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)
Anyway the Wind Blows
The Mothers of Invention Lyrics
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Any way the wind blows, it don't matter to me
'Cause I'm thru with-a fussin' and-a fightin' with-a you
I went out and found a woman who is gonna be true
Any way the wind blows,
Any way the wind blows,
Any way the wind blows
She's my heart and soul and she loves me tenderly
Now my story can't be told just how good she is to me
Yes, she treats me like she loves me and she never makes me cry
I'm gonna stick with her 'till the day I die
She's not like you baby, she would never ever lie
Any way the wind blows,
Any way the wind blows,
Any way the wind blows
Any way the wind blows,
Any way the wind blows,
Any way the wind blows
Now that I am free from the troubles of the past
Took me much too long to see that our romance couldn't last
I'm gonna go away and leave you standing at the door
I'll tell you pretty baby I won't be back no more
'Cause you don't even know what love is for
Any way the wind blows,
Any way the wind blows,
Any way the wind blows
The lyrics to "Anyway the Wind Blows" by The Mothers of Invention are about a man who has ended a tumultuous relationship with a woman who he implies was not faithful to him. He decides to move on and finds a new woman who makes him happy and treats him well. He is now content to let the wind blow in any direction because he has found someone who is true to him. The lyrics emphasize the importance of being with someone who truly loves and respects you.
One interpretation of the song is that it is about escaping a toxic relationship and finding the freedom to be with someone who values and appreciates you. The singer is relieved to be done with the arguments and fights of his previous relationship and feels grateful to have found someone who treats him better. The song suggests that finding a loyal partner can bring happiness and contentment.
In addition to its lyrical message, "Anyway the Wind Blows" is also notable for its catchy melody and upbeat tempo. The song is built around a bluesy guitar riff and features a lively horn section that adds to its upbeat sound. The song is also notable for its humorous lyrics, which play with language and rhyme in an entertaining way.
Line by Line Meaning
Any way the wind blows is-a fine with me
Regardless of what happens, I am content with the outcome
Any way the wind blows, it don't matter to me
No matter the situation, it won't affect me negatively
'Cause I'm thru with-a fussin' and-a fightin' with-a you
I am tired of arguing and fighting with you
I went out and found a woman who is gonna be true
I have found a woman who will always be loyal to me
She makes me oh so happy now, I'm never ever blue
My new partner brings me immense joy and happiness
She's my heart and soul and she loves me tenderly
My new partner is everything to me and loves me with great affection
Now my story can't be told just how good she is to me
I cannot fully express in words how amazing my partner is to me
Yes, she treats me like she loves me and she never makes me cry
My partner treats me with care and never causes me emotional pain
I'm gonna stick with her 'till the day I die
I am committed to spending the rest of my life with my new partner
She's not like you baby, she would never ever lie
My new partner is honest and trustworthy, unlike my previous partner
Now that I am free from the troubles of the past
Now that I've moved on from my previous relationship
Took me much too long to see that our romance couldn't last
It took me too long to realize that our relationship was doomed from the start
I'm gonna go away and leave you standing at the door
I am leaving you and not looking back
I'll tell you pretty baby I won't be back no more
I am making it clear that I won't be coming back to this relationship
'Cause you don't even know what love is for
I am leaving because you don't understand the true meaning of love
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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