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.
Ritual #2
The West Coast Pop Art Experimental Band Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You'll make pretty flowers
Let's lay on the long green grass and look at them
And each other.
You'll make pretty babies
You'll make pretty babies
Let's lay on the long green grass and look at them
You'll make pretty beads
You'll make pretty flowers
Let's lay on the long green grass and look at them
And at each other.
You'll make pretty beads
You'll make pretty flowers
Let's lay on the long green grass and look at them
And each other.
You'll make pretty beads
(You'll make pretty babies)
You'll make pretty flowers
(You'll make pretty babies)
Let's lay on the long green grass and look at them
And each other.
The lyrics of "Ritual #2" by The West Coast Pop Art Experimental Band are cryptic, yet seemingly simple in their content. The repetition of "you'll make pretty babies" and "you'll make pretty flowers" gives the impression of a ritualistic chant. The suggestion to lay on the "long green grass" and gaze at the offspring and nature laid before them implies a sense of innocence and wonder.
The idea of beauty and creation is further explored through the repetition of "pretty beads" and "pretty flowers". The use of the term "beads" can signify a number of different things, such as the creation of jewelry or perhaps the idea of stringing together ideas or concepts into something beautiful. The call to "look at them and at each other" emphasizes the idea that the beauty and creation being witnessed extends to the individuals themselves.
Overall, the lyrics of "Ritual #2" seem to be a celebration of fertility, beauty, and the natural world. However, the repetition of the same phrases over and over again suggests that there is a deeper meaning beyond the surface level of the lyrics. It is up to the listener to interpret what that meaning might be.
Line by Line Meaning
You'll make pretty babies
You have the potential to create beautiful offspring
You'll make pretty flowers
Your beauty is comparable to that of flowers
Let's lay on the long green grass and look at them
Let's relax in nature and appreciate the beauty around us
And each other.
Let's also appreciate each other's beauty and presence
Contributed by Olivia K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.