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.
Yellow River
The Tremeloes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Got my papers, I got my pay
So, pack my bags, and I'll be on my way
To Yellow River (Yellow River)
Put my guns down, the war is won
Fill my glass high, the war is won
I'm goin' back to the place that I love
Yellow River, Yellow River
Is in mind, and in my eyes
Yellow River, Yellow River
Is in my blood, it's the place I love
Got no time for explanations, got no time to lose
Tommorow night, you'll find me sleepin' underneath the moon
At Yellow River
Cannon fire lingers in my mind
I'm so glad I am still alive
And I've been gone for such a long time
From Yellow River (Yellow River)
I remember the nights were cool
I can still see the water blue
And I remember the girl that I knew
At Yellow River (Yellow River)
Yellow River, Yellow River
Is in mind, and in my eyes
Yellow River, Yellow River
Is in my blood, it's the place I love
Got no time for explanations, got no time to lose
Tommorow night, you'll find me sleepin' underneath the moon
At Yellow River
Yellow River, Yellow River
Is in mind, and in my eyes
Yellow River, Yellow River
Is in my blood, it's the place I love
The Tremeloes's song, "Yellow River," depicts a soldier's longing to go back to his homeland after the war. The song's opening stanza paints the picture of a soldier bidding goodbye to his comrade and receiving his papers and pay. He packs his bags and prepares to return home, to Yellow River. He puts down his guns since the war is over, drinks up to celebrate his victory, and looks forward to returning to his homeland. The chorus, "Yellow River, Yellow River, is in my mind and in my eyes" further strengthens the bond between the soldier and his homeland.
The second stanza reflects on how the cannon fire lingers in his mind, and yet, he is so grateful to be alive. He has been gone for such a long time, and his memories of Yellow River keep him connected to his homeland, where he belongs. He remembers the cool nights, clear blue water, and the girl he once knew. The last part of the song reiterates the desire of the soldier to reunite with his beloved Yellow River.
The song's message of going back home after the war to reunite with loved ones became an anthem for the returning troops in the US. The song topped charts worldwide and became one of the most popular songs of the 1970s. The Tremeloes had previously struggled to secure a spot in the music industry, but the phenomenon of "Yellow River" propelled them to stardom.
Line by Line Meaning
So long, boy, you can take my place
I'm leaving and you can take over for me
Got my papers, I got my pay
I have what I need to leave
So, pack my bags, and I'll be on my way
I'm ready to go
To Yellow River (Yellow River)
I'm headed to Yellow River
Put my guns down, the war is won
I'm done fighting
Fill my glass high, the war is won
I'm celebrating
I'm goin' back to the place that I love
I'm returning to my favorite place
Yellow River (Yellow River)
That special place is Yellow River
Is in mind, and in my eyes
It's on my mind and I can see it clearly
Is in my blood, it's the place I love
It's part of who I am and I love it
Got no time for explanations, got no time to lose
I don't have time to explain or waste time
Tomorrow night, you'll find me sleepin' underneath the moon
I'll be sleeping outside
At Yellow River
At Yellow River, the place I love
Cannon fire lingers in my mind
I can still hear the sounds of war
I'm so glad I am still alive
I survived the war
And I've been gone for such a long time
I've been away for a while
From Yellow River (Yellow River)
But I'm back at Yellow River
I remember the nights were cool
I have fond memories of the cool nights
I can still see the water blue
I remember the blue water
And I remember the girl that I knew
I remember a girl I knew at Yellow River
Yellow River, Yellow River
I can't stop thinking about Yellow River
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave
Written by: JEFF CHRISTIE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Music4allofUClassics
Such a creative band, musicianship, and vocals are incredible.
@pilarmartinez9753
Rest in peace Dave. Great singer. 💖
@jimhart11
And a great guy!!
@z512345
This was a really great band!
@geraldoxavier5581
Put Beatles to shame
@z512345
I don't know about that!@@geraldoxavier5581
@gwynnielsen5081
I loved this period of time especially as many of the fans of these groups were just kids, like ten years old.
@fredcoombs9870
What a great band, and great song by written by Jeff Christie.
@cierakitty
Amen to this ! ! Good stuff ! ! Lots of good memories to these songs, thanks guys for the good times.
@tmnl8037
Jeff Christie wrote the song. The Tremoloes recorded it and thought it would not be a hit and gave their version back to Christie who used their backing track and his vocals and it became a hit for him.