Once Poole had left, and after a couple of near misses, rhythm guitarist and keyboard player Alan Blakely took over leadership of the group, and Len 'Chip' Hawkes (father of 1990s hitmaker Chesney Hawkes) replaced bassist Alan Howard. They started an even more successful hit run in 1967 with Cat Stevens' “Here Comes My Baby”; “Suddenly You Love Me”, “Hello World”, and “My Little Lady”, and their number-one recording of an old Four Seasons' B-side “Silence Is Golden”. Both this last single and “Here Comes My Baby” also entered the U.S. Top Twenty. All members shared vocals, though most of the songs featured either Hawkes or drummer Dave Munden as the lead singer. Guitarist Ricky West sang lead vocal on "Silence Is Golden". Their regular hits were accompanied by frequent appearances on BBC's Top of the Pops television programme. Their songs were popular with younger music fans and parents rather than rock music fans. Altogether, without Poole the group had nine UK Top Twenty hits.
“Me and My Life” was a hit in 1970, but the group did themselves no favours when an interview in the weekly paper Melody Maker quoted them as calling the fans who had bought their earlier singles 'silly suckers'. Their album Master failed to sell well, and they had no British hits after "Hello Buddy" in 1971.
After the hits
Their music is still available on CD, and they quite often play concerts and are part of the pop-revival shows that constantly tour the UK. Their line-up changed several times from 1972 onwards, with Munden remaining the only constant member. Hawkes pursued a solo career for a while, and Blakely produced records for other acts, including the Rubettes and Mungo Jerry. In 1983 the original quartet reformed and narrowly missed the charts with their cover version of the Europop hit "Words".
As a soloist, Poole failed to chart with subsequent records, but pursued a successful cabaret career. In 1996 his daughters Karen and Shellie hit the charts as post-Alanis Morissette popsters Alisha's Attic. Blakely died from cancer in June 1996, leaving Munden and West to continue in concert with newer recruits Dave Fryar (bass) and Joe Gillingham (keyboards). In 2005 Fryar was replaced by Jeff Brown.
[edit]
The Class Of 64
In April 2004, at the request of The Animals who were about to do their 40th anniversary tour, Hawkes was asked to form a band to tour with The Animals. This he did, bringing together a true supergroup also including Mick Avory (ex-The Kinks), Eric Haydock (ex-The Hollies), who have teamed up to perform as The Class of 64, also featuring guitarists, Telecaster Ted Tomlin and Graham Pollock. The band have toured around the world, recorded an album of past band hits and a new single.
Cool Jerk
The Tremeloes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Cool jerk, cool jerk
We know a cat who can really do the cool jerk
We know a cat who can really do the cool jerk
Well, this cat they talkin' about, I wonder who could it be?
'Cause I know I'm the happiest cat
The happiest cat you ever did see
When they see me walkin' down the street (hey, hey, hey)
None of the fellas want to speak (hey, hey, hey)
On their faces they wear a silly smirk 'cause they know I'm the king of the cool jerk, whoo
(Cool jerk, cool jerk)
(Cool jerk, uh-huh!) ha, ha, ha
Look at them guys lookin' at me like I'm a fool (cool jerk, uh-huh)
But, aww, deep down inside they know I'm cool (cool jerk, uh-huh)
I said, now, I said now, the moment of truth has finally come (cool jerk, uh-huh)
When I'ma to show you some, some of that cool jerk (cool jerk, uh-huh)
Now, give me a little bit of drums, by himself, there
Now, give me a little bit of bass, with those 88's
Aww, you're cookin' baby!
Hmm, You're Smokin'!
Hmm-hmm-hmm!
Now everybody, I wanna hear you all
Aww, can you do it? (can you do it, can you do it, can you do it, can you do it?)
(Can you do it, can you do it, can you do it, can you do the cool jerk?)
Come on, people(cool jerk)
Hey, hey
When they see me walkin' down the street (hey, hey, hey)
They think twice and then they speak (hey, hey, hey)
On their faces they don't wear their smirk
'Cause they know I'm a King of the cool jerk
(Cool jerk) come on people
(Cool jerk) can you do it now?
(Cool jerk)
(Come on people) can you do it, can you do it, can you do it, can you do it?)
(Can you do it, can you do it, can you do it, can you do the cool jerk?)
Come on people
(Cool jerk) Can you do it now?
(Cool jerk)
Come on people
(Cool jerk) now you're doin' it
The Tremeloes's song Cool Jerk is a catchy tune with a focus on the cool jerk dance. The lyrics describe a confident and self-assured guy who is considered the king of the cool jerk. The singer invites listeners to join in and do the cool jerk dance with him. He talks about how people look at him when he walks down the street and how none of the fellas want to speak to him. But deep down, they know he's cool. The moment of truth has finally come, and he's going to show everyone some cool jerk moves.
The song captures the spirit of the 1960s dance craze with its upbeat tempo, sassy lyrics, and catchy chorus. The cool jerk was a popular dance in the 1960s, and the song references the style of the dance with its funky guitar riffs, drum beats, and vocal harmonies. The lyrics play with the idea of being cool and confident and how that can be conveyed through dance. The singer exudes confidence and pride in his dancing and encourages others to join in and feel the same way.
Line by Line Meaning
Cool jerk, cool jerk
Repetition of the phrase 'Cool Jerk' to set the upbeat, lively tone of the song.
We know a cat who can really do the cool jerk
Referring to a person who can dance the 'Cool Jerk' uniquely and splendidly.
Well, this cat they talkin' about, I wonder who could it be?
The singer wonders who the 'cat' mentioned earlier is, implying that he thinks it's himself.
'Cause I know I'm the happiest cat, The happiest cat you ever did see
He states that he's the happiest person they'll ever come across, and in his view, he's the perfect 'Cool Jerk.'
When they see me walkin' down the street (hey, hey, hey), None of the fellas want to speak (hey, hey, hey)
The men avoid him in the street and don't acknowledge him when he walks by.
On their faces, they wear a silly smirk 'cause they know I'm the king of the cool jerk, whoo
The men smirk because they don't believe the singer is the king of the 'Cool Jerk' dance.
Look at them guys lookin' at me like I'm a fool (cool jerk, uh-huh), But, aww, deep down inside, they know I'm cool (cool jerk, uh-huh)
He thinks that the men looking at him are mistaken, they inwardly know that he's really amazing.
Now, give me a little bit of drums, by himself, there, Now, give me a little bit of bass, with those 88's
The artist requests some backup music from the drummer and bassist by himself to continue with the 'Cool Jerk' dance presentation in the song.
Now everybody, I wanna hear you all
The artist calls on the audience to participate in the song and join the 'Cool Jerk' dance.
When they see me walkin' down the street (hey, hey, hey), They think twice and then they speak (hey, hey, hey)
The men reconsider their opinion and approach the artist after seeing him walking again.
On their faces, they don't wear their smirk, 'Cause they know I'm a King of the cool jerk
The people are no longer smirking and are acknowledging the singer as a skilled dancer and King of the 'Cool Jerk.'
(Cool jerk) come on people, (Cool jerk) can you do it now?, (Cool jerk), (Come on people) can you do it, can you do it, can you do it, can you do it?), (Can you do it, can you do it, can you do it, can you do the cool jerk?), Come on people, (Cool jerk) Can you do it now?, (Cool jerk), Come on people, (Cool jerk) now you're doin' it
The artist repeatedly calls on the crowd to join him in the 'Cool Jerk' dance and encourages them to continue doing it once they've started.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: Donald Storball
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind