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".
Sitting On Top Of The World
The Yardbirds Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Just trying to find my little all in all
But now she's gone, and I don't worry
Lord I'm sitting on top of the world
Was in the spring, one summer day
Just when she left me, she's gone to stay
But now she's gone, and I don't worry
An' you come runnin', holdin' up your hand
Can't get me a woman, cranky you can get a man
But now you're gone, and now I don't worry
Lord I'm sitting on top of the world
Have been days, I didn't know your name
Why should I worry or cry in vain
But now she's gone, now I don't worry
Lord I'm sitting on top of the world
Went to the station, down in the yard
Gonna get me a freight train, worked and got to home
But now she's gone, and I don't worry
Oh I'm sitting on top of the world
The lonesome days, they have gone by
Why should you beg me oh say goodbye
But now she's gone, and I don't worry
Oh cause I'm sitting on top of the world
The Yardbirds' song Sitting on Top of the World is a classic blues tune that speaks of a man who once had it all but lost it when his love left him. The lyrics are heavily influenced by traditional blues songs from the early 20th century, and the song features a simple, bluesy guitar riff throughout.
The first verse tells of how the singer spent his summer and fall searching for his "little all in all," or his soulmate, but now that she's gone, he's not worried because he's "sitting on top of the world." The second verse continues in this vein, with the singer reminiscing about a spring day when his love left him. The third verse introduces a new character, someone who comes running to the singer with their hand out, asking for help finding a woman. The singer responds by telling them they can find a man instead. The fourth verse speaks of how the singer has been through rough times but isn't worried now that his love is gone, and the final verse talks about how he's going to hop a freight train out of town, still not worried because he's sitting on top of the world.
Line by Line Meaning
Was all the summer and all the fall
Throughout the summer and the fall seasons
Just trying to find my little all in all
Attempting to discover one's true love
But now she's gone, and I don't worry
Since my lover has departed, I am not concerned
Lord I'm sitting on top of the world
I am elated and content
Was in the spring, one summer day
During a particular day in the spring and summer
Just when she left me, she's gone to stay
Immediately after my beloved took her leave permanently
An' you come runnin', holdin' up your hand
When you frantically seek my attention
Can't get me a woman, cranky you can get a man
If you cannot entice a lady, at least you may seduce a man
But now you're gone, and now I don't worry
Now that you are absent, I am not anxious
Lord I'm sitting on top of the world
I am pleased with my current state
Have been days, I didn't know your name
Days when I lacked knowledge of your identity
Why should I worry or cry in vain
What reason do I have to fret or sob fruitlessly
But now she's gone, now I don't worry
Since she is no more, I am not anxious
Lord I'm sitting on top of the world
I am delighted and serene
Went to the station, down in the yard
Traveled to the station situated in the yard
Gonna get me a freight train, worked and got to home
Planning to board and ride a freight train back home
But now she's gone, and I don't worry
Now that she is gone, I am untroubled
Oh I'm sitting on top of the world
I am euphoric and satisfied
The lonesome days, they have gone by
The days of loneliness have expired
Why should you beg me oh say goodbye
What is the cause of your pleading for me to leave
But now she's gone, and I don't worry
Since she has departed, I am not anxious
Oh cause I'm sitting on top of the world
As a result, I am feeling ecstatic
Lyrics © Kanjian Music
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
splitneedle
Really good live and clear sound quality on vocals, harmonica and drums!
dowillem
Great harp playing!
Uercule Braga
Na minha linha, esse som.
Stonkin
Great Harp from Mr Alan Glen... Top Man!
Calippo11
That harmonica though!
pi314too
Fabulous. I need to learn harmonica pronto also.
Alos21
harmonica ia tha bomb...I need to learn it pronto!
snusmumriken3
Jim McCarty = SEXYgenarian!!! Phew!!! I need a cold shower now!!! %-) Thanks a bunch, superblob27, you made my day!!!
Stonkin
Supreme Yardbirds Blues Workout - with Fab solo's from Gypie Mayo and Alan Glen.
Cossall TRA
Fab !!