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.
Little Queenie
The Troggs Lyrics
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I got the wiggles in my knees when she looked at me and sweetly smiled
Oh, there she is again standin' over by the record machine
Yeah, lookin' like a model on the cover of a magazine
And she's too cute to be a minute over seventeen.
Oh, meanwhile, I was thinkin'
She's in the mood, no need to break it
If she can dance we can make it
C'mon queenie, let's shake it.
I said go, go, go, little queenie
Oh, go, go, go, little queenie
I said go, go, go, little queenie.
Want you tell me who's the queen standin' over by the record machine
Yeah, lookin' like a model on the cover of a magazine
And she's too cute to be a minute over seventeen.
Oh, meanwhile, I was thinkin
If it's a slow one, we'll omit it
If it's a rocker, then we'll get it
If it's good, she'll admit it
C'mon queenie, let's get with it.
I said go, go, go, little queenie
Oh, go, go, go, little queenie
I said go, go, go, little queenie.
The lyrics of The Troggs's song Little Queenie depict a young man who is completely smitten with a beautiful girl he spots at a party. He describes the physical reaction he experiences upon seeing her walking down the aisle, and how he cannot resist the charm of her sweet smile. The girl continues to catch his attention, looking gorgeous and mature beyond her years standing by the record machine. He can't help but feel drawn to her, and he suggests they dance together, hoping to turn this into a romantic encounter.
The young man in the song is fully aware of the magnetism this girl has over him and is ready to seize the moment. The lyrics encourage the girl to join him on the dance floor and enjoy the good music. The singer seems confident that if they can move together, they will be able to connect on a deep level beyond words. He suggests that the kind of song won't matter while they're dancing, as long as they are able to get lost in the moment and dance as one.
The song is a perfect example of teenage angst and infatuation. It captures the yearning of young love and the fear of missed opportunities. The upbeat music adds an element of excitement to the song while emphasizing the cheerful and uplifting emotions it embodies.
Line by Line Meaning
I got lumps in my throat when I saw her comin' down the aisle
My heart skipped a beat and I was overcome with emotion when I saw her walking towards me
I got the wiggles in my knees when she looked at me and sweetly smiled
Her smile made my knees weak and my heart race with excitement
Oh, there she is again standin' over by the record machine
I see her again, standing by the record machine, looking as beautiful as ever
Yeah, lookin' like a model on the cover of a magazine
She looks as gorgeous and perfect as a model from the cover of a magazine
And she's too cute to be a minute over seventeen.
She is so adorable and youthful that I can't imagine her being older than seventeen
If she can dance we can make it
If she's willing to dance with me, we could have a great time together
C'mon queenie, let's shake it.
Let's dance together, Little Queenie!
I said go, go, go, little queenie
I'm encouraging her to let loose and dance with me
Want you tell me who's the queen standin' over by the record machine
Can you tell me who that beautiful girl is standing by the record machine?
If it's a slow one, we'll omit it
If the music is slow, we'll skip this dance and wait for something more upbeat
If it's a rocker, then we'll get it
If the music is upbeat, we'll dance together and have a great time
If it's good, she'll admit it
If the music is good, she'll openly express her enjoyment and enthusiasm
C'mon queenie, let's get with it.
Let's dance together energetically, Little Queenie!
I said go, go, go, little queenie
I'm urging her to dance with me and enjoy the music
Contributed by Julian P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.