The Sensational Alex Harvey Band was one of the most unconventional British… Read Full Bio ↴The Sensational Alex Harvey Band was one of the most unconventional British bands that were part of the 1970s glam rock era. Fronted by Alex Harvey accompanied by Zal Cleminson on guitar, bassist Chris Glen, keyboard player Hugh McKenna and drummer Ted McKenna, their music veered from progressive rock to experimental jazz, around a core of experimental and avant garde rock, dealing with themes from environmentalism to chinese take away food. While they achieved a critically acclaimed status in the UK, they struggled to make a huge impact in the USA.

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

Anthem
The Sensational Alex Harvey Band Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

If you don't put me on trial
Then why don't you turn me loose
You can throw the key away
Let me chase the wild goose
Your progress is my desire
You shouldn't do me wrong
Although it's true I'm worried now
I won't be worried long

Telling stories to the peacocks
Selling systematically
Just a counterfeit engraving
Of the way you used to be
Just another one-way number
Just another two-way song
Although it's true I'm worried now
I won't be worried long

Don't encourage me to murder
'Cause it pays to advertise
Don't treat me with suspicion
Don't tell me no more lies
You know I love your company
You shouldn't do me wrong
Although it's true I'm worried now
I won't be worried long

Although it's true I'm worried now
I won't be worried long

Overall Meaning

The Sensational Alex Harvey Band's song "Anthem" is a cryptic commentary on the nature of power dynamics, social hierarchies and the human condition. The singer of the song seems to be addressing an authority figure or someone who has power over them, as evidenced by lines such as "If you don't put me on trial / Then why don't you turn me loose." The singer wants to be given the freedom to pursue their desires without restraint, even if they are unorthodox or unconventional.

The second verse of the song takes a darker turn, with the singer warning against being treated with suspicion or deceit. They state that they enjoy the company of the person in power, but they shouldn't be wronged. The repetition of the line "Although it's true I'm worried now / I won't be worried long" throughout the song could be interpreted in different ways. It could be a message of resilience and defiance, a desire for liberation or it could indicate that the singer is resigned to their fate as a powerless individual.

Overall, "Anthem" is a thought-provoking exploration of themes such as freedom, power, trust and vulnerability. The lyrics are open-ended enough to allow for different interpretations, and the song's catchy melody and energetic instrumentation make it a memorable listen.

Line by Line Meaning

If you don't put me on trial
If you're not going to accuse me formally

Then why don't you turn me loose
Then why don't you set me free

You can throw the key away
You don't need to keep me locked up

Let me chase the wild goose
Let me be free to explore and take risks

Your progress is my desire
I'm invested in seeing you succeed and progress

You shouldn't do me wrong
You shouldn't deceive or betray me

Although it's true I'm worried now
Although I'm feeling anxious in the moment

I won't be worried long
I won't let it affect me for too long

Telling stories to the peacocks
Boasting or exaggerating to impress others

Selling systematically
Deceiving people in a calculated and organized way

Just a counterfeit engraving
Just a fake or imitation depiction