Jesse Colin Young got his start as a solo act on the folk circuits of Boston and New York and had already cut a couple of unsuccessful albums before deciding to form a band with guitarist Jerry Corbitt. After a failed single called "My Babe", they hired aspiring jazz drummer Joe Bauer and guitarist/pianist Lowell Levinger III, better known simply as "Banana". Young began playing bass when several candidates-- including Felix Pappalardi and Harvey Brooks (later of The Electric Flag)--proved incompatible, and the quartet took the name 'Youngbloods' from the singer's second solo album.
The group was eventually selected as the house band at New York's famed Cafe Au Go Go and established itself as a leading folk rock/good time attraction. Their sound would temper their blues and jugband influences with gentle California psychedelia, particularly after they moved to the San Francisco Bay area.
While Young was always the focal point of the band, their first two albums also had songwriting contributions from Corbitt. Their first single, Grizzly Bear, was a local hit. Their second attempt, Get Together, didn't do much better when it was first released. This Dino Valenti song had previously been recorded by the Jefferson Airplane, but The Youngbloods' slow, soulful interpretation of "Get Together" was definitive. The record faded quickly but suddenly rocketed to the Top 10 when it was re-released in 1969 after being used in a television public service ad. The tune was subsequently adopted as a counterculture anthem.
By that time, Corbitt had left. The Youngbloods, reduced to a trio, were living in Marin County, CA. 1969's Elephant Mountain was produced by country artist Charlie Daniels. Reflecting the mellowing influence of San Francisco psychedelia, it was their best effort, featuring some of Young's best songs. They released a few more albums in the early '70s (some live), but on these, the mellow California rock sound had begun to turn lame and wimpy.
Further albums by Bauer, Levinger and Young were marred by inconsistency. A friend from the Boston days, Michael Kane, joined the band in the spring of 1971, but they split the following year when Young left the band. Levinger, Bauer and Kane continued as Banana And The Bunch, but this occasional venture subsequently folded.
Jesse Colin Young went on to have a long and moderately successful career as a solo singer-songwriter.
Beautiful
The Youngbloods Lyrics
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Feeling inside, yeah, say what you will
Show me what's hiding behind your eyes
Don't keep 'em feelings locked up inside
Tear down your wall, don't let 'em hide you
Reach out your pain, can't you understand
You're beautiful
Pay no attention to the small mind, oh no, no
Do what you will
Or laugh at convention, it's not a crime, no, no, no, no
Open your eyes and look around you
Lovers everywhere, they surround you
Reach out your pain, can't you understand
You're beautiful, beautiful, beautiful now
You're so beautiful, oh, do you, do you feel it
Beautiful, beautiful, now, I sure hope you feel it
Come on now, say what you will
Say what your feelin', feelin' inside
Come on and say what you will
Show me what's hiding behind your eyes, girl
Don't keep 'em feelings locked up inside you
Tear down your wall, don't let 'em hide you
Reach out your pain, can't you understand
You're beautiful, beautiful, beautiful now
So beautiful, beautiful, do you feel it now?
The Youngbloods’ song "Beautiful" encourages listeners to express their true feelings and not to be afraid of showing their vulnerabilities. The song suggests that true beauty comes from being authentic and transparent. The opening lines say “say what you will, say what you feel, feeling inside, yeah, say what you will” point towards the importance of expressing oneself openly. The song then goes on to say "Show me what's hiding behind your eyes, Don't keep 'em feelings locked up inside”. This implies that true beauty lies in being expressive and not suppressing emotions. The chorus emphasizes this theme, repeating the lines “You're beautiful, beautiful, beautiful now. So beautiful, beautiful, do you feel it now?,” indicating that being true to oneself is what makes someone beautiful.
The song also touches upon the idea of breaking societal conventions and simply being oneself, with lyrics such as "Or laugh at convention, it's not a crime". The line "Open your eyes and look around you, Lovers everywhere, they surround you" implies that people are more attracted to those who are open and authentic.
Overall, "Beautiful" extols the virtues of self-expression and honesty as the keys to true beauty. The song's lyrics encourage listeners to embrace their true selves and not be afraid to show the world who they really are.
Line by Line Meaning
Say what you will, say what you feel
Share your honest thoughts and emotions
Feeling inside, yeah, say what you will
Express the emotions you're experiencing within yourself
Show me what's hiding behind your eyes
Reveal to me what you're really feeling through your gaze
Don't keep 'em feelings locked up inside
Don't suppress or conceal your emotions
Tear down your wall, don't let 'em hide you
Remove your barriers and don't allow your emotions to control you
Reach out your pain, can't you understand
Share your pain with others and seek support
Do what you will
Be your true self and don't be limited by societal conventions
Pay no attention to the small mind, oh no, no
Don't be influenced by narrow-minded thinking
Or laugh at convention, it's not a crime, no, no, no, no
Find the humor in the rigidity of social norms and expectations
Open your eyes and look around you
Observe your surroundings and take note of the love that surrounds you
Lovers everywhere, they surround you
Love can be found in many forms and all around us
You're beautiful, beautiful, beautiful now
You are full of beauty and are worthy of love and admiration
So beautiful, beautiful, do you feel it now?
Embrace your beauty and feel confident in your own skin
Come on now, say what you will
Encouragement to express oneself honestly
Show me what's hiding behind your eyes, girl
Asking for a woman to share her genuine emotions
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Royalty Network
Written by: CLIVE GREGORY YOUNG, RACHAEL KANE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind