The Flying Machine is best known for its major hit single in 1969, "Smile A Little Smile For Me", which peaked at number 5 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart (on Kapp Records' Congress record label) Their first record which was self titled was released by Janus Records in 1969. By 12 December that year they had sold a million copies of the record, and it was awarded a gold disc by the R.I.A.A. [1] The song was penned by the songwriting pairing of Tony Macaulay and Geoff Stephens. Despite originating from the other side of the Atlantic Ocean, the record had no presence at all on the UK Singles Chart, despite its initial release there on Pye Records.
A follow-up single, a cover version of "Baby Make It Soon", first recorded by Marmalade, achieved the U.S. Hot 100 the following year, but the group reportedly grew frustrated with their pop-oriented style. A final single, "The Devil Has Possession Of Your Mind", suggested a change of direction, but the Flying Machine split up following its release.
Bassist Colman went on to a successful career as a session musician, record producer and BBC Radio disc jockey.
Band members
* Tony Newman (born 1947, Rugby, Warwickshire, England) - vocals, guitars
* Steve Jones (born 1946, Coventry) - guitars, vocals
* Sam Kempe (born 1946, Rugby) - vocals
* Stuart Colman (Ian Stuart Colman, Harrogate, Yorkshire, 19 December 1944 - 19 April 2018) - bass, electric piano
* Paul Wilkinson (born 1948, Coventry) – drums
* Edie Andrews (born 1945, Detroit, Michigan) - background vocals
Waiting On The Shores Of Nowhere
The Flying Machine Lyrics
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I would find a girl someday
Up till now she still ain't shown up
Will she ever come my way
I've been pretendin' all summer long
There will be a happy ending when she comes along
Waiting till my boat comes in
I know it will someday
I've got to find a way to make my life begin
Baby I'm a loser
I'm still waiting on the shores of nowhere
For my boat to come in
For my life to begin someday
My daddy told me there's no hurry
She will come along alright
Who could blame me if I worry
For there's still no one in sight
I'd give the world to have her near me now
I only hope and pray that she can hear me now
I'm still waiting on the shores of nowhere
Waiting till my boat comes in
I know it will someday
I've got to find a way to make my life begin
Baby I'm a loser
I'm still waiting on the shores of nowhere
For my boat to come in
For my life to begin some-day
I'm still waiting on the shores of nowhere
Waiting till my boat comes in
I know it will someday
I've got to find a way to make my life begin
Baby I'm a loser
I'm still waiting on the shores of nowhere
Waiting till my boat comes in
I know it will someday
I've got to find a way
to make my life begin
Baby I'm a loser
In "Waiting On The Shores Of Nowhere," The Flying Machine sings about a young man's search for love. The song captures the feelings of longing and hopelessness that accompany waiting for something that may never come. The singer's father told him that he would find a girl someday, but as the days and summers pass, she still hasn't shown up. He wonders whether she will ever come his way. He spends his time pretending there will be a happy ending when she finally appears, but in his heart, he knows that he is still waiting on the shores of nowhere.
The Flying Machine paints a vivid picture of the singer's journey in their lyrics. The man feels like a loser because he hasn't found the love that he so desperately craves. However, he keeps waiting on the shores of nowhere, hoping that someday his boat will come in and his life will finally begin. He is willing to give up the world to have her near him, even though he worries that no one is in sight. The song is a bittersweet reflection on the universal human emotions of longing, love, and the emptiness of waiting.
Contributed by Nora N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.