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
Sunshine Superman
The Standells Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Sunshine came softly through my a-window today
Could've tripped out easy a-but I've a-changed my ways
It'll take time, I know it, but in a while
You're gonna be mine, I know it, we'll do it in style
'Cause I made my mind up you're going to be mine.
Any trick in the book, now baby, all that I can find
Everybody's hustlin' just to have a little scene
When I say we'll be cool, I think that you know what I mean
We stood on a beach at sunset, do you remember when ?
I know a beach where, baby, a-it never ends
When you've made your mind up forever to be mine.
Mmmm, I'll pick up your hand and slowly blow your little mind
'Cause I made my mind up you're going to be mine.
I'll tell you right now
Any trick in the book now, baby, all that I can find.
Superman or Green Lantern ain't got a-nothin' on me
I can make like a turtle and dive for your pearls in the sea, yeah
A you-you-you can just sit there a-thinking on your velvet throne
'Bout all the rainbows a-you can a-have for your own
When you've made your mind up forever to be mine.
I'll pick up your hand and slowly blow your little mind
When you've made your mind up forever to be mine
I'll pick up your hand, I'll pick up your hand.
The Standells's "Sunshine Superman" is a story of a man who has had a change of heart and wants to win over his love interest. The song was written by Donovan Leitch, who is featured in the title, and it was released in 1966. The opening line sings of the sun shining through the singer's window, and while he might have easily succumbed to his old ways, he has changed himself for the better. He acknowledges that it might take some time, but he knows their eventual union will be worth it. The singer makes it clear that he has made up his mind that his love interest will be his.
The singer dismisses any tricks that he may have previously employed to win over lovers before. He wants his love interest to know that they will be cool and enjoy their time together in style. The two once stood on a beach at sunset, and the singer reminds his love interest of this fact. He then goes on to boast that he is better than superheroes like Superman or Green Lantern because he can dive for pearls in the sea like a turtle. He encourages his love interest to think and fantasize about all the rainbows they could have together. Then, he states that he will pick up her hand and slowly blow her little mind.
Line by Line Meaning
Sunshine came softly through my a-window today
The morning sun shone gently into my room today
Could've tripped out easy a-but I've a-changed my ways
I could have easily gotten lost in the moment, but I've decided to be different
It'll take time, I know it, but in a while
It may not be immediate, but eventually
You're gonna be mine, I know it, we'll do it in style
You'll be mine, and it will be executed in a grandiose manner
'Cause I made my mind up you're going to be mine.
I have determined that you will ultimately belong to me
Any trick in the book, now baby, all that I can find
I am willing to use any method that I can to win you over
Everybody's hustlin' just to have a little scene
People are just trying to make their mark and be noticed
When I say we'll be cool, I think that you know what I mean
You understand what I'm suggesting when I say that we'll be in sync
We stood on a beach at sunset, do you remember when ?
Do you recall that beautiful moment when we watched the sunset on the beach?
I know a beach where, baby, a-it never ends
I know a place where we can experience eternal happiness
Mmmm, I'll pick up your hand and slowly blow your little mind
I'll take your hand and gradually amaze you until you're overwhelmed
Superman or Green Lantern ain't got a-nothin' on me
I can compete with the likes of comic book heroes
I can make like a turtle and dive for your pearls in the sea, yeah
I am capable of great achievements, like extracting pearls from the sea like a turtle
A you-you-you can just sit there a-thinking on your velvet throne
And while you sit on your luxurious seat, lost in thought,
'Bout all the rainbows a-you can a-have for your own
You can dream about all of the wonderful things you could have
When you've made your mind up forever to be mine.
But when you've decided forever that you belong to me,
I'll pick up your hand and slowly blow your little mind
I'll take your hand and gradually amaze you until you're overwhelmed
When you've made your mind up forever to be mine
Once you have committed to me entirely
I'll pick up your hand, I'll pick up your hand.
I will take your hand in mine twice, metaphorically sealing the deal.
Contributed by Josiah F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.