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.
Gonna Make You
The Troggs Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Gonna make you
Gonna make you
All mine
Gonna love you
Gonna love you
Gonna love you
I want you more and more each day
And love to hear the things you say
I love to see the things you do
You turn me on, when I'm with you
I'm with you
I'm with you
I'm with you
Gonna make you
Gonna make you
Gonna make you
All mine
Oh no, baby
Gonna make you
Gonna make you
Gonna make you
All mine
Alright
The Troggs's song "Gonna Make You" is a love song expressing the singer's desire to make their loved one theirs forever. The repetition of "gonna make you" and "gonna love you" emphasizes the singer's determination and devotion to their partner. The repeated phrase of "all mine" suggests a possessive and intense love. The lyrics also express the singer's admiration for their loved one's words and actions, indicating that their attraction goes beyond just physical appearance.
The line "You turn me on, when I'm with you" further emphasizes the intense physical attraction between the singer and their loved one. The repetition of "I'm with you" conveys the message that the singer wants to be close to their partner all the time, reinforcing the idea of a strong and intense love.
Overall, "Gonna Make You" is a passionate and romantic love song that emphasizes the singer's desire for possession, devotion, and intense physical attraction towards their loved one.
Line by Line Meaning
Gonna make you
Expressing determination and certainty to win the affection and commitment of the person being addressed
Gonna make you
Continuing to assert the desire and intent to gain the love and devotion of the person
Gonna make you
Repeating the declaration of intention to possess the person being referred to
All mine
Indicating the ultimate goal of securing exclusive ownership and control over the person being addressed
Gonna love you
Expressing the strong emotional attachment and devotion toward the person being addressed
Gonna love you
Repeating the sentiment of deep affection and commitment to love the person consistently
Gonna love you
Affirming the intention to love and care for the person being referred to
All the time
Indicating the commitment to love and cherish the person continually and consistently
I want you more and more each day
Expressing the increasing desire and attraction to the person being addressed over time
And love to hear the things you say
Enjoying and appreciating the words and expressions of the person being referred to
I love to see the things you do
Finding joy and admiration in observing the actions and behavior of the person being addressed
You turn me on, when I'm with you
Feeling sexually aroused and stimulated when in the presence of the person being referred to
I'm with you
Emphasizing the presence and company of the person being addressed
I'm with you
Repeating the declaration of being beside and close to the person being referred to
I'm with you
Stressing the desire and need to be near and connected to the person
Oh no, baby
Expressing surprise or disbelief at a situation or feeling
Gonna make you
Restating the strong determination to possess and claim the person as their own
Gonna make you
Repeating the desire and plan to win over the person's love and loyalty
Gonna make you
Reasserting the confidence and persistence to achieve the goal of exclusivity over the person
All mine
Reaffirming the ultimate objective to have complete and total ownership and control over the person being addressed
Alright
Indicating agreement or affirmation of the resolution and plan to obtain the person's love and devotion
Lyrics © Kanjian Music, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: COLIN MICHAEL FRECHTER, LARRY PAGE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind