1) The Escorts were formed by Reginald Haynes in 1968, and originated their smooth vocal sound within the walls of New Jersey's infamous Rahway State Prison. After many failed attempts to allow them to perform on stage, they were finally given the green light. Two years later they were performing on stage at the infamous Rahway State Prison as prison officials, prison guards, visitors and hardcore inmates cheered, stomped, clapped. Little did they know that the late, great Linda Jones (Hypnotized), sister to one of their fellow inmates, was sitting in the audience accompanied by her producer/manager, George Kerr. Kerr, who was a veteran from the stable of Barry Gordy, Jr. and the early motown days, was in his own words" shocked and amazed to find this type of raw, pulsating talent in prison." After the show George Kerr approached Reginald and told him that he thought The Escorts were stupendous. Then he said something that would change Reginald's life forever and earn them both permanent residence in world history. Kerr said "I want to do something that's never been done in the history of the entertainment world. I want to record The Escorts here in Rahway State Prison". Reginald was elated at the prospect of turning professional and so their journey into the entertainment history books began.
The first live concert of The Escorts outside prison walls at Symphony Hall in Newark, NJ on February 17, 1973 created a sensation and two LPs were produced for Alithea Records during this era while some members were still incarcerated: All We Need Is Another Chance, followed by 3 Down 4 To Go. The latter title refers to the fact that three members had been released since the prison's singing group was formed, while the others continue serving their sentences.
2) The Escorts were a Merseybeat band from Liverpool, England. In 1963, they were voted the ninth most popular group in Liverpool by readers of Mersey Beat magazine.
They originally consisted of:
Terry Sylvester - guitar/lead vocals (born Terence Sylvester, 8 January 1946, Liverpool)
John Kinrade - lead guitar/vocals (born 1946)
Mike Gregory - bass guitar/vocals (born Michael Gregory, 7 November 1946, Liverpool)
Pete Clarke - drums (born Peter Gaskell, 1946) replaced by Kenny Goodlass from The Kirkbys; replaced by Pete Clark; replaced by Tommy Kelly of Earl Preston's Realms; replaced by Paul Comerford of The Cryin' Shames.
Sylvester was replaced by Frank Townsend from The Easybeats (1962 - 65) and the Beachwoods, who was later to become a member of Tony Rivers and the Castaways. Paddy Chambers (ex-Faron's Flamingos and The Big Three) subsequently replaced Townsend. Sylvester left to join The Swinging Blue Jeans in 1966, before replacing Graham Nash in The Hollies. He now lives in Florida and travels all over the United States and Canada playing concerts with such as Billy J. Kramer, Peter Noone, Joey Molland and other British Invasion acts. Sylvester also does a one man show.
Paul McCartney played tambourine on their last record "From Head To Toe" in 1966.
Gregory would also leave The Escorts in 1967 to join The Swinging Blue Jeans, and stayed until 1971, whereupon after leaving and doing sessions for a couple of years, he formed a group with Johnny Goodison of the original Brotherhood of Man called Big John's Rock 'n' Roll Circus in 1975. Gregory stayed in 'The Circus' until its demise in 2005, and is now a solo artist.
Kinrade stopped playing after The Escorts split up in 1967, and is now a hairdresser with two salons. Clarke became the in house session drummer for Apple Music. He did sessions for Kiki Dee and Billy Preston and, after a brief stint in Badfinger, is now living in the US
Although they never released a full album, during their short time together, at the instigation of Elvis Costello, Edsel Records released an LP containing all twelve songs from the six singles in 1983. It was released on CD in 1995 as EDCD 422 and entitled From the Blue Angel, as a reference to the club where they began performing in 1962. Costello also released a single which was a cover of The Escorts last recording - "From Head To Toe" / "Night Time".
3) The Escorts - Brisbane pop band from 1967
I Can't Stand
The Escorts Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
That got caught in the storm
Looking for a shelter
Coz I need to keep warm
My heart
My heart's growing too cold
And falling fast
Like the rain
I need to find some medicine
To keep my mind sane
My heart
My heart's growing too cold
My heart
My heart's growing too cold
I was ontop of the world
I thought I could stay up there
But I can't fly at all
No, I can't fly at all
I just give up and fall
Coz I can't fly at all
I'm smiling like a clown
Secretly sad inside
But I'll keep on laughing
Coz I still got my pride
My heart
My heart's growing too cold
Stay up late with me tonight
And we'll talk about
Everything we've ever been
And how we shouldn't doubt...
My heart
My heart's growing too cold
My heart
My heart's always been too cold
In The Escorts' song "I Can't Stand," the lyrics portray the singer's desperate search for shelter and warmth during a turbulent time in their life. The simile "crashing like an airplane that got caught in the storm" describes the intense and sudden nature of the emotions that the singer is feeling. They seek refuge in the metaphorical shelter of their own mind, but the darkness within is too much to bear. The repetition of "my heart's growing too cold" emphasizes the singer's feelings of distance and detachment from others and themselves.
The second verse of the song continues the theme of tumultuous emotions with the singer comparing themselves to the heat of the sun and the speed of falling rain. They recognize that they need some sort of medicine or therapy to help them find balance and calm. The line "I thought I could stay up there, but I can't fly at all" suggests that the singer had previously experienced success or happiness, but they are now unable to achieve those heights again. They are forced to fall and face their own limitations.
The final verse highlights the singer's struggle to maintain a facade of happiness and pride in the face of their inner turmoil. The juxtaposition of smiling like a clown while secretly feeling sad is a poignant image. The invitation to "stay up late with me tonight" and talk about everything reflects the singer's desire for human connection and understanding. However, they acknowledge that their heart has always been too cold, suggesting that this emotional distance is an ongoing struggle.
Line by Line Meaning
Crashing like an airplane
I am experiencing a sudden and rapid decline, similar to an airplane that has lost control and is crashing down to the ground.
That got caught in the storm
I am struggling to navigate through a difficult situation, trying to survive amidst turbulent forces that are beyond my control.
Looking for a shelter
I am searching for a safe haven, a place of refuge where I can find protection and comfort amidst the chaos.
Coz I need to keep warm
I am seeking out warmth, not only in a physical sense, but also emotional, as I try to combat the coldness that is growing in my heart.
My heart
The center of my emotions and feelings.
My heart's growing too cold
My emotions are becoming increasingly numb and indifferent, leaving me feeling disconnected from the world around me.
Burning like the sun
I feel passion and intensity within me, akin to the fiery heat of the sun.
And falling fast
However, my emotions are rapidly plummeting downwards, losing control and spiraling out of reach.
Like the rain
My descent is similar to the heavy, unrelenting downpour of a rainstorm.
I need to find some medicine
I am in search of a remedy, something that can heal my broken spirit and ease my pain.
To keep my mind sane
I am trying to hold onto my sanity, to keep myself from losing touch with reality amidst the turmoil within me.
I was ontop of the world
I was once in a position of power and control, feeling invincible and on top of everything.
I thought I could stay up there
I believed that my position was secure and everlasting, and that nothing could knock me down from my pedestal.
But I can't fly at all
However, I am now realizing that I am not capable of sustaining myself in this position, and that I am falling apart without support.
No, I can't fly at all
I cannot keep up the facade of success anymore, and my facade is now crashing down around me.
I just give up and fall
I am surrendering to my loss of control, and am allowing myself to fall into the abyss without resistance.
Coz I can't fly at all
I am simply not strong enough to overcome the obstacles in my way, and I must accept this reality in order to move forward.
I'm smiling like a clown
On the surface, I am putting on a happy face and pretending that everything is okay.
Secretly sad inside
But inwardly, I am deeply unhappy and struggling to keep up appearances.
But I'll keep on laughing
Despite my internal struggles, I will continue to push through and maintain my facade of happiness.
Coz I still got my pride
I am fiercely protective of my self-worth, and am unwilling to let anyone see me as weak or vulnerable, even if it means suffering in silence.
Stay up late with me tonight
I am asking you to spend some extra time with me, to be there for me when I need somebody to talk to.
And we'll talk about
We will discuss openly and honestly about the things that trouble us and weigh us down.
Everything we've ever been
Our collective history, both good and bad, will be laid out in the open for us to reflect upon.
And how we shouldn't doubt...
We will encourage each other to remain hopeful and optimistic, even in the face of life's challenges and uncertainties.
My heart's always been too cold
I have always struggled with emotional detachment and have found it difficult to connect with others on a deeper level.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind