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.
Déjà vu
The Troggs Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Deja vu, a feeling I get when I talk to you
Deja vu, don’t tell me anymore, I’ve heard it all before.
A different time and place, somebody else
I get so mad I can’t control myself
Remember when they said love is all around
The past comes shining through
But I still can’t make it with a girl like you.
Deja vu, a feeling I get when I talk to you
Deja vu, don’t tell me anymore, I’ve heard it all before.
Look at page one and tell me what you see
Hey little girl, come on give it to me
Anyway you want me, baby that’s OK
You make my heart sing, you’re such a wild thing.
Deja vu, a feeling I get when I talk to you
Deja vu, don’t tell me anymore, I’ve heard it all before.
(Ooh) you know I love you
(Ooh) but I’ve never been so sure.
Deja vu, a feeling I get when I talk to you
Deja vu, don’t tell me anymore, I’ve heard it all before.
Deja vu, deja vu, deja vu.
The Troggs' "Deja Vu" is a song about the singer's repeated experiences with a girl he's interested in but ultimately can't connect with. The chorus repeats the titular phrase, referring to the feeling of familiarity and repetition he gets whenever he talks to her. He's heard it all before, and the past comes shining through - suggesting that he's been through similar experiences with other girls. He slightly blames the situation on the elusive nature of love itself, referencing when "they said love is all around."
The verses provide a bit more detail into his experiences with this particular girl. He describes being reminded of a "different time and place, somebody else" when he's with her. This seems to frustrate him to the point of losing control, and he can't help but think of past failed attempts at love. However, he also acknowledges her appeal and attraction to him - she makes his heart sing and is a "wild thing."
Overall, "Deja Vu" is a melancholic yet somewhat resigned reflection on the difficulties of romance and the frustration of continually repeating the same experiences. The chorus provides an earworm-like repetition of the song's theme, while the verses add a bit more depth and character to the story.
Line by Line Meaning
Deja vu, a feeling I get when I talk to you
I experience a sense of familiarity and repetition every time I converse with you
Deja vu, don’t tell me anymore, I’ve heard it all before.
Please spare me from repetitive statements, as I've already been informed of them previously
A different time and place, somebody else
This current moment and individual are separate from previous experiences and people
I get so mad I can’t control myself
My emotions become intense and overwhelming, making it difficult to manage them
Remember when they said love is all around
Recall the time when love was believed to be present and accessible in all aspects of life
The past comes shining through
Previous memories and events become prominent and notable in the present
But I still can’t make it with a girl like you.
Despite efforts, a romantic connection with you is unfeasible or incompatible
Look at page one and tell me what you see
Examine the first page and share what you perceive
Hey little girl, come on give it to me
Addressing a young woman, expressing a desire for her affection or attention
Anyway you want me, baby that’s OK
I am willing to comply with your preferences and desires
You make my heart sing, you’re such a wild thing.
You evoke strong positive emotions in me and possess an unpredictable, exciting nature
(Ooh) you know I love you
Expressing affection and adoration towards the addressed individual
(Ooh) but I’ve never been so sure.
Despite love being present, feelings of doubt and uncertainty are also present
Deja vu, deja vu, deja vu.
Simple repetition of the phrase expressing a recurring sense of repetition and familiarity
Contributed by Kennedy F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Raymond Hale
I got a sense of Deja Vu when I first heard this song. Then I realized the lyrics are all references to their other songs. Great band and great song.
michael beckwith
This sounds remarkably like the Monkees . (Davy Jones). I love all those Monkees songs so of course I enjoyed this. I'm really looking forward to your posts this year. I'm so glad you find these posts that I've never heard before!!!
sunryse111
I have lots of goodies lined up, Michael. I just hope I get my laptop fixed so I can resume making music videos. We're okay until early March, but if I don't have it fixed by then, the music on this channel will stop for a while.
Christine Anne
bought this album when it was released. two great bands..top album**********
USMC Veteran
What year was this album released?
Christine Anne
@USMC Veteran 1992..it's in the above description.
USMC Veteran
@Christine Anne WOW, 1992. I had no idea they were still singing back in 1992. I was surprised because the Troggs had their big hit "Wild Thing" back in 1966.
Tiger Rogers
This is nice Victor!! Enjoyed!! Cheers Tiger.
sunryse111
Like I said to Lydia - to me, this has a definite similarity to the McGuiness Flint hit, "When I'm Dead and Gone". Maybe it's just me ...
Lida cartellida
Hi, VICTOR ❣️ Sounds NICE too 💞💕💞 Thanks for posting ... Love it ❤️