Werewolf
The Five Man Electrical Band Lyrics
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I looked in his room, his bed wasn't slept in at all last night
But Papa said "Ah, now Momma don't you go talking silly
He's just a young boy, he's just sowing his wild oats and that's arightâ??
But momma said "No, something real strange 'bout my Billy
Farmer down the road said he lost a few of his sheep last night
I know he's my own flesh and blood but he makes my blood run chilly
'Cause I saw from my window and he was on the hill just screaming at the moonâ??
Is it any wonder
We hate to see the sun go down
And is it any wonder
We hate to see the full moon coming 'round
So Papa said "I guess there's only one thing to do 'bout Billy
Hand me down my gun son and bring along that silver dinner bellâ??
But Momma "Papa I beg you don't kill him
'Cause I just bear to think about my baby in hellâ??
He went down to the blacksmith got him out of bed and said
"Get your fire hot
Oh shut up your shutters close down your doors, we're gonna need all the heat you got
'Cause I want you to melt my silver bell down to a single shot
I got a job to do and I got to get it done before the sun comes upâ??
So is it any wonder
That we hate to see the sun go down
Then we heard a shot and I said "Papa got himâ??
Then we heard a scream and Momma smiled and said "Betcha Billy got himâ??
But when I opened up my eyes there was Papa standing in the doorway staring at the floor
And my big brother Billy never did come home no more
Now is it any wonder
We hate to see the sun go down
And is it any wonder
We to see the full moon coming 'round
The Five Man Electrical Band's song "Werewolf" is a haunting tale about a family's suspicion that their youngest son is turning into a werewolf. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a small, rural town where everyone knows each other's business. The mother becomes increasingly concerned about her son's odd behavior, claiming that he is "sowing his wild oats." However, her fears are validated when a farmer down the road reports sheep missing and she sees her son on a nearby hill screaming at the moon. The father takes matters into his own hands and prepares to kill his son with a silver bullet, while the mother pleads for mercy. The story ends with confusion as no one knows for sure what happened to the young boy, and the family is left haunted by the experience.
Line by Line Meaning
Momma said "There's something weird 'bout Billy
Mother is concerned that Billy is acting strange
I looked in his room, his bed wasn't slept in at all last night
Billy was absent from home
But Papa said "Ah, now Momma don't you go talking silly
Father reassures mother not to worry
He's just a young boy, he's just sowing his wild oats and that's aright'
Father thinks Billy is young and adventurous
But momma said "No, something real strange 'bout my Billy
Mother insists that Billy's behavior is unusual
Farmer down the road said he lost a few of his sheep last night
Billy may have harmed the farmer's animals
I know he's my own flesh and blood but he makes my blood run chilly
Mother is fearful of what Billy might do
'Cause I saw from my window and he was on the hill just screaming at the moon
Mother claims that Billy was howling at the moon
Is it any wonder
Repeating phrase indicating that actions have consequences
We hate to see the sun go down
People dread the coming of the night
And is it any wonder
Repeating phrase indicating that actions have consequences
We hate to see the full moon coming 'round
People dread the sight of a full moon
So Papa said "I guess there's only one thing to do 'bout Billy
Father decides to take action about Billy's behavior
Hand me down my gun son and bring along that silver dinner bell
Father wants his son to help him and bring silver for protection
But Momma "Papa I beg you don't kill him
Mother pleads with father not to harm Billy
'Cause I just bear to think about my baby in hell
Mother doesn't want her child to suffer
He went down to the blacksmith got him out of bed and said
Father travels to the blacksmith to prepare his weapons
"Get your fire hot
Father asks the blacksmith for his help
Oh shut up your shutters close down your doors, we're gonna need all the heat you got
Father needs the blacksmith to work quickly and securely
'Cause I want you to melt my silver bell down to a single shot
Father wants a silver bullet made to hunt Billy
I got a job to do and I got to get it done before the sun comes up
Father has to find and kill Billy quickly
Then we heard a shot and I said "Papa got him
Family hears a gunshot, thinking father killed Billy
Then we heard a scream and Momma smiled and said "Betcha Billy got him
Family hears a scream, thinking Billy killed father
But when I opened up my eyes there was Papa standing in the doorway staring at the floor
Father survived the confrontation with Billy
And my big brother Billy never did come home no more
Billy disappeared after the confrontation with father
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: CHRISTOPHER SCOTT SHAW
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@jeffreybarkin3177
@@debbiebrown4420
Most Appreciated!
We Can TRULY Make MAGIC if we Really Desire, and "Haunting Songs" by Talented Artists like THE FIVE MAN ELECTRICAL BAND can SURELY HELP Remind Us of THIS...
Don't You Agree?
Ageism of Art or Talent should NOT hurt its Significance or VALUE.
Don't you Agree?
Curious...
😀
@24WESJULY
The Five Man Electrical Band (originally known as The Staccatos from 1963–68) is a Canadian rock group from Ottawa. They had many hits in Canada, including the top 10 entries "Half Past Midnight" (1967) (as The Staccatos), "Absolutely Right" (1971) and "I'm a Stranger Here" (1972). Internationally, they are best known for their 1971 hit single "Signs".[1] The Staccatos made their debut as a recording act in 1965, with their early singles being written by the team of Craig and Emmerson. After releasing a non-charting single on a small independent label, the group signed to Capitol Records of Canada, and their second single, "Small Town Girl", made it into the Canadian top 20. Several follow-ups also cracked the top 40, and The Staccatos were rising stars in their native country.
Rebirth as Five Man Electrical Band (1969-75)
The group's new single "It Never Rains On Maple Lane" with B side "Private Train" was a mild success in Canada; the A-side appeared at #67 on the charts, but after two weeks on the charts the single was flipped over and B-side "Private Train" made it into the top 40, peaking at #37. Their album, meanwhile, contained a mixture of new material and older recordings originally released as by The Staccatos (including "Half Past Midnight") and was similarly successful in Canada. Follow-up singles failed to chart. At the end of 1969, the band ended their relationship with Capitol and signed with MGM Records.
The band's first two singles on MGM (released in 1970) both charted in the mid-50s in Canada. The group's 1970 album Good-byes and Butterflies created a minor controversy with a front cover picture that featured a marijuana plant; the album was withdrawn and subsequently reissued with a new cover.
In 1971, the band had their first international success when their label reissued the second MGM single "Hello Melinda, Goodbye/Signs", originally recorded in Los Angeles, with the sides reversed.[2] Disc jockeys and the public immediately took to "Signs" (written by Les Emmerson); it reached #4 in Canada, #3 on the US Billboard Hot 100, and went to #1 in Australia for nearly two months. It sold over one million copies, and was awarded a gold disc by the R.I.A.A. in August 1971.[3]
In the next few years a number of charting singles were release: "Absolutely Right", "Money Back Guarantee", "Werewolf", "I’m A Stranger Here" and several others, all written by Emmerson. Outside of Canada, most of these were minor hits, but the band continued with a steady flow of releases and concert dates. In 1972, the band issued Coming Of Age, their third album as Five Man Electrical Band. Emmerson, who was more interested in recording in the studio than in playing live, also established a parallel solo career in 1972.
Mike Bell, now going by his birth name of Michael Belanger, left the group partway through the recording of their 1973 album Sweet Paradise, and bassist Brian Rading left just as the album was being finished. The album produced several hit singles, including "I'm A Stranger Here", their highest-ever charting hit in Canada. Emmerson, Gerow and Rick Belanger attempted to keep things going with new players for a time, producing singles in 1974 and '75, with minimal chart success outside of Canada.
Rick Belanger left the group in 1974, leaving Emmerson and Gerow as the only remaining permanent members of the ostensibly "Five Man" band. Shortly thereafter, when 1975's "Johnny Get A Gun" peaked at a lowly #69 in Canada, Emmerson and Gerow decided to disband the Five Man Electrical Band. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Five_Man_Electrical_Band
@jeffreybarkin3177
HEY...
One should not critique WARREN ZEVON who was SUCH a GIFTED Songwriter and Producer, TOO!
However, I fully Agree that The FIVE MAN ELECTRICAL BAND are SO DESERVING of Greater RESPECT!
TRULY and CERTAINLY...
In Fact, #ABSOLUTELY Too!
@jeffreybarkin3177
SADLY, we LOST this MAESTRO and Talented Artist way, WAY TOO Young!
IMAGINE how DIFFICULT it was for His Son to Finish his Final Songs and Masters?
JUST IMAGINE!
So SO SAD as SIR WARREN ZEVON was BEYOND BRILLIANT, he was One of the Greatest and The FIVE MAN ELECTRICAL BAND are surely in Such ESTEEMED Company!
❤
@brucebrinkley1765
I was 14 the first time I heard this, 64yrs old now found it on my music videos few weeks ago brings back memories
@markaber7549
Been looking for this for 35 years. Thanks for finding it
@ripp846
My uncle, Dallas Smith produced this record. He was one of those cool uncles, who had long hair and produced records in LA. RIP.
@jennifermarlow.
I just turned 65, and wanted to say about your uncle .. "LEGEND". Take care, friend. x
@shevetlevi2821
Very cool.
@mousiespanks2379
I had a K-tel album when I was a kid called Superstars Greatest hits and this song was on that album. I had to look it up because I haven't heard it in a long time. Thanks for the memories of my youth.
@johnharding6014
Great song from when i was young
@modernmilner9836
Naturally, the full moon brought me here.
@kevinbonner6133
Hadn’t thought about this song in sooooo many years. Just tonight I started singing it for no reason at all. Happy to say when I played the song I realized I got most of the words correct . . . .
@crystalbelle2349
Thank you. The lyrics and music to this popped into my head tonight so had to see if it had came back to anyone else recently bc my memory is almost gone; or so I thought. Yet, sitting here alone at midnight this came back so I keyed in the lyrics and found it. You read as the most recent who had the same experience. I’m now 60 years of age so really hoped to hear it again and YouTube didn’t disappoint. Glad we both found it. Yes, I had the lyrics right too, which is amazing considering I now have Parkinson’s LoL. Long term memories come easier that what happened yesterday for me, but this was a unique experience. I DO love music bc it never changes. Enjoy the rest of your life and enjoy the music. 🎶 :) ^..^