1. A sixties … Read Full Bio ↴There have been at least two bands named The Premiers.
1. A sixties Chicano garage rock band from San Gabriel, CA., United States ("Farmer John")
2. An American sixties rhythm & blues group that recorded for the Stax label ("Make It Me")
3. An American 1960's rockabilly group aka "The Premieres" and "Bucky & Premieres" ("Firewater")
4. A Detroit 1950's doo wop group featuring George Bohanon and Alice McLeod (later known as Alice Coltrane). ("When You Are In Love")
1. The band was formed in 1962 in San Gabriel, California, by brothers Lawrence Perez (guitar) and John Perez (drums), and neighbours George Delgado (guitar) and Frank Zuniga (bass). They practiced in the Perez brothers back yard, encouraged by their mother, and soon started drawing crowds to their rehearsals. They were discovered by Billy Cardenas, who managed and produced other Chicano bands in the East Los Angeles area and won the group slots supporting artists such as Johnny "Guitar" Watson and Chris Montez.
Following The Kingsmen’s success with "Louie Louie", Cardenas suggested that the Premiers cover a similar song, "Farmer John", which had been written and recorded by Don and Dewey. Although claimed to have been recorded "live at the Rhythm Room in Fullerton, California", it was actually recorded in a small studio in Hollywood, with overdubbed party noises provided by girls of the Chevelles car club invited to the studio. The vocals were performed by John Perez and George Delgado singing in unison.
Released on co-producer Eddie Davis’ Faro record label, and later licensed by Warner Bros. Records, the single rose to #19 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart in summer 1964. The group were then rushed into recording an album, Farmer John Live, which consisted mainly of R&B cover versions, again with overdubbed party noises. They also toured nationally with artists such as The Crystals and Gene Pitney, and opened for such groups as The Rolling Stones, The Kinks and The Dave Clark Five.
The group recorded several more singles up to 1967, some co-produced by Larry Tamblyn of The Standells, but none were commercially successful. First Zuniga and then Lawrence Perez were drafted, and the band split up by the end of the decade.
The Premiers' "Farmer John" featured on the compilation album, Nuggets: Original Artyfacts from the First Psychedelic Era, 1965-1968, issued in 1972.
In 2001 the Premiers reformed with the Perez brothers and George Delgado from the original line-up, to play occasional concerts and record.
2. The Stax soul band The Premiers is featured on volume 2 of Dave Godin's 'Deep Soul Treasures' compilation series, but there is no substantial information on them in the booklet...
Farmer John
The Premiers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Has anybody seen Kosher Pickle Harry?
No!
If you see him tell him that Herbert's looking for him
Herbert Who?
OK ladies and gentlemen here we go - The Premiers!
Yay!
I'm in love with your daughter
The one
With the champagne eyes
She knows that I love her
Ever since she showed me those eyes
Farmer John
Someday I will marry
The one
With the champagne eyes
She won't accept my hand
She won't wear my wedding band
I dig the way she walks
The way she talks
She really knocks me out
When she starts moving slow
Let me tell ya Farmer John
I'm in love with your daughter
The one
With the champagne eyes
With the champagne eyes
With the champagne eyes
The Premiers' hit song "Farmer John" tells the story of a man who is deeply in love with a farmer's daughter. The song features the catchy refrain "Farmer John, I'm in love with your daughter, the one with the champagne eyes" which describes the girl's captivating gaze. The singer is hopeful that he will one day marry her despite her reluctance to accept his proposal. He admires her movements and words, and her very presence is enough to have a profound effect on him.
The song's lyrics and upbeat melody encapsulate the excitement and thrill of young love. It was a unique song for its time, blending elements of rock, rhythm and blues, and Latin music. The Premiers' music was influenced by the Chicano rock movement, which was a genre that emerged in the late 1950s and drew on the experiences of Mexican-American youths living in California.
"Farmer John" has since become an enduring classic, covered by numerous artists from various genres. It attained significant commercial success upon its release and achieved international recognition. Fans of the song have attested to its timeless appeal, stating that it never gets old, and each listen feels like the first time.
Line by Line Meaning
How's your Pagoda?
A greeting or small talk to Farmer John to initiate the conversation.
Has anybody seen Kosher Pickle Harry?
Asking if anyone has seen Kosher Pickle Harry out of curiosity and nothing related to the main topic of the song.
No!
Negative response to the above question.
If you see him tell him that Herbert's looking for him
A request to inform Kosher Pickle Harry if he is found, that Herbert wants to meet him.
Herbert Who?
Confusion about the identity of Herbert, indicating that the conversation is not serious.
OK ladies and gentlemen here we go - The Premiers!
An announcement introducing the band, indicating the start of the song.
Yay!
An expression of excitement, encouragement, and approval for the band.
Farmer John
A greeting to the person named Farmer John, who is being addressed.
I'm in love with your daughter
Expressing infatuation towards Farmer John's daughter as the main theme of the song.
The one
Referring to a specific daughter belonging to Farmer John, whom the singer is in love with.
With the champagne eyes
Describing the physical features of the daughter in a poetic way, creating an image in the listener's mind.
She knows that I love her
Stating that the daughter is aware of the singer's love for her.
Ever since she showed me those eyes
Explaining that the singer fell in love with her when he saw her eyes for the first time, indicating that it was love at first sight.
Someday I will marry
Expressing the singer's intention to marry Farmer John's daughter in the future.
She won't accept my hand
Acknowledging that the daughter is not interested in accepting the singer's marriage proposal or advances.
She won't wear my wedding band
Further emphasizing the daughter's disinterest in getting married to the singer.
I dig the way she walks
Appreciating the way the daughter walks, indicating the singer's admiration for her.
The way she talks
Appreciating the way the daughter speaks, indicating the singer's fondness for her.
She really knocks me out
Expressing that the daughter is alluring and captivating to the singer.
When she starts moving slow
Stating that the singer is smitten even when the daughter moves slowly.
With the champagne eyes
Repeating the poetic description of the daughter's physical features to emphasize how captivating she is.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Don F. Harris, Dewey Jr Terry
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Mandycat1969
OMG!!! Here I am over 60 and I haven't heard this song since high school. I used to love it! Wow, does it take me back. What a great beat. This is what good rock and roll used to sound like.
@TheRoland1947
You aint never lied
@valeriepineda8389
Wow! Sounds crazy but original!
@gonfalon
I'm 71. Feel the same!
@calleaestejunior4593
Proof that the saxophone, and not the guitar , is the definitive rock and roll instrument.
@rocknroll_jezus9233
Misery by Del Shannon as well perfect sax song
@sirmontyrock
I especially like the shouting girls in the background. It really makes this song.
@dsparkman6315
".....the one with the champagne eyes"....Nice bit of description from this Pachuco band from the Valley. Too bad there aren't audiences like this any more!
@rogerbernstein1883
RIP Craig Coston...My good friend's favorite song... one of my fondest memories playing this In his room...
@tonasol9
I really love this smashing song! I didn't live in the 60s but the music is just great! I'm learning to dance A Go Go and Twist. Greetings from Mexico!