Glenn Mercer and Bill Million formed the band as The Outkids in 1976, and changed their name to The Feelies later that year. The band moved to New York and began receiving critical acclaim for their performances. By the 1978, the band consisted of Mercer, Million, basist Keith DeNunzio and drummer Anton Fier. The band released their debut single "Fa Cé-La", on Rough Trade Records in 1979.
In 1980, the band released their debut album, "Crazy Rhythms" on Stiff Records. Fier and DeNunzio left the band shortly after the release of the album, and the band was put on hiatus as Mercer and Million pursued other projects. The two continued to occasionally perform with other musicians as The Feelies throughout the early 1980's.
The band reformed in 1985 with a lineup consisting of Million, Mercer, Dave Wackerman, Brenda Sauter and Stan Demeski and released "The Good Earth" in 1986. The album was co-produced by R.E.M. guitarist Peter Buck. The Feelies toured with Lou Reed and R.E.M. during 1986.
In 1988, the band released "Only Life" on A&M Records, and in 1991, released "Time for a Witness" on the same label. The band disbanded in 1992.
The band reunited in 2008 and toured with Sonic Youth, before beginning a schedule of festival dates throughout 2009 and 2010. The band released their fifth album, "Here Before", on Bar/None Records in 2011.
What Goes On
The Feelies Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I think that I am falling down.
What goes on in your mind?
I think that I am upside down.
Baby, be good, do what you should, you know it will work alright.
Baby, be good, do what you should, you know it will be alright.
I'm going up, and I'm going down.
See the bills, up in the sky,
Somebody's cut their string in two.
Baby, be good, do what you should, you know it will work alright.
Baby, be good, do what you should, you know it will be alright.
One minute born, one minute doomed,
One minute up, one minute down.
What goes on in your mind?
I think that I am falling down.
Baby, be good, do what you should, you know it will work alright.
Baby, be good, do what you should, you know it will be alright.
The Feelies' song "What Goes On" is a curious composition that delves into thoughts possibly coming from a person's subconscious. The first verse opens with the question, "What goes on in your mind?" The singer's response is an admission of feeling disoriented and out of control. The singer falls down and feels upside down, both of which symbolize complete disorientation. The chorus then follows, urging the baby to be good and do the right thing, as it will all work out alright.
The second verse reintroduces the idea of falling and being physically unstable. The singer claims to be going up and down, from side to side, perhaps representative of an out-of-body experience or an existential crisis. The lyrics then mention seeing bills up in the sky, and somebody having cut their string in two, which can be interpreted as a metaphor for finances and stability. The chorus is repeated twice more, emphasizing the importance of doing what's right and that everything will be alright.
Overall, the lyrics to "What Goes On" are poetic and ambiguous, leaving plenty of room for personal interpretation. The song addresses the challenges of life and the importance of staying grounded and doing what's right in the face of adversity.
Line by Line Meaning
What goes on in your mind?
What are you thinking about?
I think that I am falling down.
I feel like I am losing control and everything is crashing.
What goes on in your mind?
What else are you thinking about?
I think that I am upside down.
I feel disoriented and unstable.
Baby, be good, do what you should, you know it will work alright.
Hey love, follow the rules and everything will be okay.
I'm going up, and I'm going down.
My emotions are fluctuating rapidly.
I'm going from side to side.
I feel pulled in different directions.
See the bills, up in the sky, Somebody's cut their string in two.
I see things falling apart, things that used to be held together are now breaking apart.
One minute born, one minute doomed, One minute up, one minute down.
Life is unpredictable, one moment you are happy and the next you are in despair.
Baby, be good, do what you should, you know it will work alright.
Hey love, play by the rules and everything will be fine.
Baby, be good, do what you should, you know it will be alright.
Hey love, do what you're supposed to and everything will be okay.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: LOU REED
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Rallabhandi Prabhakar
The Feelies may be the ultimate example of the best ever obscure band . Some of the most hypnotic rock music in 80s came from this band and they are still active.
Allan Ostermann
Another great band with a few good, hypnotic songs was Dream Syndicate, like "Still Holding to You."
robert m.
The Feelies. What a great band! Still listening to them some 40+ years on...
strumbolli
Im new to discover The Feelies.. Imagine my delight to find they've covered one of my favourite songs.
Anthony Monaghan
Wow..they really nailed 'the ostrich' guitar sound! A truly worthy cover of one of Lou's greatest early songs. Fab.
Ecléctico Iconoclasta
RIP Lou Reed. Thanks for the amazing music and for influencing so much coolness such as this band.
Dan C
Very much looking forward to a new album by The Feelies in 2017. See them live. Best band ever.
Little King Trashmouth
It did not disappoint.
John O'Shea
You know, they've just re-released The Feelies first three albums, including their 1980 classic, "Crazy Rhythms". They're all terrific albums and trying to find them until now has been almost impossible. Thank God they're out!
Peter Wesley Bastone
What a great track!