The original Vagrants were a Long Island-based rock and blue-eyed soul group from the 1960s. The group was composed of Peter Sabatino on vocals, harmonica, and tambourine, Leslie West on vocals and guitar, Larry West on vocals and bass guitar, Jerry Storch on organ, and Roger Mansour on drums.
By 1965, the group had developed a professional press kit and had gained the interest of the semi-professional Southern Sound record label and soon released a single: Oh Those Eyes b/w You're Too Young. Though the single wasn't very popular, it did gain the attention of directors Vince Scarza and Douglas Hickox, who were directing a Beach Party film called "Disk-o-Tek Holiday," which featured various music artists performing songs throughout the film. The clip that featured The Vagrants performing "Oh Those Eyes" is now considered a classic piece of mid-sixties history. However, The Vagrants weren't that thrilled with just one single and an unpopular sequence in a Beach Party film, and were soon signed to the "folkie" label Vanguard. It was then that the group released their first minor hit: I Can't Make a Friend, which is frequently found on garage band compilations and is one of their most recognizable early efforts. Still unhappy, though, was Felix Pappalardi, a record producer that would later work with Cream, The Youngbloods, and Joan Baez. Pappalardi worked hard to sign the group to Atco Records, a sublabel of the famous Atlantic Recording Corporation. In the Eastern United States, a cover of Otis Redding's "Respect" became a smash hit. However, a few months later, Aretha Franklin's "Respect" was more of a success, therefore hurting the sales of The Vagrants' version. It wasn't long after the group released "Respect," however that guitarist Leslie West decided to reach further heights by forming his own group, Mountain with Felix Pappalardi. The formation of Mountain was extremely beneficial to West, though; he had many hits with the group: Mississippi Queen, For Yasgur's Farm, Nantucket Sleighride, Dreams of Milk and Honey, and Never In My Life among others. Though The Vagrants existed for such a short time, their impact on Long Island rockers is amazingly vibrant. A compilation of all of the group's singles (excepting both sides of the "Oh Those Eyes" 45) was released on a full-length record titled The Great Lost Album in 1986, upon which both Leslie and Larry West are credited by their birth names, Leslie and Larry Weinstein.
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The Vagrants (Australia)
They tour extensively in Europe every year and are about to release a new album called "Stand Up" which is mostly a high energy rock album. April / May 2011 in Germany.
The last album recorded by them is "Be True" which is mostly rock album.
Their latest bio can be read on their website but a snippet of it is as follows:
The Vagrants chose their name from a life on the road and it gives their music its diversity, raw energy, edge and sweet tones. The Vagrants have been gigging for years doing over 400 gigs. The Vagrants music is rock at its finest, and is compared to
AC DC, Pink, Ben Harper, Evanescence, Black Crows, Janis Joplin.
The Vagrants have recently been signed to a world wide deal with Warner Chappel, after a blistering showcase at Popkomm in Berlin. The Vagrants front woman Renate Ludwig has amazed audiences at hundreds of festivals, international fundraisers, and world-class clubs and venues in Australia, US, Germany, Holland, Denmark, Switzerland, and the Czech Republic with her ballsy voice and intense stage presence.
Respect
The Vagrants Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
What you need, baby, you've got it.
All I'm asking, for respect
When I come home,
Hey hey hey, now
Hey hey hey
Hey hey hey
You can do me wrong while I'm gone.
All I'm asking, is for respect
When I come my home, ooh,
Hey hey hey
Hey hey hey
Hey little girl, you're sweet as honey
And I'm about to give you all of my money
And all I'm asking, gotta have respect
When I come home, hey now
Hey hey hey
Hey hey hey
Hey little girl, you're sweeter as honey
And I'm about to give you all of my money
Gotta have respect
When I come on home,
Gotta come on home
Hey hey hey
People get ready
Respect is what I need
Respect is what I want
Gotta have it
Gotta have it
Come on
Talk to me
You're ready
Respect gotta have it now
Gotta have it
In the morning...
The Vagrants's song Respect is a mid-tempo R&B track that speaks of a man’s desire for his partner’s respect. The lyrics express that the man can give the woman everything she wants and needs, but all he asks for in return is respect, especially when he comes home. He emphasizes this by repeating, “hey hey hey,” which serves as a vocal hook for the song. The chorus also features the repetition of the phrase, “gotta have respect,” which serves as a sort of plea. The verses show the man’s willingness to overlook his partner's bad behavior while he is away, but he expects her to treat him with respect when he returns.
The song can also be interpreted as a call for respect for women. The lyrics provide a glimpse into the power dynamic between men and women in romantic relationships. The man in the song is willing to give his partner everything she wants, but he still demands respect. He recognizes the worth of his partner and expects her to value him the same way. The underlying message of the song is that respect is a two-way street, and both partners need to treat each other with respect for a relationship to work.
Line by Line Meaning
What you want, honey, you got it
I acknowledge that you have everything you desire.
What you need, baby, you've got it.
I recognize that all your necessities are taken care of.
All I'm asking, for respect
The only thing I am requesting from you is respect.
When I come home,
Once I return to our shared dwelling.
Hey hey hey, now
Expressing excitement or enthusiasm in the moment.
Hey hey hey
Continuation of excitement or enthusiasm.
Do me wrong, honey, if you want to
Treat me poorly if that is what you desire.
You can do me wrong while I'm gone.
Even if I'm away, I'm ready for your actions.
Hey little girl, you're sweet as honey
Term of endearment for the woman he's addressing.
And I'm about to give you all of my money
I am prepared to give my finances to you.
And all I'm asking, gotta have respect
Despite my generosity, respect is non-negotiable.
When I come home, hey now
When I return to our abode.
Gotta have respect
The past instances emphasize the importance of respect.
Gotta come on home
I implore for the homecoming and the respect that follows.
Hey hey hey
Continuation of excitement or enthusiasm.
People get ready
A call to action for everyone to prepare.
Respect is what I need
Reiteration of the essential requirement in his domestic life.
Respect is what I want
Reiteration of what he craves in his interpersonal relationships.
Gotta have it
Avoidance of compromise with respect.
Gotta have it
Reiteration of his stance on respect without compromise.
Come on
Encouragement to follow his lead in valuing respect.
Talk to me
Acknowledging his need for open communication and comprehension.
You're ready
Phrase offered as assurance that the listener is prepared to meet his demand for respect.
Respect gotta have it now
Urgent need for respect that is non-negotiable.
Gotta have it
Reiteration of his stance on respect without compromise.
In the morning...
Ambiguous line that does not have a clear connection to prior lyrics.
Contributed by Madelyn A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@thisisrocknroll9057
Still performing today because of groups like this.
@Guitarmickey23
They killed live with that B3 organ!
@Bobbotov
Used to see them at the Action House in Long Beach back in the late 60's early 70's. They were a great cover band.
@eddobloggo
I was there too.
@bradford_shaun_murray
Lucky bastard lol :)
@rodineirigo2757
classic...
@antonioberti1180
YYYEEEAAAHHH !!!!!!!!!!
@gregmark4025
seen them at syosset high school back in '67
I remember leslie being so fat he could barely get on stage, but they were one of our local bands like the hassles (billy joel)
@user-dy8fw8gj2f
😊
@stevenhobin
Much as I idolise Otis Redding and Aretha Franklin and their fantastic takes on the song, this is the boss version