Zappa disbanded the original Mothers of Invention line-up in 1970 to create music under his own name, but shortly reformed an entirely new band sometimes known as "The Mothers". This new incarnation had a strong vaudeville style and were much bawdier than before, with new vocalists Flo & Eddie, previously of the Turtles, taking the lead. After Zappa was pushed offstage in the Rainbow Theatre in 1971, he broke up this second band and concentrated on a jazzier style with a short-lived big band called the Grand Wazoo, but returned with a third lineup of the Mothers in 1973. This reformed group retained musical similarities to the previous group and the chamber music of the late '60s Mothers, but with a tighter, funkier sound; George Duke's soulful vocals being perhaps the most memorable addition. Whilst members of the new Mothers frequently appeared on albums credited solely to Zappa, three albums, Overnite Sensation, Roxy & Elsewhere and One Size Fits All display the name Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention.
The Mothers of Invention (1966-1969)
Frank Zappa - Musical director, guitar & vocals
Ray Collins - Lead vocalist, harmonica, tambourine, finger cymbals, bobby pin & tweezers 1966-early 1967, September 1967-August 1968
Jim Black - Drums
Roy Estrada - Bass & guitarron; boy soprano
Elliot Ingber - Alternate lead & rhythm guitar early 1966-September 1966
Jim Fielder - guitar, piano late 1966-February 1967
Don Preston - keyboards November 1966-August 1969
Bunk Gardner - woodwinds November 1966-August 1969
Billy Mundi - Drums November 1966-Decmber 1967
Euclid James Motorhead Sherwood - soprano, tambourine baritone saxophone & Roadie 1966, September 1967-August 1969
Ian Underwood -Woodwinds,Saxophone July 1967-August 1969
Arthur Dyer Tripp III - drums, timpani, vibes, marimba, xylophone, wood blocks, bells, small chimes December 1967-August 1969
Lowell George - Rhythm Guitar November 1968-May 1969
Buzz Gardner November 1968- August 1969
Core discography (note that the band's canon is nebulous, due to the often poorly demarcated overlap with Frank Zappa's solo discography; this list additionally omits albums released after the breakup of the band)
1966 - Freak Out!
1967 - Absolutely Free
1968 - We're Only in It for the Money
1968 - Cruising with Ruben & the Jets
1969 - Uncle Meat
1970 - Burnt Weeny Sandwich
1970 - Weasels Ripped My Flesh
1971 - Fillmore East - June 1971
1971 - 200 Motels
1972 - Just Another Band from L.A.
1972 - The Grand Wazoo
1973 - Over-Nite Sensation
1974 - Roxy & Elsewhere
1975 - One Size Fits All
1975 - Bongo Fury (with Captain Beefheart)
Absolutely Free
The Mothers of Invention Lyrics
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FZ: The first word in this song is discorporate.
It means to leave your body
Discorporate & come with me
Shifting; drifting
Cloudless; starless
SEA: Wah Wah
Unbind your mind
There is no time
To lick your stamps
And paste them in
DISCORPORATE
And we will begin . . .WAH WAH!
(Flower Power Sucks)
Diamonds on velvets on goldens on vixen
On comet & cupid on donner & blitzen
On up & away & afar & a go-go
Escape from the weight of your corporate logo!
UNBIND YOUR MIND
THERE IS NO TIME
Boin-n-n-n-n-n-g
TO LICK YOUR STAMPS
AND PASTE THEM IN
DISCORPORATE
AND WE'LL BEGIN
FREEDOM! FREEDOM!
KINDLY LOVING!
YOU'LL BE ABSOLUTELY FREE
ONLY IF YOU WANT TO BE
Dreaming on cushions of velvet & satin
To music by magic by people that happen
To enter the world of a strange purple Jello
The dreams as they live them are all mellow yellow
UNBIND YOUR MIND
THERE IS NO TIME
Boin-n-n-n-n-n-g
TO LICK YOUR STAMPS
AND PASTE THEM IN
DISCORPORATE
AND WE'LL BEGIN
FREEDOM! FREEDOM!
KINDLY LOVING!
YOU'LL BE ABSOLUTELY FREE
ONLY IF YOU WANT TO BE
YOU'LL BE ABSOLUTELY FREE
ONLY IF YOU WANT TO BE
The song "Absolutely Free" by The Mothers of Invention explores the idea of freeing oneself from societal constructs and the constraints of reality. The song starts with Suzy declaring that she no longer does "publicity balling," implying that she has rejected the idea of selling herself for fame and fortune. Frank Zappa elaborates on this idea by using the word "discorporate," which means to leave one's body, and invites the listener to join him in a journey through a world of boundless possibilities.
Zappa tells us that this world is "cloudless" and "starless," implying that it is a world free from the constraints of our known reality. He then mentions "velvet valleys and a sapphire sea," demonstrating the richness and beauty of this alternate world. The phrase "wah wah" is used repeatedly throughout the song, possibly signifying the sound of one's mind being freed from the restrictions of society.
The chorus of the song emphasizes the need to unbind one's mind and let go of societal expectations, advocating for the pursuit of freedom and kindness. The final line "you'll be absolutely free, only if you want to be" reiterates that the choice to break free from societal constraints ultimately lies with the individual.
Line by Line Meaning
Suzy: I don't do publicity balling for you anymore
Suzy is refusing to be a part of any publicity stunts for a certain someone.
The first word in this song is discorporate. It means to leave your body
The songwriter is informing the listener that the word 'discorporate' is going to be used in the song, and explains what it means.
Discorporate & come with me
Shifting; drifting
Cloudless; starless
VELVET VALLEYS & A SAPPHIRE
SEA: Wah Wah
The listener is encouraged to leave their body and join the songwriter in a shifting, drifting state of mind, visualizing a beautiful landscape of velvet valleys and a sapphire sea.
Unbind your mind
There is no time
To lick your stamps
And paste them in
DISCORPORATE
And we will begin . . .WAH WAH!
(Flower Power Sucks)
The songwriter urges the listener to free their mind and let go of the constraints of mundane tasks like stamp-licking. They suggest that discorporating will allow them to begin a new experience, and they throw in a jab at the Flower Power movement.
Diamonds on velvets on goldens on vixen
On comet & cupid on donner & blitzen
On up & away & afar & a go-go
Escape from the weight of your corporate logo!
The songwriter lists extravagant and whimsical things, encouraging the listener to escape the monotony of corporate life and find freedom.
UNBIND YOUR MIND
THERE IS NO TIME
Boin-n-n-n-n-n-g
TO LICK YOUR STAMPS
AND PASTE THEM IN
DISCORPORATE
AND WE'LL BEGIN
FREEDOM! FREEDOM!
KINDLY LOVING!
YOU'LL BE ABSOLUTELY FREE
ONLY IF YOU WANT TO BE
The chorus reinforces the idea that the listener can find freedom if they choose to unbind their mind and discorporate. The singer again suggests to let go of stamp-licking and corporate constraints, and enjoy the freedom and love that the experience may bring.
Dreaming on cushions of velvet & satin
To music by magic by people that happen
To enter the world of a strange purple Jello
The dreams as they live them are all mellow yellow
The songwriter paints a picture of a dream world, where people can relax on luxurious cushions and listen to magical music. They describe a strange purple Jello that leads to mellow, happy dreams.
YOU'LL BE ABSOLUTELY FREE
ONLY IF YOU WANT TO BE
The songwriter reminds the listener that they will only find true freedom if they desire it for themselves.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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