Aspiring musician and scenester Bob Markley managed to join the group the Laughing Wind in exchange for his connections in the music industry and substantial bankroll. The original five-piece line-up consisted of Michael Lloyd (rhythm guitar, vocals), Shaun Harris (bass guitar, vocals, Danny Harris (lead guitar, vocals), John Ware (drums), and Markley (tambourine, vocals). Although Markley possessed the least musical talent, his expertise in law enabled him to assume control of the group's name and publishing, which generated a divide in the WCPAEB's creative mindset.
The band debuted with the album Volume One in 1966 on the small FiFo record label. In the early years of the group, much was made of the WCPAEB's elaborate psychedelic light shows, which became the focal point of their live performances in Los Angeles. Following the release of Volume One, the WCPAEB signed with Reprise Records, recording three albums with the company, including arguably their most accomplished work Volume 3: A Child's Guide to Good and Evil in 1968. Two additional albums, Where's My Daddy? and Markley, A Group, were distributed on independent labels before the group disbanded in 1970.
I Won't Hurt You
The West Coast Pop Art Experimental Band Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I've been to paradise
and out the other side
With no one to guide me
torn apart by fiery wheel
inside me
I wont hurt you
I wont hurt you
I wont hurt you
An untouched diamond
that's golden an brilliant
without illumination
Your mouth is constellation
the stars are in your eyes
I'll take a spaceship and try and go and find you
I wont hurt you
I wont hurt you
I wont hurt you
I wont hurt you
My pale blue star
my rainbow how good it is
to know you are like me
Strike me with you lightning
bring me down and burry me
with ashes
I wont hurt you
I wont hurt you
I wont hurt you
I wont hurt you
I wont hurt you
I wont hurt you
I wont hurt you
I wont hurt you
The West Coast Pop Art Experimental Band’s song “I Won’t Hurt You” is commonly interpreted as a love song. At first, the lyrics seem to suggest that the singer has suffered through emotional turmoil and is now lost, without guidance or direction. However, despite this pain and a sense of personal loss, the singer still insists that they won't hurt their love interest. The lyrics also suggest a sense of otherworldliness, specifically referencing paradise and space travel. The second verse describes the singer's love interest as a “golden and brilliant” diamond, and stating that their mouth is a constellation with stars in their eyes. The song suggests a deep longing for this “pale blue star” as the singer searches for them despite their sense of being lost and unsure.
Moreover, the lyrics are open to interpretation, and despite the general sense of sweetness that seems to surround the song, the weight of the lyrics suggests something darker is also present. With lines like "strike me with your lightning” and “bury me with ashes,” there is an undercurrent of desperation that adds another layer of complexity to the song. Additionally, the lines: "I’ve been to paradise and out the other side" imply that the singer has already experienced some sort of trauma or triumph that they’ve had to overcome.
Line by Line Meaning
I've lost all my pride
I am no longer proud of myself
I've been to paradise
I have experienced extreme happiness
and out the other side
but that state did not last
With no one to guide me
Without any guidance
torn apart by fiery wheel
I have been emotionally devastated
inside me
within my own self
I wont hurt you
I promise not to cause pain to you
An untouched diamond
You are a rare, valuable and untouched gem
that's golden an brilliant
You are precious and bright
without illumination
but not fully understood or recognized
Your mouth is constellation
Your mouth is a group of stars
the stars are in your eyes
Your eyes are as bright as the stars
I'll take a spaceship and try and go and find you
I will make a grand effort to reach out to you
My pale blue star
You, my love, are like a pale blue star
my rainbow how good it is
You bring happiness and color to my life
to know you are like me
It is comforting to know that we have similarities
Strike me with you lightning
Sudden, intense feelings for you overwhelm me
bring me down and burry me
Even if those feelings could hurt me
with ashes
I would still choose to be near you
Contributed by Michael L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.