In early '65, they replaced Gleeson with drummer Mike Gibbins and started becoming quite popular on the local circuit as they would open for nationally known rock acts (including The Moody Blues, The Yardbirds, The Spencer Davis Group, Pink Floyd and many others) as those groups played Wales. In the spring of '66, they met Bill Collins who showed a great interest in the group. Collins eventually became their manager after moving the band to his place in London. The Iveys played various pubs and functions in and around London as well as backing up-and-coming pop vocalist David Garrick, while recording their own material from around '66 to '67.
The band's work generated some interest with the likes of Decca Records, Phillips, and even Pye Records. Even Ray Davies of The Kinks was interested at one point after hearing some of their demos. By the end of '67, guitarist Jenkins left and was replaced by Tommy Evans (formerly of The Calderstones). By early '68, The Iveys' popularity was growing even more. In March '68, The Beatles' roadie and friend Mal Evans obtained some of their demos and took them to The Beatles' newly formed Apple Records label in which various parties were interested, Paul McCartney for one. The Iveys were signed in the summer of '68. They recorded tracks in which the Tommy Evans tune, "Maybe Tomorrow", was released as a single in the fall of '68. The single peaked at #67 in early '69.
After other tracks were recorded, they released their first (and only) album, 'Maybe Tomorrow', in the U.K. and in Europe in the summer of '69, but for some reason it wasn't released in the U.S. The band, feeling slighted, was asked by Paul McCartney if they would be interested in recording his demo as well as other tracks for a movie soundtrack that he was comissioned to do. The group jumped at the chance and recorded McCartney's song "Come And Get It" as well as two other tracks for the film 'The Magic Christian'.
In the fall of '69, The Iveys were encouraged to change their name in which they did. After renaming themselves Badfinger (after Bad Finger Boogie - the working title for The Beatles tune With A Little Help From My Friends) Ron Griffiths left the group due to personal problems. Evans switched to bass guitar and they auditioned Joey Molland for the guitarist slot.
The Promise
The Iveys Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Here's a billion more you can throw away
It disappeared or I lost it somewhere
A year ago in the month of May
The only promise that we made to each other was
We'd try to save
Ourselves from falling into the same fate
Chorus:
But all the lights still shine
And as the days go by
You've got to pick yourself up off the ground
And come back in from the outside
Reach out, reach out, there's somebody there
We're not supposed to be alone
It's fragile times as I gain in age
And we know less than we did as a child
It disappeared or I lost it somewhere
But it's been gone from me for a while
The only promise that we made to each other was
We'd try to save
Ourselves from falling into the same fate
As everyone else but we ended the same
Chorus:
All the lights still shine
And as the days go by
You've got to pick yourself up off the ground
And come back in from the outside
Reach out, reach out, there's somebody there
We're not supposed to be alone
Bridge:
Hope is always there within a shattered dream
Chorus:
All the lights still shine
And as the days go by
You've got to pick yourself up off the ground
And come back in from the outside
Reach out, reach out, there's somebody there
We're not supposed to be alone
We're not supposed to be alone
The lyrics of The Promise by The Iveys speak of the fleeting nature of life, lost promises, and the fragility of human existence. The verse “Cast a number into the sea, here's a billion more you can throw away” talks about the lack of value we attach to time and how we often waste it. The promise that the singer refers to in the song is the promise they made to each other to avoid falling into the same fate as everyone else. However, the reality was that they ended up in the same place anyway, and the promise was broken. The line “But all the lights still shine, And as the days go by, You've got to pick yourself up off the ground, And come back in from the outside” is a message of hope in dark times. The lyrics implore listeners to seek out connection with others since we are not meant to be alone.
The bridge of the song, “Hope is always there within a shattered dream,” is a powerful line that can be interpreted in many ways. It may mean that even when our plans and dreams don't work out, hope can still be found in the aftermath. The song's overall message is one of resilience, even in the face of failure and loss. It encourages listeners to keep going even when things are tough and to seek out relationships with others.
Line by Line Meaning
Cast a number into the sea
Throwing away something valuable, carelessly.
Here's a billion more you can throw away
Indicating that the lost item was not really that much valuable.
It disappeared or I lost it somewhere
Uncertainty and forgetfulness.
A year ago in the month of May
Specific time reference.
The only promise that we made to each other was
Making only one promise is invaluable compared to the loss.
We'd try to save
Trying to protect self.
Ourselves from falling into the same fate
Avoiding the same mistake made by others.
As everyone else but it died just the same
Failure in spite of trying differently.
Chorus: All the lights still shine
Hope remains even after losing something.
And as the days go by
Passing of time shows that things still exist.
You've got to pick yourself up off the ground
Motivation to not give up and move on.
And come back in from the outside
Rejoining society after facing failure.
Reach out, reach out, there's somebody there
There is always someone to help.
We're not supposed to be alone
Humans are meant to be emotionally connected.
It's fragile times as I gain in age
Uncertainty and vulnerability in old age.
And we know less than we did as a child
Losing knowledge and experience over time.
But it's been gone from me for a while
Acceptance of the loss and moving on.
Bridge: Hope is always there within a shattered dream
Finding hope even in bleak circumstances.
Chorus: All the lights still shine
Maintaining hope despite loss.
And as the days go by
Time does not diminish the importance of hope.
You've got to pick yourself up off the ground
Self-improvement and motivation to never give up.
And come back in from the outside
Feeling a sense of belonging to society.
Reach out, reach out, there's somebody there
Never feel alone, someone is always there to help.
We're not supposed to be alone
Humans are social creatures who thrive in connection.
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