Forming in the wake of the early-'60s success of local favorites the Kingsmen and the Wailers (whose Etiquette label they recorded for), the Sonics combined classic Northwest-area teen band raunch with early English band grit (particularly influenced by the Kinks), relentless rhythmic drive, and unabashed '50s-style blues shouting for a combination that still makes their brand of rock & roll perhaps the raunchiest ever captured on wax.
Lead singer Gerry Roslie was no less than a white Little Richard, whose harrowing soul-screams were startling even to the Northwest teen audience, who liked their music powerful and driving with little regard to commercial subtleties. With hit after hit on the local charts (and influencing every local band that ever took the stage), the band inexplicably was never able to break out nationally, leaving its sound largely undiluted for mass consumption. Breaking up between 1966 and 1968 (after one ill-fated album attempt to water down their style for national attention), the Sonics continue today to be revered by '60s collectors the world over for their unique brand of rock & roll raunch.
In 2007, The Sonics reunited again, this time for the Cavestomp garage rock festival in Brooklyn (November 2-4, 2007). The line up featured original members Gerry Roslie on vocals/keyboards, Larry Parypa on guitar and Rob Lind on tenor sax; with Ricky Lynn Johnson (of The Wailers) on drums and Don Wilhelm (of The Daily Flash) on bass and vocals.
In 2008, The Sonics recorded a live session for Mark Lamarr's BBC Radio 2 show God's Jukebox on March 22. They played their first ever shows in London on Friday March 21 and Sunday March 23.
Since then, they have played the Primavera Festival in Barcelona, followed by Bilbao, then Belgium, Norway, and the Azkena Rock Festival in Vitoria in the Basque Country.
Their first show in their home region since their last Seattle reunion in 1972 was on Halloween 31 October 2008 at the Paramount Theatre in Seattle, where they were introduced and joined onstage for a couple numbers by Steven Van Zandt. Kent Morrill (front man of the Wailers) made a surprise appearance to help sing his signature song "Dirty Robber". Bob Bennett was also present to sit in on drums albeit only for a few songs and only while Ricky Lynn Johnson played in unison.
Don't You Just Know It
The Sonics Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yeahh-ah-oh (yeahh-ah-oh)
Cubba cubba cubba (cubba cubba cubba)
Ha ha ha ha (ha ha ha ha)
Ha ha ha ha (ha ha ha ha)
Yeahh-ah-oh (yeahh-ah-oh)
My pretty baby got two left feet
(Don't you just know it)
(Don't you just know it)
Ha ha ha ha (ha ha ha ha)
Yeahh-ah-oh (yeahh-ah-oh)
Cubba cubba cubba (cubba cubba cubba)
Ha ha ha ha (ha ha ha ha)
Ha ha ha ha (ha ha ha ha)
Yeahh-ah-oh (yeahh-ah-oh)
Hey pretty baby, can we go strolling
(don't you just know it)
Wow, you got me rockin' when I outta be rollin'
(Don't you just know it)
Ha ha ha ha (ha ha ha ha)
Yeahh-ah-oh (yeahh-ah-oh)
Cubba cubba cubba (cubba cubba cubba)
Ha ha ha ha (ha ha ha ha)
Ha ha ha ha (ha ha ha ha)
Yeahh-ah-oh (yeahh-ah-oh)
My pretty baby she looks so fine
(Don't you just know it)
She's my baby and I gonna make her mine
(Don't you just know it)
Ha ha ha ha (ha ha ha ha)
Yeahh-ah-oh (yeahh-ah-oh)
Cubba cubba cubba (cubba cubba cubba)
Ha ha ha ha (ha ha ha ha)
Ha ha ha ha (ha ha ha ha)
Yeahh-ah-oh (yeahh-ah-oh)
Ha ha ha ha (ha ha ha ha)
Yeahh-ah-oh (yeahh-ah-oh)
The Sonics's song "Don't You Just Know It" is a fun, upbeat track that captures the energy and excitement of rock and roll in the 1960s. The song features catchy lyrics that describe the singer's infatuation with his "pretty baby," who he describes as having "two left feet" but still manages to captivate him with her charm. The singer asks her to go strolling with him, but their dancing leads to even more excitement and unpredictability.
The song is full of playful phonetic sounds that add to its overall energy and feel. The repeated "cubba cubba cubba" and "ha ha ha ha" sounds sound almost like a chant or a call to action, inviting the listener to join in on the fun. The overall message of the song is one of youthful energy and spontaneity, and it captures the spirit of the rock and roll movement that was sweeping the country at the time.
Overall, "Don't You Just Know It" is a classic rock and roll track that continues to be beloved by fans of the genre. Its playful lyrics, catchy rhythms, and upbeat energy make it a timeless classic that continues to be enjoyed by new generations of music lovers.
Line by Line Meaning
Ha ha ha ha (ha ha ha ha)
The song starts with a laughing sound, indicating a cheerful and pleasant mood.
Yeahh-ah-oh (yeahh-ah-oh)
The repeated sound 'yeahh-ah-oh' establishes the rhythm and sets the tone of the song.
Cubba cubba cubba (cubba cubba cubba)
This is simply a meaningless sound that is used to create a catchy beat to the song.
My pretty baby got two left feet (Don't you just know it)
The artist is describing their partner as someone who may not be great at dancing, but they find it rather endearing.
Well, she's my baby and she's kinda neat (Don't you just know it)
Despite her two left feet, the artist still finds their partner extremely attractive and appealing.
Hey pretty baby, can we go strolling (don't you just know it)
The singer is asking their partner if they can go for a walk together, perhaps to spend some quality time together.
Wow, you got me rockin' when I outta be rollin' (Don't you just know it)
Despite being out of their comfort zone, the singer is having a great time with their partner, and finds them to be fun and exciting.
My pretty baby she looks so fine (Don't you just know it)
This line again emphasizes the attractiveness of the artist's partner.
She's my baby and I gonna make her mine (Don't you just know it)
The artist is determined to take their relationship with their partner to the next level, and make them their own.
Ha ha ha ha (ha ha ha ha)
The song ends with the same laugh sound it started with, indicating a happy and joyful conclusion.
Yeahh-ah-oh (yeahh-ah-oh)
The final 'yeahh-ah-oh' sound solidifies the song's rhythm and sense of closure.
Lyrics © DistroKid, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Huey P. Smith
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
ari jean
And still, The Sonics manage to be the coolest band ever.
Josey C
I love the original and this version too, and I'm stoked that I got to see the sonics live this January, I never thought i'd be able to say that. But they're still great all these years later, it might be coming back to LA that made them rock so hard!
Bob walker
The Sonics will always for me be the birth of punk,from limey Bob, back in the homeland !
groki
these guys were great
purplestuff
I wish that I grew up with the music that The Sonics did.
getting_better always
this song always came with the football bloopers video during the 80's....i wonder if anyone would post that video on youtube
cesar tagliari
thks for this voy0! real music right here
Jimmy Yobes
"HA HA HA HA" favorite part
salsburysteakjr
I for one like this re-imagining.
emily bryyson
LOL!!