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.
Night Of The Long Grass
The Troggs Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I cannot feel I cannot see
The only thing I know is that
You're only real to me
I see your hair hang down around your shoulders and your collar
I lean your head upon a pillow made of leaves and straw
Night of the Long Grass
Night of the Long Grass
The night was warm the moon was bright
your perfume filled the air
As I looked down on you
you ran your fingers through my hair
With lips apart I thought that you were
going to call my name
Instead the kiss that followed was enought to melt my brain
Night of the Long Grass
Night of the Long Grass
I'm only left with misty dreams they're in my mind
My life was shattered on that night
That you were mine and now there's nothing left
Except the memory or is it misery
of how things used to be
Night of the Long Grass
Night of the Long Grass
I walk alone in dreams
I cannot feel I cannot see
The only thin I know is that
you're only real to me
I see your hiar hang down around your shoulders and your collar
I lean your head upon a pillow made of leaves and straw
Night of the Long Grass
Night of the Long Grass
Night of the Long Grass
Night of the Long Grass
The Troggs's song Night Of The Long Grass is a nostalgic but melancholic ode to an unforgettable night spent with someone special. The singer walks alone in dreams, unable to feel or see anything except the memory of this person, who is only real to him. He vividly remembers the details of that night, including the warmth of the night and the moon shining bright, filling the air with the perfume of his lover. As he looked down on her, she ran her fingers through his hair, and he thought she was going to call his name, but instead, what followed was a kiss that melted his brain.
The lyrics reveal the enduring power of memories that remain vivid, even if the reality of the moment has faded away. The singer's feelings are bittersweet, as the memory of the night with his lover is both a source of comfort and pain, as it is a reminder of what he once had but has now lost. The song captures the essence of nostalgia, a longing for a moment or a person that can never be fully recaptured.
Line by Line Meaning
I walk alone in dreams
The singer is wandering through a dreamlike state, feeling alone and disconnected.
I cannot feel I cannot see
The singer is numb to their surroundings, unable to fully experience their dream.
The only thing I know is that
Despite the confusion and uncertainty, the singer is certain of one thing.
You're only real to me
The artist's only anchor in this dream world is a person they perceive to be real.
I see your hair hang down around your shoulders and your collar
The artist's senses are sharp, as they envision the physical attributes of their dream companion.
I lean your head upon a pillow made of leaves and straw
The singer interacts physically with their dream companion, creating an intimate moment.
Night of the Long Grass
The title of the song and a repeated phrase, hinting at the significance and impact of this dream sequence.
The night was warm the moon was bright
Setting the scene for the dream, the atmosphere is painted as warm and illuminated by a full moon.
your perfume filled the air
The artist's senses are acutely attuned, able to pick up on the scent of their dream companion.
As I looked down on you
The artist is in a position of power, looking down on their dream companion.
you ran your fingers through my hair
The dream companion has an intimate moment with the singer, running their fingers through the singer's hair.
With lips apart I thought that you were
The artist anticipates something meaningful from their dream companion.
going to call my name
The singer expects to be acknowledged, likely in a romantic or affectionate way.
Instead the kiss that followed was enought to melt my brain
The singer is surprised by the intensity of the kiss, which overwhelms them completely.
I'm only left with misty dreams they're in my mind
The singer is left with memories of the dream, which are hazy and unclear.
My life was shattered on that night
The dream had a profound impact on the artist, leaving them feeling broken.
That you were mine and now there's nothing left
The artist had a sense of ownership over their dream companion, but now that they're gone, the artist feels empty.
Except the memory or is it misery
The singer isn't sure if their memories of the dream are positive or negative, since they caused such intense emotions.
of how things used to be
The singer longs for the connection they experienced in their dream, mourning its loss.
Night of the Long Grass
A repeated phrase that suggests the dream was particularly impactful, shaping the artist's perception and memories.
Night of the Long Grass
Closing out the song with another repetition of the title, emphasizing its significance.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: REG PRESLEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind