The band, from London, UK, started out as The Dave Clark Quintet in 1957, with Dave Clark on drums, Dave Sanford on lead guitar, Chris Walls on bass, Don Vale on piano (and arranger) and a saxophone player. By 1962, the band had changed its name to The Dave Clark Five and settled on the line-up that continued until the band called it a day in 1970: Dave Clark (drums, vocals; born December 15, 1939), Lenny Davidson (guitar; born May 30, 1944), Rick Huxley (bass; born August 5, 1942; died February 11, 2013), Denis Payton (saxes, harmonica, vocals; born August 11, 1943, died December 17, 2006), Mike Smith (keyboards, vocals; born December 6, 1943, died February 28, 2008).
Between 1964 and 1967, the band had 17 records in the US Billboard Top 40, with 12 Top 40 United Kingdom hits.
The DC5 disbanded in 1970, having placed three singles on the UK chart that year, two of which reached the Top Ten. That same year, Davidson, Huxley and Payton left and Alan Parker and Eric Ford joined on lead guitar and bass; this line-up, renamed "Dave Clark & Friends", lasted until 1973.
Red Balloon
The Dave Clark Five Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Marry the farmers daughter
Sleepy heads in the afternoon
Callow la, callow la Vita....... OH!
In and out of the Red Balloon
Marry the farmers daughter, yeah
Sleepy heads in the afternoon
Well the old man passed me by
And he didn't hear me cry
I didn't know his name
And he didn't come again
The sun was coming out
And the kids began to shout
The dogs began to bark
In that lovely Paris park... OH!
In and out of the Red Balloon
Marry the farmers daughter
Sleepy heads in the afternoon
Callow la, callow la Vita
Bon Jour Madame. Bon Jour Monseiur
Je vous vois dans le parc main a main tous les jours
Il fait beaux temps au'jorurd'hui et les fleurs sont si belles
J'es pere qu'il ne pleut pas et vous a ves tou jours l'a mour... OH!
In and out of the Red Balloon
Marry the farmers daughter
Sleepy heads in the afternoon
Callow la, callow la Vita....... OH!
OH!
In and out of the Red Balloon
Marry the farmers daughter
Sleepy heads in the afternoon
Callow la, callow la Vita....... OH!
Ha ha ha
Aaarrrhhh
The Dave Clark Five's song "Red Balloon" is a whimsical tune that employs childlike imagery to describe youthful adventures. The Red Balloon is a symbol of travel, freedom, and carefree exploration. The lyrics suggest that the singer is in and out of the Red Balloon, pushing its limits to explore new places and experiences, much like childhood itself. The singer also imagines himself marrying the farmer's daughter, adding a dreamy romantic element to the song. The lyrics 'Callow la, callow la Vita' add to the frivolous nature of the song, their meaning unknown, possibly made-up words that mimic the playful nature of the song.
The second verse takes a darker turn with the old man who passed by without hearing the singer cry, suggesting the harsh realities of life as one gets older. However, the singer doesn't let this bring him down, and the song ends on a joyful note, with kids shouting and dogs barking on a sunny day in a Parisian park. The French lyrics add an exotic flair to the song, suggesting a sense of wanderlust.
Line by Line Meaning
In and out of the Red Balloon
Life is like being in and out of a bubble, unpredictable and full of ups and downs.
Marry the farmer's daughter
Find true love and settle down with someone who shares your values and understands your way of life.
Sleepy heads in the afternoon
Afternoons are made for naps, relaxation and enjoying the beauty of life when work is done for the day.
Callow la, callow la Vita
Life is full of surprises and excitement that should be embraced with open arms.
Well the old man passed me by
Unexpected moments and people will pass by in life, it's important to take note of each one as they all leave a lasting impact.
And he didn't hear me cry
We all feel sadness and despair at times, but sometimes nobody hears us or offers comfort.
I didn't know his name
The people we encounter in life are sometimes unknown to us, but can still hold value and impact our lives.
And he didn't come again
Sometimes moments in life are fleeting and never to be repeated, we must cherish each one as they come.
The sun was coming out
After periods of darkness, there is always light and hope that things are going to get better.
And the kids began to shout
Joy and happiness can be contagious, and children lead the way in celebrating what life brings.
The dogs began to bark
Animals are one of life's simple pleasures and can bring us joy and companionship, even in the midst of chaos or danger.
In that lovely Paris park... OH!
Paris, the city of love and adventure, reminds us to take a moment to enjoy the beauty and romance of life.
Bon Jour Madame. Bon Jour Monseiur
Greetings are universal and can brighten anyone's day, we should strive to treat everyone with kindness and respect.
Je vous vois dans le parc main a main tous les jours
Observing the love between two people can bring happiness and remind us of the joy of companionship.
Il fait beaux temps au'jorurd'hui et les fleurs sont si belles
The beauty of nature can bring peace and happiness to anyone's life, especially when the weather is perfect.
J'es pere qu'il ne pleut pas et vous a ves tou jours l'a mour... OH!
May the weather be pleasant and love always be present in your life, forever and always.
Ha ha ha
Laughter is one of life's best medicines and can bring joy even in the darkest times.
Aaarrrhhh
Expressing oneself through sounds or actions can bring a sense of release and relief in times of stress or anxiety.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Tyrone De Silva
What a fabulous group. Loved them. Kept my toes tapping all the way through school. Am 65 and still in 60s. Together with the Hermon Hermits with Peter Noon. I'd say life was complete.
Billy Weir
Fantastic song from a superb group, thank you
Brian Harbut
Great song! Wonderful memories 🙏
Mick Ayres
Great song as a child of the sixties I’m afraid I don’t remember it but I have recently downloaded it from iTunes now can’t stop playing it
EBERHARD G.
My first 45Rpm record. Love it. Good memories.
Simon Mears
Got to be one of the most underrated DC5 songs but such a great, great song.
Grant
This Was a hit in France sang by Marie Laforet
Alex Nesrallah
Mike Barooshian Dave Clark owns the rights to their records and closely controls the availability of DC5 songs.
Heiner Golißa
Damals in einem privatem Partyclub gehört. Dies war zu dieser Zeit der absolute Partyknüller. Oh Gott, wie alt bin ich heute? Immer wieder schön heute noch zu hören.
DayDreem
Two things I remember watching live on my grandmother's TV; the moon landing and this on Ed Sullivan, both equally as memorable.