15 years ago. Haven't found another one since. They're rare as hen's teeth and unicorns. If you've got one, enjoy every moment with her.
@robertharrington5449
I do.
@tdvcleve
I lost mine three years ago. This song actually makes me tear up because of her
@nancydemello2974
That was so beautiful! I'm so sorry for your loss, but you know what? You will see her again, she will be waiting for you in heaven, with a bouquet of flowers for you!
@LarryTaint-qn8pd
@@nancydemello2974 Thanks, you're sweet.
@robertg-pz9qh
So sorry for your loss l lost mine 4 yrs ago 2019😢😢😢😢
@GuyMorey
If there was ever a song that demonstrates perfection, this is it. Hard to believe the Cowsill children were 18 years old or younger when this song was recorded. Not only that, they played all the instruments. If you were born in the 60s, like me, you are privileged to have lived through a decade of great music with unbelievably gifted musicians like the Cowsills. Every one of their songs is a piece of musical art. Songs that are simply timeless.
@user-hl9hm9he5q
Absolutely ! 🤗❤️
@user-ig6lx9vk7x
@guymoney right and Soo true and those was the good ole days much simple back then
@davidcoleman9304
There is also their BEAUTIFUL HAROMONEY. Not heard in any songs of today. The Cowsills are incredible.