Band leader Harvey was born in Glasgow, Scotland 1935. During the fifties he played in many different Jazz bands playing Dixieland Jazz and later skiffle.
In 1959 he formed the Alex Harvey Soul Band playing Blues and rock n Roll music. Although a successful stint in Hamburg completed, Harvey found it difficult finding recognition with the ‘Soul Band’ and through the second half of the sixties Alex with his brother Les Harvey moved from one group to another until 1969 when he took up as a resident musician in the stage show of ‘Hair’.
In 1972 Alex joined forces with Scottish up and coming rockers ‘Tear Gas’. The band with Alex at the helm changed names to “The Sensational Alex Harvey Band”. The Sensational Alex Harvey Shows were noted for their theatrical content and idiosyncratic style of delivery. The music influences varied greatly. From blues to music hall stage shows.
After years of a punishing stage show and never ending Gig schedules, Alex announced in 1977 that due to back problems he was to retire from the music business.
Following a rare come back tour in Europe Alex died of a heart attack in 1982.
In 1977 after the Band and Alex Harvey parted company with Alex recording the solo Album ‘Loch Ness Monster’ (NB: Not a music album, but a recorded documentary about the fabled monster !), while the band without Alex, recorded ‘Four Play’. Alex and the band came together again in 1978 for a final album 'Rock Drill'. The Band and Alex then parted company again. Alex put together a new band in 1979 to record the album ‘The Mafia Stole My Guitar’. In 1983 Alex's final recording ‘Soldier On The Wall’ (comprised mainly of recordings made pre-SAHB), was posthumously issued. The Band having separated and playing in different Bands re-united in 2004 for a final tour with spot. The band released a live recording 'Zalvation'. Through 2006 the band has continued to play live in Britain with some new dates for 2007. 2006 band members are Max Maxwell filling the vocal spot with original members Zal Cleminson; Guitar, Chris Glen; Bass, Hugh McKenna; Keyboards, and Ted McKenna; Drums
Alex Harvey and The Sensational Alex Harvey Band releases include
• 1972 Framed
• 1973 Next
• 1974 The Impossible Dream
• 1975 Tomorrow Belongs To Me
• 1976 Penthouse Tapes
• 1976 SAHB Stories
• 1978 Rock Drill
Alex Harvey Solo Releases include
• 1977 Alex Harvey Presents The Loch Ness Monster
• 1979 The Mafia Stole My Guitar
• 1983 Soldier On The Wall
Sensational Alex Harvey Band (without Alex Harvey) Include
• 1977 Four play
. 1993 Live in Glasgow (Stevie Doherty vocals)
• 2005 Zalvation
Action Strasse
The Sensational Alex Harvey Band Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I wanna take a walk along Action Strasse
(repeat)
Her eyes....telling lies...paradise
She said....words to me....tenderly
The man inside he was selling me a bride
A one eyed cat who was very fond of that
Cruising up the middle of Action Strasse
Everybody make for the peppermint shake
Everybody gonna have a good time
Her eyes....telling lies...paradise
She said....words to me....tenderly
I still remember cause I can't forget
The painted lady she got me yet
She look so neat and sound so sweet
When the light shines bright on midnite street
And everybody make for the peppermint shake
Wanna take a walk along Action Strasse
I wanna take a walk, I wanna take a walk
I wanna take a walk along Action Strasse
(repeat)
The Sensational Alex Harvey Band's song "Action Strasse" is a vibrant and upbeat tune that captures the spirit and energy of Berlin's legendary street, Kurfürstendamm or "Ku'damm." The lyrics talk about a desire to take a walk along the street, which is filled with excitement, temptation, and sensuality. The singer is drawn in by the enticing words and looks of a woman who seems to be offering him something he can't refuse. The song describes the experience of being on Ku'damm, where one can find anything, from prostitutes and drugs to excitement and pleasure.
The song has a vivid and poetic quality, as the lyrics paint a vivid picture of the street and the people on it. The references to the "one-eyed cat" and the "peppermint shake" add to the song's colorful and lively feel. The repeated refrain of "I wanna take a walk along Action Strasse" creates a hypnotic effect, as the listener is drawn in by the singer's desire to experience the energy and excitement of Ku'damm.
Overall, "Action Strasse" is a catchy and energetic tribute to one of Berlin's most famous streets. It captures the essence of the street's vibrant and hedonistic culture, and the singer's desire to be a part of it.
Line by Line Meaning
I wanna take a walk, I wanna take a walk
The singer wants to go for a walk.
I wanna take a walk along Action Strasse
The singer specifically wants to walk along a street named Action Strasse.
Her eyes....telling lies...paradise
A woman's eyes seem to be hiding the truth, but still seem like a wonderful paradise.
She said....words to me....tenderly
The woman speaks softly and kindly to the artist.
The man inside he was selling me a bride
A vendor is trying to sell the artist a woman (a bride).
Wake up in the morning on Action Strasse
The singer wakes up in the morning on Action Strasse, perhaps implying they spent the night there.
A one eyed cat who was very fond of that
A one-eyed cat seems to have a preference for something on Action Strasse.
Cruising up the middle of Action Strasse
Someone is driving or walking up the center of Action Strasse.
Everybody make for the peppermint shake
Everyone seems to be headed towards a place called the peppermint shake, perhaps a popular destination on Action Strasse.
Everybody gonna have a good time
People are excited and happy to be on Action Strasse and going to the peppermint shake.
I still remember cause I can't forget
The singer has a vivid memory of something they can't shake from their mind.
The painted lady she got me yet
The artist was taken by a woman (the painted lady) on Action Strasse and is still thinking about her.
She look so neat and sound so sweet
The painted lady looked and acted nice to the singer.
When the light shines bright on midnite street
When it's dark outside except for the street lights, the singer remembers the painted lady.
Wanna take a walk along Action Strasse
The singer reiterates their desire to take a walk on Action Strasse.
Contributed by Brayden B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.