The band originally comprised Don Baskin (Honolulu, Hawaii, USA, October 9, 1946 - October 22, 2019) (vocals, guitar); Bob Gonzalez (b. February 14, 1947, San Jose, California) (bass); Larry Ray (b. September 12, 1945, San Francisco) (guitar); John Sharkey (b. June 8, 1946, Los Angeles) (guitar, keyboards); and John Duckworth (b. November 18, 1946, Springfield, Missouri?) (drums). The group was formed from the combination of two teen bands (The Pharoahs and The Aristocrats). The Syndicate of Sound rapidly became popular in the San Jose area, and the next year won a "Battle of the Bands" competition against about 100 groups including The Golliwogs (later Creedence Clearwater Revival). The prize was a recording session with Del-Fi Records, but the resulting single "Prepare For Love" was unsuccessful.
Baskin and Gonzalez continued to write new material, and came up with "Little Girl", which the band recorded for Hush Records in San Francisco in January 1966. It became a regional hit after San Jose radio stations latched onto it, attracting the attention of executives at Bell Records in New York, who released it nationally and offered the group a contract for an album. Replacing Ray with guitarist Jim Sawyers, they wrote and recorded the LP in three weeks, and began a national tour appearing with other hit acts such as the Young Rascals, the Yardbirds, and the Rolling Stones. "Little Girl" reached the US national pop charts in June 1966, peaking at # 8.
In an attempt to sustain their success, the band released three more singles, but none charted. Duckworth was then drafted, other members began to drop out, and the group disbanded in 1970. Baskin worked as a studio musician and arranger in Hollywood before turning to country music later in the decade.
"Little Girl" was later recorded by other artists, including English punk group The Banned who reached the UK charts with it in 1977. The song was also covered by the Dead Boys on their debut album, "Young, Loud, and Snotty". "Hey Little Girl" was also covered by Australian band "The Diviynls" in 1988. The song was also recognised by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Museum, where it is on permanent rotation. Since 1990, Baskin, Gonzalez and Duckworth have occasionally reunited with new members to perform as The Syndicate Of Sound.
Rumors
The Syndicate of Sound Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Don't know if they're true
Keep hearing rumors 'bout you baby
And they're all about you
I went away
But I came back today
You know what I heard
Keep hearing rumors 'bout you baby
Don't know if they're true
Keep hearing rumors 'bout you baby
And they're all about you
Not this time
Not with me
You had your fun
Now set me free
Keep hearing rumors 'bout you baby
Don't know if they're true
Keep hearing rumors 'bout you baby
And they're all about you
What goes on?
I really wanna know
What goes on?
I really wanna know
What goes on?
I really wanna know
What goes on?
I really wanna know
What goes on?
The Syndicate of Sound's "Rumors" is a song about a tumultuous relationship filled with rumors and uncertainty. The singer, who has been hearing rumors about their partner, expresses their confusion and frustration, not knowing whether the rumors are true or false. The repetition of the phrase "keep hearing rumors 'bout you baby" highlights the obsessive nature of the rumors and how they dominate the singer's thoughts. The line "not this time, not with me" indicates that the singer may have given the partner second chances before but now feels that it's time to move on.
The later verses of the song show the singer's desperation for answers, with the repeated line "what goes on? I really wanna know." The sense of urgency in this line and the repetition of it also reinforces the theme of obsession that runs through the entire song. The line "you had your fun, now set me free" shows the singer's frustration with the partner's behavior and their desire for a clean break.
Overall, "Rumors" is a song about a relationship where trust has broken down and the constant rumors have taken a toll on the singer. It's a powerful reminder of the damage that rumors and gossip can do in relationships and how they can lead to a breakdown in trust and ultimately, the end of it.
Line by Line Meaning
Keep hearing rumors 'bout you baby
The singer has been unable to escape from hearing people talk about the subject of the song.
Don't know if they're true
The singer is uncertain about the validity of the rumors.
And they're all about you
The rumors in question exclusively concern the subject of the song.
I went away
The artist temporarily removed themselves from the situation.
But I came back today
The artist eventually returned to the same environment.
You know what I heard
The singer has already been informed of the rumors in question.
You know what they say
The content of the rumors is known to both the singer and likely the subject.
Not this time
The artist is unwilling to accept the same behavior as before.
Not with me
The artist is not willing to let the subject continue their behavior with them.
You had your fun
The subject's actions were for their own entertainment, not for a mutual enjoyment.
Now set me free
The singer desires to move on without the subject's presence in their life.
What goes on?
The artist wants to know the truth of the situation.
I really wanna know
The singer is deeply curious and actively seeking an answer.
What goes on?
The final lines reiterate the desire for clarity and the truth.
Contributed by Emily R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.