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)
I Ain't Got No Heart
The Mothers of Invention Lyrics
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I ain't got no heart to give away
I sit and laugh at fools in love
No angels singing up above today
Girl I don't believe
Girl I don't believe in what you say
You say your heart is only mine
I say to you, You must be blind,
What makes you think that you're so fine
That I would throw away the groovy life I lead
'Cause baby, what you've got yeah
It sure ain't what I need
Girl you better go
Girl you'd better go away
I think that life with you would be
Just not quite the thing for me
Why is it so hard to see my way?
Why should I be stuck with you
It's just not what I want to do
Why should an embrace or two
Make me such a part of you
I ain't got no heart to give away!
The Mothers of Invention's song "I Ain't Got No Heart" is a commentary on the lack of romantic love in the modern world. The singer in the song has become jaded and sceptical of the idea of love, and mocks those who claim to believe in it. He claims that there are no angels singing up above to bless relationships, and that the idea of romantic love is nothing more than a foolish fantasy.
The singer also rejects the idea of being in a relationship with a specific girl, claiming that she is not worth giving up his "groovy life" for. He insists that he has no heart to give away and that there is nothing that could convince him to change his mind. He questions why he should be "stuck" with someone who he does not desire, and why the mere act of embracing someone would make him feel obligated to stay with them.
Line by Line Meaning
Ain't got no heart
I am emotionally unavailable and disconnected from others.
I ain't got no heart to give away
I do not have any love or affection to offer.
I sit and laugh at fools in love
I enjoy mocking and belittling those who believe in love.
There ain't no such thing as love
Love is a false and unrealistic concept.
No angels singing up above today
There are no divine beings or miracles occurring in the world.
Girl I don't believe
I do not trust or believe what you are saying.
Girl I don't believe in what you say
I do not believe in the sincerity or authenticity of your words.
You say your heart is only mine
You claim to have feelings of love and devotion towards me.
I say to you, You must be blind
I do not agree with or accept your perspective.
What makes you think that you're so fine
What justifies your belief that you are desirable or attractive to me?
That I would throw away the groovy life I lead
Why would I sacrifice my enjoyable and fulfilling lifestyle for a relationship?
'Cause baby, what you've got yeah
Your characteristics or qualities,
It sure ain't what I need
Do not align with or fulfill my needs or desires.
Girl you better go
You should exit from my life.
Girl you'd better go away
Your presence or existence is undesirable and harmful to me.
I think that life with you would be
I anticipate that a life with you would be
Just not quite the thing for me
Unsatisfactory and unfulfilling for my preferences and standards.
Why is it so hard to see my way?
Why is it difficult for others to understand and respect my choices and beliefs?
Why should I be stuck with you
Why should I be obligated or committed to you in any way?
It's just not what I want to do
It does not align with or fulfill my personal desires or goals.
Why should an embrace or two
Why should a physical gesture or expression of affection,
Make me such a part of you
Inextricably tie me to you emotionally and mentally.
I ain't got no heart to give away!
I do not have any love or affection to offer, and I refuse to compromise my independence or beliefs.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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