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
Jungle Jenny
The Sensational Alex Harvey Band Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
about a little girl called Jenny who got lost in the jungle.
She was brought up by the actual animals who lived in the bush.
These apes got to like her so much they called her "Jungle Jenny".
Jungle Jenny
raised by gorillas
in the jungle, in the jungle
in gorilla formation
in the jungle, in the jungle
From the magazine
the only ones she'd seen
on the cover was Willy and his Walnuts
Chorus:
Jungle Jenny, Jungle Jenny
I need a lot of love and I can't get any
Jungle Jenny, Jungle Jenny
I need a lot of love and I can't get any
in the jungle, in the jungle
Saw his face
from a different race
in the jungle, in the jungle
Then Jenny knew
she had to get through
to Willy, and his Walnuts
Jenny was a dreamer
she took a local steamer
looking for Willy and his Walnuts
Meanwhile, deep in the forest,
the news spread that Jenny had gone
There was a rumble through the jungle
and the gorillas, the gorillas all mumbled,
they want their baby back
through the woods
hear them sigh
The apes all stand and sadly cry
Chorus:
In the city
she was a lipstick tester
For Willy
and his Walnuts
But back in the jungle
the gorillas all mumble
they want Jenny
they all want Jenny
Chorus:
The lyrics of The Sensational Alex Harvey Band's song Jungle Jenny tell the story of a young girl named Jenny who got lost in the jungle and was taken in by the gorillas who lived there. She grew up learning their ways and even got an education in "gorilla formation". The only exposure she had to the world outside the jungle was through magazines, with the only recognizable face being that of Willy and his Walnuts. Jenny becomes infatuated with Willy and decides to leave the jungle in search of him.
The second verse describes her journey to find Willy, taking a "local steamer" to the city. Meanwhile, the gorillas, who have grown to love Jenny as one of their own, become sad and restless at the news of her departure. In the city, Jenny becomes a "lipstick tester" for Willy and his Walnuts, but the chorus repeats the idea that she still can't find the love she's looking for.
The lyrics of Jungle Jenny are a commentary on the search for love and belonging, and the idea that sometimes we must venture outside our comfort zones to find it. The juxtaposition between the jungle and the city reflects the contrast between nature and civilization, with the gorillas representing the former and Willy and his Walnuts representing the latter.
Line by Line Meaning
Jungle Jenny
A girl named Jenny who was raised by gorillas in the jungle.
raised by gorillas
Jenny was brought up and nurtured by actual gorillas who lived in the jungle.
in the jungle, in the jungle
All of the events described in the song take place within the wild, untamed environment of the jungle.
Got an education
Jenny learned how to behave and function in gorilla society, gaining a unique education and perspective.
in gorilla formation
Jenny learned about the physical and social characteristics of gorillas, likely learning how to blend in and communicate with them.
From the magazine
Jenny had access to magazines and was exposed to human culture, particularly learning about a man named Willy and his Walnuts.
the only ones she'd seen
Jenny was isolated from human culture and only had access to a limited amount of information, such as the magazine with Willy and his Walnuts on the cover.
on the cover was Willy and his Walnuts
Jenny was fascinated by this man and his products, likely aspiring to meet him and experience human civilization.
Chorus: Jungle Jenny, Jungle Jenny, I need a lot of love and I can't get any
Jenny is struggling with a lack of affection or emotional fulfillment, feeling like she is not receiving the love she needs in her life.
Saw his face
Jenny saw the face of Willy in the magazine and became enamored with him and the idea of meeting him.
from a different race
Willy is likely not from the same cultural or racial background as Jenny, further emphasizing her fascination with this foreign concept of human society.
Then Jenny knew
After seeing Willy's face, Jenny had a realization that she needed to find him and experience human civilization for herself.
she had to get through
Despite being in the jungle, Jenny knew she needed to get past her current circumstances and travel to the outside world to find Willy and gain a new perspective on life.
to Willy, and his Walnuts
Jenny's ultimate goal is to meet Willy and experience human culture with him, particularly becoming involved with his business ventures involving walnuts.
Jenny was a dreamer
Jenny was an imaginative and ambitious individual, dreaming of a life beyond the jungle and longed for something more fulfilling.
she took a local steamer
Jenny made the decision to physically leave her current environment and travel on a boat to find Willy and his Walnuts in the human world.
Meanwhile, deep in the forest, the news spread that Jenny had gone
News of Jenny's departure spread throughout the jungle and caused concern among the gorillas, particularly due to their strong attachment to her.
There was a rumble through the jungle
The gorillas were in a state of unrest and turmoil due to the absence of Jenny and the unknown danger she might face in the outside world.
and the gorillas, the gorillas all mumbled
The gorillas, who had come to know and love Jenny, were communicating their concern and distress about her absence.
they want their baby back
The gorillas feel a strong attachment and sense of responsibility for Jenny, and they desire for her to return safely to their care.
through the woods, hear them sigh
The jungle is filled with the sorrowful sounds of the gorillas, who are deeply saddened by the loss of their beloved Jenny.
The apes all stand and sadly cry
The apes are visibly affected by the loss of Jenny, standing in a communal display of grief for the girl they called Jungle Jenny.
Chorus: In the city, she was a lipstick tester
Jenny found herself in an urban environment, experimenting with makeup products as a means of earning a living and integrating into human culture.
For Willy, and his Walnuts
Jenny is still focused on her initial goal of becoming involved with Willy and his business ventures, likely due to her sense of fascination and curiosity about the human world.
But back in the jungle, the gorillas all mumble, they want Jenny, they all want Jenny
The gorillas still feel a strong sense of attachment and longing for Jenny, desiring her to return home and be with her gorilla family.
Contributed by Dylan L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.