The first album, The Stone Poneys, was released on January 30, 1967. It failed to chart. The band's debut single, 'Sweet Summer Blue & Gold', also neglected to attract any national attention. Capitol kept the group active with steady live dates, building a gradual following on the club circuit.
The Stone Poneys are best known for a song on their second - and only charting - album, Evergreen Volume Two (released in June of 1967), that they did not write: Mike Nesmith's "Different Drum." Their version is similar to John Herald's vocal with the Greenbriar Boys. It hit the national trade magazines (Cash Box, Billboard, Record World) and stayed on the Top 100 charts into March. It peaked at #12 in Cash Box and reached #13 in Billboard. (It hit #1 in the Los Angeles market and #6 in Detroit.) Ronstadt was surprised when it became a major hit because she was dissatisfied with its arrangement(s).
Capitol chose the Country-tinged 'Up To My Neck In High Muddy Water' for the follow-up single to 'Different Drum'. It topped off at #93 in Billboard, without making the Cash Box or Record World listings. It was included on the Poneys' final disc.
Their third album was titled Linda Ronstadt - Stone Poneys & Friends - Volume Three (released in April of 1968), and only Linda's image was featured on the cover. It included another Nesmith-penned single, "Some of Shelly's Blues," which never charted. It also featured the Laura Nyro song, "Stoney End," which turned out to have been aptly named (although the song was not written for The Stone Poneys). By then, everyone who had heard "Different Drum" knew who Linda Ronstadt was, and she was off to a phenomenal solo career.
(Kenny Edwards died of cancer in 2010.)
Different Drum
The Stone Poneys Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Oh, can't you tell by the way I run
Every time you make eyes at me? Whoa
You cry and moan and say it will work out
But honey child I've got my doubts
You can't see the forest for the trees
So, don't get me wrong, it's not that I knock it
For a boy who wants to love only me
Yes, and I ain't sayin' you ain't pretty
All I'm saying's I'm not ready for any person
Place or thing to try and pull the reins in on me, so
Goodbye, I'll be leavin'
I see no sense in this cryin' and grievin'
We'll both live a lot longer if you live without me
So, don't get me wrong, it's not that I knock it
It's just that I am not in the market
For a boy who wants to love only me
Yes, and I ain't sayin' you ain't pretty
All I'm saying's I'm not ready for any person
Place or thing to try and pull the reins in on me, so
Goodbye, I'll be leavin'
I see no sense in this cryin' and grievin'
We'll both live a lot longer if you live without me
The Stone Poneys's song Different Drum is about a woman who is in a relationship with a man who just doesn't understand her need for individuality and personal freedom. She tells him that they move to the beat of a different drum, and it's evident in the way she runs away from him every time he makes eyes at her. Despite his persistence and belief that things will work out between them, she doubts it, and he can't see the bigger picture. She's not against love, but she's not interested in being tied down to any one person, place, or thing. She decides to end the relationship, believing that it's the best thing for both of them.
The lyrics are straightforward in their message, highlighting the tension between the woman's desire for independence and the man's need for commitment. This clash of values is one that many people can relate to, especially those who struggle to maintain their sense of self within a relationship. The song is a powerful anthem for anyone who's ever felt trapped, suffocated, or misunderstood in a romantic situation.
Line by Line Meaning
You and I travel to the beat of a different drum
We have different interests and priorities in life.
Oh, can't you tell by the way I run
It's apparent from my actions that I'm not interested in what you want.
Every time you make eyes at me? Whoa
Whenever you try to connect with me, I feel like it's not genuine.
You cry and moan and say it will work out
You try to convince me that our differences don't matter and that we can make it work.
But honey child I've got my doubts
I'm skeptical that we can really make things work.
You can't see the forest for the trees
You're too focused on the details to see the bigger picture.
So, don't get me wrong, it's not that I knock it
I don't think you're wrong for wanting what you want.
It's just that I am not in the market
I'm not interested in pursuing a relationship with you.
For a boy who wants to love only me
I don't want to be tied down to one person's expectations or desires.
Yes, and I ain't sayin' you ain't pretty
I think you're attractive, but that's not enough to change my mind.
All I'm saying's I'm not ready for any person
I'm not interested in committing to anyone at this point in my life.
Place or thing to try and pull the reins in on me, so
I don't want anything or anyone trying to control my decisions or actions.
Goodbye, I'll be leavin'
I'm choosing to walk away from this situation.
I see no sense in this cryin' and grievin'
It's not worth getting upset or emotional over.
We'll both live a lot longer if you live without me
We'll both be better off if we go our separate ways.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Michael Nesmith
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind