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.
I Shall Be Released
The Tremeloes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yet ev'ry distance is not near.
So I remember ev'ry face
Of ev'ry man who put me here.
I see my light come shining
From the west unto the east.
Any day now, any day now,
I shall be released.
They say ev'ry man needs protection,
They say ev'ry man must fall.
Yet I swear I see my reflection
Some place so high above this wall.
I see my light come shining
From the west unto the east.
Any day now, any day now,
I shall be released.
Standing next to me in this lonely crowd,
Is a man who swears he's not to blame.
All day long I hear him shout so loud,
Crying out that he was framed.
I see my light come shining
From the west unto the east.
Any day now, any day now,
I shall be released.
The lyrics of The Tremeloes's song I Shall Be Released reflect on the desire for freedom and redemption from a difficult situation. Bob Dylan wrote the song in the late 1960s when he was dealing with personal struggles with his career and substance abuse. Dylan ends the song hopeful that he will be released from his troubles soon.
The repeated phrase "They say everything can be replaced" refers to the temporary and fleeting nature of the material world, whereas the line "yet every distance is not near" signifies the emotional gap that exists despite physical closeness. Dylan remembers every individual who contributed to his current situation, emphasizing the depth of his pain and his inability to forget those experiences.
The lines "They say every man needs protection, they say every man must fall" refers to the inevitability of failing and needing help. While Dylan seems to be imprisoned and isolated, he is hopeful and sees a glimmer of light that suggests he will soon be released, bringing an end to his suffering.
Overall, the lyrics of the song express a deep sense of longing for release and freedom from emotional and physical constraints.
Line by Line Meaning
They say ev'rything can be replaced,
It's said that anything can be substituted, but not every lack of closeness is equal.
Yet ev'ry distance is not near.
Despite what's said, some gaps can't be bridged easily.
So I remember ev'ry face
I recall every person that contributed to my current position.
Of ev'ry man who put me here.
Every individual who played a part in landing me where I am is not forgotten.
I see my light come shining
I witness my inner radiance becoming increasingly apparent.
From the west unto the east.
My light is expanding from one side of the horizon to the other.
Any day now, any day now,
Soon, very soon.
I shall be released.
I'll eventually break free from my current situation.
They say ev'ry man needs protection,
Protiction is said to be necessary for every individual.
They say ev'ry man must fall.
It's claimed that every human will experience some sort of downfall.
Yet I swear I see my reflection
However, I'm convinced that I can see a reflection of myself
Some place so high above this wall.
In a location that's much higher than this barrier I'm currently facing
Standing next to me in this lonely crowd,
In the midst of this isolated gathering, there's someone beside me
Is a man who swears he's not to blame.
A male who claims he's innocent is standing beside me.
All day long I hear him shout so loud,
Throughout the day, he's been shouting at the top of his lungs
Crying out that he was framed.
Exclaiming that he was set up for something he didn't do.
Any day now, any day now,
Soon, very soon.
I shall be released.
I'll eventually break free from my current situation.
Writer(s): Bob Dylan Copyright: Dwarf Music
Contributed by Alyssa J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Thomas Marthinussen
Both The Marmalade and The Hollies also did fine covers of this great Dylan classic but The Trems version was in my opinion the best.
Nicholas Sakamoto
I can play both guitar parts and sing both falsetto and lower vocals on this rendition of “I Shall Be Released”. I love Rick Westwood’s falsetto vocals on this song and “Silence Is Golden”.
Thomas Marthinussen
These guys could handle serious material just as good as any other band!
Thomas Marthinussen
Following the pop nonsense that was My Little Lady with this one was nothing short of a transition and a revelation!
Yue Cho Lai
Could someone pleased make a karaoke version of this beautiful song, thank you. Been waiting ages for this karaoke version with patience.
Thomas Marthinussen
Cherry Red Records will release a Tremeloes CD box set in August, spanning the years 1966 to 1972!
Jo Save
A much prefer The Band version. Obviously.
Jimmy Greer
Luv it....
Thomas Marthinussen
Considering their previous songs were music for morons (in their own words) this one is quite a departure.
Dieter 1951
Great title, trank you