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)
America Drinks & Goes Home
The Mothers of Invention Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(Hope you enjoy it)
I tired to find how my heart could be so blind,
Dear
How could I be fooled just like the rest
You came on strong with your
Fast car and your class ring
I fell for the whole thing
I don't regret for having met
Up with a girl who breaks hearts
Like they were nothing at all
I've done it too
Now I know just what it feels like
And just like I said I have no regrets
Well it's about time to close
I hope you've had as much fun as we have!
Don't forget the jam session Sunday!
Mandy tension will be by, playing his xylophone troupe!
It'll be a lot of fun!
Monday night is the dance contest night
Twist contest!
We give away ah
Peanut butter and jelly!
There'll be sandwiches for all of you
I hope we've played your requests
The songs you like to hear
Last call for alcohol!
Drink it up folks
Wonderful!
Nice to see you bob, how's it going?
How's your kids?
Wonderful!
Nice to see you, yes
Oh, bill bailey?
Ah we'll get to that to- morrow night
Caravan with a drum solo?
Right!
We'll do that!
Wonderful!
Nice to see you again!
Yeah! La, la, la
Down at the pompadour a-go-go!
Vo-do-de-oo-pee-pee
Shoobe-doot 'n-dadada, ada-da-dahhh
Nya-da-da, nya-da-da
'Nite all!
The Mothers of Invention's song "America Drinks & Goes Home" is a satirical take on the culture of consuming alcohol and partying to excess. The lyrics describe a protagonist who has fallen for a woman who uses her beauty and charm to break hearts with no remorse. The song also includes announcements for upcoming events at the venue, such as a jam session and a twist contest, as well as offers of food and drink. The tone of the lyrics is humorous and irreverent, poking fun at the shallow and hedonistic nature of American society in the 1960s.
The song opens with the singer reflecting on his own foolishness in falling for someone who doesn't care about him or anyone else's feelings. He acknowledges that he has also been guilty of breaking hearts in the past, but now understands the pain that comes with it. The chorus then transitions into a series of announcements for events happening at the venue, including a jam session, dance contest, and free sandwiches. There is a sense of chaotic energy in the song, with the singers constantly talking over each other and interrupting the music.
Line by Line Meaning
I tried to find how my heart could be so blind,
I attempted to uncover why I was oblivious to your true intentions
Dear
Term of endearment used sarcastically
How could I be fooled just like the rest
How could I fall for your tricks like everyone else?
You came on strong with your
You were overly aggressive with your approach,
Fast car and your class ring
Showcasing your status symbols and wealth as a way to impress me
Sad eyes and your
Faking emotions to try and gain my sympathy
I fell for the whole thing
I was completely taken in by your facade
I don't regret for having met
I don't regret meeting you
Up with a girl who breaks hearts
Dated a girl who enjoys playing with people's emotions
Like they were nothing at all
Disregarding how her actions affect others
I've done it too
Admitting to having hurt others in the past
Now I know just what it feels like
Now I've experienced how it feels to be hurt and played around with
And just like I said I have no regrets
As previously mentioned, I do not regret the experience
Well it's about time to close
Time to bring the evening to an end
I hope you've had as much fun as we have!
Hope you had enjoyed the same amount of fun as we did
Don't forget the jam session Sunday!
Reminder of upcoming musical event
Mandy tension will be by, playing his xylophone troupe!
Mandy Tension, a musician, will be performing with his xylophone group
It'll be a lot of fun!
The event promises to be enjoyable
Monday night is the dance contest night
Monday night is the night of the dancing competition
Twist contest!
The competition will be a twist dance
We give away ah
As a prize, we offer
Peanut butter and jelly!
peanut butter and jelly sandwiches
There'll be sandwiches for all of you
Everyone can receive a sandwich
I hope we've played your requests
We hope we've performed the songs you wanted to hear
The songs you like to hear
The songs you enjoy listening to
Last call for alcohol!
Last opportunity to consume alcohol
Drink it up folks
Finish your drinks
Wonderful!
Great!
Nice to see you bob, how's it going?
It's nice to see you Bob, how are you doing?
How's your kids?
Asking about the well-being of your children
Wonderful!
Great!
Nice to see you, yes
Pleasure seeing you again
Oh, bill bailey?
Are you referring to Bill Bailey?
Ah we'll get to that to- morrow night
We'll deal with that tomorrow night.
Caravan with a drum solo?
Do you want to hear Caravan with a drum solo?
Right! Wonderful!
Agreement on the choice of tune.
Nice to see you again!
Pleasure seeing you again
Yeah! La, la, la
Expression of joy through meaningless vocalizations
Down at the pompadour a-go-go!
At a nightclub called the Pompadour a-go-go
Vo-do-de-oo-pee-pee
Unintelligible, nonsensical sounds
Shoobe-doot 'n-dadada, ada-da-dahhh
More akin to sounds than language
Nya-da-da, nya-da-da
Even more nonsense sounds
'Nite all!
Goodnight everyone!
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
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