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.
Mr Farmer
The Seeds Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
He's always working hard 'til the sun goes down
He's up every morning right on five, a wanting green seeds just to come alive,
But he don't wear a no farm clothes, he's always using a rake and hoe,
But his seeds are starting to grow, like a big stalk up through the sky
He used to live in an apartment in a big old city
With thick and priestly windows built right in it
He wanted to be a farmer all year round
And on a country road where you can't see a thing
He's got five acres filled little green things, he said
He's working so hard all night and day
Mr. Farmer let me watch your crops
Mr. Farmer let me water your crops
Mr. Farmer let me harvest your crops
I want to have a dream come true
I said a farmer, farmer, farmer
I want to be just like you
See the farmer a walking down town, always draws a crowd when he's around
He's always wearing seedy clothes, he's shows them off wherever he goes
You can spot him anywhere, got a bright pink thumb but he don't care,
I said, he looks like something from a very bad dream
Mr. Farmer let me watch your crops
Mr. Farmer let me water your crops
Mr. Farmer let me harvest your crops
Mr. Farmer let me save your crops
I said, a farmer, farmer, farmer
The Seeds' song "Mr. Farmer" tells the story of a man who used to live in the city but decided to move to a small town to become a farmer. He works hard day and night to tend to his crops, and the singer of the song admires him for his dedication and hard work. The farmer wears casual clothes and carries a rake and hoe to tend to his fields, but despite not wearing typical "farm clothes," his crops are thriving and growing tall. The singer wants to help the farmer and dreams of being just like him one day.
The song is a reflection on the hard work and perseverance required to become a farmer. The farmer in the song has left behind the comforts of the city to work long hours in the fields, but his hard work is paying off as his crops are growing tall and strong. The singer is in awe of the farmer's dedication and passion and wants to become just like him.
Overall, "Mr. Farmer" is a celebration of the hardworking individuals who dedicate their lives to farming and agriculture.
Line by Line Meaning
See the farmer on the other side of town
Observe the farmer who lives across the area
He's always working hard 'til the sun goes down
He works diligently until the sun sets
He's up every morning right on five, a wanting green seeds just to come alive
Each day, he wakes up at exactly five, eager for his green seeds to sprout
But he don't wear a no farm clothes, he's always using a rake and hoe
He's not wearing work clothes for farming, but uses the traditional tools of a rake and hoe
But his seeds are starting to grow, like a big stalk up through the sky
His seeds are sprouting and growing tall like large stalks towards the sky
He used to live in an apartment in a big old city
He previously resided in an apartment in a bustling city
With thick and priestly windows built right in it
The apartment had thick, soundproof windows
But he decided to move to a little tiny town
However, he made a choice to relocate to a small town
He wanted to be a farmer all year round
His desire was to be a year-round farmer
And on a country road where you can't see a thing
He now resides on a secluded country road
He's got five acres filled little green things, he said
He has five acres of land filled with small green plants
He's working so hard all night and day
He exerts tireless efforts throughout the day and night
Mr. Farmer let me watch your crops
May I observe your crops, Mr. Farmer?
Mr. Farmer let me water your crops
May I assist in watering your crops, Mr. Farmer?
Mr. Farmer let me harvest your crops
May I help to harvest your crops, Mr. Farmer?
I want to have a dream come true
My wish is to make a dream a reality
I said, a farmer, farmer, farmer
I exclaimed, a farmer, farmer, farmer
I want to be just like you
I aspire to be exactly like you
See the farmer a walking down town, always draws a crowd when he's around
Observe the farmer as he walks through the city, often attracting attention
He's always wearing seedy clothes, he's shows them off wherever he goes
He wears clothing that displays his identity as a farmer and proudly exhibits it wherever he goes
You can spot him anywhere, got a bright pink thumb but he don't care
He can be easily identified anywhere due to his green thumb that is even bright pink, but he does not mind
I said, he looks like something from a very bad dream
I commented that he looks like a character from a frightening or terrible dream
Mr. Farmer let me save your crops
May I assist in preserving your crops, Mr. Farmer?
I said, a farmer, farmer, farmer
I exclaimed, a farmer, farmer, farmer
Lyrics © NEIL MUSIC INC
Written by: S SAXON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
atekvideo
I never get tired of this song
elleboucher
The Seeds and Buffalo Springfield were my first concert.... The Swing auditorium in San Bernardino, Calif. when I was 15.
Guillermo Ramirez
Lucky you!
Adrian Thurston
love this song , brings back great memories from my youth..where did that go ?
Gary Migliacci
Love, Love, Love....Thank you for your awesome music and great memories in my life....🥰
INME
If you love musical memories try "Music Absolute Perfection Endless Aussie Hits, Various Artists, British hits, classic rock' list which has the Seeds as an artist 200 hits PLAY ALL and the sixties that you missed or memories found will all come back. Absolute Perfection has Endless lists of music, biilboard charts, years countdowns, Pop Artists careers, million sellers, this collection of themede music, etc. Listen now and listen for the rest of your life without repeating a list unless you want to. Enjoy
Anthony Veblen
I’m 30 now. Found this when I was 15. Most certainly holds up. What an era. Groovy baby. 😉
elconejito99
Man im so glad my dad was a hippie and introduced me to this kind of music =D
Chump Lunge
that organ sound is unmatched
Jerry LePore
"He used to live in an apartment in a big old city.../But he decided to move to a little tiny town/He wanted to be a farmer all year 'round"
These lyrics always made me think this song was about Oliver Wendell Douglas, the lead character from the 1960s TV show "Green Acres." He was a successful lawyer who lived in New York City but moved to Hooterville to become a farmer.