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
St. Anthony
The Sensational Alex Harvey Band Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
She was a gogo agitator
He went to bed with a whip in his hand
Doing his best to stimulate her
St Anthony, St Anthony, St Anthony, St Anthony
St Anthony was all alone
And around come a two tone choclate biscuit
She comes around when the sun goes down
St Anthony, St Anthony, St Anthony, St Anthony
She tied St Anthony to the bed
And said I'm gonna be your master
Come on baby dont turn me loose
Just keep on doing it faster faster
St Anthony, St Anthony, St Anthony, St Anthony
St Anthony was on his knees
holding his hands in suffracation
Oh Lord have mercy on my soul
lead me not into temptation
Oh the sensation
Oh the revelation
Oh the temptation of St Anthony
Oh the temptation
Oh the sensation
Oh the revelation of the reincarnation
Of St Anthony
St Anthony
St Anthony
St Anthony
{ repeat last few lines till end }
The Sensational Alex Harvey Band's song St. Anthony tells the story of a man named St. Anthony who is a traveller and meets a woman who is a gogo agitator. The two engage in a BDSM relationship with St. Anthony taking on the submissive role, and the woman becoming his master. The lyrics describe the scene where the woman ties St. Anthony to the bed and encourages him to go faster and faster. St. Anthony then finds himself on his knees in prayer, asking for help in resisting the temptation.
The song invokes elements of religious imagery and mythology, with St. Anthony being a reference to a Christian monk who lived in the 3rd and 4th centuries known for his visions and temptations. The song can be interpreted as a commentary on the power dynamics in relationships, with St. Anthony giving up his agency to the woman and the woman taking on the role of power and control. Additionally, the song plays homage to the idea that temptation can be overpowering and that prayer and supplication are necessary to resist it.
Line by Line Meaning
St Anthony was a travelling man
St Anthony was a man who was always on the move.
She was a gogo agitator
There was a woman who worked as a dancer and political protester.
He went to bed with a whip in his hand
Doing his best to stimulate her
St Anthony had a fetish for using a whip during sex to create excitement.
St Anthony, St Anthony, St Anthony, St Anthony
Repeating his name creates a rhythmic chorus and adds emphasis to his character.
St Anthony was all alone
Despite his many adventures, St Anthony remained lonely.
And around come a two tone choclate biscuit
She comes around when the sun goes down
Saying come on baby you can risk it
A woman came into his life, tempting him to take risks.
She tied St Anthony to the bed
And said I'm gonna be your master
Come on baby dont turn me loose
Just keep on doing it faster faster
The woman took control and dominated St Anthony during sex, urging him to go faster.
St Anthony was on his knees
holding his hands in suffracation
Oh Lord have mercy on my soul
lead me not into temptation
St Anthony became overwhelmed with guilt and begged for divine intervention to resist the temptation of this woman.
Oh the sensation
Oh the revelation
Oh the temptation of St Anthony
Oh the temptation
Oh the sensation
Oh the revelation of the reincarnation
Of St Anthony
The overwhelming feelings he experiences during this temptation are intense and overwhelming, making him feel reborn.
St Anthony
St Anthony
St Anthony
{ repeat last few lines till end }
The repetition of his name signifies the continuation of his struggles with temptation.
Contributed by Arianna P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.