The band was formed by Dot, Betty, and Helen on the insistence of their father, Austin Wiggin, who believed that his mother foresaw their rise to stardom. The only studio album, 'Philosophy of the World', was released in 1969 and failed to garner attention, though the band continued to exist as a locally popular live act. The group disbanded in 1975 after the death of Austin.
The Shaggs have a consistent (but highly idiosyncratic) approach to melody, harmony, and rhythm. The songs use irregular verse structures, which are emphasized by the melodic structures. These typically accord one note per syllable: the guitar accompaniment attempts to reproduce this pattern as well. Most of the Shaggs material is made up of eighth- and quarter-notes.
Posthumously, the band gained notoriety and praise for their unconventional style, and lyrical honesty. Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain highlighted their work for praise. Frank Zappa named 'Philosophy of the World' one of his favorite records. He even said they were "better than The Beatles." 'Philosophy of the World' was later reissued on Rounder, the label of the rock group NRBQ, and the compilation 'Shaggs' Own Thing' was released in 1982.
Yesterday Once More
The Shaggs Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Waiting for my favorite songs
When they played I'd sing along
It made me smile
Those were such happy times and not so long ago
How I wondered where they'd gone
But they're back again just like a long lost friend
Every shalalala, every oho, oho
Still shines
Every shing-a-ling-a-ling that they're starting to sing's
So fine
When they get to the part where he's breaking her heart
It can really make me cry
Just like before
It's yesterday once more
Shoobidoo, wangdang
Looking back on how it was in years gone by
And the good times that I had
Makes today seem rather sad
So much has changed
It was songs of love that I would sing to them
And I'd memorize each word
Those old melodies still sound so good to me
As they melt the years away
Every shalalala, every oho, oho
Still shines
Every shing-a-ling-a-ling that they're starting to sing's
So fine
All my best memories come back clearly to me
Some can even make me cry
Just like before
It's yesterday once more
Every shalalala, every oho, oho
Still shines
Every shing-a-ling-a-ling that they're starting to sing's
So fine
Every shalalala, every oho, oho
Still shines
Every shing-a-ling-a-ling that they're starting to sing's
So fine
The Shaggs’ “Yesterday Once More” is a tribute to the past that captures the bittersweet nostalgia of looking back on treasured memories from a long gone era. The song begins with the singer reminiscing about his youth and the joy he felt in listening to the radio, eagerly awaiting his favorite songs. The lyrics paint a picture of carefree days filled with laughter and the simple pleasures of life that have long since passed. The beauty of the song is the way the chorus captures the timelessness and nostalgia of these favorite songs, as they take the singer back in time to those happy memories of the past. Even the language of the song is evocative of a bygone era, with mentions of “shalalala” and “shing-a-ling-a-ling”.
As the song progresses, it becomes clear that the singer is not only recalling the happy memories of the past, but also grappling with the harsh reality of the present. Looking back on the good times can be difficult when the present seems bleak and uninviting. The song ends with the singer realizing that the songs of the past can bring joy even in the present day, as they serve as a reminder of happier times.
Overall, “Yesterday Once More” is a tender, introspective exploration of the power of music to transport us through time, evoking memories of joy, innocence, and simpler days.
Line by Line Meaning
When I was young I'd listen to the radio
As a child, I used to regularly listen to the radio.
Waiting for my favorite songs
I eagerly waited for my favorite songs to play on the radio.
When they played I'd sing along
When my favorite songs played on the radio, I used to sing along with them.
It made me smile
Singing along with my favorite songs would bring a smile to my face.
Those were such happy times and not so long ago
Those days were extremely joyful and it feels like it happened just yesterday.
How I wondered where they'd gone
I always used to wonder where those happy times went.
But they're back again just like a long lost friend
Fortunately, those happy times are back again, and it feels like an old friend just returned.
All the songs I loved so well
All the songs that I absolutely adored are still around.
Every shalalala, every oho, oho
Every 'shalalala' and every 'oho, oho' are still very much alive in my soul.
Still shines
These elements of the songs still have a very powerful impact on me.
Every shing-a-ling-a-ling that they're starting to sing's
All the 'shing-a-ling-a-lings' that are a part of these songs are truly magnificent.
So fine
These bits of the songs are so good that they have survived the test of time.
When they get to the part where he's breaking her heart
Whenever the songs reach the point where someone's heart is being broken, it moves me deeply.
It can really make me cry
These particular elements of the song still manage to evoke strong emotional reactions from me.
Just like before
These emotional reactions are the same as they were in the past.
It's yesterday once more
All these songs manage to transport me back in time to those happy days.
Shoobidoo, wangdang
These sounds that are a part of the songs still sound just as incredible as they did before.
Looking back on how it was in years gone by
Reflecting back on those happy times from a few years ago.
And the good times that I had
Remembering all the fun that was had in those days gone by.
Makes today seem rather sad
Reminiscing about these fun times makes me realize how uninspiring today can be at times.
So much has changed
There have been many changes since the days when these songs were popular.
It was songs of love that I would sing to them
Most of the songs that I liked to sing along to were all about love.
And I'd memorize each word
I enjoyed those songs so much that I remembered all the lyrics to them.
Those old melodies still sound so good to me
The unforgettable melodies of these songs still sound amazing to me.
As they melt the years away
These songs have the power to make me feel like I'm reliving those happy times all over again.
Contributed by Aiden F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
big mistqke
When I was young I'd listen to the radio
Waiting for my favorite songs
When they played I'd sing along
It made me smile
Those were such happy times and not so long ago
How I wondered where they'd gone
But they're back again just like a long lost friend
All the songs I loved so well
Every shalalala, every oho, oho
Still shines
Every shing-a-ling-a-ling that they're starting to sing's
So fine
When they get to the part where he's breaking her heart
It can really make me cry
Just like before
It's yesterday once more
Shoobidoo, wangdang
Looking back on how it was in years gone by
And the good times that I had
Makes today seem rather sad
So much has changed
It was songs of love that I would sing to them
And I'd memorize each word
Those old melodies still sound so good to me
As they melt the years away
Every shalalala, every oho, oho
Still shines
Every shing-a-ling-a-ling that they're starting to sing's
So fine
All my best memories come back clearly to me
Some can even make me cry
Just like before
It's yesterday once more
Every shalalala, every oho, oho
Still shines
Every shing-a-ling-a-ling that they're starting to sing's
So fine
Every shalalala, every oho, oho
Still shines
Every shing-a-ling-a-ling that they're starting to sing's
So fine
js27
Shows you how good a song this is. Even The Shaggs can’t totally destroy it
Наталия Лазуренко
Эта песенка очень позитивная и настраивает на бодрый лад. Очень хорошо, напевая эту песенку, идти в поход или лазать по горам. Она прямо прелесть что такое! Вообще, интересная группа, очень мне напомнила мое детство и молодость! Девчонки такие смешные, волосатые и очень симпатичные! Музыка у них странноватая, но начинает нравиться, когда к ней немножко привыкнешь.
bill martin
They had balls covering this seeing how Karen Carpenter was one of the best female singers that ever lived.
kirby culp
And Teresa Teng.
Steven Lewis
I love this band. Definitely one of a kind.
Catherine Thorstenberg
Thank gawd
Sam Roy
This song of The Shaggs is not so bad...
Nelson Nicholson
@duchovny2 Legendary comment
YA9
@Olivia Beatriz this is vastly better than the original
Gilbert
@duchovny2 Bruh it's The Shaggs. Wtf do you expect?