Their best known songs include "Summer In The City", "Do You Believe In Magic?", "Darling Be Home Soon", and "Daydream". The band reunited in 1991 and continue to perform without Sebastian, who has declined to participate, and Yanovsky, who died in 2002.
The band's name was inspired by lyrics from Mississippi John Hurt's "Coffee Blues" and drew influence from contemporary folk and psychedelic music while also inspiring later rock bands.
A more complete history of this seminal New York band can be found on their official site: lovinspoonful.com
Fishin' Blues
The Lovin' Spoonful Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Reached right back and got me a pole.
Went to the hardware and got me a hook.
Attached that line right on that hook.
Says you've been a-fishin' all the time.
I'm a-goin' fishin' too.
I bet your life, your lovin'wife.
Any fish bite if you've got good bait.
Here's a little somethin' I would like to relate.
Any fish bite, you've got good bait.
I'm a-goin' a-fishin', yes, I'm a-goin' a-fishin',
I'm a-goin' a-fishin' too.
Looked down the river about one o'clock.
Spied this catfish swimmin' around.
I've got so hungry, didn't know what to do.
I'm gonna get me a catfish too.
Yes, you've been fishin' all the time.
I'm a-goin' a-fishin' too.
I bet your life your lovin' wife.
Catch more fish than you.
Any fish bite, got good bait.
Here's a little somethin' I would like to relate.
Any fish bite, you've got good bait.
I'm a-goin' a-fishin', yes, I'm goin' a-fishin',
I'm a-goin' a-fishin' too.
Put on your skillet, don't never mind your lead.
Mama gonna cook 'em with the short'nin' bread.
Says you been fishin' all the time.
I'm a-goin a-fishin' too.
I bet your life, your lovin' wife.
Can catch more fish than you.
Any fish bite, if you've got good bait.
Here's a little somethin' I would like to relate.
Any fish bite, you've got good bait.
I'm a-goin' a-fishin', yes, I'm goin' a-fishin',
I'm a-goin' a-fishin' too. FISHING BLUES
The Lovin' Spoonful's song Fishin' Blues is a lighthearted tune about the joys of fishing. The lyrics describe the singer's experience of going fishing, with simple and straightforward language. The song begins with the singer going up on a hill at around noon and getting his rod and hook ready for fishing. He then sings about how he is good at fishing and that even his wife could catch more fish than his rival.
The second verse continues with the singer seeing a catfish in the river and becoming hungry. He is also reminded that his rival has been fishing all this while, and therefore, he decides to go fishing too. The final verse speaks of cooking the fish for a meal with Mama making it with the shortening bread.
The song is essentially a fun and playful tribute to fishing and the simple pleasures of life. It's a great song to sing along to and even better to listen to on a sunny day out fishing. The Lovin' Spoonful's distinctive blend of folk, rock, and pop music in this song captures the quintessence of the 60s, and their unique sound remains influential to this day.
Line by Line Meaning
Went up on the hill about twelve o'clock.
I went to a high place to fish at midday.
Reached right back and got me a pole.
I got a fishing rod and reel.
Went to the hardware and got me a hook.
I went to the hardware store to get a fishhook.
Attached that line right on that hook.
I connected the fishing line to the fishhook.
Says you've been a-fishin' all the time.
You've been fishing all along.
I'm a-goin' fishin' too.
I want to go fishing as well.
I bet your life, your lovin'wife.
I'm so confident that I'm willing to wager your life and your spouse's love.
Can catch more fish than you.
That I can catch more fish than you can.
Any fish bite if you've got good bait.
If you have the right bait, any fish will bite.
Here's a little somethin' I would like to relate.
I would like to offer you this advice.
Looked down the river about one o'clock.
I looked down the river around one in the afternoon.
Spied this catfish swimmin' around.
I saw a catfish swimming in the water.
I've got so hungry, didn't know what to do.
I became very hungry and didn't know how to satisfy my hunger.
I'm gonna get me a catfish too.
I'm determined to catch a catfish as well.
Put on your skillet, don't never mind your lead.
Start preparing to cook, disregard the fishing gear.
Mama gonna cook 'em with the short'nin' bread.
My mother is going to cook the fish with shortening bread.
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JOHN SEBASTIAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Rorick Sellers
on 4 Eyes
4 Eyes: After "Mister up in middle classes" is the line: LET YOUR BABY CHOOSE HIS GLASSES ... [for some reason, this line in all caps is omitted ON EVERY WEBSITE that has the lyrics to this song. Weird.]