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."
goodtime charlie
The Cowsills Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Staring through the window,
Old man Charlie staring through the window.
He doesn't have a place to stay or a place to go.
He's thinking 'bout the ladies. Old man Charlies got his memories.
And the goodtime sweet like wine, just yesterday - just yesterday.
(Chorus)
Goodtime Charlie ain't had a good time in years.
Goodtime Charlie only tomorrow and tears.
But wait a minute, Charlie. You don't have far to go now.
Come the goodtime sweet like wine tomorrow - tomorrow.
(Chorus)
Charlie's look for (good time).
So wait a minute Charlie. You don't have far to go now.
Come the goodtime sweet like wine tomorrow - tomorrow.
(Chorus)
The Cowsills's song 'Goodtime Charlie' tells the story of an elderly man named Charlie who is staring through a window. The lyrics describe how Charlie has nowhere to go and no place to stay. Despite this, Charlie's mind is consumed with memories of the 'goodtime sweet like wine' from his past. The chorus of the song repeats the phrase 'Goodtime Charlie ain't had a good time in years' which highlights the fact that Charlie has not been happy in a long time.
The song's verses convey a sense of sadness and loneliness. Charlie's memories of the 'goodtime sweet like wine' contrast with his current situation. The lyrics suggest that Charlie is longing for those times and hoping for a better tomorrow. The repeated encouragement to wait for tomorrow and the promise of the 'goodtime sweet like wine' implies a sense of hope and a belief that things can get better.
Overall, the lyrics of 'Goodtime Charlie' tell a sad yet hopeful story of an elderly man who has fallen on hard times. The song's repetitive nature, particularly in the chorus, emphasize Charlie's sense of despair but provides a glimmer of hope for him too.
Line by Line Meaning
Staring through the window,
Old man Charlie is lost in thought, gazing out the window.
Old man Charlie staring through the window.
Charlie is an elderly man looking out of a window with a forlorn expression on his face.
He doesn't have a place to stay or a place to go.
Charlie is homeless and has nowhere to live or to travel to.
He's thinking 'bout the ladies. Old man Charlie's got his memories.
Charlie reflects on his past relationships and longs for the companionship of women.
And the goodtime sweet like wine, just yesterday - just yesterday.
Charlie fondly remembers the good times he had in the past and how they made him feel good, like the taste of sweet wine.
(Chorus)
Refrain, repeated throughout the song.
Goodtime Charlie ain't had a good time in years.
Charlie hasn't enjoyed himself in a long time and has been feeling down.
Goodtime Charlie only tomorrow and tears.
Charlie is facing a bleak future with only sadness and despair ahead.
But wait a minute, Charlie. You don't have far to go now.
There is hope for Charlie, and he doesn't have much further to wait until things improve.
Come the goodtime sweet like wine tomorrow - tomorrow.
A better future is coming for Charlie, and he will soon experience happiness once again.
Charlie's look for (good time).
Charlie is searching for a good time and some joy in his life.
So wait a minute Charlie. You don't have far to go now.
The good times are almost here for Charlie, and he just needs to hold on a bit longer.
Come the goodtime sweet like wine tomorrow - tomorrow.
Hope is once again expressed that a better future with joy and happiness is coming soon for Charlie.
(Chorus)
Refrain, repeated throughout the song.
Contributed by Nolan P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.