1.) The Marb… Read Full Bio ↴There are currently four bands charting as The Marbles:
1.) The Marbles were typical one-hit wonders because "Only One Woman" became their one and only major hit. It reached Number 5 in the UK singles chart in November 1968. Their second single "The Walls Fell Down" became a flop, and reached only Number 28 in the same charts. By 1969 the Marbles had split.
2.) The second Marbles were a mid-'70s NYC Pre-Punk/Power Pop/"Skinny Tie New Wave" quartet, now noted as one of the "lost bands" of the CBGBs/Max's Kansas City scene. They released their first single in 1976 (Red Lights/Fire and Smoke). They also contributed their song "Closing Me Down" for the 1976 CBGBs documentary "The Blank Generation". This was followed by their second single in 1977 (Forgive and Forget/Computer Cards). Their subsequent recordings remained unreleased until recent years.
3) The Marbles (Ireland)
Original members Jonathan McGlynn on guitars/vocals, Justin Whelan on bass and vocalist/drummer Seamus Simon formed The Marbles in Boyle, Co. Roscommon, Eire in 1997.
The Marbles cut their teeth playing local gigs and quickly generated a buzz as one of the hottest unsigned bands in Ireland, subsequently coming to the attention of manager Terry Woods (The Pogues). Having signed with Woods management company Quiet Management, the band soon concluded a deal with ZTT and entered the studio in 1998 working with producers Trevor Horn (Frankie Goes To Hollywood, Seal), Ed Bueller (Pulp, Suede) and Lenny Franchi (My Bloody Valentine).
The Marbles sound was distinguished by Simons soaring melodic vocals and McGlynns guitar driven riffs incorporating loops to great effect. Their high-energy retro indie rock was often drowned with touches of punk and psychedelia. The Marbles gigged throughout the UK and Eire for a number of years and rocked venues and the college circuit up and down both lands including support slots to Ocean Colour Scene and appearing at Witnness Festival 2000.
In October 1998 they released their Ireland-only debut single 'In My Eye' recorded with George De Angelis (Pet Shop Boys, Rod Stewart) and Simon Dawson (Stone Roses, The Damned, The Waterboys), which was received to warm critical acclaim by the music press (notably BP Fallon) and fans alike.
In 1999, vocalist/guitarist Marco Rea joined the band.
The official UK debut single 'Slip Into Sound' was released in March 2000 and attracted radio play on GLR, Virgin and Radio 1 and TV appearances on The Late Late Show (RTE 1).
June 2000 saw the release of single 'Fallin Overground'. October 2000 saw the release of single 'So Far Away'.
In 2004, Marco Rea, Seamus Simon and Johnny McGlynn formed 'Palomino' along with Michael McDaid.
4) In Columbus, Ohio in the late 90s and early 2000s, there was a band called The Marbles. In 1999 they released a self-titled cassette, as well as a CD called "Rock's Not Dead". In 2001 they released a CD called "Seduction", but due to naming conflicts (as demonstrated above) they then changed their name to Manda and the Marbles starting with a revised version of the "Seduction" CD, this time called "More Seduction".
Little Boy
The Marbles Lyrics
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What are you doing in my town
Little boy , do you have a mother now
And are you planning on settling down
Do you know , when your head grows grey
Will you feel the same as you did before
Cos when your old and grey
And nothings gonna change
Little boy , now you're growing older
You'll need a shoulder to guide you through
And you find when you fall in love
You know you'll cry just the way that I do
Don't you know there's a little girl to love
That's what makes the world go 'round
But when you're old and grey
You'll still think the way you do today
And nothings gonna change
Little boy , with your face so pretty now
What are you doing in my town
Little boy , do you have a mother now
Are you planning on settling down ....
The Marbles released the song "Little Boy" in 1969. The lyrics speak to the curious innocence of youth and the inevitable aging that comes with time. The song speaks to the little boy, with his smile so pretty, who finds himself wandering into the singer's town. The singer addresses him, asking him if he has a mother and if he plans on settling down. The lyrics are urging the little boy not to take the pleasures of youth for granted and to remember that even in old age, the way we feel about certain things will remain unchanged.
The lyrics continue to address the little boy, telling him that as he grows older, he will need guidance and a shoulder to lean on. They speak to the inevitability of falling in love and the tears that often come with it. The song acknowledges that there is a little girl out there to love and reminds the little boy that love is what makes the world go around.
The underlying message of "Little Boy" seems to be that life is fleeting and that we should appreciate the moments that we have as they will be gone all too soon. The lyrics speak to the importance of love and connection and remind us that these are the things that endure even as we age. The Marbles were able to deliver this message in a catchy, upbeat song, making the message accessible and memorable for all who listen.
Line by Line Meaning
Little boy , with your smile so pretty now
Addressing a young boy who has a pleasant smile.
What are you doing in my town
Questioning the reason for the boy's presence in the town.
Little boy , do you have a mother now
Asking if the boy has a living mother.
And are you planning on settling down
Inquiring about the boy's future plans and aspirations.
Do you know , when your head grows grey
Asking if the boy is aware of the effects of aging.
Will you feel the same as you did before
Wondering if the boy's attitudes and feelings will remain consistent with age.
Cos when your old and grey
Using slang to refer to old age and its effects.
You'll still feel the way you do today
Stating that the boy's current emotions and attitudes will persist with old age.
And nothings gonna change
Asserting the unchanging nature of the boy's feelings and attitudes.
Little boy , now you're growing older
Observing that the boy is maturing in age.
You'll need a shoulder to guide you through
Implying that the boy will require assistance in navigating life.
And you find when you fall in love
Noting that the boy will experience falling in love.
You know you'll cry just the way that I do
Suggesting that the boy will experience heartbreak and emotional turmoil like the singer.
Don't you know there's a little girl to love
Reminding the boy of the possibility of falling in love with a girl.
That's what makes the world go 'round
Highlighting the importance of love and romantic relationships in society.
But when you're old and grey
Reiterating the effect of aging on the boy's outlook on life.
You'll still think the way you do today
Asserting that the boy's views and opinions will remain consistent.
And nothings gonna change
Reaffirming the enduring nature of the boy's attitudes and emotions.
Little boy , with your face so pretty now
Commenting on the boy's physical appearance.
What are you doing in my town
Posing the same question again, indicating that the artist is puzzled by the boy's presence.
Little boy , do you have a mother now
Repeating the earlier question, emphasizing its importance.
Are you planning on settling down ....
Echoing the earlier inquiry regarding the boy's future and plans.
Contributed by Tyler K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.