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.
Secrets
The Primitives Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ba ba ba bu ba ba
Ba ba ba ba ba ba ba
Turn around and I'll be there
Take my hand and climb the stairs
Throw your troubles to the wind
Summertime is happening
Thank the sun up in the sky
Never had to reason way
Find a place where love can grow
Lets stay in the shadows
We've got secrets
Nothing touches us
Secrets we walk in the sun
We've got secrets
You can't come with us
Secrets are not for everyone
Ba ba ba ba ba ba
Ba ba ba bu ba ba
Ba ba ba ba ba ba ba
Turn around and ill be there
In your dreams and everywhere
Put your worries in a jar
Take my hand we'll go far
Empty sun up in the sky
Never had to reason way
Find a place where love can grow
Lets stay in the shadows
We've got secrets
Nothing touches us
Secrets we walk in the sun
We've got secrets
You can't come with us
Secrets are not for everyone
Ba ba ba ba ba ba
Ba ba ba bu ba ba
Ba ba ba ba ba ba ba
Secrets
We walk in the sun
Up in the sky
To reason why
Love can grow
We've got secrets
Nothing touches us
Secrets we walk in the sun
We've got secrets
You can't come with us
‘Cause our secrets are not for everyone
Secrets are not for everyone
The Primitives' song "Secrets" is a catchy, upbeat track with a somewhat mysterious undertone. The song seems to be about a secretive relationship between two people who have found a place where their love can grow freely without interference. The lyrics suggest that the singers are happy to keep their relationship hidden and protected from the outside world, and that they are united in their desire to maintain their shared secrets.
The opening line of the song, "Ba ba ba ba ba ba," is a nod to the classic pop tradition of using nonsense syllables to create an easy-to-remember hook. The song is built around a driving rhythm and a simple chord progression that keeps the focus firmly on the vocals. The chorus is particularly catchy, with its repeated refrain of "We've got secrets" and the melodic variations on the ba-ba-ba line.
In many ways, "Secrets" is a classic example of the kind of pop song that was popular in the late 1980s and early 1990s. It combines a strong melodic hook with a bouncy, danceable rhythm and simple, relatable lyrics that convey a sense of youthful energy and rebellion. Whether you interpret the song as a celebration of secret love or simply as a catchy pop tune, "Secrets" is a great example of the kind of music that captured the hearts of audiences around the world during this period.
Line by Line Meaning
Ba ba ba ba ba ba
Repetitive sound that adds to the melody of the song
Ba ba ba bu ba ba
Repetitive sound that adds to the melody of the song
Ba ba ba ba ba ba ba
Repetitive sound that adds to the melody of the song
Turn around and I'll be there
I will be there for you whenever you need me
Take my hand and climb the stairs
Let me help you move forward and upward in life
Throw your troubles to the wind
Let go of your worries and enjoy life
Summertime is happening
This is a beautiful time of year to enjoy life and make memories
Thank the sun up in the sky
Be grateful for the light and warmth that the sun provides
Never had to reason way
We don't always need to have a logical explanation for our emotions and actions
Find a place where love can grow
Look for an environment that fosters love and connection
Lets stay in the shadows
Let's keep our relationship private and intimate
We've got secrets
Our relationship is built on a foundation of trust and intimacy
Nothing touches us
We are protected and safe within the intimacy of our relationship
Secrets we walk in the sun
We can still enjoy our happiness and love even in the public eye
You can't come with us
Our relationship is private and not for everyone to know about
Secrets are not for everyone
It's okay to keep some things private and about ourselves
In your dreams and everywhere
I'm there for you always, even in your dreams
Put your worries in a jar
Let's trap our worries and leave them behind
Take my hand we'll go far
Let's journey together and move forward towards our goals
Empty sun up in the sky
The sun is quiet and unassuming, but still provides us with warmth and light
We walk in the sun
We are happy, in love, and enjoying life
To reason why
Sometimes there is no logical explanation for the emotions we feel
Love can grow
Love is a powerful force that can flourish anywhere
‘Cause our secrets are not for everyone
Our intimate moments and relationship are private and special just for us
Secrets
The concept of keeping certain aspects of our lives private and intimate
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Songtrust Ave
Written by: ALEXANDER COURT, DAMIEN PAUL JONES, NICHOLAS BURG, PATRICK JAMES STEPHEN REUTER TOWN, SAMUEL BAKER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind