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)
The Duke Regains His Chops
The Mothers of Invention Lyrics
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My Duchess of Prunes
I'm looking through the prune in June
And in that magic go-kart I bite your neck
The cheese I have for you, my dear
Is real and very new
(NEW CHEESE!)
Prune (Pa-da-dah!)
If they are a fresh Prune (Pa-da-dah!)
Know no cheese
(Chunka, chunka cheeky chunka)
(Chunka, cheesy, stinky chunka)
And they just lie there
Taller and sickening and it just...I don't know (Lo)
And I know, I think
The love I have for you will never end (well, maybe)
And so my love I offer you
A love that is strong, A prune that is true
(This is the exciting part. This is like the Supremes
see the way it builds up? Feel it?)
(Baby, Baby, Baby, Baby)
(My Prune is yours, my love
My cheese for you, savings through and through
My baby I do
My baby I do
My baby Prunes
My baby Prunes
I love you
I love you
O baby prunes
O cheesy fat
O cheesy fat
O cheesy fat)
In "The Duke Regains His Chops" by The Mothers of Invention, the lyrics depict a peculiar and somewhat absurd love song. The singer addresses their beloved as "My Duchess" and compares her to a prune. The opening lines about looking through the prune in June refer to a voyeuristic act, symbolizing the singer's desire to intimately know their partner. The mention of chest and lovely beans reveals a playful and sexual undertone in the relationship.
The lyrics take an even stranger turn when the singer talks about biting their partner's neck in a magical go-kart. This is a vivid and imaginative way of expressing passion and physical desire. The cheese mentioned represents the singer's affection and devotion, as it is described as real and new.
The chorus emphasizes the freshness of the prune, essentially meaning that if their partner is fresh and lively, they wouldn't know anything about love or affection. The repeated chunka, chunka phrases add a rhythmic and comedic element to the song, further reflecting the offbeat nature of The Mothers of Invention's music.
Towards the end, the song builds up with a reference to The Supremes, highlighting the influence of Motown and soul music on The Mothers' sound. The repeated statements of love and devotion, the offering of a strong love and a true prune, and the playful repetition of "baby" and "cheesy fat" create a strange yet oddly endearing atmosphere.
Line by Line Meaning
And you'll be my Duchess
You will hold the title of my Duchess
My Duchess of Prunes
You will be the Duchess associated with prunes
I'm looking through the prune in June
In the month of June, I gaze through a prune
Reveals your chest I see your lovely beans
Your chest is exposed, and I admire your attractive qualities
And in that magic go-kart I bite your neck
In a fantastical go-kart, I playfully nibble on your neck
The cheese I have for you, my dear
I possess cheese which is meant for you, my cherished one
Is real and very new
The cheese is authentic and recently acquired
(NEW CHEESE!)
This is a new batch of cheese
Prune (Pa-da-dah!)
Prune (a sound effect)
If they are a fresh Prune (Pa-da-dah!)
Only if the prunes are freshly picked
Know no cheese
They are not aware of the existence of cheese
(Chunka, chunka cheeky chunka)
Sounds indicating a rhythmic beat
(Chunka, cheesy, stinky chunka)
More sounds emphasizing the beat and mentioning cheese with odor
And they just lie there
The prunes simply remain in a passive state
Taller and sickening and it just...I don't know (Lo)
They grow taller and become repulsive, and I can't describe it precisely
And I know, I think
I am confident, or at least I believe
The love I have for you will never end (well, maybe)
My affection towards you seems eternal, although there is some doubt
And so my love I offer you
Therefore, my love, I present to you
A love that is strong, A prune that is true
A robust love, an authentic prune
(This is the exciting part. This is like the Supremes
(This section is thrilling. It is comparable to the Supremes)
see the way it builds up? Feel it?)
Notice the progressive nature of the song? Experience its intensity?
(Baby, Baby, Baby, Baby)
(Repeating the word 'Baby' for emphasis)
(My Prune is yours, my love
(The prune I possess now belongs to you, my beloved)
My cheese for you, savings through and through
I offer you my cheese, an offering of affection and loyalty
My baby I do
I deeply care for you, my darling
My baby Prunes
You are my beloved, my cherished prune
I love you
I am deeply in love with you
O baby prunes
Oh, beloved prunes
O cheesy fat
Oh, rich and fatty cheese
O cheesy fat
Oh, rich and fatty cheese
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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