In 2009 The Primitives reformed, releasing their first album for 21 years, Echoes and Rhymes, in May 2012. The album features covers by lesser-known female fronted bands from the 1960s.
There are other bands called The Primitives:
2. A band from the United States with Lou Reed and John Cale
3. A garage rock band from the United Kingdom
4. An alternative country band from the United States
2. The Primitives were a band from New York formed in 1964, they released one 7" that year; "The Ostrich/Sneaky Pete. The band was fronted by Lou Reed and featuring John Cale, both later of the Velvet Underground. Ostrich guitar tuning, the all-D tuning particularly credited to the Velvet Underground, originated from the Primitives single the Ostrich. They disbanded in 1965.
The ostrich guitar or ostrich tuning is a type of trivial tuning. It assigns one note to all strings, e.g. E-E-e-e-e'-e' or D-D-D-D-d'-d'.
The term "ostrich guitar" was coined by Lou Reed in 1965 after the song "The Ostrich" by Lou Reed and the Primitives, on which he first used this tuning. John Cale, a collaborator with avant-garde composer La Monte Young, recognised the similarity between Reed's guitar tuning and Young's work involving drone music when he was hired to play Reed's song 'The Ostrich' as part of a fabricated touring group.
Reed and Cale (who would play viola, keyboards and bass) began to collaborate and investigate the connections between ostrich tuning and drone music, as the band introduced new members (such as guitarist Sterling Morrison and percussionist Angus MacLise, another student of La Monte Young) and became known as The Velvet Underground. Cale had composed and recorded 'Loop' in 1964, but which became the first EP released under this band name, composed of drones played on an electric viola, and the combination of both Cale's viola and Reed's guitar tunings would be an early hallmark of their work. Reed used ostrich tunings on the 1967 album The Velvet Underground & Nico on the songs "Venus in Furs" (appearing at the end of the song) and "All Tomorrow's Parties", which also included Cale playing drones on viola.
According to an interview with drummer Maureen Tucker in What Goes On? No. 4, Reed's ostrich guitar was a guitar that had its frets removed, and was stolen shortly after the album sessions.
3. The Primitives, from Northampton UK, were also known as Mal & the Primitives. They released their debut (Help Me) in November 1964. They released a couple more 45's before relocating to Italy where they released 3 more albums.
4. The Primitives were an alternative country group formed in 1987. Upon discovering the existence of the British band of the same name, they changed their name to Uncle Tupelo.
Ocean Blue
The Primitives Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ease your mind, let your heart flow
Don't think twice I'm here for you
Swim with me in ocean blue
Like children do
Ain't life a game
Worry not of what will be
Take my hand come close to me
Turn towards a world so sweet
Like children do
Ain't life a game
In ocean blue
Like children do
I'm ready now
The Primitives' song "Ocean Blue" is a nostalgic and wistful piece about finding solace with someone special. It speaks of the beauty of taking one's time and not worrying about what the future holds. The opening lyrics encourage the listener to relax and let go of their worries, suggesting that they should take things slow and allow their heart to take over.
The song talks about the comfort that comes from having someone by your side, as they encourage you to step out of your comfort zone and explore new and exciting places. They ask that you don't second-guess yourself and trust that they will be there to support you. The lyrics 'swim with me in ocean blue, like children do' evoke the innocence of youth and the joy of experiencing new things without fear.
The chorus 'Ain't life a game' is spoken with a sense of excitement and wonder, reminding us that life is full of surprises and that sometimes we just need to take a chance and embrace it. In the end, the song leaves us with a feeling of hope and possibility, as we are invited to join the singer in the 'ocean blue'.
Line by Line Meaning
What's the rush, just take it slow
Don't hurry, relax and take things at a calm pace
Ease your mind, let your heart flow
Clear your thoughts and allow your emotions to guide you
Don't think twice I'm here for you
Don't hesitate, I'm here to support you
Swim with me in ocean blue
Let's embrace life and its mysteries together
Like children do
Without fear, with pure joy and wonder
Ain't life a game
Life is unpredictable and can be seen as playful
Worry not of what will be
Don't fret about the future, it will unfold on its own
Take my hand come close to me
Let's stick together and face life as a team
Easy dreams down lazy streets
Simple aspirations while taking life easy
Turn towards a world so sweet
Focus on the positive future that awaits us
In ocean blue
In the vast and beautiful unknown of life
I'm ready now
Let's embark on this journey together
Contributed by Reagan G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.