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."
Reach Out
The Cowsills Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Because all of your hope is gone,
And your life is filled with much confusion
Until happiness is just an illusion,
And your world around is crumblin' down;
Darling, reach out (come on girl, reach on out for me)
Reach out (reach out for me.)
I'll be there, with a love that will shelter you.
I'll be there to always see you through.
When you feel lost and about to give up
'Cause your best just ain't good enough
And you feel the world has grown cold,
And you're drifting out all on your own,
And you need a hand to hold:
Darling, reach out (come on girl, reach out for me)
Reach out (reach out for me.)
I'll be there, to love and comfort you,
And I'll be there, to cherish and care for you.
I'll be there to love and comfort you.
I can tell the way you hang your head,
You're without love and now you're afraid
And through your tears you look around,
But there's no peace of mind to be found.
I know what you're thinkin',
You're alone now, no love of your own,
But darling, reach out (come on girl, reach out for me)
Reach out (reach out for me.)
Just look over your shoulder
I'll be there, to give you all the love you need,
And I'll be there, you can always depend on me.
The Cowsills's song "Reach Out I'll Be There" is a beautiful ballad that encourages listeners to reach out to someone for help when they feel hopeless and alone. The lyrics describe how life can become confusing and unhappy, leading to the illusion that happiness is impossible. However, the singer offers his love and support to help the person through these difficult times. The chorus encourages the listener to reach out to the singer, promising that he will be there to "shelter," "care," and "comfort" them.
The first verse acknowledges the listener's struggles, specifically mentioning the feeling that their "world around is crumblin' down." This metaphor refers to how someone can feel like their life is falling apart and there seems to be no hope. However, the singer encourages the listener to reach out for help, promising to provide the love and support they need to see them through.
In the second verse, the singer acknowledges that sometimes, despite our best effort, we feel like giving up, especially when we feel alone and unsupported. However, the chorus reassures the listener that the singer will be there to "love and comfort you" and "cherish and care for you."
The final verse empathizes with the listener's feelings of loneliness and fear, promising that the singer will be there to provide the love and support necessary for recovery. The verse finishes with a powerful promise that the singer can always be depended on, offering hope and comfort to the listener.
Overall, "Reach Out I'll Be There" is a touching song that encourages listeners to ask for help when they are struggling. The song's message is clear: no one should have to go through life's difficulties alone.
Line by Line Meaning
Now if you feel that you can't go on
If you're feeling like you're at your end,
Because all of your hope is gone,
That there's no hope for you left,
And your life is filled with much confusion
The life you live has been nothing but confusing,
Until happiness is just an illusion,
You can hardly find any happiness, just empty dreams,
And your world around is crumblin' down;
The world around you seems to be falling apart,
Darling, reach out (come on girl, reach on out for me)
Please, ask for help (come to me)
Reach out (reach out for me.)
I'm here, I can help
I'll be there, with a love that will shelter you.
I'll be there to protect and care for you
I'll be there, with a love that will see you through.
My love will support you
I'll be there to always see you through.
I'll always be there for you
When you feel lost and about to give up
When you're feeling lost and about to surrender
'Cause your best just ain't good enough
When you've tried your hardest, but it still falls short
And you feel the world has grown cold,
When everything around you has become lifeless and numb
And you're drifting out all on your own,
When you feel like you're all alone
And you need a hand to hold:
And you need someone to support you
Darling, reach out (come on girl, reach out for me)
Please, don't hesitate to ask for my help
Reach out (reach out for me.)
I'm here and willing to help
I'll be there, to love and comfort you,
I'll be there to offer my love and comfort you
And I'll be there, to cherish and care for you.
I'll be there to treasure and take care of you
I'll be there to love and comfort you.
I'll always be there for you with my love and comfort
I can tell the way you hang your head,
I can see from your body language you're sad
You're without love and now you're afraid
You're scared now that love seems to be gone
And through your tears you look around,
As you cry, you look around
But there's no peace of mind to be found.
You can't find any solace
I know what you're thinkin',
I know what's going through your mind
You're alone now, no love of your own,
You feel alone, without someone to love
But darling, reach out (come on girl, reach out for me)
Please, reach out to me for help
Reach out (reach out for me.)
I'm here to support you
Just look over your shoulder
Just look behind you
I'll be there, to give you all the love you need,
I'll always be there to give you all the love you require
And I'll be there, you can always depend on me.
You can always count on me to be there for you
Lyrics ยฉ Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Edward Holland Jr., Lamont Dozier, Brian Holland
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@gmar7836
Wowww that kid on drums! And then when Little Susan comes out and shakes that tambourine it just brings it all together โค๏ธ
@B1jujv75
John on the drums ...God he was born to play the drums :)
The Cowsills was and always will be awesome...
@1401minstrel
Holy crap! At 11 years old, and now at 67 years old, John Cowsill is AMAZING on drums! And not only that, he's a great singer and keyboard player as well. Check out his recent work with Action Skulls. He was most recently a member of the Beach Boys touring band, and he is not ready to retire. Somebody hired this man!
@patlarimore6960
Yes, check out John in the group Action Skulls along with Bill Mumy (Lost in Space) and Vicki Peterson (The Bangles). I just discovered Action Skulls, and they are great! Their music is quite eclectic, so many didn't sounds and styles. John drums and sings, Vicki is on guitar, and Bill seems to be quite talented on several different instruments. Great harmonies!
@mikedelgado5144
Damn that kid can play the drums. Serious talent at his young age.
@roseblake5803
I am absolutely speechless !!!!! Billโs vocals are mind blowing and then thereโs little brother John showing aspiring drummers how itโs done. This should be seen by everyone. Letโs get this done PEOPLE !!!!!
@ralex3697
Itโs Bill not Richard, he was never in the band, his twin Bob was though
@roseblake5803
@@ralex3697 - Thanks ,I knew it was Bill , donโt know why I said Richard.
@stevemcdermott6684
Why is it we don't appreciate things like this great group until there gone this group is pure class all the way
@pattibrooks1907
I love The Cowsills music and all of the songs they have sung and still sing the old hits in concerts ! Never saw them in person but it would be a dream come true ! I subscribe to every channel that has The Cowsills or Susan !