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
Isobel Goudie
The Sensational Alex Harvey Band Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Isobel Goudie feels so good
She does not do the things that she should
She was going to the fare
Isobel Goudie
She met a stranger there
Isobel Goudie
Isobel Goudie
She does not do the things she should
Selling time with no remission
A scaly member
With a cold emission
She raised her eyes up to the sky
She crossed her heart
And she hoped to die
Isobel Goudie
Isobel Goudie
Isobel Goudie
She does not do the things she should
She is my lady of the night
She is my lady of the night
She is my lady of the night
She does not do the things
She does not do the things
She does not do the things she should
She is my lady of the night
She is my lady of the night
She is my lady of the night
My lady of the night
My...
Part 2. Coitus Interruptus
Belladonna, holy water
Ashes to ashes and
Dust to
Dust
Coitus interruptus
Fire to fire
And blood
To blood
Part 3. Virgin and the Hunter
And the virgin and the hunter
They laid together in the night
Isobel Goudie
Isobel Goudie
Isobel Goudie
She does not do the things she should
Isobel, Isobel
Isobel, Isobel
Isobel Goudie
The Sensational Alex Harvey Band's song "Isobel Goudie" tells the story of a woman who chooses to live a life of prostitution, despite knowing that it goes against what society expects of her. The song is divided into three parts, each with their own unique themes and imagery.
In the first part, the singer describes Isobel as someone who "does not do the things that she should" and who meets a stranger at a fare. Isobel is then described as a "lady of the night" who sells her time with no remorse, but crosses her heart and hopes to die. The second part, "Coitus Interruptus," describes a ritual involving belladonna and holy water, ultimately leading to interrupted sexual activity. The final part, "Virgin and the Hunter," depicts Isobel with a virgin and a hunter who lay together in the night.
Overall, the song serves as a commentary on the societal expectations placed on women and the choices they sometimes have to make in order to survive. Isobel chooses to engage in prostitution because it provides her with a means of financial stability, even though she knows that it is considered immoral.
Line by Line Meaning
Isobel Goudie feels so good
Isobel Goudie derives pleasure from her line of work, despite its morally dubious nature
She does not do the things that she should
She is deviating from societal norms and engaging in behavior that is considered inappropriate
She was going to the fare
She was headed to a place where she could earn wages for her services
Isobel Goudie
A repeated reference to the central character of the song
She met a stranger there
She encountered someone unknown to her
Selling time with no remission
She is exchanging money for sexual favors, with no indication of any possibility of recompense
A scaly member
The man she is with has rough, unpleasant skin
With a cold emission
The man is ejaculating without any feeling of warmth or attachment
She raised her eyes up to the sky
She looks to the heavens for guidance, perhaps feeling conflicted about her lifestyle
She crossed her heart
She makes a promise/commitment to herself
And she hoped to die
She prays for an end to her torment
She is my lady of the night
The artist lays claim to her, using a euphemism for her prostituting herself at night
Selling time with no remission
She continues to engage in sex work with no indication of changing her ways
Coitus interruptus
A method of contraception involving withdrawal before ejaculation
Fire to fire
A reference to two people engaging in sexual activity with a sense of passion and heat
And blood to blood
Another reference to the physical and intense nature of the sexual encounter
And the virgin and the hunter
A description of two different archetypes, possibly referencing a fairy tale or other story
They laid together in the night
A statement about two people coming together in a sexual manner
Isobel, Isobel
A repeated call to Isobel Goudie
Isobel Goudie
A final address to the central character of the song
Contributed by Natalie K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.