The Temperance Seven were founded on Christmas 1955. The three founding mem… Read Full Bio ↴The Temperance Seven were founded on Christmas 1955. The three founding members were Paul McDowell, Philip Harrison and Brian Innes.

The band evolved into a nine-piece ensemble with a light-hearted and humorous performing style.

The name "Temperance Seven" is a subtle play on words: the number seven being "one under the eight". That there were nine members or "one over the eight" implied intemperance.

They have links to Monty Python and the Rolling Stones.

Official site: http://www.thetemperanceseven.co.uk/.

Tears
The Temperance Seven Lyrics

We have lyrics for these tracks by The Temperance Seven:

Ain Ain't she sweet? See her walking down that street. Yes I…
Ain't She Sweet Ain't she sweet? See her walking down that street. Yes I…
Ain't She Sweet? Ain't she sweet? See her walking down that street. Yes I…
Everybody Loves My Baby Yeah, everybody loves my baby But my baby don't love nobody…
Farewell Blues Sadness just makes me sigh, I've come to say goodbye, Altho'…
Kaiser Drag Where′s that tiger! Where's that tiger! Where′s that tiger! …
Runnin My gal and I, we had a fight And I'm…
Runnin' Wild My gal and I, we had a fight And I'm…
You're Driving Me Crazy TEMPERANCE SEVEN YOU'RE DRIVING ME CRAZY - 25/05/1961 1 wee…

The lyrics are frequently found in the comments by searching or by filtering for lyric videos

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Comments from YouTube:

@user-nz4iy7lo3y

27w↑1

i'm 88 swinging on my chair in time to this GREAT music. Thank you.

@moldbluey

11y↑25

Absolutely Brilliant. Reliving my long gone youth listening to this. They dont make em like this any more, more is the pity.

@barbaramaidment4087

Okjhn

@richardcopeland9142

2y↑10

Proper musicians. The like of which we don't ever see on TV anymore.

@elektra9474

3y↑6

I was a little girl when I first heard this song on the radio. It made me want to kick up my heels and dance. It's never lost its charm.

@nordog55

46w↑2

Fantastic memories of the 60s when life was great.

@brianmarywade6554

48w↑3

This song brings back childhood memories. I was seven when this was in the charts, and it was played a lot on the radio. Great band, great musicians, the vocalist had such an unusual delivery. The false ending always seemed to fool the dj. Always made me laugh. Happy days!

@hanskurzen

1y↑1

I was six knocking on seven when this was released. Loved it then and still do.

@lestorhaslam

19w

I remember this band from my boyhood. Wonderful music from a, sadly, bye gone era.

@Jeff-qb4jn

20w↑2

Fantastic real music played by great musicians.

@rabele123

10y↑90

I love the way the vocalist doesn't start singing until about halfway through. It's just so cool. Great music and a wonderful performance.

@TheLimePopsicle

10y↑29

That style is common in band recordings of the '20's and '30's, which the Temperance Seven was inspired by. Usually the singer would do one refrain in the middle of the song.

@mattwise4050

8y↑12

Wonderful musical memories

@patrickryan1515

5y↑8

Not singing until about halfway through a recording was frequent in 30's and 40's style music -- e.g., listen to some early Frank Sinatra recordings with Tommy Dorsey. This, I feel, gave the listener an appreciation for both the vocalist and the instrumentalists. 10/2018

@andymazuk

5y↑3

It was usual for the singer to wait until halfway through, these being tunes to dance to. In this case, a foxtrot.

@jonathangriffin1120

4y↑1

The vocalist was 'Whispering' Paul McDowell.

5 More Replies...

@johnlewis9745

2y↑3

Absolutely love this band and the music they make.

@cogidubnus1953

4y↑9

A wonderfully evocative piece...have always loved it...

@wengen2007

4y↑14

This is an all time classic. Listen, dream, enjoy!!

@mackiekyle1

12y↑9

at the time for me rock/roll was king,but this found a place in my heart,still does

@mmigesh4735

23w

I live near Allan Cooper’s house in Hay on Wye. Lovely man ( second from left). Went to his funeral when original members of the band and others played. A joyous occasion.

@rokker101

1y↑2

Always reminds me of Laurel and Hardy! wonderful tune of years gone by!

@THEKIDCOD2000

9y↑16

how can anyone not like this song. brilliant

@keithdawes2685

8y↑41

I liked it then and I still like it now...

@paulsmith4448

10y↑34

Jolly good show chaps! What a great tune to listen to with a bit of totty on yer knee and a gin and tonic in your hand! Many thanks for uploading it

@MOGGS1942

8y↑11

I have a vast collection of recordings across a very wide range, but this is one of my favourites, Absolutely fantastic.

@paulsmith4448

2y↑1

Great music! A fine chaps all of them 😃

@watchesforwomen

6y↑10

Brilliant. Still got this record. Parents bought it and loved it ever since.

@hanno-erdmanntietz8424

2y↑1

Marvellous. I heard it again on Swinging Radio 60s this morning.

@helenaforeman6417

3y↑1

As a baby I listened to this when mum had the radio on and I loved it then and I still love it now

@martinwhite7053

10y↑18

Great stuff evoking great memories. Thanks.

@eddie12454

7y↑1

Wonderful. Never go tired of this.

@sammckinstry

3y↑3

Amazing track! Bought the disc while at High School in Motherwell and have loved it ever since! Whispering Paul McDowell as vocalist gives a masterly melodramatic performance over beautiful playing and what is intended as musical pastiche turns out at the same time to be glorious and enduring!

@johnenglish929

I never understood how he fitted in his vocal commitments alongside his role as official tea taster to the British Board of Waterways and Underground Canals

@sammckinstry

@@johnenglish929 Quite, John. Oh for the days of imaginative record sleeve notes!

@johnenglish929

@@sammckinstry Yes indeed : their’s was a good one ! I also remember their programmes were (perhaps unsurprisingly given their backgrounds) works of art. In those days programmes usually contained a list of numbers with some note that the band would play a selection from those listed. The Temperance Seven’s came with a small blue pencil and at the top of a blank page a message along the lines of ‘We have no idea what Temperance Seven will play. We suggest you make a note of the numbers in the space below with the pencil provided’ ! Like many such bands, they were all fine musicians - even Whispering Paul was an accomplished trombonist.

@robertblair2035

The claranet player was from “ The “ Forth. Lanarshire. Willie Hastie

@sammckinstry

@@robertblair2035 Well Robert, that's a surprise! The Forth! If you know it, it's a marvel that jazz ever penetrated it! But of course it did, on the wireless. Will Hastie was also a star of the tin whistle. I know as I have him on a record by a Keith Nicholls band. Any idea of what he did later than the Temperance Seven?

1 More Replies...

@Roger.Coleman1949

10y↑57

I was 12 when I bought this Parlophone single, costing 3 weeks pocket money.I recall the ribbing I got from friends at school who thought I had wasted the money and it could have been spent on a better record !.Trad Jazz was very popular for a short just while before The Beatles era.Remember the 2 ' false ' endings that gave it novelty and played on Juke Box Jury, catching out David Jacobs !.

@MrDaiseymay

4y↑1

Thanks for sharing Roger, I was 20 that year, and I still have my Vinyl Parlophone copy, in good condition. Back then, the charts had amazing variety, despite all the Rock 'N Roll, and as you said , Trad Jazz. There were many surprising comedy number ones also. Almost forgot--I saw the Band at the Bristol Hippodrome too, and like here, there was ten--player's. minus the singer.

@Infraviolence

I first heard it on the Temperance Seven Family Album, where the speaker starts greeting the listeners after the first ending and gets interrupted twice :)

@STANLIZ4

1y↑1

I too was 12/13, only LP ever bought. fascinated how they appeared mentally somewhere else while playing beautifully !

@KevinSmith-lt4qf

2y↑2

Nobody will ever better
them they were the best.

@TheRetro60s

13y↑2

This brought a smile to my face! Thank you. I LOVE it!

@tonycarey9731

7y↑5

Golly Gosh I do remember this one but 1961? Strewth! I'm older than I feel.
Thank you for uploading this beauty.

@cicero2

9y↑9

1961! It seems almost like just a few years ago that I first heard and loved this.

@peterjackson2625

1y↑4

Simply wonderful. Far, far better sound than any rock group.

@HarborGuy

13y↑5

Thank you for a wonderful version ! U R GREAT!

@alangray1568

7y↑15

In those days the 'singer' was merely a member of the band and the task was often shared out between a number of band members. There were very few 'singing stars' then - the band-leader was the star. Perhaps we should go back to those days!!!

@salvatorerussotti5041

10y↑2

Salvatore Russotti, This music of the temperance seven reminds me of the old good days when I was in London What a wonderful time I had then !!

@johngallacher6580

6y↑1

Terrific, a wonderful trip down memory lane.

@stuartwheatley2711

2y↑2

I was 17 when bought this I have never heard of it till now ,I realise now why bought it

@6F6G

13y↑3

Absolute magic thanks. If anyone has this on vinyl, the Parlophone label I believe, the flip side "Sugar" would be well worth posting.

@brucemaclennan9879

8y↑25

So many instruments being played at once, producing the gorgeous music of a bygone era!

@barryputterman2412

1y↑1

"So many instruments being played at once,' Yeah, it's called an orchestra. There used to be a lot of them in popular music before it all became guitars and drums.

@brucemaclennan9879

1y↑1

@@barryputterman2412- Quite right Barry, I console myself nowadays with Andre Rieu concerts.

@Nojnotpu

13y↑8

These Guys were a senstation. They were accepted, back then, as "Pop Stars" on the one hand , and also full blown members of the more elite jazz scene on the other. i was around as a 19 year old "oik" ae the time and I have great memories of sreeing them live at several venues. Notably the Chinese zazz Club in Brighton, the Hayworth in Haywards Heath (I think) and the Downs Hotel in Hassocks (all in Sussex, by the way)

@popeyepaul1

11y↑1

Used to see these guys on a regular basis in all the london jazz clubs and at Eel Pie island. The club was a grubby place and Paul Mc Dowell used to sing dressed in an imaculate white suit and sing into a meggaphone. All good fun and very happy days

@happychappy12

14y

God Blimey, this takes me back, my older sisters used to play this song and for some reason it was very 'IT' in its day. Me being Six I was into Bobby Darren, Well we all have these phases don't we, But I must admit I love this song and I love the words too. Thank you for posting...............XX

@altudy

5y↑1

I was seven when this came out and sang it all the time.

@raymondembery8961

Proud and pleased to say that I still have the original 45 single ! Happy times ;-)

@MrSpadehands

8y↑8

brilliant little tune so full of life.

@alberto21606

is that foulty you look like foulty from foulty towers john Clees

@MarkSmith-rt3zn

I had the great pleasure of meeting (Whispering) Paul McDowell in 2003 when I worked with him on his last album. A real gentleman, and a deadpan sense of humour! I could have sat for hours and listened to all his fascinating stories from the 60s. Not least the one when he was persuaded to go down to the Cavern Club one lunchtime to see this "up and coming band" play. After the gig he shook hands with them saying "good luck with the album lads." Priceless! RIP Paul!

@leemerison5575

5y↑2

Great band and an even greater sound !

@MrHolzheim

I was 15 when this was released. I haven't heard it for years, but decided to listen once more because it was the favourite song of one of my school chums, who sadly died in a fire some 6 years ago. Evocative memories.

@jeremyhaines4481

3y↑1

Love this music 🎶🎵🙌❤1920s type Jazz music 🎷

@annabellesinger3717

6y↑2

Love this version!

@thegardener4395

5y↑1

I used to wait for these to come on the TV, loved their music. You don't see acts like this very often, shame really.

@barbarahamilton9198

9y↑3

I remember seeing them at St Georges Hall, Bradford, 1961. I was allowed to be carried in via a stage door as I had 2 full pot legs after a motorbike crash. I saw them a year later in Huddersfield where at half time me and my mate had a pint in same bar as a few of the band. I was 16/17 and was obsessed with "the temps" for a while. Thanks to others for 'memories'. Barrie Hamilton (via my wife's site).

@Noaxe_Tegrinde

5y↑1

Wonderful band; it was a real treat seeing them live....don't forget Spencer's Washboard Kings.....great evenings enjoyed with them both! Happy days indeed.
NoAxe

@westworthingevangelicalchu2705

2y↑1

Use to catch the DJs out on Radio Luxembourg with the finish.

@alberto21606

7y↑6

love this music should be brought back

@Aristilus

9y↑7

absolutely briliant

@marke.blewer1279

6y↑6

Well over forty years ago, I was working as a part time roadie for The Ron Russell Jazz Band, on a tour of Belgium and Holland. The band's usual piano player Keith Ingham, was unable to undertake the tour due to prior commitments. His stand-in, was Bert Murray, ex of The Temperence Seven, regrettably, at this time, temperance didn't come into Bert's vocabulary. I seem to remember that the opener of the tour was in Ostend and all was going reasonably well, until Bert attempted a run up the keyboard and kept going, ending up in a heap on the floor. I picked him up, but unfortunately, he was hors de combat and the six piece became a five piece for the rest of the evening. I am still in touch with Ron Russell and his band are still gigging, with Ron, in his mid-eighties.

@MrDaiseymay

4y↑1

they say Alcohol preserves things

@davidwalton8499

5y↑1

When I was young I kept being told about the Temperance Seven appartently they had played at a Barn Dance near our house, in the early 1980's the group made an appearance on an archive programme on BBC my Father looked at me and said "thats them" .

@mjh5437

2y↑1

Brian May the guitarist of Queen has often mentioned the T7 as having a big influence on him and I can finally see why now I`ve listened to them for the first time!!...Lovely stuff.

@juliahiggi5206

2y↑1

Just watching Brian May which is what prompted me to look this up. I was 13 at the time and one of the first records I remember, loved it and love it now!

@turnitback5243

10y↑16

I'd forgotten how brilliant this is. The percussion is just amazing. The trouble is that my brass band is playing this at a concert shortly and now I've heard this, I'm going to have to try to get somewhere near it as the drummer!

@andrewbarrett1537

6y↑2

turnitback Hope your concert went well. I think Josh Duffee has video tutorials on 1920s drumming.

@theesbband

2y↑1

Magnificent!

@christopherdavies7213

8y↑8

Superb recordinreproduction: sounds like it was made yesterday.

@simontaylor7054

I've forgot about this song. My mum used to play it when I was young. Thanks for sharing!

@redstrat1234

37w↑1

Wonderful

@bourgeois17

Hey my british guys What a wonderful music played by wonderful musicians

@annemariestevenson2230

9y↑11

I used to love this, we used to go to Jazz clubs and concerts in the early 1960s. I can still listen to it with fond memories, even though I now love things like Pink Floyd! I'm listening to it as I'm writing this. Far better than some of the mindless rubbish sung today.

@MrDaiseymay

generations have said that before ye.

@blazingchris5048

5y↑1

The Temporance Seven were NINE !

@andrewbass6747

one over the eight

@wayneklingler4892

This is one of my Favorit songs.

@songanddanceman100

10y↑4

Pasadena used to be my home. I miss it.

@MrDaiseymay

It has a nice warm sound to it--Spanish origin I guess?

@ffionpearl5893

2y↑1

So my mum used to tell me her ex had been in a jazz band. I just assumed they were shit until I heard them. Amazing and timeless

@Nojnotpu

13y↑14

I forgot to mention, this is my number one party piece. I sing it right through, at the drop of a hat , on any occasion. Maybe I will post myself performing the song at some point. Oh dear !!

@gordondavis3198

6y↑3

Reminds me of my 1st love, Scottish Rita & her sister Elsie who I met at 1961 New Years party. Last saw them in a Little Chef on the A2 by Gravesend in 1970. by this time I had 2 daughter who are now 47 & 51 yrs old. God bless Rita & Elsie. See you in the next life.

@heli-crewhgs5285

Do it! Do it! Do it!

@geoffreymilner6118

3y↑1

@@gordondavis3198 at a Little Chef. How I laughed at That Image!

@lesleymurray6546

great quickstep

@peterlord883

34w

My friend always sung this when asked to do. He sadly died early but the song lives on in my memory of him along with stuff by the New Vaudeville Band e.g Finchley Central

@TheNordog

5y↑1

Loved this at the time of release 16 years old then, so deferent of the normal popular music of the day.

@williamkennedy9641

Takes me back to my High School days .

@gbeats3843

Great sounds . Bless G Beats .

@culagharraidh

13y

Great!! Brings back memories...Thanks.

@terryheard6886

6y↑1

First heard this band and this number when they appeared at the City Barge pub on Chiswick riverside in the early 196os. Still sounds as fresh today as it did back then. Saturday night pub music sure has changed (not necessarily for the better) in the intervening 50 plus years.

@johneckert2989

1y↑1

Love It!!😅

@epunderground508

12y↑1

GOD! I love this!!!

@bunterscuttle

14y

The only song ever that i have remembered the words to.

@cloudconcrete2706

My dad knew some of the stupidest songs, and I love everyone of them. Thank you sincerely for uploading such a high quality version, it means the world and more.

@adriandavies4873

One of my favourite jazz band

@stephenduffy4855

Great style, great musicianship

@geordiemo1

10y↑2

oh that brings back memories

@old65rocker

10y↑3

Broadstairs 1961 Morellias coffee bar. I am getting to old!!!

@MrThebrickman

13y↑1

@mackiekyle1

12y

a rock/roll man,but in the early 60s went to a dance of 30s music and all the girls were doing the charlston,had a great night,never forgot this song and more

@blulagoon21

Great innocent music with a smile

@chothersall

10y

nice to hear this again

@MrThebrickman

13y↑2

sorry finger against keyboard problems.. so to complete the line up. Alan Swainstone Cooper, clarinet,base clarinet,soprano sax and phonofiddle Franklyn B Paverty, Susaphone John Gieves-watson banjo and spoons Megaphone vocalist, [whispering] Paul McDowell the only one i met again after the original band broke up was Cephas Howard at his pottery workshop on the Isle of Wight, I believe he then moved to France and had/has a thriving pottery/art shop there

@sammckinstry

2y↑1

I am honoured, sir, to be emailed by a member of the Temperance Seven, providers of great joy! Thank you for the information on the arrangements being by John R T Davies. This is something else for which we are indebted to him.

What would we do without the internet?

@stashyjon

14y

loved this track since was a very very little lad

@dennisbuckley4744

5y↑1

truly original !

@MrThebrickman

13y↑1

when a lad, I use to go to watch them every year [early June] at Dartford park band stand, [i think i was the youngest in the audience] their stage act was great as was their musicianship , the original line up was billed as.. Cephas Howard [Captain cashiered] trumpet & euphonium John R.T Davis [sheik Haroun of Wadi el Yadounir] Alto sax, trombone,second trumpet Philip [Fingers] Harrison, Alto and baritone sax [the cannon] Colin Bowls, Piano Brian Innes, grand jazz percussion kit with bells

@davenicholas1946

Brilliant great tune

@rayszymarek2920

Just Busted all my Stan Kenton Maynard Ferguson Count Basie Woody Herman Records. Now I am a fan of this corn ball sound of Temperance Seven = Pasadena. We must book this group for the Super Bowl Half Time Show. Gone are the Heavy Metal and Larry Welk and Guy Lombego Sounds. Here we are with the New Sound the Grooving Sound of the Temperance Seven. We are hep cats to this New Sound.

@SaxonBarrie

Believe they came to the Dive, Robert Gordon's Student Union, Aberdeen, Early 60's, providing great music at that time. Anyone else remember them there?

@norrieclark5217

3y↑2

Can definitely hear where the influence and inspiration came from for Brian May's Queen song "Good Company" where Brian recreates the sound of the orchestra with his Red Special guitar

@peteremmert8551

6y↑1

This group was farther ahead (or behind?) from the New Vaudeville Band's recordings and redos of old (and new) sound recordings - A similar version of the vocal rendition and arrangement was also done by Danny Hutton of Three Dog Night on the M-G-M LP, "Pre-Dog Night", long out of print from 1969.