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.
Now a Man
The Seeds Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But why did it take me oh so long
I'm now a man
My mind's floating out toward the sky
This old world always shows me something new
Everytime, girl, I'm with you
I'm now a man
I'm now a man
MY mind's running away wiwith the wind
And each new day I find more rainbows we can play
Don't you find it hard? To keep your feelings in your backyard
I'm now a man
I'm now a man
Well, I want to know what you do
When you're away, away from me
Well I want to know if you feel that way, too
The way that I love you
I'm now a man
I'm now a man
I'm now a man
My world I painted blue over grey
And I have a magic crayon box
going out and paint out the silver locks
I'm now a man, I'm now a man
Feeling so good inside
And you made me a man
Just to be by your side
I'm now a man,
Oh, now a man
Just the way I walk with you
JUst the way that you talk, too
I'm now a man
Oh, now a man
The Seeds' song "Now a Man" is a reflective track about coming of age, learning from experiences, and finding inner strength. The song opens with the singer proclaiming that he is now a man, but he wonders why it took him so long to reach this point in his life. The line "My mind's floating out toward the sky" speaks to his newfound liberation and the sense of freedom that comes with maturity. He has learned to see the world through a different lens, and every moment with his partner reveals something new.
The next verse sees the singer sharing his thoughts on life and love, asking questions about his partner's feelings and wondering what she does when she's away from him. He describes his world as one that he painted in blue over grey and that he has a magic crayon box that allows him to paint over the silver locks. This signifies his ability to create his reality and change things that no longer serve him. The singer feels good inside and attributes much of his newfound sense of self to his partner's love and support.
The chorus repeats the statement that the singer is now a man and that his partner's presence played a crucial role in his growth. The song closes with the singer expressing his admiration for the way his partner walks and talks, acknowledging that he has found a fellow traveler who has also been on a journey of self-discovery.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm now a man
I have finally reached manhood.
But why did it take me oh so long
I am wondering why it took me so long to grow up.
My mind's floating out toward the sky
My thoughts are wandering towards the heavens.
This old world always shows me something new
The world continuously surprises me with new experiences.
Everytime, girl, I'm with you
Whenever I am with you, I am amazed and delighted.
Well, I want to know what you do
I am curious about what you do when you are away from me.
When you're away, away from me
I wonder what you do when you are not near me.
Well I want to know if you feel that way, too
I am interested in finding out if you feel the same way as I do.
The way that I love you
The depth of my love for you.
My world I painted blue over grey
I have colored my world with happiness and joy.
And I have a magic crayon box
I have a vast imagination and the power to create wondrous things.
going out and paint out the silver locks
I am determined to paint over any dull or negative aspects of life.
Feeling so good inside
I am content and satisfied with my life.
And you made me a man
You have helped me mature into a man.
Just to be by your side
Being by your side is all that matters.
Just the way I walk with you
Our connection is evident in the way we walk together.
JUst the way that you talk, too
Your manner of speaking also highlights our bond.
Lyrics © NEIL MUSIC INC
Written by: HOOPER, SAVAGE, SAXON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Ghislain DORMONT
One of my favorite songs with the introducing Sky's scream. Great!!!!
Àtila Sunshine
Pure psychedelic !!!