As teenagers, the band members, like most rock 'n' roll groups, were intent on becoming pop stars. Instead of creating a brand-new sound or striving for something different, their philosophy was to take popular styles of rock 'n' roll and push them to the edge. It was at that that the band excelled. The passion and soul they pumped into their music on is still in the grooves of each record. And although they set out to be nothing more than a "typical" rock group, they made some of the most atypical records of the 1960s!
Forming in late 1965, the Shadows of Knight were all friends and aquaintances, except for lead singer Jim Sohns, whom they stole from a rival group. The group's early sounds were highly influenced by black music and by white British interpretations of black music. Venturing into hard-edged R&B, the group made two LP' for Dunwich Records within its first year (both records now available again, thanks to Sundazed Records). Those albums are essential listening for anyone who loves the gritty early sounds of groups like the Rolling Stones and the Pretty Things. Of course, it's their version of Them's "Gloria" that shot the Shadows to the top of the American pop charts. Their rise to fame was fast, and the pressures were very hard for the group to handle. By 1967, the group, disillusioned by its mismanagement, began to fall apart. Guitarist Jerry McGeorge went on to form the understated H.P. Lovecraft. Both the bassist Joe Kelly and the drummer Tim Schiffour held out for more straight-ahead blues in the Joe Kelly Blues Band. Jim Sohns held on.
By late 1968, Sohns was the only surviving member, legally securing the Shadows of Knight name for himself. The "group" was then contracted with by bubblegum producers Kasenetz and Katz to record under that name for K&K's Teem Records label. Grabbing at any straw handed to him, Sohns quickly moved to New York, assembled a group of musicians, and went on to record some of the best records of the bubblegum genre.
A master at interpreting popular sounds, Sohns was able to take teen appeal and mix it with his gritty soulful voice for an unbelievable version of "Shake." Jim (under various psuedonyms) is also quite obviously the vocalist on many other soulful bubblegum songs pressed for K&K labels. Firmly grounded in the bubblegum genre and sensing another change in popular music, Jim began to have an interest in harder rock 'n' roll sounds. His last great single is perhaps the most perfect melding of rock and bubblegum sounds: "Run, Run Billy Porter"/ "My Fire Department Needs A Fireman."
Although Sohns kept the Shadows of Knight name alive, he lost his chart-topping drive in 1969 and began to rehash his earlier Chicago career, so his subsequent records are neither timely nor so impassioned.
On July 29th 2022, Jim Sohns passed away from complications due to a stroke. He was 75 years old.
It Always Happens That Way
The Shadows of Knight Lyrics
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'Bout two hours late
I don't know how this happened
You know it's just my fate
Now my boss he's mad
About this whole situation
He starts to scream and holler
He thinks my minds on vacation
You know I'm always tryin' to do my best
But it seems that I just can't make the test
No matter what I do or what I say
Things always happen this way
I told this story to my baby
She starts to jump holler and shout
She tells me I'm a big dumbell
And now she tells me to get out!
Now I ain't got noone or nothin'
Not one little thing you see
I finally found the right place
On the wrong day
Yeah!
It's always happening this way
And I look and I try
And I run all around the place
But I just can't find one little thing to say
I try and do my best
Be just like all the rest but here I am
The Shadows of Knight's "It Always Happens That Way" is a classic 60s rock song about a person who always seems to be late and in trouble. The lyrics describe how the singer goes to work late and catches the wrath of his boss. He explains to his lover that this is just the way things always happen to him. He tries his best but somehow always falls short. His lover gets angry with him, thinking he is just a big "dumbell," and asks him to leave. The singer is left alone, feeling dejected and unwanted.
The song's lyrics convey a sense of frustration and hopelessness, as the singer recounts his troubles and setbacks. He seems to have no control over his fate, and things always happen to him in a certain way. The repetition of the phrase "It always happens that way" emphasizes the singer's resignation to his situation. He feels trapped and unable to break free from his cycle of misfortune.
Despite its somewhat bleak message, "It Always Happens That Way" is an upbeat and catchy song. Its driving beat and lively guitar riffs make it a popular dance song, and its relatable lyrics have made it a favorite among fans of 60s music.
Line by Line Meaning
Went to work this morning
I started my day by going to work
'Bout two hours late
I was running late by about two hours
I don't know how this happened
I'm not sure why I was late
You know it's just my fate
I believe that being late is just something that always happens to me
Now my boss he's mad
My boss is angry with me now
About this whole situation
He's upset about the fact that I'm late
He starts to scream and holler
He's yelling at me in anger
He thinks my minds on vacation
He believes I'm not focused on work because my mind is elsewhere
You know I'm always tryin' to do my best
I always strive to perform my best
But it seems that I just can't make the test
However, it seems like no matter what I do, I can't succeed
No matter what I do or what I say
Regardless of my actions or words,
Things always happen this way
I always end up in the same situations
I told this story to my baby
I shared this experience with my significant other
She starts to jump holler and shout
She becomes excited and begins to express her opinion loudly
She tells me I'm a big dumbell
She insults me by calling me a foolish person
And now she tells me to get out!
She demands that I leave
Now I ain't got noone or nothin'
I'm left with nobody or anything
Not one little thing you see
I have completely lost everything
I finally found the right place
I thought I found the perfect situation
On the wrong day
But it happened on the worst possible time
It's always happening this way
This is always how my life turns out
And I look and I try
I search and make an effort
And I run all around the place
I tirelessly look everywhere
But I just can't find one little thing to say
But I can't seem to put together any words or actions to change my circumstances
I try and do my best
I put all my energy into doing my best
Be just like all the rest but here I am
But despite my efforts to fit in, I am still stuck in the same unfortunate situation
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing
Written by: WARREN ROGERS, JAMES SOHNS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind