1) The Spring… Read Full Bio ↴There is more than one artist with this name, including:
1) The Springfields was a British pop-folk vocal trio of the early 1960s remembered as the launch pad for singer Dusty Springfield.
2) The Springfields was an American indie-pop band from New England active between 1988 and 1991.
1. The Springfields was a British pop-folk vocal trio in the early 1960s, who had success both in the UK, USA and Ireland, but are now best remembered as the launch pad for singer Dusty Springfield.
The trio formed in 1960, when Mary "Dusty" O’Brien joined her brother Dion O'Brien and Tim Feild, who had been working as a duo,"The Kensington Squares". Dion became Tom Springfield, and Mary became Dusty Springfield. Feild was later replaced by Mike Hurst.
Tom Springfield was a songwriter and arranger with a wide knowledge of folk music, and the group had strong vocal harmonies and Dusty’s powerful lead. They were signed to Philips Records and released their first single, "Dear John," in 1961, followed by two UK chart hits with "Breakaway" and "Bambino" – like their other records, produced by Johnny Franz.
In 1962, their version of "Silver Threads and Golden Needles" – which surprisingly was not released as a single in the UK - reached the US Top 20, the first single by a British group ever to do so (predating the Tornados’ “Telstar” by two months, and the Beatles by 15 months). The record also reached # 1 in Australia.
At the end of 1962 they had the biggest hit of their career in Britain, "Island of Dreams", which reached # 5 in the charts, as did the follow-up "Say I Won’t Be There". By this time the Springfields were one of the most popular groups in the UK. However, Dusty Springfield felt increasingly hemmed in by the group's image as a folk act and Tom's lead role within the trio, and towards the end of 1963 decided to leave for a solo career.
Tom Springfield and Mike Hurst also developed successful careers in the music industry, while Tim Feild (as Reshad Feild) later became a prominent mystic and writer.
2: The Springfields was an American indie-pop band from New England, USA, related to Choo Choo Train and Velvet Crush. They released several 7" singles between 1988 and 1991 on Bus Stop, Sarah, Seminal Twang; with Matthew Sweet producing their Sunflower single.
Discography:
Sunflower (7") 1988 on The Bus Stop Label - BUS 1
Sunflower (7") Jul 1988 on Sarah Records - SARAH 010
Mini-LP [unreleased] (LP) on Subway Organization - SUBORG 06
Wonder / Tomorrows Ends Today (7") Feb 1991 on Sarah Records - SARAH 040
Reach For The Stars (7") 1991 on Summershine Records - SHINE 005
She Swirls Around Me (7") 1991 on Picture Book Records - PB005
Tranquil (7") on Seminal Twang Records
They were also featured on many Sarah compilations including the label's final release There and Back Again Lane.
The Grean Leaves Of Summer
The Springfields Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The green leaves of Summer are callin' me home.
'Twas so good to be young then, in a season of plenty,
When the catfish were jumpin' as high as the sky.
A time just for plantin', a time just for ploughin'.
A time to be courtin' a girl of your own.
'Twas so good to be young then, to be close to the earth,
A time to be reapin', a time to be sowin'.
The green leaves of Summer are callin' me home.
'Twas so good to be young then, with the sweet smell of apples,
And the owl in the pine tree a-winkin' his eye.
A time just for plantin', a time just for ploughin'.
A time just for livin', a place for to die.
'Twas so good to be young then, to be close to the earth,
Now the green leaves of Summer are callin' me home.
'Twas so good to be young then, to be close to the earth,
Now the green leaves of Summer are callin' me home.
The lyrics to The Springfields' song "The Green Leaves of Summer" describe the different seasons and cycles of life, and the nostalgia and longing for a simpler time filled with youthful pleasures and connections to nature. The repeated refrain of "The green leaves of Summer are callin' me home" highlights the theme of returning to one's roots and the natural world.
The first stanza refers to the harvest season, with its task of reaping and sowing, and the joys of being young in a time of abundance, where even the catfish were jumping high. The second stanza speaks to the springtime, a time for planting and courting, and the pleasures of being close to the earth and standing by one's partner during childbirth. The third stanza returns to the harvest season, this time evoking the smells of apples and the winking of an owl in a pine tree. The last stanza reflects on the full cycle of life, including the time for living and ultimately the place for dying. The lyrics poetically capture a sense of loss for a simpler time and a deeper connection to nature and the cycles of life.
Line by Line Meaning
A time to be reapin', a time to be sowin'.
It's a time for harvesting what we've sown and preparing for the next season.
The green leaves of Summer are callin' me home.
The beauty and abundance of Summer is drawing me back to my roots, to where I belong.
'Twas so good to be young then, in a season of plenty,
Looking back on my youth, I recall a time when everything seemed abundant and joyful.
When the catfish were jumpin' as high as the sky.
The world was full of wonder and excitement, even the fish seemed to defy gravity.
A time just for plantin', a time just for ploughin'.
There are specific tasks and rituals for each season of life, and it's important to follow them accordingly.
A time to be courtin' a girl of your own.
Finding love and companionship is a natural part of growing up and starting a family.
'Twas so good to be young then, to be close to the earth,
Being connected to nature and the cycles of life was a source of comfort and inspiration.
And to stand by your wife at the moment of birth.
Supporting your partner during childbirth is one of life's most profound and transformative experiences.
With the sweet smell of apples,
The aromas of the season are a delight to the senses and evoke memories of the past.
And the owl in the pine tree a-winkin' his eye.
The natural world is full of mysteries and wonders, even the wise old owl seems to be watching over us.
A time just for livin', a place for to die.
Every moment of life is precious and to be savored, and every place has its own unique beauty and significance.
Now the green leaves of Summer are callin' me home.
As I grow older and wiser, the call of the natural world becomes more urgent and insistent, reminding me of my place in the grand scheme of things.
'Twas so good to be young then, to be close to the earth,
Once again, I am reminded of the simple joys and pleasures of a life lived in harmony with nature.
Now the green leaves of Summer are callin' me home.
The call of the wild never truly fades, and even in old age, we are drawn back to the places and experiences that shaped us.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: DIMITRI TIOMKIN, PAUL FRANCIS WEBSTER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
multicaruana
What a priceless video this is, what a priceless and rare live performance by the Springfields. Although I know Tom Springfield did not write this song I wish I could have called him up on the telephone when he was alive just to tell him how much his songs-for The Seekers- have meant to me in my lifetime. This song has always haunted me -from The Brothers Four to the Springfields.
multicaruana
Thank you!
Cecil Treadwell
An amazing time capsule.
She had a 'husky' voice that was a unique challenge to project with, but she did it masterfully.
Her total talent as a performer was beyond my capacity to appreciate at the time.
I now savor it immensely.
Pavel Kudryavtsev
Increíble Bella canción!
David Cotovsky
What a magnificently beautiful song!
Ann Seven
How beautiful! ❤ Another wonderful version of this song was done by the Lettermen.
HIGH PIT WILMA
Been a fan since the early sixties,and canna mind of hearing this track or seeing this vid!
A might have it on an early album,but anyhow,it is a timeless song performed by one of the greatest groups in the Sixties...thank you for posting this great video!
Annarita Ranalli
All gifted,and her singing voice was unique indeef
brian belton
indeef it was !
golden miller
What talent , thanks Faith.