Lead singer Sky Saxon had a musical career that went back to pre-Beatle music days, when he recorded a few 45-rpm singles under the name Richie Marsh. Born in Salt Lake City, he was based in Los Angeles from the early 1960s. The Seeds were formed in 1965 with Saxon joining as a response to an advertisement. Keyboardist Daryl Hooper was a major factor in the band's sound; the band was one of the first to utilize keyboard bass. Guitarists Jan Savage and Jeremy Levine with drummer Rick Andridge completed the original quintet, but Levine left shortly after the first recording sessions for personal reasons. Although Sky Saxon is usually credited as bass player, he did not play bass on any of the Seeds' recordings. This was handled by session men, usually one Harvey Sharpe. On stage, keyboardist Daryl Hooper would handle the bass parts via a separate bass keyboard, in the same way as Ray Manzarek later did with The Doors.
The Seeds' first single Can't Seem to Make You Mine was a regional hit in southern California in 1965. The song was also played regularly on AM rock stations in northern California (and probably elsewhere), where it was well received by listeners. The band had their only national Top 40 hit, Pushin' Too Hard, in 1966. Three subsequent singles, Mr. Farmer (also 1966), a re-release of Can't Seem To Make You Mine (1967), and A Thousand Shadows (1967) achieved more modest success, although all were most popular in southern California. Musically uncomplicated and dominated by Saxon's vocal style and flair for simple melodic hooks, their first two albums are today considered classics of '60s garage music. A later album (Future, 1967) was full-blown psychedelic rock, with ornate flower-themed graphics to match, and another was devoted to the blues (with liner notes by Muddy Waters).
By mid-1968, with their commercial popularity flagging, the group's personnel began to change; the band was renamed "Sky Saxon and the Seeds" in 1969, by which point Bob Norsoph, guitar, and Don Boomer, drums, had replaced Savage and Andridge. Saxon continued to use the name “The Seeds”, using various backup musicians, at least through 1972; the last major-label records of new material by the Seeds—two non-charting singles on MGM records—were released in 1970.
After the dissolution of the Seeds, Sky Saxon joined the Yahowha religious group, inspired by their leader Father Yod. Although a member of the Source Family for several years, Saxon did not participate in any of the albums released by Yahowha 13 in the mid 1970s. He does appear on the "Golden Sunrise" album by Fire Water Air, which was a Yahowha 13 offshoot, and later recorded the "Yod Ship Suite" album in memory of the deceased Father Yod. In the 1970s, Saxon also released the solo LPs "Lovers Cosmic Voyage" (credited to Sunlight) and "Live At The Orpheum" credited to Sunlight Rainbow. In the 1980s, Saxon collaborated with several bands—including Redd Kross and The Chesterfield Kings—before reforming the original Seeds in 1989 to headline "The Summer of Love Tour", along with Big Brother and the Holding Company, Arthur Lee and Love, The Music Machine, and The Strawberry Alarm Clock.
The Seeds remained dormant again until 2003, when Saxon reformed them with original guitarist Jan Savage and newcomers Rik Collins on bass, Mark Bellgraph on Guitar and Dave Klein on keyboards. This new version of the Seeds went through several incarnations, with Savage departing midway through their 2003 European tour due to his health. Saxon remained the only original member of The Seeds, which continued to tour Europe and the United States. Saxon died on June 25, 2009 of heart and renal failure.
On July 24, 2009, members of The Smashing Pumpkins, Love, and The Electric Prunes performed a tribute concert at the Echoplex in Los Angeles in memory of Sky Saxon.
A documentary film about The Seeds has been prepared by GNP Crescendo Records President Neil Norman, the son of the label's founder Gene Norman. Filming began in 2007, and draws on first-hand knowledge of the band, interviews and concert footage. The film titled Pushin' Too Hard, directed by Norman and produced by Alec Palao, premieres August 16, 2014 at the Egyptian Theater in Los Angeles. A DVD release will follow later in the year.[4][5]
Some lyrics in Frank Zappa's album "Joe's Garage" refer to "Pushin' Too Hard": "You're plooking too hard/ Plooking too hard on ME".
The Seeds were a 1960s rock and roll band based in Los Angeles, California, United States, whose raw and abrasive energy, and simple, repetitive lyrics came to exemplify the garage rock style. The band was active from 1965 to 1972. The group reunited in 1989, split again in 1993 and reunited once more in 2003. The band's future is in question after the June 2009 death of its only constant member, singer Sky Saxon.
Lead singer Sky Saxon was heavily influenced in style and appearance by Mick Jagger, and the group promoted the fact that Blues great Muddy Waters once called them "America's own Rolling Stones." Keyboardist Daryl Hooper was a major factor in the band's sound; the band was one of the first to utilize keyboard bass; guitarist Jan Savage and drummer Rick Andridge completed the original quartet. Vocalist Saxon also played bass guitar.
The Seeds' first single, "Can't Seem To Make You Mine," was a regional hit in southern California in 1965. The band had their only national top-40 hit, "Pushin' Too Hard", in 1966. Two subsequent singles, "Mr. Farmer," (also 1966) and "A Thousand Shadows" (1968) achieved more modest success. Though musically primitive, one album was devoted to the Blues (with liner notes by Muddy Waters), and another (Future, 1967) was full-blown psychedelic rock, with ornate flower-themed graphics to match. The original Seeds disbanded in 1970, shortly after the release of Raw and Alive at Merlin's Music Box.
Sky Saxon joined the Yahowa religious sect, inspired by their divine leader Father Yod, released several albums as the Yahowa 13 in the mid-70s. Members of the sect went their separate ways after Father Yod died in a hang gliding accident in 1974, although Saxon continues to collaborate with various members of the Yahowa to this day.
In the 1980s, Saxon collaborated with several bands—including Redd Kross and The Chesterfield Kings—before reforming the original Seeds in 1989 to headline "The Summer of Love Tour", along with Big Brother and the Holding Company, Arthur Lee and Love, The Music Machine and The Strawberry Alarm Clock. The Seeds remained dormant again until 2003, when Saxon reformed them with original guitarist Jan Savage and newcomer Rick Collins on bass. This new version of the Seeds has gone through several incarnations, with Savage departing mid way through their 2003 European tour due to his health. Saxon now remains the only original member of The Seeds, currently augmented by the aforementioned Collins as well as organist Ryan Maynes, guitarist Nate Greely, and drummer Justin Smith. The band continues to frequently tour Europe and the United States.
"Pushin' Too Hard" was named one of The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's 500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll.
A Thousand Shadows
The Seeds Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(I did it all for her, my flower child)
Lost in your dreams
Said the ride's so long and the nights so black
A thousand shadows can never look back
You're flying off toward an isle of dreams
And now you're lost, and lonely it seems
Said there's a dreammaker in every corner
Said better watch yourself, little girl
I said better keep away from him
I said the rides so long and the night's so black
A thousand shadows can never turn back
[CHORUS:]
I said, run, little girl just as fast as you can
Run like the wind
Said, run, little girl just as fast as you can
Run away from him ahhhhhhhh
I lost the heart I had before
And now my spirit can't cross the door
Oh what can I do, I made a mistake
But know I know, I know it's too late
I said ah ah ahhhh
I've tried so hard, now I'm lost again
I didn't listen to what they say
And now I'm losing, I've lost my way
The road so black and the night's so dark
A thousand shadows can never turn back
I said ah ah ahhhh
The ride, the ride, the ride's so long
The night, the night, the night's so black
Ah ah ah ah child child child child child
The Seeds's song A Thousand Shadows tells the story of a girl who is lost in her dreams and has fallen into the trap of a "dreammaker" who is waiting for her in every corner, ready to weave a web of sin. Despite warnings from others to keep away from him, she continues down the path and now finds herself lost and alone. The chorus urges her to run away as fast as she can from the dangerous situation she has found herself in. The singer of the song also admits that he too has made a mistake and lost his way, but it is too late to turn back now.
The lyrics of A Thousand Shadows convey a theme of caution and the dangers of falling into temptation. The dreammaker is a metaphor for the many things in life that can lead one astray from their intended path, and the thousand shadows represent the endless possibilities of mistakes that can be made along the way. The song's message is a warning to listeners to be mindful of the actions they take and the people they surround themselves with.
Line by Line Meaning
Lost in your dreams...
I did everything for her, my flower child, but she is lost in her dreams.
Said the ride's so long and the nights so black
The journey is difficult and the night is dark and scary.
A thousand shadows can never look back
The past cannot be changed and it's important to move forward.
You're flying off toward an isle of dreams
The girl is chasing her dreams and leaving behind reality.
And now you're lost, and lonely it seems
The girl feels lost and alone on her journey.
Said there's a dreammaker in every corner
There are people who will lead you astray and try to take advantage of your dreams.
Just waitin' to weave a web of sin
These people are waiting to trap you with their own negative intentions.
Said better watch yourself, little girl
It's important to be careful and aware of these people and their intentions.
I said better keep away from him
Stay away from these dreammakers to protect yourself.
I said the rides so long and the night's so black
The journey is difficult and the darkness is overwhelming.
A thousand shadows can never turn back
There's no going back and it's important to move forward with determination.
I said run, little girl just as fast as you can
The girl needs to run away from the negative people and influences trying to take her away from her dreams.
Run like the wind
Run as fast as you can to escape these negative influences.
I lost the heart I had before
The girl has lost her passion and drive.
And now my spirit can't cross the door
She's stuck and can't move forward.
Oh what can I do, I made a mistake
She's realizing that she made a mistake and is regretting it.
But know I know, I know it's too late
She's too late to change or fix things.
I've tried so hard, now I'm lost again
She's tried her best but is still lost and stuck.
I didn't listen to what they say
She didn't heed the warnings and advice of others.
And now I'm losing, I've lost my way
She's losing herself and doesn't know where to go or what to do.
The road so black and the night's so dark
The journey is still difficult and the darkness is still surrounding her.
A thousand shadows can never turn back
She can't go back and needs to keep moving forward.
The ride, the ride, the ride's so long
The journey is never-ending and exhausting.
The night, the night, the night's so black
The darkness still looms large and scary.
Ah ah ah ah child child child child child
The chorus repeats a warning to the girl to run away from these negative influences.
Lyrics © NEIL MUSIC/SKYVIEW MUSIC
Written by: HOOPER, SAVAGE, SAXON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
FGW
First Seeds album I bought in my life. I still listen to it on my Ipod. A monumental album that doesn't get talked about enough. A magnificent post and a hearty thank you.
Jan E. Cakes
Excellent use of the bass to set a ominous tone
AcidPanda
Sky Saxon is definitely the coolest guy in this world.
Avery Milieu
I met him once in 1968. He was all hands and attitude. I was glad enough to get shut of his company.
Listening to this after half a century I hear Punk Rock tapping on the shell and I think it was hatching...
David Higginbotham
Wow...they really milked that 'Pushin' Too Hard' thing to the max didn't they? Actually I like this album.
Barbara Mackin
It's that skipping beat, & sky hopping, yes so good
TL Hull
Pushin' Too Hard with different lyrics... literally
Richard Scaife
I think this one cooler though
Paul Goldstein
Great band, but this is a re-write of Pushing Too Hard.
crazypainter56
Exactly