Originally getting together as The Ragamuffins in 1965, they changed their name the next year. Their debut album, (Turn On) The Music Machine, was released in 1966 on the Original Sound label. Seven of the 12 tracks were originals, written by vocalist Sean Bonniwell.
One of the songs, Talk Talk, recorded at RCA studios on July 30, 1966, became a Top 20 hit in the U.S. The track is the ultimate spew of garage angst, its tortuous chord changes complemented by pounding electric keyboards, snaky Asiatic guitar, and Bonniwell's unforgettable guttural howl. It was the Los Angeles band's only high-charting 45, but from '66 to the end of the decade, they released much fine garage-psychedelia, with Bonniwell's tormented visions, hard rock melodic hooks, and alternately gravely/crooning vocals to the fore.
The follow-up single, "The People In Me," peaked at #66. Bonniwell blamed the weak showing on a supposed feud between the band's manager and a top record executive. Four cover songs were included on this release, due to record company pressure.
After a promotional tour of the U.S., the rest of the original lineup, which included Ron Edgar (drums), Mark Landon (guitar), Keith Olsen (bass) and Doug Rhodes (organ), left Bonniwell due to internal conflicts. In 1967, The Music Machine (essentially only Bonniwell at this point) was signed to Warner Bros. and renamed The Bonniwell Music Machine. A self-titled LP was released that year, made up mostly of previously recorded songs with the original lineup. The recording spawned no big hits, despite the inclusion of a few more pop-oriented songs.
A third album was recorded but never released. In 2000, a Bonniwell Music Machine album called "Ignition" was released on Sundazed Records. This is a collection of songs from the unreleased 1969 album, as well as demo tracks from the band's Raggamuffin days in 1965.
In 2000, Bonniwell wrote about his life and The Music Machine in a biography called "Beyond The Garage," published by the small press publisher Christian Vision.
The People In Me
The Music Machine Lyrics
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Sometimes dreamin'
I'm in here schemin' on you
Collectin' headers
With nothin' better to do
Love and you is in my hair
And eyes
Maybe with the time and place
A look will come upon your face
Of surprise.
When you see the people in me
Minus you what will you do
When you see the people in me
Minus you it's overdue
While I'm cryin
I'm rectifyin' the cause
Friends are cheerin'
And I'm hearin' applause
The train is here you better run
Don't call me I'll never come
Unto you
They're over now the games you play
Just what you'll do, just what you'll say
Uh oh you
? Middle ?
Memory is everywhere
Love and you is in my hair
And eyes
Maybe with the time and place
A look will come upon your face
Of surprise.
When you see the people in me
Minus you what will you do
When you see the people in me
Minus you it's overdue
Hut, Halright
The Music Machine's song "The People In Me" tells the story of an individual who is dreaming and scheming, collecting memories and experiences about the person they love. The lyrics reflect a considerable amount of time spent obsessing over this other person, as they try to replicate the moments spent together in their head. The person in the song is incredibly conscious of the small details, and cannot help but be reminded of their lover. The lyrics convey an air of sadness, as the singer knows that they are no longer part of their lover's life. They are trying to move on and right the wrongs, but they also know that seeing their lover with someone else will be challenging for them.
The singer of the song is worried about how they will react when they see their lover with someone else, and it appears that they have been trying to move on. The lyrics paint a picture of someone who is constantly reminded of their former lover, no matter where they are or what they are doing. The song's chorus, which repeats, "When you see the people in me, minus you, what will you do?" underscores the theme of moving on and accepting the fact that their loved one is no longer in their life.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey, Halright
The singer is addressing someone with a casual greeting.
Sometimes dreamin'
The singer sometimes has dreams related to what they'll express in the following lines.
I'm in here schemin' on you
The singer is planning or plotting something related to the person they're addressing.
Collectin' headers
The artist is gathering or storing information.
With nothin' better to do
The artist has nothing else to occupy their time or attention.
Memory is everywhere
The singer is reminded of past events or experiences often.
Love and you is in my hair
The singer associates love with the addressee, and this association is strong enough to feel like a physical presence.
And eyes
The artist feels the addressee's gaze or presence even when they're not around.
Maybe with the time and place
The artist is hopeful that some future event or context will provide clarity in the given situation.
A look will come upon your face
The artist is anticipating some facial expression as an indication of the addressee's thoughts or feelings.
Of surprise.
The singer is prepared for this facial expression to potentially indicate surprise.
When you see the people in me
The artist is asking the addressee to understand or recognize different aspects of their personality or identity.
Minus you what will you do
The singer wonders how the addressee will respond to seeing these different aspects of their identity independent of their relationship.
When you see the people in me
Repetition for emphasis.
Minus you it's overdue
The singer believes this understanding or recognition of different aspects of their identity should have happened already given the state of their relationship.
While I'm cryin'
The artist is expressing that they are feeling strong emotions, likely sadness or pain.
I'm rectifyin' the cause
Despite their emotions, the artist is actively trying to resolve the underlying issue.
Friends are cheerin'
Other people around the singer are happy or supportive of their actions.
And I'm hearin' applause
The singer feels like they're being recognized or applauded for their efforts to resolve the issue.
The train is here you better run
The artist is giving a warning or admonition to someone, possibly related to the cause of their strong emotions.
Don't call me I'll never come
The artist is expressing a strong boundary or refusal to be involved with the person they're addressing.
Unto you
The artist is emphasizing that the previous line applies specifically to the person they're addressing.
They're over now the games you play
The singer is stating that whatever actions or behaviors were a problem are finished or done with.
Just what you'll do, just what you'll say
The artist is anticipating some specific behavior or speech from the person they're addressing.
Uh oh you
The singer is expressing negativity or hostility toward the person they're addressing.
? Middle ?
The text of the lyric is unclear and therefore cannot be given a meaning.
Memory is everywhere
Repetition for emphasis.
Love and you is in my hair
Repetition for emphasis.
And eyes
Repetition for emphasis.
Maybe with the time and place
Repetition for emphasis.
A look will come upon your face
Repetition for emphasis.
Of surprise.
Repetition for emphasis.
When you see the people in me
Repetition for emphasis.
Minus you what will you do
Repetition for emphasis.
When you see the people in me
Repetition for emphasis.
Minus you it's overdue
Repetition for emphasis.
Hut, Halright
The singer is offering a casual way of ending the song or conversation.
Contributed by Kennedy F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.