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.
Jenny Jenny
The Sonics Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Jenny, Jenny, Jenny, won't you come along with me
You know that I love you, we could live so happily
Jenny, Jenny, Jenny, spinnin' like a spinnin' top
Jenny, Jenny, Jenny, spinnin' like you ain't gonna stop
The greatest little momma you oughta see her reel and rock
Jenny, Jenny, Jenny, girl I need you by my side
Jenny, Jenny, Jenny, you know I need you by my side
You know I need you pretty baby, your ways I gotta really abide now
REPEAT FIRST VERSE
The Sonics's song "Jenny Jenny" is a classic rock and roll tune that expresses the singer's desire to be with Jenny. The song starts with a plea to Jenny to accompany him. He tells her that he loves her and they could be very happy together. The repetition of the name 'Jenny' seems to add a certain charm to the song, and the line "won't you come along with me" gives the impression that the singer is eager to start something new and exciting with her.
The second verse describes the way Jenny dances, 'spinnin' like a spinnin' top'. Jenny's way of dancing is greatly admired by the singer as he describes her as the 'greatest little momma'. The phrase 'reel and rock' complements the rhythm of the song and it enhances the mood of the song. This verse also serves to add imagery in the mind of the listener, painting a picture of the singer's admiration for Jenny's unique way of dancing.
The final verse starts with the words "girl I need you by my side" and repetition of "Jenny." The singer emphasizes that he needs her by his side and that he is willing to accept and endure all of Jenny's ways. Overall, the song is a fun, upbeat rock and roll song, expressing the love of the singer for Jenny.
Line by Line Meaning
Jenny, Jenny, Jenny, won't you come along with me
Asking Jenny to come along with him and live a happy life together
You know that I love you, we could live so happily
Explaining that he loves Jenny and they can have a happy life together
Jenny, Jenny, Jenny, spinnin' like a spinnin' top
Using a metaphor to describe Jenny spinning around and having fun
Jenny, Jenny, Jenny, spinnin' like you ain't gonna stop
Describing how Jenny can keep spinning and having fun without stopping
The greatest little momma you oughta see her reel and rock
Portraying Jenny as a great woman who can dance and have fun
Jenny, Jenny, Jenny, girl I need you by my side
Expressing his need for Jenny to stay by his side
You know I need you pretty baby, your ways I gotta really abide now
Stating that he needs to follow Jenny's ways in order to keep her by his side
Contributed by Madison S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Susie196921
Whatever the Sonics cover sounds awesome! One of the best rock bands to ever come along!
Battlefield2Pilot
It's like rockabilly on punk steroids. But...not psychobilly...awesome
stalledrangen
Cool sound. It is so good!
Energy Guy
These guys were the soundtrack for my youth! We would play their albums through a P.A. system with speakers hanging out my bedroom window while we played hoops in the driveway or worked on our cars. Like many kids of the day, we had a garage band that was inspired by the sound we heard from those vinyl LP's. Bob Bennett's drumming was as powerful as any rhythm maker I've ever heard and I still get that feeling I had then when I cue up "have Love Will Travel" or "Strychnine" on my IPod. REAL ROCK
razvan stroescu
Great story, man! 👍👍👍
JustAFocus
Cool! I'd always thought that the Sonics sounded like if Little Richard had fronted a punk band. Never heard this actual Little Richard song cover by them. These guys rocked so hard! Sometimes I wish I could time-travel back to '66.
Brucer S.
No matter how you color The Sonics--one cool band & thats the important part.!!
anibal smith
como suena esto!!!te vuela la camiseta!!!!aguante Los Sonics!!!
Tuomas Raatikainen
gotta love the horn action! 5*
Brucer S.
And on the 10 th day God created The Sonics!!