Originally a blues-based band noted for their signature "rave-up" instrumental breaks, the Yardbirds broadened their range into pop, pioneering psychedelic rock and early hard rock; and contributed to many electric guitar innovations of the mid-1960s. Some rock critics and historians also cite their influence on the later punk rock, progressive rock and heavy metal trends. Following the band's split in 1968, Relf and McCarty formed Renaissance and guitarist Jimmy Page formed Led Zeppelin - the latter of which was initially intended as a direct successor to the Yardbirds.
The band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1992. They were included at number 89 in Rolling Stone's list of the "100 Greatest Artists of All Time" and ranked number 37 on VH1's 100 Greatest Artists of Hard Rock.
The Yardbirds re-formed in the 1990s, featuring drummer Jim McCarty and rhythm guitarist Chris Dreja as the only original members. Dreja left the band in 2012, leaving McCarty as the sole original member of the band in the present lineup.
The band formed in the south-west London suburbs in 1963. Relf and Samwell-Smith were originally in a band named the Metropolitan Blues Quartet. After being joined by Dreja, McCarty and Top Topham, they performed at Kingston Art School in late May 1963 as a backup band for Cyril Davies. Following a couple of gigs in September 1963 as the Blue-Sounds, they changed their name to the Yardbirds. McCarty claims that Relf was the first to use the name; he may have got it from Jack Kerouac's novel On the Road, where it referred to rail yard hobos. He adds that Topham identified it as a nickname for jazz saxophonist Charlie "Yardbird" Parker.
The quintet achieved notice on the burgeoning British rhythm and blues scene when they took over as the house band at the Crawdaddy Club in Richmond, succeeding the Rolling Stones. Their repertoire drew from the Chicago blues of Howlin' Wolf, Muddy Waters, Bo Diddley, Sonny Boy Williamson II and Elmore James, including "Smokestack Lightning", "Good Morning Little School Girl", "Boom Boom", "I Wish You Would", "Rollin' and Tumblin'", "Got Love if You Want It" and "I'm a Man".
Original lead guitarist Topham left and was replaced by Eric Clapton in October 1963. Crawdaddy Club impresario Giorgio Gomelsky became the Yardbirds manager and first record producer. Under Gomelsky's guidance the Yardbirds toured Britain as the back-up band for blues legend Sonny Boy Williamson II in December 1963 and early 1964, recording live tracks on 8 December and other dates. The recordings would be released two years later during the height of the Yardbirds popularity on the album Sonny Boy Williamson and the Yardbirds.
After the tours with Williamson, the Yardbirds signed to EMI's Columbia label in February 1964, and recorded more live tracks on 20 March at the legendary Marquee Club in London. The resulting album of mostly American blues and R&B covers, Five Live Yardbirds, was released by Columbia nine months later, and it failed to enter the UK Albums Chart. Over time, Five Live gained stature as one of the few high-quality live recordings of the era and as a historical document of both the British rock and roll boom of the 1960s and Clapton's time in the band.
Along with John Mayall's Bluesbreakers, The Yardbirds were part of the British blues scene of the 1960s. As the blues rock genre developed, some acts like Chicken Shack were playing a louder and more aggressive style, while the Yardbirds emphasized instrumental textures and extended instrumental improvisations. They covered blues classics like Howlin' Wolf's Smokestack Lightning (1956) and Bo Diddley's I'm a Man (1955) which had a repetitive structure where instrumental solos were brief breaks between repetition of verses. The Yardbirds often extended these instrumental sections into "heavy jams".
Goodnight Sweet Josephine
The Yardbirds Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
She's the queen of Clapham.
Every night,
She goes out with men to trap 'em,
In her net,
Of ecstasy.
Goodnight sweet Josephine,
If Josephine could,
She'd give you her blood.
I know that she would,
Love to.
Goodnight sweet Josephine,
Goodnight sweet Josephine,
Goodnight sweet Josephine,
We love you.
Goodnight sweet Josephine,
We love you to distraction.
Whatever she does,
The police will take no action.
They're all in love,
With Josephine.
It's right that Josephine,
Should do just as she pleases.
And whether or not,
You like what she's got,
She's guaranteed not,
To fail you.
Goodnight sweet Josephine,
Goodnight sweet Josephine,
Goodnight sweet Josephine,
We love you.
Goodnight sweet Josephine,
Goodnight sweet Josephine,
Goodnight sweet Josephine,
We love you.
Goodnight sweet Josephine,
Goodnight sweet Josephine,
The lyrics to The Yardbirds' song, Goodnight Sweet Josephine, paint a picture of a woman named Josephine who is a symbol of seduction and temptation for the men of Clapham. The song portrays her as a powerful and irresistible force, with men falling into her trap of ecstasy. The repetition of her name throughout the song creates a sense of infatuation and fixation, emphasizing her hold over men. The lyrics suggest that Josephine is in control, and the police turn a blind eye to her exploits as they too are mesmerized by her charm.
The chorus of the song declares the love and adoration for Josephine from those who know her, defying anyone who may judge or criticize her actions. The reference to Josephine's willingness to give her blood may hint at her promiscuity or possibly even allude to her being a vampire. However, the true meaning behind the lyrics remains open to interpretation.
Overall, the lyrics of Goodnight Sweet Josephine showcase the band's ability to create an ambiance of longing and attraction, with the character of Josephine symbolizing the mystery and allure of female sexuality.
Line by Line Meaning
Goodnight sweet Josephine,
The singer bids farewell to Josephine, whom they describe as sweet and endearing.
She's the queen of Clapham.
Josephine is esteemed and respected within her community of Clapham.
Every night,
Josephine engages in her routine activity without fail.
She goes out with men to trap 'em,
Josephine lures men into her seductive trap.
In her net,
Once Josephine ensnares the men, they are bound to her.
Of ecstasy.
Josephine provides a thrilling experience for those who fall into her embrace.
There's no-one else quite like you.
Josephine is one-of-a-kind and unique in her own way.
If Josephine could,
The artist imagines a hypothetical situation where Josephine can do something she desires.
She'd give you her blood.
Josephine would go to great lengths to show her appreciation and love for someone she cares about.
I know that she would,
The artist is confident in their assumption about Josephine's behavior.
Love to.
Josephine enjoys expressing her love and affection.
We love you to distraction.
The artist and possibly others are obsessed with Josephine and cannot get enough of her.
The police will take no action.
Even though Josephine operates in a potentially illegal manner, the authorities do not interfere with her actions.
They're all in love,
Even the police officers recognize Josephine's charm and fall under her spell.
With Josephine.
The love is directed towards Josephine herself.
It's right that Josephine,
The artist believes that Josephine is justified in doing what she pleases.
Should do just as she pleases.
Josephine is entitled to make her own choices and live her life on her own terms.
And whether or not,
Regardless of what people think or say about Josephine,
You like what she's got,
Whether or not you are attracted to Josephine and her lifestyle,
She's guaranteed not,
It is assured that Josephine will not disappoint or let you down.
To fail you.
Josephine will come through for you and live up to your expectations.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: TONY HAZZARD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Cam Reiff
I'm impressed that Jim McCarty can sing backup and still drum so busily.
Mark .Smith
We are very lucky to have this recorded in a quality manner to see and hear the full dynamics involved at this show. I didn't realize this was available until now, but it helps put together a few things in my mind on what Page was doing when he formed Led Zeppelin.
Sebastian Öström
This song is great, and Page plays great on it.
Mark .Smith
To me this represents the best example of where Jimmy Page gets the prototype for Led Zeppelin from. His guitar solo in particular speaks of things to come in Led Zeppelin. The hard and fast drumming too gives a green light for John Bonham's style to emerge. And this formula of instrument sharing is what Jeff Beck failed to incorporate into his future music. It's a band effort with appropriate guitar soloing without leaving out other instrument contributions. Jeff Beck had too many personality issues to expand this theme going forward but not with Page. Page set off to capitalize on this new sound between 4 members of a group and to leverage these 4 elements into a full band ensemble. Page's ego didn't stop him from getting 4 other musicians to give their creative and performance best to the music.
TheThroney
keith relf is awesome.. I like his hand movements in this performance, they're hilarious! :>
rockermetalhead1200
Awsome vid! Jimmy Page, man.Great as usual
SophieTheBagel1984
Jimmy's ruffles are iconic.
Martha M Padilla
Braaavoooo!!!!! Gracias por este Excelente Tema 😎 Woooooww!!!! Good Music😘
pikeman80
The fact that it's on French TV shows the
International appeal of this great band
Mark Wiygul
This was the Yardbirds final single, released on April 1st 1968. The B-side is "Think About It" which ROCKS, and was covered by Aerosmith on their 1979 album. Mickey Most was their producer, keeping them solidly grounded in pop music until their demise. Sadly, it seems Aerosmith has been following the same path, with too many "Mickey Most" telling them to record too much pop and balogna. Check out the Yardbird's Think About It.