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
Old Folks
The Lovin' Spoonful Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Thank you
Good morning
Looking fine
It's all those old folks left here waiting
That leapt my heart into my mind
It's a sad, sad feeling
On every sunny Sunday morning
All golden-aged and sittin' in
Comes out to putter in the sunshine
And shuffle through his deck of bein'
It's a sad, sad feeling
To still be around
And it's the same old tired park bench
Nobody's found
Soft wrinkled stories if you listen
About the lazy days back when
Your mom and dad were little babies
And he had friends still livin' then
It's a sad, sad feeling
To still be around
And it's the same old tired park bench
Nobody's found
And there was a tree put there for shading
That they cut down
The fields he loved got turned to highways
From horse to car to plane to moon
Staying well meant that he feels older
Yet none of his kids have the room
It's a sad, sad feeling
To still be around
And it's the same old tired park bench
Nobody's found
There was a tree put there for shading
That they cut down
And his old shoes
Had worn a spot there
From grass to ground
The Lovin' Spoonful's song Old Folks tells the melancholic story of an elderly man, who is still alive while most of his peers have already passed away. The song is a poignant commentary on the bitterness of old age while highlighting the isolation that comes with being the only one left. The first stanza addresses the younger generation, conveying the singer's politeness and attentive behavior towards them. However, the singer's real sad feelings emerge in the next stanzas, where he describes the same old park bench that has been there since he was young. He reminisces about the people who once shared the bench with him, telling stories about their past experiences. The bench has been worn down, and the tree that offered shading has been cut down, just like everything this man once knew and loved.
As the lyrics progress, the singer describes the great changes that have happened since his youth. The fields he once admired have been replaced by highways, and technology advancements made the world he lived in almost unrecognizable. The elderly man's physical and emotional state is also explored, pointing out that he is getting weaker and lonelier day by day, with no room left for his children in his life. The song ends on a poignant note, with the singer noting the spot the man's old shoes have worn down from the grass to the ground. It is an evocative symbol of his persistence and resilience in the face of everything changing around him.
Line by Line Meaning
You'll always hear me say Hello Ma'am
The singer shows respect and politeness to the elderly individuals he encounters.
Thank you
The singer expresses gratitude to the elderly individuals he encounters.
Good morning
The singer greets the elderly individuals he encounters cheerfully.
Looking fine
The artist compliments the elderly individuals he encounters.
It's all those old folks left here waiting
The artist expresses sadness about the loneliness and isolation felt by seniors who have outlived their friends and peers.
That leapt my heart into my mind
The singer's heart is touched by the plight of lonely seniors.
On every sunny Sunday morning
The singer observes how seniors regularly engage in outdoor activities on weekends.
All golden-aged and sittin' in
The seniors in the park are in the later stages of their lives and seated.
Comes out to putter in the sunshine
Seniors come out to pass the time outdoors in the sun.
And shuffle through his deck of bein'
Seniors often reminisce and think about the past as they try to occupy their time.
Soft wrinkled stories if you listen
Seniors have stories from their past that they may desire to share.
About the lazy days back when
Seniors may likely reminisce about the carefree times of their youth.
Your mom and dad were little babies
Seniors who grew up with the parents of younger generations may reminisce about those individuals in particular.
And he had friends still livin' then
Seniors may recall the friends they once had who have since passed away.
The fields he loved got turned to highways
Seniors have seen many changes to the landscape and the world as a whole throughout their lives.
From horse to car to plane to moon
Seniors have witnessed many technological advancements over the years.
Staying well meant that he feels older
Seniors may express how they do not feel as young or as healthy as they once did in the past.
Yet none of his kids have the room
Seniors may feel alone or unwanted, as their family members may not have the space to house them or take care of them.
And there was a tree put there for shading
A tree used to provide relief from the sun.
That they cut down
The tree was removed or destroyed for one reason or another.
And his old shoes
The artist observes an elderly person's clothing and footwear.
Had worn a spot there
The artist notes that the elderly person sat in one spot so frequently that it left a wear mark.
From grass to ground
The mark left by the elderly individual's regular sitting extends from the grass around the bench to the ground below it.
Contributed by Connor B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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.]