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."
Silver Threads And Golden Needles
The Cowsills Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
With a tear in every room
All I want's the love you've promised
Beneath the halo moon
But you think I should be happy
With your money and your name
And hide myself in sorrows
Silver threads and golden needles
Cannot mend this heart of mine
And I dare not drown my sorrows
In the warm glow of your mind
You can't buy my love with money
'Cause I ain't never was that kind
Silver threads and golden needles
Cannot mend this heart of mine
Silver threads and golden needles
Cannot mend this heart of mine
And I dare not drown my sorrows
In the warm glow of your mind
You can't buy my love with money
'Cause I ain't never was that kind
Silver threads and golden needles
Cannot mend this heart of mine
The lyrics to The Cowsills's song "Silver Threads And Golden Needles" are about a woman who wants love and loyalty from her partner rather than material possessions. She does not want to live in his big, empty mansion that is filled with tears and sorrow. Instead, she longs for the love that he promised her under the halo moon. However, her partner believes that she should be content with his wealth and status, even though he is cheating on her.
The woman declares that silver threads and golden needles cannot mend her broken heart. She refuses to drown her sorrows in the "warm glow" of his mind because she knows that she cannot be bought with money. She emphasizes that she is not the kind of person who can be won over with possessions, as she desires true love and loyalty from her partner. Ultimately, she concludes that her partner’s wealth and status cannot repair her broken heart.
Line by Line Meaning
I don't want your lonely mansion
I do not desire your empty dwelling place, with little company or joy within.
With a tear in every room
A place where sadness and pain stains every corner.
All I want's the love you've promised
The only thing I truly desire is the affection you swore to give me.
Beneath the halo moon
In a world beyond this strife, under the moon's pure light.
But you think I should be happy
You believe that I should be content with unfulfilled promises and inadequate substitutes.
With your money and your name
With the material offerings and public reputation which you possess.
And hide myself in sorrows
To conceal my grief and agony, and pretend that everything is fine.
While you play your cheatin' game
While you engage in deceiving me with others and manipulating me to your benefit.
Silver threads and golden needles
Even objects of great value and beauty cannot fix the wounds you have caused.
Cannot mend this heart of mine
My heart is too damaged and broken to be repaired by any material object or charm.
And I dare not drown my sorrows
I do not dare to numb my pain with false comforts.
In the warm glow of your mind
In the comforting and alluring atmosphere of your thoughts and emotions.
You can't buy my love with money
My love is not for sale, no matter how much riches you offer.
'Cause I ain't never was that kind
I have never been the type of person who can be swayed by wealth or materialism.
Silver threads and golden needles
Even objects of great value and beauty cannot fix the wounds you have caused.
Cannot mend this heart of mine
My heart is too damaged and broken to be repaired by any material object or charm.
Lyrics © Royalty Network, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Dick Reynolds, Jack Rhodes
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@kathykay2010
Sadly, at very young ages they were all too familiar
with sorrows and hardships on the home front. For
Bill and Barry that translated to battles with drugs
and the bottle. I often wonder how different their
lives would have been without alcoholic parents
and a physically abusive dad. Self destruction is
a byproduct of drugs and alcohol for too many. I'm
just thankful the others were not brought down by
the demons of addiction. They all deserved so much
better. They were and still are incredible talents.
@deplorabledave1048
@@rogertycholiz2218
I have. Many times. She flubbed(forgot) some very esoteric difficult lyrics and you would never know because she was such a pro and covered it up.
Even I did not know. I read it in the comments.
I looked up the lyrics she flubbed. Esoteric UK only speak. Did the song a service by
leaving them out.
Probably my fave Susan Cowsill video!
I NEVER knew them growing up. Born in 1957. My loss. Never too late.
Thanks.
@donnabiegler6938
Susan was such a talented little girl! Her confidence and performance was off the charts!!
@1401minstrel
John Cowsill is one of the best singing drummers ever! It's not easy to do!
@rickfarmiloe
I know Bob Cowsill....he's a GREAT guy!! One of the most talented, unheralded family bands ever!!! Underrated is right!! Their music will transcend generations!! See them at every opportunity!
@NKBobcat
They were very talented. More than they ever got credit for.
@evanwatkins5929
Watching this video, Susan's dancing makes me jump up and start dancing along with her, and I'm an old man. She had some cool dance moves.
@laurenkerr7557
I love harmony. I spent all my school life being in chorus. These guys harmonize like a dream come true. So glad I can see them here still.
@garris74
John made me swoon back then; still makes me swoon. I remember my grandmother telling me if I love the music now, I'll probably love it when I'm her age. How true.
@bobf.5538
John was my favorite Cowsill
@learneraccount5244
Great musical family, with precious Susan leading the way.
@williamnelson727
I was young (then) and now i'm pushing 60. we were lucky to have an entire family
able to sing and play their own pop music. -and that BEFORE the so-called 'age of
aquarius'. we realize now how hard they were all working. They made it look easy.