The Knickerbockers were discovered in Albany, New York by Jerry Fuller and signed to Challenge Records. In 1966, The Knickerbockers released their only Top 20 hit with the song 'Lies'. The Knickerbockers soon followed up with the single 'One Track Mind' yet never found the same success as Lies'.
The Knickerbockers were also known for sounding very similar to The Beatles. In the single 'Lies', everything from their sound to the personality of Buddy Randell made many people think they were a Beatles spin-off, however, The Knickerbockers just claim they were a strong influence.
Since disbanding in the early 1970's, they reformed twice. Once in 1983 and once in 1990. Sadly, in 1998, Buddy Randell passed away cancelling any plans for a third Knickerbocker reunion.
To date, The Knickerbockers currently re-issue albums on Sundazed Records, a record company ran out of Coxsackie, New York.
One Mind
The Knickerbockers Lyrics
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Verse 1:
There's no denyin' I've been cryin', yeah, without her
Somebody help me please, I can't forget about her
I've got a one track mind
Maybe I'm a stubborn fool
Somebody please
Tell me what to do [4: Waaaaahhh!]
I close my eyes and all I visualize is her face
I've got a one-track mind
I won't believe that girl is gone
Somebody please
Tell me I'm not wrong
I can see her by my side
But the more I stare
Makes me want to run and hide
When I find she's not there
I got a one track mind
One track mind
The Knickerbockers’ “One Track Mind” is a song about a man who is unable to let go of his ex-girlfriend. The lyrics describe him as crying uncontrollably and unable to think of anything but her. He begs someone, anyone to help him forget about her, but he just can’t seem to do it. The chorus repeats the phrase “I’ve got a one-track mind” several times, emphasizing the notion that this man’s fixation on his lost love is all-consuming and distracting him from moving on.
The first verse sets the tone for the entire song. The singer’s heartbreak is all-encompassing to the point where he can’t function. He’s feeling desperate and hopeless, which is indicated by the way his voice cracks at the end of the verse. The second verse delves deeper, with the singer imagining his ex-girlfriend with someone else. He finds himself unable to even consider the possibility of her being replaced, which speaks to his inability to move on. The bridge of the song is especially poignant when the singer sings, “I can see her by my side, but the more I stare, makes me want to run and hide when I find she's not there.” This passage conveys the melancholic feeling of wanting someone who is no longer present in one’s life. The chorus is unapologetically catchy, and the repetition of the phrase “one track mind” seems to capture the essence of what the song is all about.
Line by Line Meaning
There's no denyin' I've been cryin', yeah, without her
It's obvious that I've been crying since she left me.
Somebody help me please, I can't forget about her
I need someone to assist me as I find it hard to forget about her.
I've got a one track mind
All I can think about is her; I am completely fixated on her.
Maybe I'm a stubborn fool
It could be that I'm a foolish person who doesn't easily give up on love.
Somebody please
I am pleading with someone to offer me advice.
Tell me what to do [4: Waaaaahhh!]
I am crying and desperately needing guidance on how to move on.
Don't try to tell me some girl will be taking her place
No one can replace her, and I don't want to hear otherwise.
I close my eyes and all I visualize is her face
I can't help but see her face whenever I close my eyes.
I've got a one-track mind
I can't focus on anything else; my mind is solely on her.
I won't believe that girl is gone
I refuse to accept that she has really left me forever.
Somebody please
I am still pleading for help from anyone who can advise me.
Tell me I'm not wrong
Tell me that I am not delusional or insane for still having feelings for her.
I can see her by my side
I can easily imagine her being next to me again.
But the more I stare
However, the more I try to picture her, the harder it becomes.
Makes me want to run and hide
I feel overwhelmed and scared, as it seems impossible to have her back.
When I find she's not there
Whenever I realize that she is not with me, it devastates me every time.
I got a one track mind
Despite all of this, I still only focus on her, and no one else.
One track mind
My mind, heart, and soul are fixated solely on her; nothing else matters.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: COLLEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Harry Mccabe
How this wasn't a top 10 smash hit i'll never know! My favorite song by the knickerbockers !!
seabulls69
Probably would have been. Their label had problems in distribution and as a result this song only reached 45 on the charts.
Five Linus 4
I love it too
george scarlett
REALLY??? Compared to "LIES"!!!!!!
Scott Campbell
Killer riff, great lyrics, terrific melody. I have to record a version of this before I die.
Mike Vincent
Love this ,bloody expensive purchase but well worth it . Their other tunes are good belters too
Scott Campbell
I remembered this track from childhood but didn't know who did it. It is still and absolute KILLER!!
Timothy Hadley
These guys were called "The American Beatles" by the DJs of the time. They should've had more success than they did. They were great.
Paul Maney
As great a tune as "Lies" is, this is even better! I heard this a few times on the radio in 1966 but never again. I have dozens of friends who are big Brit. Invasion era fans like myself who've never heard it and just go nuts when I slap my 45 down on the turntable and turn it up to 11! Should've been a Top 10 smash!
Nicholas Sans Pasty
I like it but do prefer Lies personally. Not a bad song at all though.