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.
Really Stupid
The Primitives Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
no love no meaning in your eyes
when i with you i don't know why
cant think straight i don't know why
and if its all the same to you i think ill take a walk
cuz your too loud and your really stupid
cant stand another second of your talk
cuz your too loud and your really stupid
its really stupid
i'm sitting here listening to your voice
i'm losing myself in your voice
when i'm with you i've got no choice
found me loving with your voice
and if its all the same to you i think i'll stay outside
cuz your too loud and your really stupid
take a look around for a place to hid
cuz your too loud and your really stupid
stop your saying
its really stupid
i see no feeling in your eyes
no luv no meaning in your eyes
i see no feeling in your eyes
cuz everything you say is lies
and if its all the same to you i think i'll take a walk
cuz your too loud and your really stupid
cant stand another second of your talk
cuz your too loud and your really stupid
stop your saying
its really stupid
The Primitives' song "Really Stupid" is a disapproving commentary on a person the singer is with. The first verse sets the tone, with the singer describing the person as having no feeling or meaning in their eyes. Although it is unclear what kind of relationship the singer has with this person, it is obvious that whatever it was, it has not been fulfilling for her. The singer describes feeling disoriented and unable to think straight when she is with the person, while also feeling trapped and losing herself when she hears the person's voice.
The chorus of the song takes on a harsher tone, with the singer stating that the person is "really stupid" and that she cannot stand another second of their talk. She implores the person to stop, and even considers taking a walk to get away from them. The second verse continues in this vein, with the singer describing the person's lies as the reason that she sees no feeling in their eyes.
Overall, "Really Stupid" seems to be about a relationship that has gone sour, with the singer feeling trapped and disrespected by someone who she finds to be unbearable. The song is a passionate and visceral critique of a person who the singer sees as empty and deceitful.
Line by Line Meaning
i see no feeling in your eyes
There is no emotion or love in the addressee's eyes.
no love no meaning in your eyes
The addressee's eyes do not express any love or significance.
when i with you i don't know why
In the company of the addressee, the singer feels confused and disoriented.
cant think straight i don't know why
The artist's thoughts become muddled and unclear when with the addressee.
and if its all the same to you i think ill take a walk
The artist suggests leaving and taking a walk to get away from the addressee.
cuz your too loud and your really stupid
The addressee is obnoxiously loud and unintelligent.
cant stand another second of your talk
The singer cannot tolerate listening to the addressee any longer.
stop your saying
The artist requests the addressee to stop talking.
i'm sitting here listening to your voice
The artist is present and listening to the addressee's voice.
i'm losing myself in your voice
The artist is getting absorbed and consumed by the addressee's voice.
when i'm with you i've got no choice
The singer feels powerless and restricted when with the addressee.
found me loving with your voice
The artist has become enamored with the addressee's voice.
and if its all the same to you i think i'll stay outside
The singer decides to stay outside and not go back in with the addressee.
take a look around for a place to hid
The singer is seeking a hiding place to avoid the addressee's presence.
i see no feeling in your eyes
The addressee's eyes lack any emotional expression.
cuz everything you say is lies
The addressee only speaks falsehoods and untruths.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: PAUL JONATHAN COURT, STEPHEN ANTHONY DULLAGHAN, TRACEY SPENCER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Ro0oTs69
one of my favourite songs
poopile
this is great! thx for uploading.
bobgure
Great guitarist. Knows the art of overdub.
Segi gise
bring it on!!!
hiimnick5
that last minute or so is noisy bliss
👤 Eduardo Turrubiartes(Mora)
🇲🇽🤘🏽
homeslice3535
Wow, how did I mess that one up... thanks!
R. ROOKSBY
Takes me back, etc...
Atomic Suplex
Seems odd that a song can first appear on a compilation album of early singles?
Andrew Furst
@Atomic Suplex Good point. As I recall the tape compilation of various bands was mentioned in the 2 CD compilation packaging (Buzz Buzz Buzz). Great that you bought the original EP. You've likely got all the Primitives releases, one of my favorites is the 2 CD special edition of "Galore" (with a lot of live tracks). And you've probably seen this YouTube video of The Primitives in Spain (2013), if not then check it out (professionally filmed):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6E2YsaAtPn4