1) The Crows were an American rhythm & blues, doo-wop group who achieved commercial success in the 1950s. The group's first single and only major hit, "Gee", released in June 1953, has been credited with being the first rock n’ roll hit by a rock and roll group. It peaked at position #14 and #2, respectively, on the Billboard magazine pop and rhythm-and-blues charts in 1954.
When The Crows started out in 1951, practicing sidewalk harmonies, the original members were Daniel "Sonny" Norton (lead), William "Bill" Davis (baritone), Harold Major (tenor), Jerry Wittick (tenor), and Gerald Hamilton (bass). In 1952, Wittick left the group and was replaced by Mark Jackson (tenor and guitarist).
They were discovered at Apollo Theater's Wednesday night talent show by talent agent Cliff Martinez and brought to independent producer George Goldner who had just set up the tiny new Rama Records label. The Crows were the first group signed and the first to record. The first songs they recorded were as backup to singer Viola Watkins. The song "Gee" was the third song recorded during their first recording session, on February 10, 1953. It was put together in a few minutes by group member William Davis, with Watkins also being credited as cowriter.
The song was first released as the B-side of a ballad, "I Love You So". However, radio stations began turning it over and playing "Gee," first in Philadelphia and later in New York and Los Angeles. By January 1954 it had sold 100,000 copies, and by April it entered the national R&B and pop charts, rising to #2 R&B and #14 pop. The song was a huge hit a year after it was recorded.
The Crows were a one-hit wonder. While "Gee" was on the charts, the record company released a number of other singles by the group, including "Heartbreaker," "Baby," and "Miss You," but none were successful. Their failures and the inability to perform regularly to support their recordings led to the breakup of the group a few months after "Gee" dropped off the Hit Parade. They maintained the original line up for the entire career of the group, with no hope for a reunion following the deaths of Gerald Hamilton in the 1960s and Daniel Norton in 1972.
2) The Crows were a short lived band that released one LP (The Crows) on the highly influential (in noise rock circles) Amphetamine Reptile Records label in 1994. In keeping with that label's other products, the Crows can be loosely classified as a noise rock band. Their own particular sound, however, tended not be an unorganized mass of noise, but was instead more succinct and twangy in a way that calls to mind a rockabilly band testing the boundaries of their genre. They liked to create space in their songs, and were rarely in a hurry. Their singer had a tendency to growl his lyrics, but not in the manner of singers of hardcore bands. These growls were more akin to the guttural noises one would expect from a 300 lbs., bearded lumberjack sitting down for a steak dinner with a red and white checkered napkin tucked into his collar. "mmmmmMMMMMM!" Tom Waits comes to mind in particular.
3) The Crows was an obscure power pop band from Belgium lead by frontman 'Zip Wookee'. The four-piece band produced their long single, "Don't Play Around" (b-side: "Irina"), in 1980.
Mountains
The Crows Lyrics
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Over the hills and everywhere
Go tell it on the mountain
Jesus Christ is born
The shepherds feared and trembled
When they look above the earth
Rang out the angel chorus
Let me tell you now
Go tell it on the mountain
Over the hills and everywhere
Go tell it on the mountain
Jesus Christ is born
While shepherds kept their watching
O'er silent flocks by night
Behold throughout the heavens
Oh, there shone a holy light
Let me hear you now
Go tell it on the mountain
Over the hills and everywhere
Go tell it on the mountain
Jesus Christ is born
Yes He is
Go, go, go, go, go, go
Let me hear you now
Go tell it on the mountain
Over the hills and everywhere
Go tell it on the mountain
Jesus Christ is born
Yes He is, yes He is
Go tell it on the mountain
Over the hills and everywhere
Go tell it on the mountain
Jesus Christ is born
Yes He is, yes He is
Jesus Christ is born
Jesus Christ is born
Yes He is, yes He is
The song "Go Tell it on the Mountain" is a classic Christmas spiritual song, depicting the joyous announcement of Jesus Christ’s birth. The lyrics describe the shepherds being filled with fear and awe when they saw the angels proclaiming the arrival of the Messiah. The chorus urges believers to spread the good news far and wide, to every corner of the world: “Go tell it on the mountain, over the hills and everywhere, Go tell it on the mountain, that Jesus Christ is born”.
This song speaks about evangelism and sharing the good news about the birth of Jesus Christ, by going out into the world and proclaiming it. It emphasizes the universal nature of Christ’s message, as it instructs people to tell it “over the hills and everywhere”. The song also echoes the joy and excitement of the shepherds, who discovered the message of hope and salvation, as they looked up at the heavens and saw the holy light shining above them.
One interesting fact about this song is that it was originally an African American spiritual song recorded by John Wesley Work Jr. in 1907. The song was first published as "Go Tell It on the Mountain: Christmas Spirituals" in 1927. Over the years, several artists, such as Mahalia Jackson, Dolly Parton, and Pentatonix, have recorded their versions of this song. "Go Tell it on the Mountain" is now known as a staple of the Christmas repertoire, and its message of spreading hope and joy resonates beyond the holiday season.
Line by Line Meaning
Go tell it on the mountain
Spread the good news of Jesus Christ's birth far and wide
Over the hills and everywhere
Don't let any distance or boundary limit the spreading of the news
Go tell it on the mountain
Repeat the call to spread the news about Jesus Christ's birth
Jesus Christ is born
The awaited Messiah has been born
The shepherds feared and trembled
The shepherds were filled with awe and wonder upon seeing the angelic choir
When they look above the earth
As the shepherds lifted their gaze up to the heavens
Rang out the angel chorus
The angels sang beautifully in unison
That hailed our Savior's birth
Their song proclaimed the birth of the Savior, Jesus Christ
Let me tell you now
The singer wants to emphasize the importance of spreading the news about Jesus Christ's birth
While shepherds kept their watching
As the shepherds were keeping watch over their flocks
O'er silent flocks by night
During the peaceful and quiet night-time darkness
Behold throughout the heavens
Suddenly, the heavens became very bright and angelic hosts appeared
Oh, there shone a holy light
The bright light was so holy and illuminating
Let me hear you now
The singer urges listeners to repeat the message of Jesus Christ's birth
Yes He is
The affirmation that Jesus Christ has indeed been born
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., KENDOR MUSIC, INC.
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