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)
Amnesia Vivace
The Mothers of Invention Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Oooo...
ah-ah-ah
(My darling
And I feel so deeply...
ah-ah-ah...
Duke, Duke, Duke, Duke of Prunes
I'll never forget you darling
I'll never forget your ballads
I'll never forget your rat race. In fact I might...
Oh, I suppose I'll forget you eventually
What is your name?
Nice to see you again)
The lyrics to The Mothers of Invention's song "Amnesia Vivace" evoke a sense of sentimental longing and loss as the singer reflects on a past love. The opening lines of "La-la-la-la, Oooo... ah-ah-ah" create a dream-like quality to the song, and the repeated "ah-ah-ah" feels like a longing sigh. The singer then addresses their "darling," expressing how much they mean to them, and how deeply they feel for them.
However, the tone abruptly changes as the singer starts to refer to the "Duke of Prunes." The Duke of Prunes is likely a reference to a fictitious character, and his name is used as a kind of placeholder for the memory of the past love. The singer claims they will never forget the Duke's "ballads" and "rat race," which could be interpreted as the highlights and low moments of their time with their former lover. The line "In fact I might..." is left open-ended, implying that the singer may or may not let go of this memory eventually. The song ends with a cryptic question, "What is your name? Nice to see you again," leaving the listener with a sense of ambiguity and uncertainty.
Overall, "Amnesia Vivace" is a deeply introspective and enigmatic piece of music, conveying a range of emotions through its dreamy yet haunting lyrics.
Line by Line Meaning
La-la-la-la
Just la-la-ing or singing nonsensical sounds
Oooo...
Expressing emotions or admiration in a nonverbal manner
ah-ah-ah
Continuing to express emotions or admiration
(My darling
You mean so very much to me
And I feel so deeply...
ah-ah-ah...
Addressing a loved one and expressing deep feelings of love and admiration
Duke, Duke, Duke, Duke of Prunes
Addressing someone specific or recalling a past event or person
I'll never forget you darling
I'll never forget your ballads
I'll never forget your rat race.
Expressing the depth of appreciation or admiration for someone or something
In fact I might...
Expressing doubt or hesitation in the previous statement or thought
Oh, I suppose I'll forget you eventually
Admitting to the possibility of forgetting the person or thing being addressed
What is your name?
Nice to see you again
Greeting someone or asking for their name, possibly indicating that they have met before
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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