The band was formed in 1962 by lead singer/organist Larry Tamblyn and guitarist Tony Valentino. The Standells' first hit single was Dirty Water, which reached #11 on the Billboard charts on June 11, 1966.
Other hits included Sometimes Good Guys Don't Wear White, Why Pick On Me, Riot On Sunset Strip (about the 1966 riots resulting from police attacks on hippies), and Try It.
Singer/drummer Dick Dodd, founding drummer of The Bel Airs, who joined the group in 1964 and sang the lead on "Dirty Water", was a former Mouseketeer, and singer/keyboardist Larry Tamblyn, who sang the lead on many of the other Standells songs, is the brother of actor Russ Tamblyn and uncle of Amber Tamblyn, star of Joan of Arcadia. Dodd replaced original drummer Gary Leeds, who went on to fame as Gary Walker of The Walker Brothers. In 1967 John Fleckenstein (formerly of the group Love), joined the Standells. The group appeared in several low budget films of the 1960s, including "Get Yourself a College Girl" and cult classic "Riot on Sunset Strip", in which they performed the movie's title song. Lowell George, who would go on to play with Little Feat, briefly played guitar in the Standells prior to their breakup in 1969.
The Standells also made an appearance on the 1964-1966 television sitcom The Munsters in the episode "Far Out Munster". The band was an integral part of the show, and performed the songs "Come On and Ringo" and The Beatles' "I Want to Hold Your Hand." Furthermore, the group appeared on the television 1964-1965 sitcom The Bing Crosby Show, in the episode "Bugged by the Love Bugs", portraying the fictional rock group of the same name. They performed the songs "Someday You'll Cry" and "Come Here".
Despite the lyrics of "Dirty Water", which states, "Boston, you're my home." The Standells are not from Massachusetts. However, in 2007 the Massachusetts General Court officially decreed "Dirty Water" to be the "Official Victory Song of the Boston Red Sox" . Since 2004, the Standells have attended most every World Series at Fenway Park, including the final winning game in 2013. "Dirty Water" was written by their producer Ed Cobb. It is played after every home victory by the Boston Red Sox and Boston Bruins.
Dodd and Valentino left the Standells in 2009. Dick Dodd passed away in 2013.
The Standells still are actively performing today, and have been receiving 'rave reviews' from music critics. They recently headlined in 2013 at the Adams Ave. St. Fair, San Diego, CA, and the Ponderosa Stomp, New Orleans, Lousiana. Original Members Larry Tamblyn and John Fleck are still in the group, along with co-lead singer Mark Adrian and drummer Greg Burnham. The group has recently released a new album Bump on GRA Records. They been booked on an extensive East Coast tour from April - May, 2014. Learn more about the Standells by visiting http://www.standells-official.com and http://www.facebook.com/Standells
Sunny Afternoon
The Standells Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And left me in my stately home
Lazing on a sunny afternoon
And I can't sail my yacht
He's taken everything I've got
All I've got's this sunny afternoon
Save me, save me, save me from this squeeze
And I love to live so pleasantly
Live this life of luxury
Lazing on a sunny afternoon
In the summertime, in the summertime, in the summertime
My girlfriend's run off with my car
And gone back to her Ma and Pa
Telling tales of drunkenness and cruelty
Now I'm sitting here
Sipping at my ice cold beer
All I've got's this sunny afternoon
Help me, help me, help me sail away
Well give me two good reasons why I ought to stay
'Cause I love to live so pleasantly
Live this life of luxury
Lazing on a sunny afternoon
In the summertime, in the summertime, in the summertime
Save me, save me, save me from this squeeze
I got a big fat mama trying to break me
And I love to live so pleasantly
Live this life of luxury
Lazing on a sunny afternoon
In the summertime, in the summertime, in the summertime
In the summertime, in the summertime
The Standells's song "Sunny Afternoon" is a portrayal of a man who is fed up with his luxurious lifestyle being stripped away from him. He sings about the taxman taking away all his money, leaving him in his stately home on a sunny afternoon, unable to even sail his yacht. The tone of the lyrics is that of a man who has hit rock bottom and is helpless against the wealthy lifestyle he once enjoyed.
The song's second verse recounts how the singer's girlfriend has left him, taking his car with her as well. He sits alone, sipping an ice-cold beer, with nothing but the sunny afternoon to keep him company. He asks for someone to save him from this squeeze and help him sail away from his luxurious but unhappy life. The lyrics suggest that he is tired of the pressures of living a life of excess and just wants to escape.
Overall, "Sunny Afternoon" is a commentary on the fragility of wealth and privilege, and how it can lead to dissatisfaction and even misery. It highlights the emptiness of material possessions and how they cannot compensate for a lack of love or genuine happiness.
Line by Line Meaning
The taxman's taken all my dough
I have no money left because the government has taken it all through taxes
And left me in my stately home
I am still living in my grand home, despite my lack of funds
Lazing on a sunny afternoon
I am enjoying my leisure time under the sun
And I can't sail my yacht
I am unable to use my expensive boat for leisure activities
He's taken everything I've got
The government has taken all my possessions and wealth
All I've got's this sunny afternoon
The only thing I have left is this moment of relaxation in the sun
Save me, save me, save me from this squeeze
I am in desperate need of help to escape from my financial and personal struggles
I got a big fat mama trying to break me
Someone, perhaps a partner or authority figure, is pressuring me and causing me stress
And I love to live so pleasantly
I enjoy living a luxurious and enjoyable lifestyle
Live this life of luxury
I want to continue to live in comfort and wealth
My girlfriend's run off with my car
My partner has left and taken my vehicle with them
And gone back to her Ma and Pa
They have returned to their parents' home
Telling tales of drunkenness and cruelty
They are spreading negative stories about me to others
Now I'm sitting here
I am alone and contemplative
Sipping at my ice cold beer
I am casually enjoying a refreshing drink
Help me, help me, help me sail away
I want to escape my current situation and start fresh
Well give me two good reasons why I ought to stay
I am questioning whether or not it is worth staying in my current position
'Cause I love to live so pleasantly
I enjoy living in comfort and luxury
In the summertime, in the summertime, in the summertime
This is my favorite time of year to relax and enjoy life
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Raymond Douglas Davies
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Skyler
hidden gem.
Николай Лебедев
Since 1966
Leon Childs jr
The Kinks had this a hit for Reprise Records in 1967
Always Good
Just heard it Netflix so someone likes it not bad
NevilleStyke
Hints of David Bowie in the vocal.
daisy rabbit
✨🌞✨