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.
Willie And The Hand Jive
The Tremeloes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
He's got a groovy little chick named Rocking' Lily
Yeah, rock and rolling Suzie Q
Do that crazy old hand jive, too
Mama, mama, look at Sister Flo
Doing that hand jive with Uncle Joe
When I gave little sister a dime
Hand jive, hand jive, hand jive
Do that crazy hand jive
A doctor, a lawyer and an Indian Chief
They all dig that Diddley beat
Way-out Willie gave them all a treat
When he did that hand jive with his feet
Hand jive, hand jive, hand jive
Do that crazy hand jive
Papa told Willie, you'll ruin my home
You and that hand jive have got to go
Willie told Papa, don't you put me down
They're doing that hand jive all around town
Hand jive, hand jive, hand jive
Do that crazy hand jive
Willie and Lily got married last fall
They had a little Willie Junior, and that ain't all
Well, the baby got famous in his crib, you see
When he did that hand jive on MTV
Hand jive, hand jive, hand jive (woo)
Do that crazy hand jive
Hand jive, hand jive, hand jive
Do that crazy hand jive, yeah, yeah
"Willie and the Hand Jive" is a lively and energetic song that encourages the listener to move along with the catchy beat. The song tells the story of a man named Way-out Willie and his groovy friends, including his wife Rocking' Lily and Suzie Q, who all enjoy dancing the hand jive. The song also features Mama, Sister Flo, and Uncle Joe, who all join in the fun.
The chorus of the song repeatedly encourages listeners to do that "crazy hand jive," which refers to a popular dance move from the 1950s and 60s that originated from African American communities. The hand jive involves elaborate hand movements, such as slapping and clapping, which are done in synchronization with the music.
The song also references different professions such as a doctor, a lawyer, and an Indian Chief, all joining in the dancing fun because they love the Diddley beat. However, Willie's father disapproves of his son's dancing, resulting in a conflict between father and son.
Overall, the lyrics reveal the fun and excitement that comes from dancing and enjoying music with friends and loved ones. It also showcases the social scene and popular culture of the time.
Line by Line Meaning
I know a cat named Way-out Willie
I am acquainted with Way-out Willie
He's got a groovy little chick named Rocking' Lily
He is in a relationship with a groovy girl named Rocking' Lily
Yeah, rock and rolling Suzie Q
Suzie Q is playing a rock and roll tune in the background
Do that crazy old hand jive, too
Perform the popular hand jive dance movement
Mama, mama, look at Sister Flo
Mother, observe Sister Flo
Doing that hand jive with Uncle Joe
Performing hand jive with Uncle Joe
When I gave little sister a dime
When I gave my sibling a ten-cent coin
I said do that hand jive one more time
I requested that they perform the hand jive dance movement once more
Hand jive, hand jive, hand jive
Perform the hand jive dance movement
Do that crazy hand jive
Perform the popular, crazy hand jive dance movement
A doctor, a lawyer and an Indian Chief
A physician, a legal representative, and a Native American leader
They all dig that Diddley beat
They all enjoy the Diddley beat
Way-out Willie gave them all a treat
Way-out Willie entertained them
When he did that hand jive with his feet
When he performed the hand jive dance movement with his feet
Papa told Willie, you'll ruin my home
Father informed Willie that he would destroy his home
You and that hand jive have got to go
You and the hand jive must leave
Willie told Papa, don't you put me down
Willie told his father not to criticize him
They're doing that hand jive all around town
People are performing the hand jive dance movement all over town
Willie and Lily got married last fall
Willie and Lily got married last autumn
They had a little Willie Junior, and that ain't all
They had a son named Willie Junior, and there's more
Well, the baby got famous in his crib, you see
In his cradle, the baby became famous, you see
When he did that hand jive on MTV
When the baby performed the hand jive dance movement on MTV
Hand jive, hand jive, hand jive (woo)
Perform the hand jive dance movement
Do that crazy hand jive
Perform the popular, crazy hand jive dance movement
Hand jive, hand jive, hand jive
Perform the hand jive dance movement
Do that crazy hand jive, yeah, yeah
Perform the popular, crazy hand jive dance movement
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JOHNNY OTIS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind