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
Wild Thing
The Standells Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You make everything groovy, wild thing
Wild thing, I think I love you
But I wanna know for sure
Come on and hold me tight
I love you
Wild thing, you make my heart sing
Wild thing, I think you move me
But I wanna know for sure
Come on and hold me tight
You move me
Wild thing, you make my heart sing
You make everything groovy, wild thing
Wild thing, you make my heart sing
You make everything groovy, wild thing
Wild thing, you make my heart sing
You make everything groovy, wild thing
The Standells's song "Wild Thing" is about an intense infatuation with someone that the singer cannot resist. The repeated line "Wild thing, you make my heart sing" emphasizes the intense emotions and physical attraction that the singer feels towards the subject of the song. The line "You make everything groovy, wild thing" suggests that the singer's entire world has been transformed by the presence of this person, and that their existence brings positivity and excitement into the singer's life.
The singer acknowledges the intensity of their feelings with the line "Wild thing, I think I love you" but also expresses a need for certainty about their emotional state with "But I wanna know for sure." The repeated line "Come on and hold me tight" emphasizes the physical desire that the singer feels towards the subject of the song, wanting to be close and intimate with them in order to solidify their emotional connection.
Overall, the song is a passionate declaration of love that embraces both intense physical attraction and emotional vulnerability. The repeated chorus of "Wild thing, you make my heart sing / You make everything groovy, wild thing" reinforces the idea that the subject of the song is a transformative force in the singer's life, someone who has changed everything for the better and continues to inspire strong emotions.
Line by Line Meaning
Wild thing, you make my heart sing
Addressing the person called 'Wild thing' as the one who fills the singer's heart with happiness and love
You make everything groovy, wild thing
Acknowledging that 'Wild thing' brings joy and positivity in everything around the singer
Wild thing, I think I love you
Confessing the singer's romantic feelings to 'Wild thing'
But I wanna know for sure
Expressing the artist's desire to be certain of 'Wild thing's' reciprocation of love
Come on and hold me tight
Asking 'Wild thing' to embrace the artist with affection and closeness
I love you
Reiterating the singer's love for 'Wild thing'
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: CHIP TAYLOR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind