Originally called The Troglodytes, the Troggs formed in 1964 and were signed by the manager of The Kinks, Larry Page in 1965. They recorded on Page's Page One Records, and Page also leased them to CBS for debut single "Lost Girl". Their most famous hit was the single "Wild Thing" (written by Chip Taylor), which with the help of television exposure on Thank Your Lucky Stars reached number 2 in the UK and number 1 in the United States in June 1966. Its combination of a simple heavy guitar riff and flirtatious lyrics helped it to quickly become a garage rock standard. It was recorded in one complete take (take two) at Olympic Studios in London, with Keith Grant engineering. Because of a dispute over US distribution rights, "Wild Thing" was released (along with the first album of the same name) on two labels: Fontana and Atco. The band's success in the US was also limited by not touring there until 1968.
They also had a number of other hits, including "With a Girl Like You" (a UK number 1 in July 1966, US number 29), "I Can't Control Myself" (a UK number 2 in September 1966 -- this was also their second and final dual-label release in the US, with Fontana retaining the rights to all subsequent releases), "Anyway That You Want Me" (UK number 10 in December 1966), all at Olympic Studios, "Night of the Long Grass" (UK number 17 in May 1967), and "Love Is All Around" (UK number 5 in October 1967 and US number 7 in February 1968). With chart success eluding the band, they split up in March 1969. Ronnie Bond was the first to release a solo record, with the "Anything For You" single in March 1969, followed in April by Reg Presley with "Lucinda Lee". Chris Britton released a solo album, As I Am, the same year. The band reformed later that year, with former Plastic Penny bassist Tony Murray replacing Staples, and in 1974, after a spell on Pye Records, in an attempt to re-create their 1960s successes, the Troggs re-united with Larry Page, now running Penny Farthing Records. The resulting cover version of the Beach Boys hit "Good Vibrations" did not capture the public's imagination. A reggae version of "Wild Thing" also failed to chart. The band found a sympathetic ear at French label New Rose in the 1980s, the label releasing 1982's Black Bottom LP and 1990's AU.
In 1991, the Troggs recorded Athens Andover, an eleven-song collaboration between themselves and three members of R.E.M. It was recorded in the American band's hometown of Athens, Georgia, and was released in March 1992.
The band attempted to capitalize on this new exposure with a couple of bizarre collaborations on new versions of "Wild Thing". In 1992 they teamed up with notorious drinkers Oliver Reed and Alex Higgins, with another version the following year featuring Wolf from the TV show Gladiators, which actually reached number 69 in the UK Singles Chart.
The band's original drummer, Ronnie Bond, died in 1992. Dave Wright, another founding member, died on 10 October 2008.
Legacy and influence
The Troggs are widely seen as a highly influential band whose sound was one inspiration for garage rock and punk rock. For example, Iggy Pop of the Stooges has cited[citation needed] the Troggs as influential to their sound, and the early version of British pop-punk pioneers Buzzcocks featured I Can't Control Myself in their live repertoire. The Ramones are also amongst punk bands who cited the Troggs as an influence. The MC5 covered "I Want You" at their live shows and recorded the song for the album "Kick out the Jams", although they renamed it "I Want You Right Now".
The Jimi Hendrix Experience famously covered "Wild Thing" during their appearance at the 1967 Monterey Pop Festival, introducing it as the British/American joint "national anthem", and climaxing with Hendrix burning his guitar.[2]
In 1990, the first hit for the band Spiritualized was a cover of "Anyway That You Want Me". This cover was later used in the movie Me and You and Everyone We Know.
"With a Girl Like You" is featured uncut in a school dance scene from the 1991 Nicole Kidman/Noah Taylor movie Flirting.
In 1991, "Love Is All Around" was covered by R.E.M. during live performances and was released later that year as a B-side on their "Radio Song" single. They also performed an acoustic version of the song on MTV Unplugged.
In 1994, Scottish band Wet Wet Wet's version of the song spent fifteen weeks at number one in the UK after its inclusion in Four Weddings and a Funeral.
A modified version of "Love Is All Around" was featured in the film Love Actually (2003), performed by actor Bill Nighy.
An in-studio tape of Reg Presley's running commentary on a recording session, filled with in-fighting and swearing (known as "The Troggs Tapes") was widely circulated in the music underground, and was included in the Archaeology box set. The in-group infighting is believed to be the inspiration for a scene in the comedy film This Is Spinal Tap where the band members are arguing. Some of this dialogue was sampled by the California punk band The Dwarves on their recording of a cover version of the Troggs song "Strange Movies".
In January 2012, after over 40 years of touring, Reg Presley retired due to lung cancer, apparently ending the Troggs. However, the remaining members, Chris Britton (guitar), Pete Lucas (bass) and Dave Maggs (drums) are continuing the Troggs. They are joined by special guest Chris Allen on lead vocals, who has been in the Denny Laine Band, the Commitments and part time with the Animals.
Reg Presley died on 4 February 2013.
Any Way That You Want Me
The Troggs Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Baby you've got it
From the depth of my soul
Baby you've got it
But I've been watching you
And I don't think that you're game
Girl there's no need to explain
Anyway that you want me
Anyway that you'll take me
Anyway that you'll make me be part of you
Anyway that I know
There are dreams in your heart
Where love lasts forever
From the depth of my soul
I'll make them come true
But I've been watching you
And I don't think that your're game
Girl there's no need to explain
Anyway that you want me
Anyway that you'll take me
Anyway that you'll make me be part of you
Anyway that I know
Anyway that you want me
Anyway that you'll take me
Anyway that you'll make me be part of you
Anyway that I know
Anyway that you want me
Anyway that you'll take me
Anyway that you'll make me be part of you
Anyway that I know..
The Troggs' 1966 hit song "Anyway That You Want Me" is a love ballad about a person who is willing to give their all to the object of their affection. The lyrics express the singer's willingness to do anything to make the person they love happy, even if it means sacrificing their own desires. The opening lines, "If it's love that you want, Baby you've got it," establish the song's tone of devotion and commitment.
The second verse talks about the singer's observation of the person they love. They've been watching them closely and believe that they might not reciprocate the same level of commitment. Even so, they're willing to be there for them in any way they can. The chorus repeats the phrase "Anyway that you want me," emphasizing the singer's willingness to be there for their loved one, no matter how it looks and no matter how this person wants to take them. The song ends with a final repetition of the chorus, reiterating their commitment.
Overall, the song expresses unwavering devotion and the willingness to make sacrifices for the people we love, even if they don't feel the same way. The Troggs' use of plaintive vocals, a simple melody, and emotive lyrics evokes a sense of longing and emotional depth that makes the song a classic.
Line by Line Meaning
If it's love that you want
If you desire love
Baby you've got it
I have it and offer it to you
From the depth of my soul
Indicating the genuineness of my love
Baby you've got it
I still offer it to you
But I've been watching you
I've been observing your behavior and actions
And I don't think that you're game
I don't believe you're sincere
Girl there's no need to explain
You don't have to justify yourself to me
Anyway that you want me
I'm willing to be with you in any way you choose
Anyway that you'll take me
I'll go along with any way you choose to have me
Anyway that you'll make me be part of you
I'll integrate myself into your life in any way you want
Anyway that I know
I'm limited only by what I'm aware of
There are dreams in your heart
You have aspirations and desires
Where love lasts forever
Desiring love that's lasting and eternal
From the depth of my soul
My love comes deep from within
I'll make them come true
I'll help you to fulfill these dreams
But I've been watching you
I'm still observing you
And I don't think that you're game
I'm still not convinced you're sincere
Girl there's no need to explain
You still don't need to justify yourself to me
Anyway that you want me
I'll still be with you in any way you choose
Anyway that you'll take me
I'll still go along with any way you choose to have me
Anyway that you'll make me be part of you
I'll still integrate myself into your life in any way you want
Anyway that I know
I'm still limited by what I'm aware of
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: CHIP TAYLOR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Eirik Randsborg
I liked The Troggs and their first “wild” singles, but this one really blew my mind first time I heard it. Such a really fine song
CooloutAC
love the string intstrument in this. classic song from a legendary band.
Itsonlyme
This is the definitive version to me; the 'Love is all Around' LP was a killer.
JDP..
This song had alot of great interpretations in the 60s, but for me you can't beat the troggs here
Android 3000
This video is so goddamn beautiful
claus stimpfig
true
musgrave68
2/11/21...first time i've heard this one... great baroque pop indeed...
mike saunders
As close to perfection as any song could get. Puts the other versions to shame.
pcpete911
time when music had class.Even on his best day, nobody never come close.
look for the ricochet!!
Dan Michaels
They did a "modern" later version which is also great. I actually like the later one better, but this is cool too.